Review: Specialized's New Rime Flat Shoes are Made for Adventure
Specialized have debuted a number of new shoes lately and the Rime is the latest to the table of offerings. According to the team at the Big Red S, they felt the bike industry has been historically focused on MTB trail riding as an experience with a lot of overlap in the surf and skate culture. I'd say it's an accurate assessment, just look at the fashion, slang, and plenty else. It's very evident. With the brands' 2FO line, that demographic was the target audience, apparent by the styling and function of the shoes.
According to Specialized, the new Rime flat takes a different approach catering to a bit different crowd. After assessing a number of riders, Specialized's
According to Specialized, the new Rime flat takes a different approach catering to a bit different crowd. After assessing a number of riders, Specialized's
Rime Flat Details
• SlipNot Super Tacky outsole
• Injected-molded toe box
• Welded mesh TPU/upper
• XPEL hydrophobic mesh
• Colors: Black, White Mountain
• Weight: 801g (pair, size 43.5)
• MSRP: $130
• www.specialized.com
• SlipNot Super Tacky outsole
• Injected-molded toe box
• Welded mesh TPU/upper
• XPEL hydrophobic mesh
• Colors: Black, White Mountain
• Weight: 801g (pair, size 43.5)
• MSRP: $130
• www.specialized.com
The shoe utilizes the same SlipNot ST (Super Tacky) rubber that other recent flat shoes from Specialized do and sports an injected-molded toe box to keep rock strikes from ruining rides. There's an XPEL hydrophobic mesh material that is designed to keep a large amount of water out and away from the rider's foot. The material also is said to resist becoming waterlogged and while it's not waterproof, it is 'splash resistant' and designed to quickly dry.
Hikeability was considered a critical element for an adventure shoe, according to Specialized, and they claim to have seen a lot of riders choosing a hiking or trail-running shoe at times when running flats in these situations and believe that it's due to the limited options on the market, hence the introduction of this shoe. Running shoes don't hook up on pedals and likewise, a skate-style shoe doesn't offer the best traction on sketchy terrain.
The shoe is available in sizes 36-49, with half sizes between 38.5 and 46.5. There are two color options and the shoe sells for $130 USD.
A reinforced toe box helps by keeping kicked rocks from turning into broken toes.
Performance
Specialized have produced a number of shoes that have fit and worked well for me in years past so I came into this review with high expectations along with a good amount of skepticism, as this style of shoe is one I've wanted for some time but have not seen properly executed by any brand... until now.
The fit of the shoe is true to size and in line with Specialized's other shoes, both clipless and flat. I have used the brands' 2FO Cliplite shoes as a go-to for several years, wearing a size 43.5, and this carries over with the same fit on my foot. The included footbeds provide an ample amount of support for my somewhat collapsed arches and the shoes are comfortable, although the upper did take a bit more of a break-in period than I expected and I experienced a bit of a hot spot on my right heel that rubbed the wrong way at times, although it was only noticeable on prolonged hike-a-bikes and never resulted in any actual blistering.
The rubber on the sole of the shoe is top-notch and is easily the best in class. It is just as tacky as the Five Ten standard right out of the box and I felt that the grip only increased after a short break-in period. I never had any issues with pedal-to-shoe traction and was beyond impressed with how well the shoes interfaced with the pins of various pedals.
Deep lugs on the toe and heel give tons of traction off the bike while the middle of the tread hooks up very well with pedals.
Off of the bike, the tread on the Rime provides better grip for hiking and fording sketchy creeks/rivers on wet and slippery rocks than any other riding shoe I've used. There is plenty of traction to help give confidence and the shoe is stiff but not overly stiff to the point that I couldn't feel what was below me. There is a good balance and blend of functionality between on and off the bike traction.
Riding in sketchy, technical terrain where dropping a foot or jumping off the bike onto surfaces with marginal traction is common, the Rime offers a different experience than with some other shoes. On-bike to off is a comfortable transition and I have consistently felt confident and stable in maneuvering through the janky sections of trail where cleaning a line many times takes several tries and dabs are on uneven ground.
Moves like this are common in backcountry riding and require a lot of traction to prevent wet feet and bloody shins. (Rime not pictured)
I have been able to ride the shoes in a variety of conditions ranging from bone dry to snow, along with the muck in-between. The upper does a good job of keeping spray and splash from giving me swamp foot although larger volumes of water can find their way in over the low cuff. I think this shoe would be a great candidate for a hi-top version that would or, at the very least, an integrated gaiter of sorts. Some riders will likely balk at the lack of a lace cover being included and while it would be a nice addition at times, I think that it would take away from the functionality of the shoe off the bike, e and add to the overall weight and bulk, which the lack of, is something I consider an asset.
I can't fully comment on long-term durability as I only have a couple of months' worth of riding on the shoes yet but they're holding up well, as I would expect them to and I don't foresee any issues.
On this particular very slushy and wet ride, my feet stayed surprisingly warm and dry.
Pros
+ Excellent function and traction on and off of the bike
+ Comfortable
+ Water resistant
Cons
- Lack of integrated gaiter/higher cuff for more adverse conditions and support
- Hot spot in the heel on extended hike a bikes
- Not fully waterproof
Pinkbike's Take
 | The Rime Flat is a shoe I've wanted someone to make for years and I'm glad to see that it's finally happened. It's not going to be the choice for the bike park shredder, but that's not what it's made for. It's easily the best option I've found for backcountry adventuring and it does what it is supposed to do extremely well. I'd like to see a higher cuff version or a removable gaiter, but until that shoe comes, which I hope it does, I have a feeling that the Rime will be my go-to for big days deep in the forest. |
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92 Comments
Why? How is any riding shoe a better "trail building shoe" (whatever that is) than an actual work boot or, for lack of it, a burly-ish walking boot?
@lefthandohvhater: If you mean riding to the spot you're building, then surely it's not a big deal in any shoes. If you mean testing, see above.
Eh, he has a fair point on something beefier being needed if you're doing a lot of shovel work. Spade/shovel work is murder on shoe soles. But a lot of our digging is achieved with a McLeod, which doesn't require good soles.
"And builders more often than not are carrying in tons of stuff"
Yes, that's exactly what I said. Thanks for repeating though.
"Move along"
How about you take your own advice, chill out, stop telling people what to do and accept this is a place where people have conversations and ask each other questions?
The shin-devouring studs on any decent flats dig into the vulcanized rubber and hold you to the bike. If they're good enough for pro bmx riders living at the intersection of courage, testosterone poisoning and riding skill - where riding an unsuspended bike off a building seems like a good idea, they're good enough for me.
OP is right about these, do yourself a favour and google "orthopedic shoes", then look again at the specialized rimes. Thank me later for the laughs.
Seriously though, I'm seriously considering these, I love my 5-10 Freeriders, but I've busted my ass more than once trying to walk on mud and roots in them.
The Salomon shoes, especially the trail runners look awesome, but the outsoles don't have any grip. The lug patterns don't suit the pins on the platform pedals whereas the Blackwood tread patterns run parallel to the pins, and thus grip. The XA ,X-Ultra, and SpeedCross has great functionality and looks really nice but the outsole patterns and lugs just aren't suitable for biking let alone any type of hiking on trails. They slip and slide even in dirt. But if platform shoes can be made to look like Salomon shoes, man, shoes will be flying off the shelves! Seriously!
Wait a minute ... I may have misread your post ...
As @fullfacemike said, perhaps some people need to reorient their priorities.
You want to look cool on a bike? Ride better.
You want to look cool in a social (non-MTB) setting? Don't wear MTB shoes.
It's not ideal to wear a featherlight XC racing shoe when pushing a bike up the side of shale covered mountain pass - even though that shoe clipped in probably maximises efficient pedal power. You could make a super durable shoe for hike a bikes with good biomechanics and sole design (and arch support) for hiking but it may compromise on pedaling. Etc etc etc.
Maybe it's the camera angle or something, but it looks like one guy's falling off of a rock trying to avoid being swallowed alive by two foot deep water, while the other guy is trying to drown his little sister's bike in the river.
Seriously, just take your shoes off, put your bike on your shoulder and walk through the stupid water.
I’d love to see a winter hi-top. Freeride EPS are discontinued, and the sole is downright terrifying on slippery surfaces.
This sole and an insulated upper would be AWESOME!!!
Hope Specialized can update their Roost shoes with a cuff so I can buy a pair already.
PS- can someone make a decent winter riding flat pedal shoe for the UK please. There are several SPD options but no flats
Getting off the bike with foots on the ground:
No way! Foots on the ground only before and after the ride, if I am supposef to walk, will the bike home from the beggining.
A nice looking and perfect flat pedal shoe: the actual five ten guide tennie made by five ten ( not the adidas)