Two women's MTB shoes built for different pedal setups
The Giro Latch and Giro Riela Trail are both women's mountain bike shoes, but they are not interchangeable. The Latch is a flat-pedal shoe with a sticky rubber outsole and a damping midsole, while the Riela Trail is a trail shoe with a lugged outsole and three-strap closure. The right choice depends on your pedals, your terrain, and how much stiffness you want underfoot.
Use the catalog details below to compare the two. Where a specification is not listed, treat that as a gap in the available information rather than a confirmed feature or limitation.
Pedal interface and intended use
-
Giro Latch Womens Shoes: Cleat Compatibility: No cleat / Flat pedal only The Latch is designed specifically for flat pedals, so it is not an option if you ride clipless.
Giro Latch Womens Shoes
-
Giro Riela Trail Shoes Womens: The women's Riela R is a rugged trail shoe with the comfortable, supportive fit that Giro is known for. The Riela Trail is positioned as a trail shoe; the catalog does not list cleat compatibility, so check that detail before assuming it works with your pedal system.
Giro Riela Trail Shoes Womens
Outsole and grip: tacky rubber versus lugged traction
Grip is where these shoes diverge most. The Latch uses a Tack Rubber outsole with a Gamma tread designed around pedal pins, while the Riela Trail uses a co-molded nylon and rubber outsole with lugs for rocks and mud.
- Giro Latch: Tack Rubber outsole in a Gamma tread design optimized for pedal pins. The rubber is described as highly elastic, matching grip with durability. This is flat-pedal grip, not hike-a-bike traction.
- Giro Riela Trail: Co-molded nylon and rubber outsole with high-traction lugs, described as improving grip and traction in rocks and mud. The catalog also notes a mid-foot scuff guard and accommodation for steel toe spikes.
Sole stiffness and power transfer
The Riela Trail has a stout injected nylon sole that the catalog says helps transfer power to the pedals instantly. That stiffness suits riders who want a direct pedaling feel on trails.
The Latch takes a different approach: a Mute Foam 3D midsole with slow-rebound characteristics designed to damp chatter, bumps, and vibration, plus an HD polyethylene power plate. The catalog describes the foam as acting like suspension to keep feet planted on the pedals. Neither shoe lists a stiffness rating, so compare them by construction and intended feel rather than a number.
Upper, closure, and fit
Both shoes use synthetic uppers, but the closure systems and fit priorities differ.
- Giro Latch: Fast-drying microfiber upper with a Rockprint reinforced toe for abrasion resistance, laced closure with tubular woven laces designed to hold a knot securely. The catalog says the fit brings the foot closer to the pedal and flattens the sole profile to optimize the contact patch.
- Giro Riela Trail: High-quality breathable synthetic fiber upper with a classic 3-strap closure. Three wide straps allow simple yet precise fit adjustments. A supportive EVA footbed with medium arch support enhances fit and comfort.
Sizing and available options
- Giro Riela Trail Shoes Womens: Available sizes: 38 and 39 The Riela Trail has a limited size run in the catalog; confirm your size is available before choosing it.
- Giro Latch Womens Shoes: Available sizes: 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 in Black The Latch offers a wider size range, which may matter if you fall outside the Riela's listed sizes.
- Giro Latch Womens Shoes: Product Weight: 300 grams (size 39) A listed weight helps you compare heft, though the Riela's weight is listed separately.
- Giro Riela Trail Shoes Womens: Weight: 295 grams (size 39) The two shoes are close in listed weight at size 39, so weight is unlikely to be the deciding factor.
Footbed and comfort details
The Riela Trail lists a molded EVA footbed with medium arch support and Aegis anti-microbial treatment. The Latch lists a 3D molded footbed. Neither catalog entry provides arch height or volume measurements, so fit remains something to verify by trying the shoes or checking a size guide.
How to decide between the Latch and Riela Trail
- Choose the Giro Latch if you ride flat pedals: Its Tack Rubber outsole and Gamma tread are designed for pedal pins, and the Mute Foam midsole targets chatter and vibration on rough trails.
- Choose the Giro Riela Trail if you want a lugged trail outsole and strap closure: The co-molded nylon and rubber outsole is aimed at rocks and mud, and the three-strap closure offers precise adjustment. Confirm cleat compatibility for your pedals, since the catalog does not list it.
- Check sizing first: The Riela Trail is listed only in sizes 38 and 39, while the Latch covers 36 through 42 in Black. If your size is not available in one, the decision may be made for you.