Fizik R1 Vs R2 Shoe. What’s Better, Boa Or Velcro? 

In this video:
What shoe closure system is best? I discussed my opinion on the shoes I use and look at the advantages and disadvantages of picking the R1 or R2 Fizik shoe.
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Safe riding,
Reg.

[@TL243]

Velcro. Velcro. Velcro. So many reasons why. broad strap force dispersal, survivability of a crash. management of swelling and sock thickness adjustment. Velcro, velcro, velcro.

[@reginaldscot165]

Excellent points! Great comment! ☝️👍🏻🙂

[@larrymcgoldrick3471]

I went Velcro and have been very happy with it.

[@reginaldscot165]

Excellent news! 🙂👍🏻

[@abhimawa1]

Thank you for the wonderful video. Precisely what I feel: the BOA system creates pressure point 👌

[@reginaldscot165]

Thank you 😊

[@pieceofcake6987]

As always your video made my day :) I'm still using my 14 year old shimano mtb shoe with laces and velcros. I've bought a couple of new shoes with different systems but none of them come close. Also with my shoes the velcros last forever, even though I am using my shoes also for MTB rides through the mud.

[@reginaldscot165]

Excellent! You may be interested in the fizik R5 Tri shoes, they are not too expensive and come with only 1 big Velcro strap. Also they do a power strap shoe for gravel. That could be perfect for you? 🙂

[@asmaco1]

I came to the same conclusion. I have the Terra Powerstrap shoes after some other models with BOA. I absolutely happy with them and their ease to get a perfect fit.

[@reginaldscot165]

Excellent I’m glad you found a shoe you enjoy! 🙂

[@boc-tonysyklist2145]

I share your love for Fizik shoes. Bought my first Fizik shoes in 2018 and those were also my first shoes with BOA. Will never go back to velcro again, not even shoes with both velcro and BOA. The ability to easily adjust the shoes while clipped in the pedals is the main pro for me (had that ratched-system (don´t know the official name for it) + velcro previously. When I ride gravel or mtb I also find that dirt, grime and other stuff get stuck in the velcro and over (quite a long) time the velcro looses it ability to stick.

[@reginaldscot165]

I’m glad you found a perfect shoe for you! 🙂👍🏻

[@DanTuber]

I also have those white powerstraps. Initially i didn't want to get velcro because i had doubts about it failing. But fizik was the only brand that i could find that fits and they were a reasonable price. Can confirm the velcro has been good, no issues after 2 years. However the white fabric (faux leather) is quite hard to keep clean if it's marked. A lot of dual boa dial shoes are just too damn expensive so i think my next pair i'll try laces. Shoes are definitely the hardest item to find in all cycling apparel.

[@reginaldscot165]

Yes you are totally right, white is hard to keep clean and finding the right shoes can be difficult. Glad you like your shoes. 🙂

[@DanTuber]

@@reginaldscot165 Never said i liked them...haha. For the price they're ok.

[@82vitt]

Pearl Izumi can be quite cheap as they don't seem to be popular with riders, no idea why as they are decent shoes. Probably due to poor marketing and a lack of presence in the pro peloton. I used to have a pair of the pro leader v4 with dual boa dials installed on the tongue and got them new for less than £100 if I remember well. They came with decent insoles with a whole lot of different wedges for the arches and to go under the toes.

[@phil_d]

Again, expensive, but Lake shoes are very good. They were the only shoes that fitted my width with the correct length. I had Giro Empire SLX previously, but a size and a half too big. That wasn't good as I had to run the cleats way back to suit my pedalling style, which resulted in massive toe/wheel overlap!

[@mazinhozanchettin4486]

Gratidão, por esse vídeo, um abraço do Brasil.

[@reginaldscot165]

Thank you Kindly! ❤️

[@philg7889]

Nothing more subjective than footwear. We're all different. Use what works for you. Velcro, BOA, laces - they're all perfectly ok on the right person.

[@reginaldscot165]

I’m not so sure about that. Yes the brand and fit of the shoes is very dependent on the individual. For example some people love bont, but bont was the most uncomfortable shoe I ever tried. (Because my feet are narrow.) however I don’t think facts on closure systems are as subjective, I think that this Velcro system is objectively better than a boa for the reasons stated. 🙂

[@michadebicki6534]

​@@reginaldscot165 I always loved Northwave Aerator 3 Tom Boonen velcro shoes. High end full carbon model from 2008. No modern shoes can match them in stiffness and comfort, all BOA equipped shoes I had created hotspots on top of the shoe due to this wire hurting my feet after 100 miles or so. No such problems with my old trusted velcro and they won't come loose even with hardest sprints.

[@nickobec]

Another fan of option 3: laces, do have a couple of pairs of shoes with Boa's, but those are for days I need to leave the house in a hurry. Otherwise spend a few minutes, do the laces up properly and ride all day with out needing to adjust. Also fan of knitted and power weave shoes. My experience with Fiziks in limited. Own a pair of R3 Donnas (women specific) in white with two velcro straps and ratchet. Unfortunately 30 minutes into the ride and my the soles of my feet are on fire. No matter what insert I use, Fizik, Specialized or G8. So not willing to try another pair of Fiziks. Advantage of being size 42, you can use both women specific and "regular" shoes. For me Specialized women specific are the best fitting shoe for my feet and narrow ankles. Giro women specific are too narrow in the forefoot and Fizik see above.

[@reginaldscot165]

That’s the main reason for not buying laces, I just don’t have time in the morning to be messing about with them. Also if my trainers are anything to go by I’d probably over tighten the lower section and end up stopping during the ride to try against. However laces work for many cyclists and I’m not against them. I just know I’m not smart enough to get them right. 😅 Safe riding!

[@doughorner5730]

You told me yourself that using professional cyclists as an example is "a really poor argument". In some instances I would disagree with that but in this case I think you're absolutely right. For the most part pro's ride what they are given.

[@reginaldscot165]

Makes for a pleasant change Sir. 😘 I actually need to do a video on this subject. 🤔😁

[@leftyseel8658]

I just got a shimano shoe with boa recently, rc5. And honestly, i like the fit of the cheap shimano rp2 better, it’s straps hug my feet well, and like you said, i never feel any need to adjust them while riding. Once i adjust them pre-ride, that’s it.

[@reginaldscot165]

I know it’s funny right! They make you think the boa is better but actually cheaper shoes are more comfortable. 😆

[@doughorner5730]

I'm the opposite of you. My previous shoes were Fizik R1's and I put a lot of miles on them and absolutely loved them until I got my previous shoes which are bonts. For me the fit is better and the stiffness is off the charts. Shoes are very individual and in retrospect the Fizik"s were just a bit narrow for me. As far as velcro vs boa I like boa better because my experience with velcro (sidi shoes) was that it wore out and stopped holding as well over time. Thanks for the vid and keep them coming!

[@reginaldscot165]

That’s true! Shoes are very personal. But I’d still recommend Velcro over the Boa system for whatever your preferred brand is for the reasons I mentioned. 🙂👍🏻

[@stevewilson3093]

I really like the mesh upper on those shoes, as I'm in the Philippine about 6 months of the year. I've noticed the power strap system, and just assumed BOA must be better, if I was shopping I would take take a serious look a those shoes. Lake CX 241 closure system might be best of both systems, but they are heavy at 456 gr size 44.5, per shoe. I recently purchased a pair of Fizik Vento X3 Overcurve MTB shoes for a mix of gravel and road. They seem to be a very good shoe, reasonable weight, good stiffness and look more like a road shoe.

[@reginaldscot165]

Nice! Safe riding! 😁👍🏻

[@georgec2894]

I have ‘shallow’ feet and so boas never really worked for me. I’ve got laces at the moment and love them. I could see those straps getting a bit long and flappy over time, but I guess your can cut them shorter… I do have Velcro on my winter shoes and love the closure mechanism

[@reginaldscot165]

Yes you cut them if you don’t need all the length. And Velcro is easy to replace or repair. 🙂

[@mrichards55]

Has to be the Boa dial for me. Mainly because I want to look professional in the shoe department on the bike 😊

[@reginaldscot165]

The Pros also use the R2 with the Velcro. 😁👍🏻

[@fazidinamir]

Always having trouble finding the right shoe when you have a wide fit. Bont sometimes can be unforgiving due to bath tub shape carbon soles that doesn't necessarily mould to your foot even put them in the oven

[@reginaldscot165]

That’s right 👍🏻

[@BrianRPaterson]

About SIDI shoes, they're definitely super comfy. But, after a while the red rubber treads on my mtb shoes turned into a perished waxy mess and fell off. Fortunately, I bought a spare set of tread replacements when I bought the shoes. Unfortunately, whatever happened to the original treads had also happened to my spares. So they were trash too. I moved on to Shimano shoes, which feel great on my feet.

[@reginaldscot165]

I like SIDI for how reliable they are but I don’t think of them as particularly comfortable to be honest. The fizik are much nicer in that aspect.

[@ericsaari2901]

I prefer Boa. Shoe material has a little bit of stretch, and pressure in the foot changes after 10 minutes of riding, so I like to be able to easily adjust the enclosure system a bit near-ish the start of the ride. I can't do that on-bike as easily with velcro (and can't do it with laces). I've never had a Boa system fail in a way that ruined a shoe, and have only ever had to replace that one dial over many years of using Boa. I'll take the ability for a microadjustment on the bike over any other lacing system or advantage given from any other system. Shoes are definitely one thing I put down to rider preference though. Saw a Tour rider today with laces.

[@reginaldscot165]

This shoe is surprisingly easy to adjust on the fly and the level of adjustment is finer than that of a boa in reality. But yes its very personal. 🙂👍🏻

[@lovenottheworld5723]

I always liked the ratchets.

[@reginaldscot165]

So did I. Until I tried power straps! 🙂

[@sdmike1141]

Wow…I’m usually not interested in “top of the line” gear that’s not directly attached to the bike…🤣,but the Sidis with all the replaceable bits and bight colors had a “Transformers” vibe to them. I’m intrigued!

[@reginaldscot165]

They are great shoes because they are super robust! But they are heavy, like 90g more than the R2 and the worst part is the sole, very hard and uncomfortable unfortunately. Now I switched to fizik my feet feel much better. 🙂👍🏻

[@johnnycab8986]

Does the velcro at the ankle area wear out after a couple years from constant use? I have some Mavic MTBs I've been using for 12 years and are finally starting to wear out, they have velcro down near the toe box (which I never adjust) and a quick ratchet system for the ankle area which is sort of the best of both worlds.

[@reginaldscot165]

Well if they do Velcro is very cheap and easy to replace. 🙂👍🏻

[@melbman43]

Good luck replacing the Bora if you damage them. Great video BTW.

[@reginaldscot165]

It’s ok unless you damage the part that’s sewn onto the shoe. That’s game over! Because they won’t send you that part. Velcro is way easier to get and replace. 🙂👍🏻

[@stevepayne3076]

I've sent a pair of shoes to Boa - they were kind enough to fix both the sewn in part and the dial part of the Boa system, and they charged nothing (I did pay for the shipping). Their customer service is absolutely amazing.

[@82vitt]

The main thing is I don't like black shoes haha. Bright colours for me. I did a while ago ogle those vento power strap ones and considered buying them, but the cost was very high at some £300, and the lack of bright colours made me decide not to buy them. If they made them in white colour I might have. I am a white shoes man even though they pick up dirt easily, but I clean mine immediately after a finished ride when the dirt is still fresh and has not penetrated into the material too much.

[@reginaldscot165]

I had a pair of white shoes, I tried my best to keep them clean but it was a loosing battle! 🫣 And then I crashed and got them stained with blood. 😅 I also like bright colours, the R1 I wanted (green and fluorescent yellow) was out of stock so I ended up with black… and the R2 was only available in black when I bought it. Oh well. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@chris1275cc]

Dial, Ratchet or Velcro? SIDI: Yes

[@reginaldscot165]

Ha ha yes they seem a bit schizophrenic! 🤣

[@BrettinLux]

Laces or BOA. Velcro just doesn’t last.

[@reginaldscot165]

Velcro can be easily and cheaply replaced however and if your boa snaps at the stitch section it can’t be replaced. 🫣

[@celestialemissary4934]

Well if they go up to 11 I will buy them

[@reginaldscot165]

FIZIK don’t make a stiffer shoe that’s for sure. 👍🏻😁

[@celestialemissary4934]

@@reginaldscot165 it was not a joke I did order them from their website They have a promotion right now so I bought them for 175 euro which is crazy. I just hope they will fit me

[@yonglingng5640]

Not only do I prefer BOA dials, but only a few BOA dial models make the cut for me as these are the only ones that offer true on-the-fly fine-adjustment: IP1 Li2 S-series dials such as the S2 and S3 The disadvantage is these dials are often found on more expensive shoes and being a rider with wide feet, my choice of shoes will never be cheap. My next pair will either be Lake or Bont.

[@reginaldscot165]

Noted 👍🏻🙂

[@theantichrome9842]

BOA. Real BOA, not a copy.

[@reginaldscot165]

Yes they are real BOA 🙂👍🏻

[@stephenang499]

Boa is not about better but about convenience.

[@reginaldscot165]

That’s interesting, what makes it more convenient? 🙂

[@stephenang499]

@@reginaldscot165 It is safer to adjust tension on the fly then velcro.

[@82vitt]

@@reginaldscot165 How is it not better if it is more convenient? :D

[@phil_d]

Laces.

[@reginaldscot165]

Option 3. 😁

[@82vitt]

The solution for riders with oddly shaped feet maybe. I do have a pair of S-Works 7 lace and S-Works 7 Recon lace and they are very comfortable shoes indeed, but take ages to lace up and the laces always twist which drives me nuts. But then after an hour of riding I find I need to redo the laces a bit tighter, as I think the material stretches out a bit I suspect due to the higher temperature of my feet, so I need to make a stop to do that, or just ride on with the shoes a bit loose if I can't be bothered. Then you have someone like Pogacar, who races in laced shoes which amazes me, how he doesn't need to tension up before a sprint etc. Just shows how good he is, DESPITE the shoes.

[@Gufolicious]

black shoes suck no matter what closing system you use.

[@reginaldscot165]

Black shoes matter! ✊🏻

[@michaelhoile1369]

The Velcro strap is the most comfortable ever 😂😂😂

[@reginaldscot165]

True 👍🏻

[@danm3359]

Have the R1 velcro and I will agree these are very ventilated shoes for summer riding. The wide velcro straps spread the pressure across your feet very nicely and like you said you can tighten these down very very snugly. I have narrow/slim feet and I have had numerous shoes where I can't tighten them enough. Especially after wearing them for a couple of years. My biggest grip with Fizik shoes are the sizing. I'm baffled as to the sizing. I have always wore 41 or 41.5, in US size is a 8. Not fizik, a 41 is at least a 9. As soon as I took them out of the box I knew they were too big. Long story short I went back to my Giro Empire SLX. If you like the velcro straps, laces are super comfortable, no hot spots and stupid light too. @@reginaldscot165

[@fazidinamir]

Always having trouble finding the right shoe when you have a wide fit. Bont sometimes can be unforgiving due to bath tub shape carbon soles that doesn't necessarily mould to your foot even put them in the oven

[@reginaldscot165]

Correct 👍🏻

[@coolhand1966]

Laces.

[@reginaldscot165]

Option 3 🙂