'The Diabetic Cyclist' Reviews: S-Works Ares Road Cycling Shoes
Prepare your credit card for a world of hurt
I buy a lot of cycling equipment.
A lot.
As in, far too much. I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed (although my wife might have a different opinion on that), but I will pay for the good stuff.
But I never thought I’d pay an eye-watering amount for cycling shoes. They’re just not worth it—I mean, how important can shoes be?
Much more important than I thought, I’ve learned since I bought a new pair of road shoes: the S-Works Ares from Specialized.
Previously I’d worn these Bontrager Velocis shoes, and they were… OK. They were never brilliant, but I figured “they’re just shoes, you know?” The Velocis has a fiberglass sole, which isn’t as stiff as carbon but is more stiff than plastic. And stiffer is better when it comes to soles for road cycling shoes, as the energy transfer from your muscles to your pedals is better.
Over the last few months of wearing the Velocis shoes, my feet got more and more uncomfortable, and they hurt more after rides were over. So after doing far too much research, I got a pair of the S-Works.
For those not in the know, S-Works is Specialized’s upscale brand, considerably more expensive than their baseline branded equipment. (I’ll save the price until the end, so you don’t faint before finishing the article). I took a chance, not being able to try them on first and making my best guess at the size.
A Transformative Experience
I read in several reviews that these shoes are tough to get on, because they’re really tight in the heel cup. Those reviews were entirely accurate. Using another tip, I used a shoehorn to slip into them. That helped a lot. They were so tough to get on initially that I was sure I sized them too small.
But I persevered and wrenched them on my feet, and went out for a ride.
Wow.
The shoes felt fantastic. Snug, but not tight. And plenty of room for my toes, as they have a wide toe box. No slipping at all, and amazingly comfortable. The all-carbon sole was as stiff as advertised, and it felt like my pedaling was more efficient.
Since then, I’ve put a lot of miles on them, and they are every bit as good as I’d hoped. Maybe even better. I’ve worn them for numerous century rides, and they never, ever get uncomfortable. The Boa dials are butter, and it’s simple to reach down and tighten or loosen them during a ride.
An important factor for me is that these shoes have no tongue. For whatever reason, the tongue on the right foot of all my cycling shoes wants to slide down off the top of my foot and hide in the corner. It gets on my nerves. The Ares has no tongue, instead going with a sock-ish enclosure at the top. It’s night and day compared to the old tongue.
After several months of stepping in and out, I can report that they’re easier to get on and off, and I don’t always need to use a shoehorn (although I still prefer to.)
These shoes have completely changed my opinion on the importance of cycling shoes. Before the Ares, “good enough” was good enough. I got by with the lower-mid-range and mid-range shoes, and didn’t give it another thought.
No more. I consider the Ares the best cycling purchase I’ve made since my gravel bike. That’s saying a bunch.
I won’t skimp on shoes anymore. That’s how big an impact the Ares have had on me.
Now, About That Price…
OK, time to talk dollars and cents. The Ares retail for (brace yourself) $425. With an email signup discount, I ended up paying (with tax) $382. Not exactly what you’d call a pittance.
Do I regret that massive purchase?
Not for a millisecond. I’m willing to pay that price for non-achy feet.
But whatever you do, don’t tell my wife. She just wouldn’t understand.