Most bike companies not only sell fully built bikes and frameset but they also have dipped into the apparel market and offer everything from shoes to helmets. Canyon is one of the latest brands to follow this trend with their new Tempr CFR road and mountain biking shoes. In this review, we’ll be looking at the road cycling variation which are pro-level road shoes that are designed for performance and comfort. Retail price of the Tempr CFR shoes is a competitive $329.95 and are currently only available in a white color scheme. The Tempr CFR shoes feature a PerformFit wrap design as well as a dual dial BOA Fit system. Canyon has incorporated the top-of-the-line BOA Li2 Type D dials which have premium aluminum dials.
The Canyon Tempr CFR road shoes combine a stiff carbon fiber sole with sleek PerformWrap design and dual BOA Li2 dials.
| Retail Price | $329.95 |
| Rating | Design: A Closures: A+ Comfort: A Value: A |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 547 (EUR 44) |
| Likes | + Stiff carbon sole and comfortable upper material + Dual aluminum BOA Li2 dial fit system + Supportive Solestar insoles with arch support |
| Dislikes | – Limited color options – Knitted tongue makes putting shoes on and off slightly more difficult |
| Where to Buy (US) | Canyon |
UNBOXING
The Canyon Tempr CFR shoes are shipped in a simple white and green cardboard box with BOA and Canyon branding printed on it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Tempr CFR shoes
- Canyon branded bag
We’re happy to see the Canyon include the travel bag with the shoes which makes it easy to safely travel or store the shoes.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Canyon Tempr shoes use a wrap-around construction that is designed for optimal performance and comfort. The shoes are a cross between knitted shoes and traditional shoes as Canyon has utilized a stretchy sock like center section to connect both sides of the upper material together. Canyon has utilized a Shimano S-PHYRE like design where the upper material wraps around the carbon fiber sole for an integrated appearance. As these are still quite new, Canyon only offers the white version on their website but there should be a black version in the near future. We’re sure Canyon will expand the color range in the future to provide more options.
The white shoes have the classic European look to them with gray accents on the inside of the shoe and the tongue. The tongue section feels like a knitted sock with a highly elastic and perforated material Branding is minimal on the shoes with a subtle CFR debossed on the heel cup and CFR RS01 along with some other key features printed on the inner ankle region.
One of the cool features of the Tempr shoes is the BOA Fit System which uses dual BOA Li2 dials. These are BOA”s top of the line Type D Li2 dials which use a premium aluminum dial that give the shoes a high-end look. Aside from the metal, the Li2 dials have the same micro tightening and loosening features with a full tension release when you pull up on the dial. Thanks to the PerformFit Wrap design, the shoes have a simple two row lacing pattern with each dial connected to a single opposing guide. Tightening the dials pulls both sides of the upper material together to provide uniform pressure to optimize performance.
The Tempr CFR shoes have a full carbon fiber to optimize power transfer and minimize flex. Only the front portion of the sole is exposed along the cleat attachment point with the rest hidden under the wrap-around upper material. There is also a black rubber-like material around that sole that helps protect the shoe from scratches or damage when walking. There is a front air inlet built into the front of the shoe as well as a replaceable heel pad. The shoes are designed for three-bolt cleats such as Shimano SPD-SL or LOOK Keo with helpful fore and aft adjustability in the mounting brackets. Canyon has also added some horizontal and vertical markings to make it easier to position cleats.
Canyon has worked with the insole company Solestar to create these so-called custom insoles. Compared to standard foam insoles, it’s easy to see that Solestar has added more technology and design to create these insoles. They use a multi-density design with a rather large arch support built directly into them that is perfectly matched to the inside of the Tempr shoes. There is also a prominent metatarsal support built into the insole with a softer material to provide additional ergonomics. The insoles also have a surprising amount of arch support built directly into it and stiff construction that reminds us of the Cobra9 insoles found in Bont Cycling shoes.
ON THE ROAD
Based on our experience, shoe sizing can vary drastically between brands which is why we were worried about how the Canyon shoes would fit. Using the sizing guide we found that the EUR 44 was recommended and are happy to report accurate sizing. We’d describe the fit as similar to Shimano S-PHYRE with a slightly more narrow toe box. Even with the standard width, our wider feet felt comfortable in the shoes as the upper material is flexible. The dual BOA Li2 dials provide a wide range of adjustment and provide micro loosening and tightening while riding. We were also impressed with the knitted tongue which provides a next-to-skin feel without sharp edges or pressure points like some traditional designs.
The unique design does have some downsides though as it takes more effort to put the shoes on or take them off. Compared to the Bont Riot 24 or Vaypor 23 shoes which have a ride-and-slide design that open wide, the Canyon Tempr shoes knitted design has to be stretched to put your feet in the shoes. On the road, the Tempr CFR shoes have a stiff design that optimizes performance without causing discomfort. We will warn that the large metatarsal pads of the insoles take a few miles to get used to but offer excellent comfort and a surprising amount of arch support. The other thing to watch out for is that the cleat installation may require a bit of patience as the shoes use individual cleat nuts that can rotate in place. We found that we had to apply a bit of pressure from inside of the shoe to keep them from rotating in place the first time we installed cleats.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Canyon Tempr CFR road shoes to be attractive and comfortable. Despite the Tempr being the first shoes from Canyon, the shoes have the performance and comfort that matches other shoes on the market at a competitive price point. The Tempr uses a dual BOA Li2 dial system and flexible yet supportive upper material that ensures no watts are lost during sprints. Although the knitted tongue makes putting the shoes on and off more difficult, it’s a premium feature that feels comfortable and gives the shoes a unique appearance. Aside from that, the only other thing we’d improve is to add more color and graphic options. That said, if you’re looking for high-end shoes with unique details then the Canyon Tempr CFR shoes are a great choice.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by BOA. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.