 The Ikon utilizes Vittoria’s proprietary microfilament closure system, which includes two dials per shoe. |
| THE TECH The Ikon is built around a unidirectional carbon fiber outsole that is compatible with Shimano, Look and other three-bolt-style road cleats. There are four small ventilation ports located down the length of the outsole, while a minimal toe tread sits at the front and a replaceable heel tread takes its place at the back. The Ikon’s upper is crafted from a nearly seamless, laser-cut synthetic material that is very supple to the touch. Thicker sections of material that appear like webbing along the upper, create what Vittoria calls the “V-Frame,” a minimalist exterior structure that gives the Ikon a better, more supportive fit. The closure mechanism is comprised of two microfilament dials that are proprietary to Vittoria–they even have Vittoria’s signature “V” logo integrated into them. |
 Like most of Vitoria’s shoes, the Ikon is manufactured in Italy. |
| THE LUNCH RIDE Flipping up the dial’s tab unlocks it and enables you to tighten or loosen the laces, and the dials themselves have a very solid feel to them. The tongue and heel cup are extremely well-padded, with the latter including an anti-slip material to help keep your heel locked into place. The fit feels pretty true to width, but the length runs a touch longer than the average road shoe we’ve come across. The stock insole is a bit more generously padded than the average stock insole we’ve seen on most shoes, even those in the same high price bracket as the Ikon. |
 The Ikon’s outsole is made from unidirectional carbon fiber and is compatible with three-bolt cleat systems. |
| On the bike, the Ikon’s outsole proved incredibly stiff and even the strongest of riders out there shouldn’t have any complaints when it comes to putting the power down. The synthetic upper is very supple, so we don’t expect the Ikon’s to require too long a break-in period. Our only initial concern with the Ikon is the microfilament laces–although the dials feel very durable, the laces themselves feel quite thin to the touch, so we suspect that they may be subject to damage in the long run. Bottom line: The Vittoria Ikons feel incredibly well-crafted in our hands, incredibly stiff under our feet, and quite comfortable overall, although we’ll keep an eye on the long-term durability of the microfilament cables. |
 The nearly seamless synthetic upper of the Ikon creates a smooth instep. |
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