Specialized 2FO Flat Shoes - Review
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![Specialized 2FO Flat shoe 2014]()
Specialized launched its 2FO flat-soled shoes in spring of 2014. Two versions are offered, the 2F0 Clip, which we reviewed earlier this year and the 2FO Flat, which is the subject of this test. 2FO refers to “Foot out, flat out” and considering that most of Specialized’s mountain bike products team ride big bikes, the motivation to produce this particular shoe is self-evident. Much effort went into keeping the 2FO lightweight, rugged, and inherently efficient. No surprise that its stats' are in line with the top offerings of Five Ten, which no-doubt were used as a comparator through the development process.
To the first end, designers found padding materials that don’t absorb water, which reportedly can add a pound or more to a conventional flat-soled mountain bike sneakers. The cushioning material used in the heel area is also treated to seal out water, and molded mesh vents in key areas are used to shed water after a sound dunking.
The sole is tacky rubber, but not as grippy as the famous “Stealth” compounds that Five Ten use. The idea was to keep the shoe glued to the pedal spikes, but not so much that the rider has no option to reposition the shoe on the pedal without completely lifting the foot free of the platform. Octagonal tread nubs are deeper and wider spaced at the toe and heel for walking traction, but closer-spaced and nearly flush with the sole where the shoe contacts the pedals and spikes. Also, the octagonal nubs are angled, ever so slightly, so they will catch and hold when the riding heels down. Fish scales come to mind.
![Specialized 2FO Flat shoe 2014]()
Following its established trend, Specialized builds in a slight lateral wedge to counter the natural tendency for riders to angle their feet when pedaling and in addition to the “Varus Wedge,” Three insoles options are made available to ensure a good fit. Those lucky enough to have a Specialized dealer equipped with the collateral tools, can step on a pressure-sensitive pad and have their arches assessed for the correct insole height. A reinforced toe box ensures that riders will keep their distal digits when the inevitable rock strikes occur and an elastic lace catcher stows the bows and knots so the ends won’t end up fouling your narrow-wide chainrings or wadding up in the chain guide. Specialized pegs the weight of a single size 42 2FO Flat at 395 grams, with our size 42.5 weighing 420 grams. Colors are red, black and gray, with contrasting laces. Sizing is from 38 to 49, with a significant range of half-sizes. MSRP is $130 USD.
Specialized
![Specialized 2FO Flat shoe 2014]()
Pinkbike’s Take:
See the high-res photos in the Specialized 2FO Flat Gallery.
Mentions: @Specialized @SpecializedUK
- Dan Barham photo
Specialized launched its 2FO flat-soled shoes in spring of 2014. Two versions are offered, the 2F0 Clip, which we reviewed earlier this year and the 2FO Flat, which is the subject of this test. 2FO refers to “Foot out, flat out” and considering that most of Specialized’s mountain bike products team ride big bikes, the motivation to produce this particular shoe is self-evident. Much effort went into keeping the 2FO lightweight, rugged, and inherently efficient. No surprise that its stats' are in line with the top offerings of Five Ten, which no-doubt were used as a comparator through the development process.
To the first end, designers found padding materials that don’t absorb water, which reportedly can add a pound or more to a conventional flat-soled mountain bike sneakers. The cushioning material used in the heel area is also treated to seal out water, and molded mesh vents in key areas are used to shed water after a sound dunking.
The sole is tacky rubber, but not as grippy as the famous “Stealth” compounds that Five Ten use. The idea was to keep the shoe glued to the pedal spikes, but not so much that the rider has no option to reposition the shoe on the pedal without completely lifting the foot free of the platform. Octagonal tread nubs are deeper and wider spaced at the toe and heel for walking traction, but closer-spaced and nearly flush with the sole where the shoe contacts the pedals and spikes. Also, the octagonal nubs are angled, ever so slightly, so they will catch and hold when the riding heels down. Fish scales come to mind.
Specialized designed the center of the 2FO's tacky rubber sole with tougher, shorter traction nubs. To ensure walking traction, the nubs at the toe and heel are more pronounced. - Dan Barham photo
Following its established trend, Specialized builds in a slight lateral wedge to counter the natural tendency for riders to angle their feet when pedaling and in addition to the “Varus Wedge,” Three insoles options are made available to ensure a good fit. Those lucky enough to have a Specialized dealer equipped with the collateral tools, can step on a pressure-sensitive pad and have their arches assessed for the correct insole height. A reinforced toe box ensures that riders will keep their distal digits when the inevitable rock strikes occur and an elastic lace catcher stows the bows and knots so the ends won’t end up fouling your narrow-wide chainrings or wadding up in the chain guide. Specialized pegs the weight of a single size 42 2FO Flat at 395 grams, with our size 42.5 weighing 420 grams. Colors are red, black and gray, with contrasting laces. Sizing is from 38 to 49, with a significant range of half-sizes. MSRP is $130 USD.
Specialized
The 2FO Flat stands in front of the Clip version. Both share the same outers and basic construction, but the Clip version has a reinforced sole, while the Flat model is designed to be more flexible. Innovative mesh padding does not retain water, which keeps the shoe from gaining weight in wet conditions. - Dan Barham photo
Pinkbike’s Take:
 | I have been using both versions of Specialized's 2FO shoes with good results. Admittedly, I prefer to be clipped in, but the 2FO Flat has become my favorite of the two models, mainly because it is quite comfortable both on and off the bike - which got me interested in riding flat pedals more often than for the occasional road trip to test unfamiliar bikes on no-pre-ride gravity trails. Specialized's water-shedding mesh padding is a big plus, as it also allows some air to circulate inside the shoe, which is only slightly better-ventilated than its prestigious rival. Summer heat can be felt, but while the 2FO gets quite toasty inside, it never passes into the realm of a lace-up sauna. Autumn's chill has yet to arrive, so no report on the survival of my toes in sub-zero conditions. As advertised, the 2FO stays light and dries quickly when wet. Its well-engineered sole sticks to pedals like a baby monkey to its mom - and, if the move is quick and dexterous, one can reposition a foot on a spikey pedal without risking an off when bouncing down a sketchy descent. The sole is not super stiff, like many believe is necessary for 'proper' power transfer, nor it is as flexible as some flat-pedal folks like. Those who want their shoes to bend way around the pedal for extra security may find the 2FO Flat too rigid, but I found its sole to be a good blend, with enough 'wrap-around' to make a part-time flat-pedal rider like me feel secure on the downs and also with a measure of stiffness to suggest that I was making good headway on long pedaling stints. While on the sole subject, the Varus wedge is a love-hate feature. Unless you are used to the outward lean angle, it will feel odd when walking, but most will never feel it when pedaling. I have no real sense if the wedged sole is a big benefit, but it's not a disadvantage either. Durability is tops. With six months on them, there are minimal abrasions and, although the 2FO Flats are not my every-day shoes, the pedal spikes have not yet ripped into the soles. I have become used to tossing them into the washing machine on a regular basis and each time, the gray dogs emerge looking shiny and new. Bottom line is, for its $130 asking price, there are some competitive choices out there, but I can recommend the Specialized 2FO Flat as a durable investment that pedals well, and one that can do a decent job of scrambling around boulders and bushes too. - RC |
Mentions: @Specialized @SpecializedUK
Author Info:
Member since Mar 23, 2011
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It looks like these spesh shoe won't have this problem. any opinion on that?
My last question - are the 510 soak easy?
(I ride a Status. Don't judge me)
Move on, nothing to see here.
To each their own.
Some people love the Five Tens. For me, the best words I can read in a shoe review are "The sole is tacky rubber, but not as grippy as the famous “Stealth” compounds that Five Ten use."
www.footwearworl.com/images/men/shoes/u1504/14423_mens-teva-links_en0_detail.jpg
cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2014/07/14/1405178101629-1m7h97q6baj07-700-80.jpg
Oh! Sorry, I just understand: Specialized?
fstatic1.mtb-news.de/img/photos/3/4/0/2/2/_/large/teva-links-schuh-4.jpg
speshy
cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2014/07/14/1405178101629-1m7h97q6baj07-700-80.jpg
nothing personal, mate
Shame that you cant get the Sombrio's anymore, much cheaper, much more comfortable and much more robust.
They suck up water like you would not believe. seriously 5:10 sort that shit out. did u make them out of dry toast? I dont want cold wet bath feet after 1 damn run. put some kind of cover/repellant in there please. on the flip side in summer your feet feel like that scene in Ace Vetura where Jim Carrey is inside the rhino.sweatier than ya balls. Do they grip? yes like a baby to a tit but that isnt the be all and end all of what constitutes a good bike shoe. I dont find them quite stiff enough for an all day excursion and the padding around the heel flattens out rather too much. They are good but dont tick enough boxes for me to buy again.
My personal choices for MTB shoes are Northwave Celsius for clips and Teva Links for flats (which both seem to be discontinued!). I've always avoided Five Ten because I'd heard bad things about them getting waterlogged and not having great durability after repeated drenchings. It's only recently that five ten seem to have added any sort of weather proofing to their mtb shoes
These look OK to me, as long as they hold water out for a bit and dry out quickly.
btw I think the Links are/were awesome flat shoes.