"This system turns your foot into a pedal": we tested the Q36.5 Unique Pro 4.0 shoes with the SRM pedals

The shoes and pedals form the most critical ecosystem of our bicycle. If that connection weakens, we lose energy, but if it is perfect, we feel that the bike is an extension of our body. At Brújula Bike, we have thoroughly tested what is probably the most advanced combo at the moment: the new Q36.5 Unique Pro 4.0 shoes along with the revolutionary pedals developed by SRM and the Italian brand itself.

Q36.5 Unique Pro 4.0 Shoes and SRM Pedals: The Lowest Stack on the Market Tested

When Q36.5, the brand obsessed with thermal and biomechanical performance, announced its collaboration with SRM (pioneers of the power meter), we knew something big was on the way. It was not just about launching high-end shoes or lightweight pedals, but about completely redesigning the way the foot connects to the crank to achieve the lowest distance on the market between the sole and the pedal axle (what we know as stack).

As is tradition in our editorial team, before heading out to ride, we weighed the set.

The Truth on the Scale: Lightweight, but Sensible

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On one hand, the Q36.5 Unique Pro 4.0 shoes weigh exactly 248 grams each (without cleat installed) in size 43. This is an extraordinary weight considering the structural stiffness they offer. They are not those ultra-light shoes that deform at the first sprint; they have a robust one-piece microfiber chassis and machined aluminum BOA Li2 dials.

On the other hand, the SRM/Q36.5 pedal set weighs only 260 grams per pair. Adding it all up, we are looking at one of the lightest and most efficient foot-pedal systems that money can buy today.

The Biomechanical Miracle: 4 Screws and Total Compatibility

The great secret of this set lies in the aerospace-grade carbon fiber sole of the shoe. Q36.5 has designed an intelligent base that allows for the mounting of conventional 3-screw cleats (like the classic Shimano SPD-SL or Look), which is fantastic if you want to use your usual pedals.

However, the magic happens when you take advantage of its native 4-screw anchoring to install the cleats of the new SRM pedals. By eliminating intermediate adapters and thanks to the ultra-compact design of the pedal, the distance between the sole of your foot and the titanium axle is minimized.

Feelings on the Road: Your Foot Becomes a Pedal

We have pushed this Italian "ecosystem" for weeks, alternating long days with explosive interval training where stiffness is truly put to the test.

Deadly Power Transfer: The first sensation when clipping in is one of absolute solidity, as if your foot has become a pedal. Thanks to the record stack, you don’t feel like you are "on" the pedal, but rather that your foot pivots directly on the axle. When you stand up on the pedals on 15% inclines, the perception of force transfer is wild. There is no torsion, no losses; every watt you generate goes straight to the rear wheel.

Ergonomics and Comfort After Hours: Despite being hyper-rigid shoes, the comfort is surprisingly high. This is due to a well-studied last (wider in the metatarsal area than the usual Italian standard) and the inclusion of the highly sought-after Solestar biomechanical insoles, which stabilize the knee in a neutral position, preventing joint pain. Additionally, the ventilation of the white upper through Body Mapping keeps the foot cool even in the middle of summer.

Cornering: A collateral benefit of having the pedals and shoes with the lowest stack on the market is cornering. You can keep pedaling while tracing much steeper curves without fear of the pedal hitting the asphalt. It may seem like a minor detail, but in competitions or fast descents, it gives you a tremendous margin of confidence.

The Q36.5 Unique Pro 4.0 Shoes and the SRM Pedals are not a product for everyone, starting with the fact that their price exceeds €1000 (shoes plus pedals), but also because they demand a lot from the cyclist to get the most out of them. So we can consider them as exclusive material, designed for the purist and perfectionist cyclist who seeks to squeeze every last millimeter of biomechanical and aerodynamic efficiency.

The fact that the shoes (248g) accept traditional 3-screw cleats (Shimano/Look) makes them very versatile on their own. But if you decide to make the full investment and install the SRM pedals (260g per set) using the 4-screw anchoring, you will be experiencing the most direct and rigid connection we have tested to date at Brújula Bike. A true work of art in cycling engineering that marks a before and after in the foot-crank adjustment.

What We Liked Most

• The Unmatched Stack: The millimetric connection between the shoe sole and the SRM pedal axle translates into perfect watt transfer.
• Very Competitive Real Weights: 248g per shoe and 260g per pair of pedals.
• Sole Versatility: Perfect compatibility for both 3-screw (Shimano/Look) and native 4-screw.
• Solestar Insoles Included: A luxury biomechanical addition that prevents injuries and fatigue.

To Keep in Mind

• Price Exclusivity: €550 for the shoes plus €550 for the pedals
• Maintenance of White: The white microfiber requires religious cleaning to maintain the spectacular look of the first day.

Technical Specifications of the Set

• Shoes: Q36.5 Unique Pro 4.0
• Verified Weight: 248 g per shoe (without cleat).
• Sole: Aerospace carbon fiber (compatible with 3 and 4 screws).
• Closure: Double BOA Li2 aluminum.
• Pedals: SRM / Q36.5
• Verified Weight: 260 g per pair.
• Key Feature: The lowest stack (sole-axle distance) on the current market.