Catlike Whisper road shoes

The pinnacle of Catlike’s new-to-the-U.S. shoe line impresses with its stiff grapheme-reinforced carbon fiber sole and intriguing looks, which take a cue from the company’s distinctive helmets. Two Boa dials and a Velcro strap combine with a well-padded tongue to help eliminate hot spots.

Venting is excellent, with large, round mesh circles and perforations on the toe to keep air moving.

Fit is right down the middle — not overly narrow, nor particularly wide. There’s plenty of room in the toe box, but we didn’t find ourselves swimming around. The heel cup is quite good, too, providing a firm hold.