From time to time, CyclingDestination receives some products to evaluate. That includes Ekoï, the manufacturer of cycling clothing, shoes and accessories based in Fréjus. We received a few beautiful white socks, the Ekoï Road R4. Why these shoes? According to Ekoï, you can also walk well in these shoes with wider feet (like mine). That requires a thorough test, and that is what we conducted. Below you can read why you should (or maybe not) buy the Ekoï Road R4 shoes!
The Ekoï Road R4 at a glance
- What: a road shoe built for speed, with a very stiff sole and two BOA dials.
- Fit: roomy enough for wide feet. Tested in the largest size (47, inner length 29.9 cm).
- Pros: direct power transfer, sleek look, a perfect fit after a few weeks.
- Cons: the stiff tongue needs breaking in, and there are no guide lines for the cleats on the sole.
- Price: list price around €280. Ekoï uses changing prices, so look out for deals.
Updated in October 2026. Ekoï sent us these shoes to test; our verdict is independent.
Before you go cycling
As I already wrote: I have big feet. Size 47 to be exact. Canoe-shaped feet. And also wide feet. A bit of a model duck. That’s why many shoes quickly fall off. Especially the beautiful Italian ‘slippers’ are not for me. Although I’ve been riding a wide version of an Italian brand for years, I noticed that it wasn’t quite right. That’s why I’m now wearing these Ekoï Road R4 shoes. With my foot length of almost 30cm, I need the largest size. That measure is 29.9 cm and that fits well on paper. Let’s see!
Installing shoe plates on the Ekoï Road R4
When I get my hands on the shoes, they look nice and neat. Basically, what you can expect from shoes in this price range, €280 for a pair. In terms of prices: always keep an eye out because Ekoï uses dynamic pricing, which means there are (significant) differences in the prices of products at any given moment. Back to the shoes. When I’m going to attach the shoe plates, I’m a bit disappointed. The guide lines on the bottom of the shoes are missing. Although you can’t always trust the manufacturer that they’re straight, it’s still a nice reference point. It makes it difficult to find a kind of reference point. There are tools for that, like the ERGON TP1 adjustment tool. I didn't have that on hand at the time, so it was a gamble.
More about shoe plates: Shoe plates and pedals – what should I choose now?
Striving for speed
When I put on the shoes for the first time, I immediately notice that these Ekoï R4 Road shoes are very stiff. Not only the sole is very hard to get dirty, but the lip is also very stiff. A little research reveals the answer: the shoes are made for performance, the pros want the shoes to be really stiff, so that’s also part of the reason. It takes a little getting used to. Fortunately, the shoe has two BOA turn wheels, which allow you to shape the shoe well around the foot. The stiffness of the outer layer ensures that you have to turn the shoe around a couple of times to get it right. In terms of width, it fits perfectly.
Need for speed
To be honest, my first ride with these new shoes was really difficult. The stiffness of the heel in particular makes me constantly have to adjust the shoe. Too tight, too loose, and it just doesn’t feel right. Now I ride every day, so I have plenty of time to find the right setting. My second ride is already going much better. Then I also notice that these shoes are made to be used for pedaling. The stiff sole ensures that every pedal stroke is accurate. Plus, the looks are also tight. I like that, although I’m not necessarily a purist in that area.
Longer use
By the time of writing, I have already owned the shoes for over two months. After the first rides with a somewhat uncomfortable feeling, the shoes have now completely shaped to my feet. I wear them almost every ride and it’s now a pleasure to ride with them. I couldn’t find out if you could warm up the shoes in the oven first and then have them adjusted to your foot afterwards. That would still be an option to get them shaped right away. You see that with other brands, but with Ekoï that remains a mystery. What I have noticed: I go like a rocket with these shoes. One after another record is being broken. And that’s despite the fact that I didn’t necessarily have bad shoes before that. But maybe morale also plays a part?
Final verdict Ekoï Road R4
These shoes are made for hard riding. You can feel that when you put them on, you can see that on your GPS and you can also see it in the price. The catalog price of €282 is a hefty price. But Ekoï’s variable pricing strategy ensures that you can buy them more often at a more attractive price. But do you have to do that? That’s obviously very personal. As I already wrote: the initial awareness-raising wasn’t love at first try. But as with many things: not everything is always pleasant the first time. Your first ride on the bike, that was probably also a challenge. But as written: that’s when it really starts. The shoes are now shaped to my feet and they feel more natural. I ride them comfortably, I feel that I can really use all my strength and I can get myself out of the saddle well. For a current price under €200, I even think it’s a bargain. So should you buy it? Yes, sure. But be aware: if you really have really wide feet, choose another brand. Because although these are wide socks, you need special shoes for really wide feet.
Questions about the Ekoï Road R4
Is the Ekoï Road R4 suitable for wide feet?
In our test it was. Our tester has long and wide feet and the width fitted perfectly.
How long does breaking in take?
Expect a few weeks. On the first rides you will be looking for the right tension on the BOA dials; after that the shoe moulds to your foot.
More gear we have tested ourselves is under: Tested by us.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.