Specialized has launched the S-Works Ares 2 road shoe, claiming it offers the “most positive, locked-in feel without sacrificing comfort”.
Central to this is a new last design, which offers significantly more space for toe splay. This combines with a series of structured supports to reduce pressure, while promoting a secure fit.
The S-Works Ares 2 is available from today, costing £479 / $600 / €549 – over £100 more than the brand's premium S-Works Torch and previous Ares shoe.
New Body Geometry last
Specialized says its new, wider last design is the key to promoting a comfortable fit, dovetailing with other improvements (versus the old Ares shoe) for a secure fit.
As a reminder, the last is the internal base of the shoe, which your foot is in contact with.
Specialized says that thanks to analysing 100,000 Retul foot scans, it has concluded that the lasts in road cycling shoes are too narrow and don’t support an average foot’s natural shape.
Specifically, it has widened the toebox area of its latest last to allow for greater toe splay and 20% more contact area, as opposed to forcing the feet to conform to a more limited area.
This dovetails with a 1.5mm Varus Wedge support, which tilts the inner foot upward for improved foot, knee and hip alignment. Specialized suggests this can help reduce the chances of the knee collapsing inwards, plus delay maximal effort exhaustion by an average of 10 seconds.
A Metatarsal Button – a support under the centre of the foot – is used to help lift the foot from underneath. In so doing, Specialized claims the metatarsal bones are allowed to spread more, while the closure system isn’t required to clamp down onto the foot so tightly to achieve the same secure fit.
In turn, this is said to reduce the chances of nerve impingement and improve circulation.
The shoe’s outsole also features arch supports which, when used with the brand’s customisable Body Geometry insoles, are said to improve power transfer and prevent arch collapse.
However, these insoles aren't supplied as standard with the Ares 2 shoes – they need to be purchased in addition to the very tall asking price.
All in, these features combine for a 44% reduction in forefoot pressure and a 7% watt increase in lactate threshold performance according to Specialized. The latter claim assumes the use of the Body Geometry insoles.
Specialized S-Works Ares 2 availability and prices
The S-Works Ares 2 shoes cost an eye-watering £479 / $600 / €549 – significantly more than the S-Works Torch and old Ares shoes.
If you have deep enough pockets, they're available from today in size EU36-49, with half sizes from EU38.5-46.5.
Four colour options are on offer – black, white, white with Specialized ‘team’ branding and a striking ‘Green Gecko’ colourway.
