If Rouler does not do reviews, we don’t do reviews. Think of this as a commentary on Bont’s Vaypor+ road shoe. Any discussion of points-of-contact will generate a storm of comments ending in why Sidi shoes and Fizik saddles are the best. They may be the best for you but not for me. Everyone’s feet and everyone’s butt has different needs.
I bring up form versus function too often here and being a user of SMP saddles and now Bont shoes I’m obviously way over there on the function-over-form end of the spectrum. Bont shoes are not as weird looking as SMP saddles are but visually both of these immediately tell you that these point-of-contact designs are different.
Frank is a big fan of Bont and he landed me a free pair with no discussion of a quid pro quo of anything for Bont. The timing was good as I had forked over some money for the second generation of Fizik R3 shoes. These were lighter and cooler, as advertised, but also more narrow and with less arch support, not advertised. Luckily, I collect aftermarket insoles like I collect base layers so I could overcome the lack of arch support but long into a ride my toes would remind me why these new Fizik shoes were trouble.
The two things I like the most about Bonts are the roomier forefoot and the well engineered arch support. Toes can roam unfettered in this shoe. This is a revelation for a person who has always erred toward the very snug fitting cycling shoe. The moldable carbon rim surrounds the whole foot, resulting in a well secured fit that does not hassle the toes. My new Bonts fit nicely right out of the box. I did one heating and minor remolding of one shoe rim, but the option of potentially accommodating a person’s bunions, bone spurs or freakishly long toes (Marko) is appealing.
If a foot’s arch collapses under load the tibia rotates and becomes potentially injurious to the knee. Believe me, having spent too much time riding in front of a mirror testing out custom orthodics, shims and wedges; getting the foot, knee and leg aligned can be important, expensive and tedious. If the arch is truly well supported it prevents the rotation and misalignment. I immediately ditched my expensive custom orthodics because they were correcting what the Bonts were already designed to prevent. Sometimes standing in shoes with good arch support feels like too much support, like standing in a well fitting kit feels weird until actually on the bike and in the position the kit was designed to be in.
The Vaypor+ is a redesign of the Vaypor model with a boa lacing system instead of the velcro and buckle. I would say the tongue on the Vaypor+ could use some redesign. It’s padded and pliable so when the boa wires are constricted, the tongue squishes together instead of sliding under the uppers, so getting the perfect tension on these shoes is compromised. That is my only complaint. I’m a big fan of the boa lacing but this set up needs improvement, in my opinion.
These shoes are expensive but to date, with almost a year of riding, they look to be indestructible. True, our dog has not her way with them yet and she had better not but I am very impressed with the materials, design and construction.
The true point-of-contact test is the long day out. The imperfections and incompatibilities will be discovered 100 kms into it. If I don’t think much about my feet in my shoes, my butt on the saddle or my hands on the bars, it’s a good sign. All I’m saying is, if your present shoes are not passing this test, Bonts are a very good shoe to try next. My advice it so find a retailer to make sure you get exactly the shoe size you need. Buying cycling shoes online is rubbish.
I’ve paired my Bonts up with some heat moldable insoles from yoursole. They are thin, firm and have good arch support.
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@minion
You'd like to think so wouldn't you?
I wonder what specific problem you were having? I've heard lots of folks like the Spesh shoes. @Marko is similar to you; he's had a hard time getting his to work and couldn't get along with the Vaypors at all but likes the Vaypor+ (slightly different last, it seems).
Possible note of dissent here.
Set my first pair of Bonts (A3's) on fire but they lasted a year after that - comfy but wore out fairly quickly as the heel buffer isn't much and I wore through the fibreglass on the left shoe because that's the foot I put down when I stop.
Spent ages trying to get a second pair as LBS stopped supplying as the local dealer gae a shop I don't like an exclusive deal.
However we found a pair of A3's in the stock room - put them on and they lasted a month. Awaiting a warranty decision - heel stopper fell off - didn't notice and one ride wore the fibreglass through at the heel.
Now wear Giros as a temporary measure and they're fine - would like Bonts again but only if they make them slightly less delicate.
@the Engine
I've heard various people make the same complaint about the A3's; the Vaypors seem to be much more durable as I've not heard of anyone having a similar problem with those.
Your Scottish cheapness is biting you in the ass here, I'm afraid.
My Vaypors are works of art. Works of art that don't quite fit unfortunately. The left shoe rubs my outside toes just enough to be uncomfortable on any ride over down to the shops. I tried heat molding a few times, but it seems I should've measured BOTH feet for the fitting specs. Beware of that. Waiting to try a pair a size up.
The lightness, stiffness and width are impressive though, and the Boa system is hella easy to use compared to the laces of my Giro Empires, which I love. The laces are super secure and look the tits, but you ain't just slipping those bad boys on and off quickly.
OK I am sold! I tried a pair on a shop early last year and they felt so weird I went off an purchased another set of Sidis. I have ridden 46 regular (too short and narrow) and 47 mega (right length and touch too much upper) I have a wide front foot, narrow heel and high arch.
Something has got to save me, I was going to go for a 47 regular Sidi (why?) but I think the time has come for a change...
Good to be reminded of these once more and maybe this time I will ignore the weird feel in the shop and go with it!
@Deakus
Ignore the weird feel in the shop ? ohhh man... I'm a big believer of having the shoe feel awfully good right out of the box or I'm not interested.
46.5 wide Specialized. I've 'em in a couple of models and they work great for me. Alas, if ya like white shoes then outa luck with the wide variation I like. I peg the cleat position almost all the way back in order to prevent the hot foot and have just a little bias to toe out. I found the s-works model to be more snug in the toe box than the expert model. So I duct taped the vents on the expert and wear them in winter with heavier socks.
@Rom
The Fiziks were great until they changed they the last! Italians, fuggetaboitit. Now they are too snug. And the cleat holes are too far forward.
@ChrisO
Heheheeee. That's good.
@RedRanger
That is a tough one. I can mail you a pair of 45.5 Fizik R3s to test, slightly dog chewed. But really, the only thing to do is go to the very best cycling store in Portland and spend hours trying on shoes. Everyone makes light and stiff shoes so it's a gamble what you walk out the door with. Again, a good sales person might be useful but everybody's needs are so different. Even the new Bontrager shoes look cool. Who knows. See who stocks Bonts in Oregon.
I laugh and think *idot* every time I see a set of shoes for sale on FB Bicycle Market. Just about every time they are new, "ridden once and don't fit". Good work... in your attempt to save a little dosh by buying on line you bought the wrong size and now it will cost you double the money you saved. It's a no-brainer. Go to the LBS and trying them on! Heck, even my local LBS will exchange a pair of shoes if they are still "as new".
As to points of contact... I've been lucky. I'm on my second saddle, and second pair of shoes and comfortable for day long rides. I've done a few 10hr rides (3 peaks was the last) and points of contact never bothered me. Still I cannot help but think the grass might be greener on another saddle/pair of shoes. Not worth finding out though is it? I occasionally get some tingles in my foot but I usually blame the shoes for being too tight. Spech Romin Evo and S-works shoes with the highest arch support for me. Still, I like the look of the Vapour+, believe their marketing (go to their website, excellent detail on how they differ) and would like to try them but it's an expensive gample.