Cyclist
Specialized’s S-Works Ares 2 shoes are more comfy and a lot more expensive
Specialized has launched an update of its pro-level S-Works Ares road cycling shoes, which it claims increases foot comfort thanks to a new last with a wider toe box. There’s a hefty price increase too.
The new S-Works Ares 2 shoes carry over the new Body Geometry features from its other shoes, which Specialized says improve power transfer and reduce pressure on the forefoot, and the brand says the shoes aren’t prone to pressure points or foot discomfort even on hot days.
The new shoes have a claimed weight of 526g a pair in size 44, are available in four colours and come in sizes from 36 to 49, as well as half sizes from 38.5 to 46.5.
They’re priced at a whopping £479 / $600 / €549.
New last reduces hot foot
Specialized says its update to the Ares is based on feedback from its pro riders and data from more than 100,000 3D foot scans in its Retul bike fit database.
The brand says that the typical shape of cycling shoes doesn’t support the foot well, squeezing it into a narrow shape. Instead, its new Body Geometry last includes a wider toe box, which it says allows the toes to splay, improving comfort and performance. Specialized isn’t the only brand to offer a wider forefoot last, with this being a feature of shoes from Bont and Lake among others.
Specialized has a patented closure system for the Ares and has reworked how the forefoot is locked down, with the new design said to increase the foot-to-shoe contact area by 20%. It works with the new larger heel cup to reduce movement of the foot in the shoe and heel lift.
It’s claimed that the redesign results in 44% less pressure on the forefoot and all the Body Geometry improvements add up to a seven watt boost to a rider’s lactate threshold.
What is Body Geometry?
Body Geometry is Specialized’s name for a diverse range of features that it applies to its equipment and clothing at the contact points. It’s designed to increase rider comfort and reduce the risk of injury. You’ll find the Body Geometry label applied to everything from saddles and seat pads to gloves and shoes.
As well as its new last for the Ares 2 shoes, there are three other Body Geometry features that Specialized applies to its shoes.
The varus wedge cants the footbed, so that the outer side of the foot is 1.5mm lower than the inner side. Specialized claims that this helps improve leg alignment through the knee and hip, which in turn increases power output and time to exhaustion by 10 seconds when going flat-out.
The metatarsal button is a bump in the insole under the forefoot which helps to lift and splay out the bones, which Specialized says prevents nerve and arterial compression and helps avoid pain, numbness and hot foot while still promoting a secure fit for the shoe. It’s not unique to Specialized and is found in insoles from other brands including Quoc, Scott and Lake.
The third feature is longitudinal arch support. Specialized points out that when walking or running, the foot’s arch acts as a leaf spring, helping to absorb impact when the foot hits the ground and return it at the end of a stride. Since neither of these apply to cycling, Body Geometry soles and customisable insoles ensure rigid support for the foot’s arch, which Specialized claims prevents arch collapse and increases power delivery to the pedal.
Specialized claims that in sum, these Body Geometry features eliminate foot problems often experienced when riding, including forefoot numbness, hot foot, arch collapse, knee pain and foot instability. It says that these issues can compromise power, efficiency and stability as well as increasing the risk of injury.
Sizes, colours and pricing
The new S-Works Ares 2 shoes are available in full sizes from 36 to 49, with half sizes from 38.5 to 46.5. Colours available are white, Team White (with a black Specialized wordmark), black and ‘Green Gecko’.
Specialized says that a pair of size 44 shoes weigh 526g. The S-Works Ares 2 shoes are priced at £479 in the UK (€549 / $599), a hefty increase from the original S-Works Ares, which were priced at £375 when launched in 2021.
The price of the Ares 2 makes the Trek RSL Knit shoes look good value at £400 – and Trek’s shoes come complete with gold coloured soles and gold Boa dials. Mind you, both pale when compared to the now-discontinued Mavic Comete shoes, launched in 2017 at a cool £900 a pair.
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