First Look: Specialized's New 2FO Roost Flat and Clip Shoes
Don't be fooled by their casual looks, there's a whole lot of new tech in Specialized's new 2FO Roost Flat and Clip shoes. Specialized developed a new 3rd generation SlipNot rubber for the sole, included Body Geometry features to increase performance and comfort, and replaced the traditional foam padding in the upper with Xpel Airmesh to make it lighter weight.
The Clip version of the 2FO Roost uses the same new SlipNot outsole as the Flat, but adds a roomy cleat pocket to make it easier to engage your pedals in rough trail situations.
The Rubber
The 3rd generation SlipNot rubber that Specialized developed is designed in a hexagonal lug pattern that they say channels and directs pedal pins into a tight position underfoot.
 | We think of rubber as being bouncy, but bouncy is not what you want in a flat pedal shoe. You want a rubber sole that grips the pins of the pedals without feeling squishy, which gives you confidence that your feet are going to stay put. That leaves less to worry about and more mental space for shred. |
Both models are designed to be stiff enough to give the support needed for a long day out on the bike while remaining flexible for hike-a-bike sections or an afternoon at the local bike shop. The rubber is also said to provide a consistent feel across temperatures, whether you're riding in the heat or near-freezing conditions.
Specialized's designers say the new lug pattern also helps the shoes wear more consistently across the whole foot and reduces overall wear off bike for long-lasting functionality and durability.
The new 2FO Roost does away with traditional foam padding to save weight.
The Xpel Airmesh also helps increase drying speed.
Body Geometry insoles.
Lightweight & Breathable
Specialized did away with the traditional foam padding in the upper and replaced it with Xpel Airmesh to make it lighter weight. Specialized says that the hydrophobic Xpel Airmesh retains all the impact reduction properties of traditional padding but with reduced weight and a significant increase in drying speed.
Fit & Comfort
The Body Geometry features included in the new 2FO Roost shoes are said to increase your foot's comfort on long rides and to avoid hot spots and numbness in your feet. These include a longitudinal arch, varus wedge, and a metatarsal button. The varus wedge found in both models is a 1.5mm increase in thickness on the inside (medial side) of the shoe at the forefoot, which supports the foot and prevents the forefoot from collapsing.
Looking into their Retul data, Specialized found that there are more variations across riders than across gender so their footwear line is developed beyond gender, with a focus in on creating footwear that is right for as many foot types as possible.
Specialized hinted that there are additional models with a higher level of protection and different closures in the works.
A clean, low-rise silhouette to create a shoe that looks at home on the bike and the brewery.
2FO Roost Flat
• SlipNot SuperTacky Rubber: flat pedal specific compound
• Upper Material: Suede and leather create a soft and supple feel
• XPEL hydrophobic lining provides cushioning without retaining water
• Available in Black and Oak
• $120 MSRP
Subtle colors and minimal branding. 2FO Roost Flat in Black
The 2FO Roost Flat in Oak. Suede hits and caps are added to the upper in high-wear areas for increased longevity and decreased scuff abrasion.
Black version of the 2FO Roost Clip
2FO Roost Clip
• Lollipop nylon shank is paired with an EVA midsole to flex where needed while remaining stiff for pedaling
• Micro-perforated synthetic provides a soft and supple feel
• XPEL hydrophobic lining provides cushioning without retaining water
• Landing Strip cleat pocket guides the cleat into the pedal for fast engagement
• Available in Black and Taupe
• $130 MSRP
There's a ton of room around the cleat to make it easier to clip in on the trail. The lines make it easy to be precise when installing your cleats as well.
Taupe version of the 2FO Roost Clip
First Impressions
I've got a set of the 2FO Roost Clip shoes that I'll be testing in the next couple of months. I'm a big fan of the way the shoe looks with its minimal branding and casual looks compared to the previous generation 2FO with its space-age looks. The new 2FO Roost shoes don't look out of place as soon as you step off the bike and I'd be more than comfortable going to a restaurant or brewery in them post-ride.
I'm also impressed by how light the shoe is and how quickly it dried after a wet ride. In addition, the wide clearance cleat pocket with its ruler-like gradations made it easy to set up my cleats.
Mike Kazimer will also be putting a pair of the 2FO Roost Flat shoes to the test in the coming months. His initial thoughts are as follows:
| I'm always a little hesitant when a new pair of flat pedal shoes shows up for testing. After all, it's hard to beat Five Ten's sticky rubber, despite numerous valiant attempts over the years. With the new 2FO Roost shoes, Specialized seems to have cracked the code. There's enough space between the raised portions of the sole to to help it latch onto the pedal’s pins, and the rubber itself is slow rebounding and grippy. My first impressions are positive - there's plenty of grip, even on extra-rough trails, and it's a noticeable improvement over the 2FO 1.0 shoes that these replace. I'm not totally sold on the use of suede, but we'll see how that holds up over the next couple months of muddy riding. Overall, these look to be a great addition to Specialized's lineup. Fingers crossed there's a mid-top version with a velcro strap over the laces in the works... |
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Anyone want to name one?
www.marksandspencer.com/cable-knit-slipper-boots/p/clp60464417?color=NAVY#intid=prodColourId-60464417
Still haven't seen anyone post a "stylish" shoe...
They also come in 5 different pretty cool color combos. Someone buy them and see if they're climbing rubber.
www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/performance-lifestyle-footwear/session-approach-shoes-mens-BD580005_cfg.html#start=2
As a clipped in rider i actually find it tough to find a high performance waterproof enduroish clip in shoe. I normally wear shimano me701’s but cant find a similar shoe with good protection & coverage, grippy lugs, stiff sole and waterproofness. The shimano wm701 has a softer shank.
Pity they don't work well with flats.
The FiveTen Trail Cross Pro would be almost perfect if it was waterproof and had some thread front and back for hiking.
I'm experimenting with some Salomon S/Lab which I suspect I'll destroy completely, but let's see...
www.scotbycycles.co.uk/products/five-ten-trailcross-gxt-mountain-biking-shoes?variant=32460099256404
Ive been thinking about putting something like flex seal on the outside and on the cleat plate of my me701s to eliminate the vents.
It's not ideal, it doesn't stop the shoes getting drenched through, but the Pros dry reasonably quickly (by the standards of MTB shoes) and it doesn't matter if they're wet the next day if it's still raining and you're wearing waterproof socks anyway. Sealskinz socks are nice and warm too.
Which sealskins do you have, a friend bought some and they leaked as soon as he dipped them in water out of curiosity, so I've stayed away ever since.
Instead, I usually wind up taking a strip of Gorilla Tape and covering the holes in the toe box of my Five Tens and riding til it hurts.
@edulmes those look interesting, saw the Bontrager OMW, too, but a little too chunky, I'd rather ride in approach shoes 'La Sportiva - TX4 Mid GTX' survived one month in Nepal on top of DMR Vault pedals, the soles are flat enough for biking, haven't tried riding in the snow with them, yet.
....what? Probably 90% of people on flat pedals are riding five tens
I tried Giro, and the arch is too far back. And the shoe is either too tight or too long. By all means I am open to other brands. I'm willing to try Afton, Ride Concept, etc. But every review I've read was "not as grippy as five ten" "soles disintegrate, I went back to five ten."
Ultimately, it is the combo. pedal and shoe.
Side note: Five Ten is obsoleting Free rider Canvas, so people better stock up, or get used to the Sleuth model.
The only gripe I have about Five Ten so far is their color Pallet is getting Hella bland for the men's shoes. And I like the way Afton's look but based on the reviews, they are essentially rebranded VANS.
I guess I'll stock up before my move.
www.ukclimbing.com/forums/gear/510_quality_decline_since_adidas_take_over-703893
Also pinkbike commenters: I want MTB shoes that are waterproof and have velcro instead of laces. And a thick grippy sole. And a reinforced toe box with room for thick socks
You can try the same when putting them on, make sure that you keep the wire a bit under tension and check if they're tight. I always move my feet around and pull up a bit to make sure everything is tight and equal pressure.
Those are the things I always adjust on the first 100 meter, brakes, suspension, shoes, it's a routine.
Btw, I use 2fo, I tried 510 but they feel too chunky and wide. Just my personal preference.
The second gen model(s) were the exact opposite in my experience. They were so different from the original, they shouldn't've been called 2fo even.
I'm hoping these are more true to the original 2fo.
Pretty close but not quite as nice. Rimes are better for hike a bike but feel "bulkier" for lack of a better term.
No toe box and I woulda had a broken toe and been off the bike.
No toe box, no buy.
Yeah they are definitely behind the times with shoe technology. So much attention is put into the wrong areas when it comes to designing the shoes.
More succinctly - what does a shoe like a 2FO Roost Clip do, that an Expert XC shoe doesn't do better?
(I ride Look-style for road, XT trail clipless for cx, and flats for mtb.)
Trailcross great for rides where you are not likely to hit your feet on stuff. They are very breathable and dry amazingly fast. For a long non technical day they are great.
Freeriders great protection of your feet, but more weight and they dry about as slow as possible.
My Trailcross are my everyday shoes I wear them all the time, the only other issue is the rubber wears pretty fast, mine are 6 months old and the ball of my foot is wearing thin. They are so comfortable that I plan to just buy another pair.
The Trailcross is kind of unique in that it's a sporty shoe, more akin to a Clip Shoe, but with a flat sole. What's funny is that for a long time that "riding in sneakers" look was the laughing stock of the MTB world, back when everyone rode 5.10 Freeriders.
Me? I'd love a technical (ie protective), stiff soled, grippy version of a New Balance 574.
Laces on cycling shoes are STUPID.
Fight me... But not on my lawn!
off-season April Fools from Spesh?
Taupe? Jesus...