Drift is the latest evolution of the DZR brand which focuses on small-batch premium waterproof cycling shoes that are designed for versatility. As with their previous shoes, these Drift Arc shoes are waterproof SPD compatible shoes that are designed to perform on and off the bike in any weather. The Drift Arc shoes retail for $240 and feature a full-grain leather upper construction. For performance on the bike, the shoes have a composite shank with an adjustable SPD cleat adapter. Off the bike, the shoes have a rubber outsole along a reinforced toe box. While the shoes look like standard sneakers, there are subtle bike specific features like reflective elements and lace covers.
The Drift Arc shoes combine a classic street-style sneakers design with a waterproof full-grain leather construction and SPD cleat compatibility.
| Retail Price | $240 |
| Rating | Design: A Closures: A Comfort: A Value: B- |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 1024 (EUR 41.5) |
| Likes | + Street shoe inspired styling that looks good on or off the bike + Integrated SPD adapter with an included cover for flat pedal riding or street use + Reinforced shank ensures there are no pressure points and direct power transfer while riding |
| Dislikes | – Premium price compared to other shoes – The combination of waterproof construction and low top sneaker design do not make much sense unless you enjoy wet socks |
| Where to Buy (US) | Drift Sports |
UNBOXING
The Drift Arc shoes come in a simple cardboard box with branding printed directly on it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Arc shoes w/ SPD cleat cover installed
- Safety pamphlet
We were surprised to find the DZR logo printed on the inside of the box with their distinctive chain link style graphics which add a premium touch to the packaging.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Drift Arc shoes are a low-top style sneaker that combines a waterproof design with street styling. Drift offers the shoes in five different color schemes from a classic tan option, black and white to the off-white and orange version we have here. For this review, we have the “Forge” color scheme which has a sporty appearance that combines dark gray, off-white with orange highlights for a pop of color. The design would be easy to mistake for standard sneakers with no outward indicator that these are optimized for cycling. What separates these Arc shoes from Drift’s lower cost Minna shoe model, is that these shoes have a full-grain leather upper. It’s a premium touch that matches the premium price as most lower cost shoes use synthetic upper materials.
With these shoes you have some basic perforations along the top and a reinforced toe box in the front. Branding is limited to Drift printed on the sides and nice touches like reflective hit points to keep the shoes visible in low light conditions. Otherwise the shoes look like standard sneakers with a rubber outside and standard lace routing. One of the nice touches is the lace cover which is a leather piece that covers the top portion of the laces and attaches with a button to the tongue to prevent laces from getting caught in chains. That means you can tie the shoes and then place the cover over the knot as an extra safety measure.
Under the shoes you have a fun cycling inspired chain pattern cut into the rubber material for extra grip. The unique feature of these shoes is the fact that you have a two-bolt SPD cleat adapter built-in. Inside the shoe there is a composite shank to distribute the pressure of the SPD cleats and provide more stiffness so you can ride faster and more efficiently. That means these shoes are also less flexible than standard sneakers which is a necessary trade off for cycling. Out of the box, there is a bolt-on cover for the SPD section which you can leave on for street use or remove to attach SPD cleats. As with other SPD shoes, the cleats are recessed which means you can walk comfortably with or without cleats attached.
ON THE ROAD
We’ve actually reviewed the previous DZR S24O back when they were initially introduced which shared the same design approach but with a boot design. Although the brand name has changed, the new Drift Arc shoes felt quite similar with a high quality design and cycling specific features mixed into the street styling. In this low-top form, the shoes look more casual but still perform well on or off the bike. Despite the hefty weight, the shoes feel comfortable to walk around in with just enough flex to feel natural off the bike. On the bike, the composite shank eliminate any pressure points whether you have the SPD cleats on or are riding with flat pedals. Even with the waterproof construction, the shoes feel comfortable to wear but do not have the ventilation you might want in warmer weather.
We also liked the additional cycling specific touches like the lace cover which is effective. If you’ve ever had your laces get caught in your chain you know how dangerous it can be as it will either rip the laces or cause you to come to a sudden halt. The bright orange cover not only looks unique but covers up any excess lace or knots to keep them out of the way of the chain. On gravel rides, the chain link pattern rubber soles also provide nice grip which let you walk up or down steep trails with confidence. The biggest issue we’d see with these shoes is that the waterproof design doesn’t make sense with a low top sneaker profile as you would get wet socks in any type of actual rain.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Drift Arc cycling shoes to be well made and built combination of street styling and SPD compatibility. Although the brand name has changed from DZR to Drift, the shoes retain the same premium construction and attention to detail the original shoes were known for. In this low top sneaker form, the shoes have classic sneaker styling but thoughtful cycling-specific features like reflective hit points and a shoe lace cover. We found the shoes were comfortable on or off the bike with the reinforced outsole providing nice power transfer without being too stiff to walk with. The main negatives of the shoes is the premium price and the impracticality of a waterproof low top sneaker. That said, the Drift Arc shoes offer a unique combination of premium construction and styling for an SPD cycling shoe.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Drift Sports. 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.