Specialized was showing off their new 2FO shoes that have some neat features built into them.  Come take a look at them inside.

Specialized has been making shoes for some time now.  This new Specialized 2FO shoe has a lot of great features built into the shoe that many of you will enjoy.

The Intended 2FO users: All-Mountain / Trail / Enduro / Gravity

MSRP: $150 (Flat) / $180 (Clip)

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When it comes to cycling shoes, there have been many contenders in this space and Specialized seeks to make their mark here.  We took their 2FO shoes for a week in Whistler and got to experience how well they worked in the bike park.

The 2FOs address a lot of rider complains when it comes to shoes. The SlipNot rubber provides a good amount of grip and comfort while the toe-protection and overall light weight also will have many riders cheering for joy.

The low-profile 2FO shoe design has some clean styling to it and the Slipnot sole is designed mechanically to give more grip in key riding positions as well which we enjoyed.  Specialized has a lot of experience with tires and they employed the help of their teams to help with the rubber compounds used in these 2FO shoes.

Fit is importnat and Specialized has custom SL footbeds as well that make these fit even better.  We’ve visited their facility before and they are big on fitment to say the least.  You can also get a similar experience at your local bike shop if they’ve got all the accessories to help identify which sole is best for you.  The arch-o-meter below shows which of the 3 SL footbeds you should consider using with their shoes.

Body Geometry Fit

If you’re comparing 2FO stickiness to a 5.10 stealth rubber we feel they’re not quite as sticky but this doesn’t mean that they’re not a viable option to consider as there is more than just stickiness to consider when picking a shoe.  Mobility is also key and this eases movement of the foot on the pedal when the needs arises mid-trail.

To aid in grip Specialized has manipulated the sole of the shoe to help get mechanical grip out of the sole’s design and it certainly helps this shoe grip.  It’s hard to say if we’d give up the familiarity of the sticky 5.10 stealth rubber at the end of the day, but we didn’t have any problems with the grip these shoes offered in comparison.

Structurally, the toe protection is top notch and provides some nice protection against rock strikes and impacts.  We felt that the 2FO flat shoe was pretty sturdy overall but the overall design isn’t as laterally rigid as some cycling options out there. The 2FO clipless shoe has a nylon plate infused in the sole partially  as well to give adequate pedaling stiffness but is still usable off the bike if you need to walk. Specialized includes a shoe lace garage strap to secure your laces after you’ve tied them on the tongue.

The smooth outer materials used also help to aid in shedding mud and water off the shoe quickly.  As a result this shoe dried quickly when wet in our and considering the intended audience this is a great thing.

Often clipless riders who transition onto clipless after riding flats will position their cleats closer towards the middle of their sole to have a familiar foot position.  Specialized has adjusted the cleat box so that it gives riders more cleat adjustment positions.

You can read more about the Specialized shoes below from Specialized that provides a lot more details.

WHY: All-Mountain and Gravity riders need to control their bikes through challenging terrain.

Riders need the ability to get their feet on and off the pedals quickly and easily,

HOW: For 2FO Flat, our Slipnot rubber is tuned to provide pedal grip and durability, and uses a directional “sharkskin” profile for additional grip when riding with dropped heels. The hexagonal tread pattern is tight in the pedal zone to provide consistent feel and uses a more open pattern in the toe and heel for off the bike traction.

2FO Clip focuses on the shoe/pedal interface with a dual durometer Slipnot sole specifically tuned to make clipping in and out effortless. Our “Landing Strip” design uses a firmer durometer rubber and low-profile tread design around the cleat pocket to help guide rider’s feet into the pedals quickly and easily.

Additionally, the rounded edge of the outsole reduces friction while engaging the pedals.

WHAT: Slipnot compound is used in both 2FO models and is specifically tuned based on the rider’s pedal preference. The different rubber blends have been developed with the compounding experts on our tire team.

RIDER COMFORT

WHY: Riders need footwear that is comfortable in variable conditions and terrain, both on and off

the bike. Whether lapping the bike park or out for an all-day ride, comfort and efficiency can make or break the ride.

HOW: 2FO is built on a new last with our relaxed fit that provides riders with a balance of pedal feel and off-bike performance. The upper and tongue are constructed with an “air mesh” material that has the cushioning of foam, but is highly breathable and does not retain water. This material allows the shoes to keep riders cool and keeps the wet weight of the shoes light and aids faster drying times.

Like all Specialized mountain bike shoes, the 2FO family is built with our Body Geometry system, that decreases fatigue, increases comfort, and improves pedaling performance by supporting the riders arch and balancing the foot and knee for optimal pedaling efficiency. The clip version uses an extended 4mm cleat slot that allows for a rearward (Body Geometry Neutral) cleat setup.

Riding with the included Body Geometry footbeds allows riders to position their cleats rearward for increased comfort without sacrificing pedaling performance.

2FO Clip uses our “Lollipop” sole construction; a 3/4 nylon plate in the pedaling zone that is dropped into the EVA sole. This construction allows for efficient pedaling performance, while providing impact absorption and flex in the toe and heel for hiking.

WHAT: The fit, performance, and Body Geometry features found in all Specialized shoes built into a platform perfect for the on and off bike needs of All-Mountain and Gravity riders.

PROTECTION

WHY: Riders want confident protection in technical, rocky terrain, allowing them to focus on their lines, instead of worrying about injuring their feet.

HOW: At the front of the shoe, 2FO uses an injection molded toe bumper that protects riders against anything from rock strikes to trail obstacles. Over the forefoot, an anti-tear polyurethane coated mesh provides ventilation without sacrificing durability. At the cuff, the shoes use an increased collar height on the medial side to deflect crankarm and chainstay strikes.

WHAT: Toe to heel protection and durability features that provide confidence without a weight (Clip 450g / Flat 395g) or breathability penalty.

2FO Clip Highlights

• Landing Strip cleat pocket is optimized for effortless foot-out riding style with platform clippedals. Dual durometer sole uses firm rubber to control clip-in, and softer rubber for toe and heel traction
• Stiff LollipopTM 3/4 cycling plate for high performance pedaling sits in a bed of EVA to soften landings and keep off-bike traction high
• Injection molded toe kick, anti-tear toe, and high side cuff for lightweight armoring
• Air mesh upper construction adds protection while quickly shedding water weight
• Smooth thermobonded upper for lightweight durability and a snag-free profile
• Cushioned EVA midsole is sealed with a protective skin for support and tear resistance
• Body Geometry equipped to optimize comfort and performance
• LacelockTM elastic keeps laces in place and clear of snags. Extra set of color laces included
• Relaxed-fit for a balance of pedal feel and off-bike comfort
• 2-bolt cleat pattern for compatibility with all major pedals
• Approximately 450g (1/2 pair 9US/42EU)

2FO Flat Highlights

• Slipnot (TM) rubber compound developed in our tire lab to optimize shoe to pedal connectivity
• Directional sharkskin tread profile grips pedals, with open rear hex pattern for traction
• Injection molded toe kick, anti-tear toe, and high side cuff for lightweight armoring
• Air mesh upper construction adds protection while quickly shedding water weight
• Smooth thermobonded upper for lightweight durability and a snag-free profile
• Cushioned EVA midsole is sealed with a protective skin for support and tear resistance
• Body Geometry equipped to optimize comfort and performance
• LacelockTM elastic keeps laces in place and clear of snags. Extra set of color laces included
• Relaxed-fit for a balance of pedal feel and off bike comfort
• Approximately 395g (1/2 pair 9US/42EU)

Their popular Dissident line of helmets also gets some color updates for 2015 that you can see more of in the gallery.

Learn more at www.specialized.com