While Sidi's 2nd Annual Press Camp opened with some informative presentations inside your typical hotel conference center, the event's highlight was a fantastic road ride in the scenic, seaside city of Monterey, California. Sharply-dressed in my trusty RBA kit and a pair of white/black/red Sidi Ergo 3 shoes, I met up with a group of Sidi reps and a baker's dozen worth of journos outside our hotel along Cannery Row. We headed south along a scenic bike path and onto the famed 17-Mile Drive. The ride consisted of some headwind-peppered flats, a few short, punchy climbs and a handful of moderately technical descents. Be sure to check back for an in-depth, first-ride report of the 2012 BMC TeamMachine. But until then, keep reading to find out more about Sidi's latest top-of-the-line shoe.

In case you missed it, be sure to check out RBA's rundown of the 2012 Sidi line here. These are my demo Sidi Ergo 3 shoes, size 41.5, complete with my trusty and well-worn Shimano cleats installed on the all-new Vent Carbon outsole (big news for 2012 is the addition of an optional Speedplay-specific outsole to the Ergo 3, as well as the men's Genius 6.6 model). In the interest of full disclosure, I've never worn Sidi cycling shoes. This was due largely to my (incorrectly) perceived notion that all Italian footwear is slim-fitting and my wider-than-average feet prefer a roomy toebox. So was the Ergo 3 able to accommodate my fit needs? Keep reading to find out.

Starting at the toe, the Ergo 3's first closure is a High Security Velcro strap. "High Security" refers to the row of plastic teeth that interlock when the Velcro strap is engaged. Some other shoe brands utilize a similar design, but Sidi reps claim that they were the first company to do so.

The next closure system on the Ergo 3 is the Techno II microfilament dial, a Sidi proprietary design. The red portion of the dial flips up, and can be rotated clockwise to tighten the upper across the midfoot. Once desired tightness is reached, the red tab flips down and out of place.

When it's time to take off your Ergo 3 shoes, or if you simply wish to loosen the Techno II microfilament band, press on the small black tab located on the side of the dial. This disengages the dial's tightening mechanism and the microfilament loosens.

The Ergo 3 upper's final closure system is the Soft Instep ratcheting buckle. It features two points of adjustment: the standard ratcheting closure on the outside of the foot, and a less easily-adjusted closure located on the instep of the shoe (pictured above). Sidi reps say that the optimal position of the Ergo 3's ratcheting buckle closure is reached when the space between the "I" and "D" of the black Sidi logo on the strap lines up with the centerline of the top of your foot.

Sidi's ratcheting buckle features two tiny plastic guides to assist insertion of the strap. It's a simple idea that does the intended job, but more often than not, I found myself instinctively inserting the strap without paying attention to the guides and having to try again.

To tighten the Ergo 3's buckle, simply lift up on the tab emblazoned with the Sidi icon.

A nice feature that I initially dismissed as unnecessary, but quickly found myself utilizing on the bike, is the buckle's micro-adjustment tab. A quick press and the strap releases a click or two. It's a convenient way to loosen the overall fit without worrying about releasing the strap entirely.

Pictured above is the buckle's two-pronged release tab, which allows you to completely disengage the strap when it's time to step out of the Ergo 3. When asked why the Ergo 3 (and its forerunner, the Ergo 2) features such a wide array of closure systems, Sidi America's Brand Manager, Sara Ecclesine, said: "We've found that each of the different closure devices is the best for securing its respective area of the foot."

The Ergo 3's heel retention system was the feature I was most interested in. Sidi supplies a small allen wrench with the shoes, with one end sporting a tiny flathead screw driver for use on the heel retention device. A brass set screw is located on either side of the black, plastic mechanism. When loosened, the screw forces its plastic "arm" to pinch the heel cup closed. When the screw is tightened, the arm is free to bend outward more, thus opening the heel cup for a roomier fit. My favorite shoes (cycling or otherwise) are those with adequate heel support. The overall fit of the Ergo 3's heel cup is superb, but the heel retention device provides some tunability to offer an even more custom fit. And of course, it's got a nice Italian tri-color detail, as well.

The Ergo 3 is only available in sizes 39-48 in one last design (what Sidi calls their "Standard" fit), while some other models feature women's-specific, "Narrow," and "Mega" lasts. My demo pair fit extremely well, and provided just enough room in the toebox to keep me from wishing I had a "Mega" size model. There's a lot going on with the Ergo 3, and it may take some time getting used to the various closures. For example, the few times I wanted to adjust the fit while on the bike, I reached down and couldn't immediately conclude which closure device needed adjusting. And bearing in mind that this is in no way a fully-fledged test of the Ergo 3, I can note that the carbon fiber outsole is stiff and efficient, like a high-end, racing-inspired shoe should be. Overall, the Ergo 3 is a great shoe if you have a $500 budget. Those with less cash to spend can find the same fit and similar performance characteristics and features with other shoes in Sidi's 2012 line. Look for a full test of the Sidi Ergo 3 in a future issue of Road Bike Action.

For more information, check out Sidi America. And be sure to check back soon for a first-ride report on the 2012 BMC TeamMachine road bike, live from Monterey, California, home of Cannery Row, Pebble Beach golf course and Laguna Seca raceway!