Bont Cycling Shoes (Pros & Cons)

[@gmjacobs24]

Ended up getting some Bont riot+ a couple years back. I need a wide toe box but I don’t have any sticky-outy bits, so I absolutely love them. Most comfortable cycling shoe I’ve ever worn, but can understand that they aren’t for everyone.

[@kevinfrost1579]

Been riding Vapors for last decade + in one or more variants. Happen to suit my feet. Echo everything Neill points out here exactly what you find. Now on my 4th pair, always a new spare set in the cupboard. Used for tens of thousands of miles, club, overseas tours, day to day. Point about big toe metatarsal very true, great real world knowledge 👏👏👏

[@sirairness24]

I just purchased those exact pair of Bonts. Love them but had to heat mold them Ended up using my heat gun for just a couple of "hot spots" around the areas you talked about. Worked better than throwing them in the oven.

[@christopheroliver148]

Did you point the air flow at the exterior, the interior, or both?

[@sirairness24]

@@christopheroliver148 exterior

[@sicbay]

I watched this video and I truly appreciated the deep dive into the Bont shoes. And then I bought some Riot+. I have Fred Flinstone feet and also Morten’s neuroma. I have a lot of foot numbness and serious pain. When the shoes came the width was there but holy hell the sole were hard as damn granite. I did 4 rounds of heat molding. My feet still hurt like hell! Then I did the Hail Mary last chance remedy (couldn’t return them after heat molding) of buying Solestar insoles. THEY WORKED. These shoes are now amazing. Wow. No pain or numbness. So that’s my advice if your experience is like mine. Solestars.

[@3daydog]

Hey this is super helpful advice. I have heat molded my Vaypor 2023s four times and I'm still finding them extremely painful, especially when standing or walking. If you happen to see this, can you tell me which Solestar insoles you had luck with?

[@sicbay]

Solestar Kontrol was the model

[@jaredjackson8097]

Absolutely love mine. Just had to find the right insole. I skip the oven and use a heat gun in specific areas.

[@TheCyclingCardio]

I have that 5th metatarsal bump, and Lake works great for me…excellent review, more shoe brand review would be great 👍🏼

[@renepauls556]

Thank you Neill, I find your input very valuable! Could you do a video on stem length? How do I find out/feel for optimal arching of my back and elbow angle? ❤

[@jmmeares]

My first and only shoes are bont wide shoes and they've been very comfortable. I couldn't get my feet in the equivalent size normal width shoe. Neil is spot on with his explanation, the only thing I'll add is on cold winter mornings I warm mine up in the oven to keep my feet toasty.

[@vaughanayson4392]

Love my Bonts , best shoes I have ridden! Have 2x road shoes and about to buy some mtb Bonts. I have tried all the other big names with no luck on comfort Run G8 insoles which work great

[@MegaRobboz]

For whoever it might help: bought a pair of SIDI Drako 2 SRS, one of the most comfortable shoes I've worn but at the beginning they were the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I've ever worn. They are not quite like the bonts but still stiff all around. Turns out all that was needed was to file down the bumps where my feet tend to build up excess skin. Before figuring that out I was ready to throw them in the bin. Have a 10$ electric foot file that gets used every 3-4 weeks. Granted not every lump and bump is excess skin of course. A bonus is also that every shoe is more comfortable now.

[@am7jeremy]

Hated Bonts after the first couple rides. My fifth metatarsal on my right foot would rub on the carbon bathtub even after baking and molding them to my feet. Had to reheat them up in the oven again and take a screwdriver handle to expand the carbon where my fifth metatarsal would rub. Not a problem with them since 👍

[@JoeGunawanfotosiamo]

You're lucky,. No amount of heating and screwdriver handle expansion solved my 5th metatarsal problem, and that's after getting the Asian fit based on their shoe graph

[@markbradtke5962]

Agree. I have successfully "point" adjusted both pairs I own.

[@Charizardlison]

@@JoeGunawanfotosiamo any luck with any other shoes?

[@softwarecyclist5348]

Any others finding this thread after fifth meta tarsal issues? I’ve had shimano normal and wide fits with issues. Now trying Bonts

[@am7jeremy]

@@Charizardlison Lakes

[@aubreyxengland]

my feet are relatively crappy and unstable - so I found that wide Bonts to have helped with that immensely. Enough room for my feet to swell in hot conditions and still be supported throughout, unlike the comparatively narrow Giro’s I’ve struggled with for years. I have to echo Neill here and say that aftermarket insoles like G8’s don’t work as well in them.

[@roadcyclingacademy]

Interesting to hear your experiences Aubrey, thanks for sharing on the thread! Cam

[@daviddjerassi]

Thanks RCA.

[@buster.keaton]

Spot-on review. I want to love Bonts due to the toe box shape, but the bathtub sole is a non-starter for my feet after trying two different models of their shoes.

[@global_nomad.]

just replaced my Giro Empires with a new model of Giro Empires....best fit I've had (also use heat moldable insoles...)had Sidi's for several years, but they always look a bit clumsy, tried Fizik's but never got on with them though love the style..its a big investment to try shoes so good to get this type of advice...

[@mitchellsteindler]

Yeah, it's so annoying

[@billhulley]

Been through CX shoes from Giro, Northwave and Lake. Had a pair of Vaypor Gs for a year and wouldn't go back. Must be lucky with my lumps and bumps. Still stick with Northwave for winter boots though, nothing beats them for getting through British winters.

[@kbesner]

Great vid, and describes my experiences with a few pair - don't work for me with a bunion, way too stiff. Only thing I would disagree with is the statement about them being lighter than other shoes. I did not find this to be the case with Vapors or Zeros. Same size shoe weighed the same as a mid-level shimano carbon soled shoe.

[@stevehetfield5859]

Great review. Spot on review consistent with my several years of loving my Bonts...not for everyone, though. If they work for you, they are awesome!!

[@ciclomass]

I'm part of those who love em, got myself a pair of bont vaypor+ after couple years with a pair of Lake's CX 402 and the difference between width changed my life, also, indeed they are very stiff but that doesn't feel as bad as I tought it would, mainly because of fit being so confortable. However, it's good to note that the vaypor+ is focused on confort.

[@dimidekeuning]

Bont vs lake, you prefer bont?

[@mvhan911]

@@dimidekeuning i am curious, too

[@TheAntoine191]

I still ride my bont sub8 from my tri days (10 years ago :S) 3 times a week and i love them. I put a wider scratch and had no problem sprinting on the road. My wife has the same size foot and hate them for reasons you explained (bumpy foot). One cons i would add is the bathtub make them pretty hot in summer. Mine are rusty inside, not good for white socks but apart from that i really don't care.

[@darrengee2412]

Having come from speed skating,I have a set of skates custom moulded to my lumpy odd sized feet and they are the most comfortable skates I own. Don’t know if bont are offering full custom moulded cycling shoes? I ride Specialized cycling shoes and they have been great.

[@discbrakefan]

Yes Bont have a “full custom” option.

[@christopherbaird4952]

It would be great if more companies would make really wide shoes. I haven't gotten my Bont shoes fitted with cleats yet, maybe they'll be terrible, but their Double Wide fit is the only one that will work with my feet. They seem to fit pretty well, if they don't once I'm on the bike with them it's back to flat pedals (that are too narrow, too).

[@SlickWillyTFCF]

The thing that led me to this video is wanting to know more about Bont cycling shoes (I've had their skates before). The thing that turned me onto them was a search for extra wide cycling shoes. I have a 4E foot (275mm x 115mm) and no other cycling shoe I've ever tried has been wide enough. Looking at getting some semi-custom Vaypor G's - still aero enough for road while also being walkable because they're off-road shoes. The only thing I could say to people with weird feet is that Bont makes full-custom shoes that are built on a last that made specifically for your foot. That may help, but the dow side is that they're $1,100 US. Edit: they also have Asian widths that have a more squared off toe to fit feet that kinda splay a bit.

[@biketheperson6919]

Have 2 pairs of Bonts (both Vaypor S) at the moment, absolutely love them. Definitely get how some people hate them, but they've gotten me through some pretty cool rides. Had absolutely no problems with them throughout an everesting, which I was pretty stoked with considering I only got them the day before.

[@stangoodvibes]

So coincidentally i happen to live about 100m from Bonts head office (Bont Rowing in Crows Nest, Sydney) and my Bont inners got sent there and i got a personal fitting of the inners into my Bont Riot+s from Bonts Director and shoe designer, Istvan. He made the same point - don't stick them in the oven until you've worn them for a good while and they should be comfy off the bat anyway - heating wont 'fix' an uncomfortable shoe, just make an already comfortable shoe a better fit

[@molfar9049]

have two pairs. love them.

[@roadcyclingacademy]

Me too Mol! Big fan myself, but obviously they're not for everyone! Cheers, Cam

[@76booge]

Had some riots, heat moulded time and time again, virtually snapped my fingers pushing a screwdriver handle into them trying to fix the rubbing spots....never got comfortable. Moved to Shimano shoes, so comfy.

[@dilligafwoftam985]

I like them ... Unlike the guy who reckoned he had a wide foot, I'd add an inch plus - and they're a size 13. The front strap on mine almost needs an extension. The only other shoes that have been comfortable were a pair of Duege (dew-ah-jay) I had 40 years ago.

[@peeeejaaa]

agree, love my bont riot+. im using it for 2 years now with some adjustment somewhere in the arch part of my foot, feels like its cutting it in half, heat gun does the work though. when i need additional power transfer bont works fine but for casually riding i use my Nike super rep, feels like wearing presto with cleats..😄😉

[@glennoc8585]

I've had lightweight shoes and now back to a heavier Sidi shoe and I really can't feel any noticeable difference. I must say I do like the look of the Bont. I've had rusted cleat nuts on a couple of brands and it's really cheap of them to not put out stainless versions. I grease the bolt threads.

[@markbradtke5962]

I completely agree, not a forgiving fit. I have a wierd bony protrusion on the outside of my left foot which I push out of the shoe using the back of a spoon after heating. I have done this on two pairs and they do fit perfectly after this treatment.

[@cammoscott]

I have a pair of the reflective Vaypors. It took a while to get them right. I heat molded them multiple times (with the screwdriver trick) and had to add the metatarsal dome that came with those cobra insoles. They still rub a bit on my medial right talus but it's bearable. I can't disagree with any of those criticisms and can see why they're so divisive. That said, I really like them now and will probably by another pair when mine need replacing.

[@JoeGunawanfotosiamo]

The bump on the 5th metatarsal becoming painful has been my problem with my Bont Vaypors when I use low-arch insoles. If I use the stock insoles, I develop hot spots (fuzzies) underneath my feet above the cleats. This is after getting the Asian fit based on the shoe-measuring graph since I have wide feet AND heat-molding it several times. I'm happier with my Shimano RC903 wide now!

[@jayobannon5359]

Great video. I have weird feet and Lakes only one that have been reasonable. Wanted to try Bonts. I have the weird first metatarsal and 5th me tarsal bumps. So immediately could not wear them. Got another pair of lakes.

[@sandgroper1970]

I have a pair of Bonts, I never really had to much of a problem, a little issue with hot spots, but that was manageable ( just don’t get dehydrated). But I changed because I got bored with them with the basic white, well rather a dirty grey now …. Current have a pair of Northwave and they seem to be ok . Yes I do have a fairly broad foot , with a wonky little toe…

[@patrickparisienne1917]

I have 3 pairs and love them. I disagree with Neill in terms of heat moulding not changing them too much. I have a very flat an d wide arch, and the stock moulding digs in quite badly. However I put them in the oven for 45 mins ( not 20) to really soften them. I have been able to quite significantly alter the shape to fit really well. As the fact they aren’t warranted once in the oven, you may as well for for broke in moulding…

[@hallsey6610]

I have a lumpy big toe and have tried lots of different bike shoes. For me the beutynof the Bonts is they dont have a metal plate on the toe box that the other brands have. My feet are much more comfortable in Bonts for this reason.

[@samuel8590]

I ride a Bont Vapor S 46 Wide. Best shoe I've ever owned in 25+ years of cycling. I have custom insoles in them. Great fit. Yup, they have gone Stainless T nuts. I just ordered a pair to have as back ups. I've also ordered the New 2023 Bont Vapors. Waiting on them to arrive.

[@johnfarr5415]

Welp you nailed it for me. Wanted to love these but I have a lump and couldn't heat mold it to feel good as many times as I tried. I also have what you call a mobile foot. LOVE Lakes. So everything said here rings true for me. Thanks for saving me from trying Bont again. lol

[@owensnicholas]

…so they’re shoes for injection-molded action figures. Huh. I agree with those calling for more shoe reviews. For instance, I love my Shimano shoes. But, like these Bonts, I’m sure they don’t work for everybody. What other shoes are similar that I might consider? Thanks as always for the awesome content. You’ve taught me so much about bike fit.

[@JoeW71]

Tried Bont and my feet were too narrow. Felt like I was swimming in there. Nice video.

[@kokonanana1]

My 2014 Giro shoes came with 3 pairs of different height arch supports.

[@troycollett8540]

I have a narrow foot and I found sidi to be very comfy for my foot.currently running the older genius 7.I’m guessing all sidi have similar stack height as I didn’t notice any difference when upgrading to the genius

[@dpstrial]

Yes, Sidi suits my narrow feet better than any other shoe I have tried.

[@IMV-Pro]

Please make a video about their insoles. Just bought a pair

[@bontcycling]

You'll find a couple on KZbin or feel free to also get in touch with Cobra9 who are our innersole partner 😀

[@troycollett8540]

Shoes are similar to saddles, need to find what works for you and what’s comfortable

[@yonglingng5640]

Too bad most of us don't have deep pockets to buy and try them all. 😬 So I'm bent on buy it once, buy it right. I'm pretty familiar with my feet profile and already have a good idea on what won't fit perfectly, so this leaves me down to either Lake Cycling (easier on the wallet, but still not affordable) or Bont (really pricey, insanely stiff, may be too stiff for the riding I do, but may fit my feet best).

[@kimwarner6050]

I finally come to the conclusion Bonts dont work for me after 3 pairs. After an hour of riding my toes start to go numb. Ive tried different insoles, but no help. I think the problem is my foot wants to be flat like Neil describes. Ive ordered 3 new shoes to try out.

[@petedannatt]

I have a wide foot, had the Bont Riot+ and loved them, but agreed that the heat moulding is minimal. They were stiff, light, didn't retain water and had a low stack. Unfortunately the soles cracked after about 18 months. My Lake CX238 Wides are super comfy and look like they will last for ever, but are heavy and have a wide stack. The linings are comfy, but when wet they hold a lot of water in a way that the Bonts didn't. I have a 2E wide foot. Still looking for the perfect shoe at a reasonable price. Any ideas?

[@neilgoth1974]

@Road Cycling Academy, I recently installed a different brand of crankarms and noticed that the drive side arm is further outboard by 4mm with regards to the non-drive side. It is an asymmetrical crankset. Can I move the cleat on my right shoe 4mm inwards laterally to compensate for that offset?

[@stephentait8734]

hi, on a different not, my bib shorts of wearing on the inside of the left leg, is this an indication that some thing is not set up right on my bike, thanks

[@pieterbrankaer]

Just wondering, what would you recommend for someone with wide feet, no weird bumps, mobile feet and no racing?

[@niba9963]

Sold my Lake CX238-X and my MX241-X and bought a Vaypor S and Vaypor G in Double Wide. The Lakes were a bit too small in the toe box and the heel cup was way to loose. I slipped with my heel on every pedal stroke. I use custom orthopedic insoles.

[@mvhan911]

Hi, i have Lake MX238 and also find the heel to be a bit slippery. Also the overall fit is much softer compared to the Bont Riot+ MTB but also more comfortable. So I am torn between these two. Which one to choose.

[@niba9963]

@@mvhan911 The Lake were indeed comfortable but the heel slip was annoying for me. Bont fits me better.

[@mvhan911]

@@niba9963 some people say the heel slip is not while riding only while walking. Can you confirm that ?

[@niba9963]

@@mvhan911 hm its been a while since i sold them. The slip was also present while riding, but not soo much.

[@andrehubert8873]

no problem with the length of the cleat screws with such a thin sole ? if yes how to solve this problem

[@Gabrielle4870]

Can't believe he doesn't talk about narrow feet. These shoes can be custom ordered Narrow for the same retail price and are the only shoes that I can buy and know will work. I've tried so many other brands, I'm over it 😂

[@asifjeckyl]

Appreciate your expertise; hard disagree on “what works”, for me. I have prominent hallux valgus (bunions) and no previous shoes over the years were fitting, until the bonts (with molding). I was able to press bump outs where needed and it’s pretty darned comfortable. I only lightly even need to tighten the closures, like I was used to having to do! Tub. no rub.

[@Flexb777]

Tried a pair for like 2 rides and hated them!! Just didn’t work for me. Stuck with my Lakes and I’ve just bought a pair of Nimbal’s with SpeedPlay soles and absolutely LOVE them even more than my Lakes 403’s due to its lightness!!

[@lluisq]

For me the Vaypor S are the best cycling shoes!

[@jopsjosef9414]

Is the bathtub design also used in the Riot+? The wide toe box was a much welcome feature for me (my feet were a bit too wide for Shimano, which was the default option for me before Bonts became available where I live). Asking because the discussion on metatarsals made me curious whether I just had regular wide feet without those extra protusions or I just haven't paid much attention on that design.

[@discbrakefan]

Yes, Riot+ sole is very similar to Vaypor S.

[@adambuttenshaw]

Con: if you’re riding in the rain, the bath tub fills up! 😂 I’m serious! 😳😂 but I love them.

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

All shoes get wet. I've used Sidi for years and have taken them to the bathtub to dry after riding in the wet. The key is to wear appropriate socks for this type of weather (wool is not just for Winter).

[@twillyspanksyourcakes]

​@@jamesmckenzie3532I think he means it doesn't drain well once water gets in while riding

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

@LA I got the point but all shoes I've worn became soaked. The only way I know to prevent this is to wear neoprene booties. Not comfortable in Summer weather.

[@TheMilosDjuric]

About the insoles in general, would you recommend using anatomic insoles for people with flat feet? Is it better to have the usual arch support as on walking shoes?

[@jondashun]

Finally an explanation why despite having a wide forefoot, I did not enjoy Bont shoes: high foot mobility.🙃

[@julianism.]

i find them uncomfortable as I have overpronated feet. I tried the regular width ones, haven't tried the wide version, but like what you said, these shoes don't allow much movement/rigidity. They do look pretty good! now i'm stuck with Lakes and Sworks 7

[@julianism.]

they hurt in the Navicular area, since the bath tub design is to stiff when pressure on the feet gets applied.

[@scottyi9299]

I really like the fact bont shoes have a relatively wide sole with wide mid foot area, and it's really nicely made, as well as its super stiff feel. But I don't like the shoe doesn't conform to my foot as well as my other softer shoes and it's prone to give me hot spots, and vaypor s is not very suited for low arch feet. The super low sole stack height also messes around with saddle height a bit when I set up my saddle height based on my other shoes (eg. lake and fizik)

[@82vitt]

Bonts in the "regular" width aren't any much wider than most shoes. What they do different though is allow more space for the big toe by having the edge of the toe box on the inside be straight instead of pointing inward like most shoes do. They are laterally very stiff, but not that stiff along the sole as I can quite easily bend it a few mm with my hands. My Mavic Cosmic III and S-Works 7 Lace are so stiff they won't budge at all when I try to bend them in a similar way. Also Bonts aren't any good for riding in wet weather as the inside take forever to dry up. The thermo-plastic resin in the sole is mostly a gimmic in my opinion, as I have never managed to make it work for me and on one occasion the heel pad simply crumbled on both shoes after taking them out of the oven.

[@peterers3]

Jeff from NorCalCycling Loves em. Interesting

[@owyn768]

I got some off eBay to try, they fit ok but the cleat area seems to press into my foot and makes them go numb, no good.

[@Zhoron]

I have toes that curve upwards so am struggling to find a shoe with enough height in the toe box without it being too wide, any thoughts?

[@MbanziSD]

I've been wearing Bont shoes for many years. Not a fan of the recent models, they don't fit my weirdly shaped feet (narrow heel, wide flat forefoot) nearly as well as the old ones. Wish I could find a bike fitter like Neill in Southern California, none seem to be as proficient and thorough as this!

[@Jin_KX]

My own experience buying a pair of Bonts in Double Wide fit. Note these are more expensive, took about 2 months to deliver and are non-refundable.. Width is fine Problem is the height of the shoe at the toe area is too low. I felt that my feet was being vertically crushed even when I ride without any insoles. Heck, it was even a struggle wearing them. Ended up binning them and gone back to Lakes which are far more comfortable and wide feet friendly.

[@dimidekeuning]

What lake shoes do you have

[@Jin_KX]

@@dimidekeuning CX 241! if you have wide feet you really can't go wrong with Lakes 😁

[@dimidekeuning]

@@Jin_KX i also have wide feet (+- 11cm) and having the cx241 as well, but the heel of the shoe is way to large, even afger molding the heelcup

[@Jin_KX]

​@@dimidekeuning Ah heel cup still too big despite molding? Got a couple of suggestions.. 1.) Wear thicker socks 2.) Staggered Boa dial tightness The Boa dial near my toes are relatively loose. I can still lift up the flap that houses the Boa dial a little after tightening it. You don't need much tightness here since your wide feet takes up the space at the toe box area of the shoe The dial at the ankle is the one I would tighten more to prevent heel slippage. Have a look at lacing methods for people with wide feet and you''ll get what I mean. One lacing technique which I use myself is to skip the eyelets around the toes and only start criss crossing around the ankle area. That's how I got the staggered boa tightness idea. Hope this helps!

[@simonsepic]

I'm diagnosed with hyperextension and suffer from foot pain when riding. And this has only been since I started using rid8ng shoes and clip in. What's the best setup to stop myself getting pain? I sadly just can't afford a full bike fit. I'm local to you potentially if that helps haha

[@wardieleppan8443]

I have very broad feet (4E) and large (US14). I’ve battled to find a decent shoe. My present one is pretty tight and uncomfortable being only 2E. I have gone for a mountain bike shoe as I like to be able to walk to the coffee shop or when I have a mechanical. Apart from getting shoes hand made, do you have any suggestions for a brand that does provide for clodhoppers like mine? I don’t race more recreational cycling and for fitness with the odd grand fondo thrown in

[@lovenottheworld5723]

The Carnacs that Greg Lemond designed were polarising with their excessive heel lift.

[@Hou5eSounds]

Bonts without good innersoles = bad. Bonts with great innersole = best cycling shoes and rivals the lakes. Note: I had to mould mine 3-4 times twice when I got them and then twice after about 200km after they broke in. 🤘 Happy riding

[@vlombardi]

dikwunder

[@mohammadtaufek5529]

Can you review Nimbl ultimate cycling shoe ??

[@elee3273]

I have a wide forefoot and tried many brands but only bont fit me. I guess everyone is different.

[@k22sull]

Can you give use a way we can test if we have a rigid foot ??

[@jimjamthebananaman1]

Put your hand under your smaller toes and try to move your big toe underneath with the other hand - if your foot doesn’t move much (up and down) then it’s rigid; if it moves around then it’s mobile.

[@JulianAndresKlode]

I tried their cheap Riot in multiple widths and sizes but it didnt work for me, it was hurting like 3rd metatarsal or around there like theres a spike in there.

[@ricmarignacio7912]

Hi mate just asking how much for bike fitting and your location?

[@discbrakefan]

Google it

[@AJXOXO-vz1pn]

Bonte didn’t work for me. My feet have somewhat low arches and I found the arch support to high with the Bonte. It was painful.

[@j1y0ni]

Another negative the soles on Bonts are quite flat which means when you mount a cleat other than Speedplay it deforms the cleat which makes for a sloppy pedal cleat interface. Oh and a correction. Sole stiffness doesn't affect power transfer. It's merely a Placebo effect. If it was the case everyone would be winning in Bonts.

[@MicheasHerman]

I like to point out to people that Laurent Fignon won the Tour de France on the most flexible shoes being ridden in the pro peloton and Andy Hampsten won the Giro on the absolute stiffest shoes that were so stiff that many reviewers said they were too stiff for long rides. To me, the moral is: to go with what feels good.

[@danielbhuangmtb]

Bonts are the best - definitely love the wide toebox and stiffness !!!

[@terrywalker7127]

I ordered the Vaypor from Bont and are the wrong size. You can't call them to ask questions but can email them but that takes a lot of time. Now I am in the process of sending them back and trying to get a refund.

[@nicknick194]

I have wide square feet but a normal narrow heel and have struggled until now. I've always dismissed Bont thanks for Bradley Wiggins and those disgusting Bonts he wore. But after trying some Riot+ Wide fit I've found the perfect shoes for me! They're so right that I don't even need to mold them. They feel perfect out of the box (and with G8's) And a third of the price I was willing to spend on the right shoes.

[@mvhan911]

i am also looking for Riot+ MTB. Got 44 standard width according to sizing chart but it´s to tight on the toes. Length was ok, but not 100% sure. I ordered 44 wide and 44,5 wide and will see how they work. According to bonts website explaination wide is not just wider. It also means the shape of the toe box is different, its more boxy or squared. I am curious to try them on.

[@emersonlindenlaub8124]

any shoe recommendations for people with narrow feet and particularly narrow toe area?

[@troycollett8540]

Sidi are great for narrow feet

[@michaellarkin6158]

Thanks for this video, been looking for new shoes, and have that bump on the metatarsal that Neill talks about. Suspect then Bonts wont work

[@veganpotterthevegan]

If you have the right tools, they're very easy to mold to bumps in your feet. You just don't know what you're doing. It's not terribly common to have carbon so high up on a cycling shoe. But speed skaters have been heat molding full carbon boots for decades without issue because they know how to do it.

[@roadcyclingacademy]

Thanks for sharing Veganpotter. Bont actually agree with Neill's sentiment. If the shoes don't feel good out of the box, don't bother heat molding them because the improvements are more on the marginal side than significant.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@Road Cycling Academy depends on your problem. They also say that to get you into their semi-customs which are totally worth it. You really can stretch them a full half size though. They're that easy to move with the right tools. I've done it with dozens of Bont shoes when I was a fitter for 15yrs

[@jmmeares]

​@@veganpotterthevegan what tools are you using? I'd be very interested to know.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@Jeremy Meares an iron ball and ring stretcher is crucial for high pressure spots. They work on regular shoes too but they're really important for pushing out spots in carbon. A regular shoe stretcher with holes to add high spots is great too for small adjustments. Occasionally, a toe box lifter/stretcher is used too. A lot of fitters make their own ball and ring tools as well.

[@jmmeares]

@@veganpotterthevegan Thanks for sharing

[@10ktube]

Are the insoles very flexible, aka useless, or are they stiff enough to be supportive? The Shimano ones for example, and Giro, are right idea, but the insoles are still so flexible I question the efficacy.

[@bontcycling]

These particular innersoles have a carbon fiber core which will have some 'give' but is designed to hold its shape (and support your arch) under load. The core is sandwiched between dual-density EVA; softer for the top layer for comfort while the bottom is a touch firmer for durability. Produced here in Australia by Cobra9.

[@norsangkelsang7939]

I have had the Vaypor+, the Vaypor S, and now the ZERO. I have always been pleased, but beed the wide versions. The BONT Zero shoe is a masterpiece. No need for any heat molding. I have sold my other Vaypors, and own two pairs of ZEROs.

[@Pablo_Coach]

with Bont ZERO You can't adjust BOA's on the fly!

[@ianhaigh9786]

Agree that Bonts are a love or hate thing. I'm currently in double wide Bonts and agree with all your comments, when the fit they're amazing, if not quite perfect then they are very unforgiving. I'm keen to see Neil reviewing/advising on the new Lake CX242, a shoe designed for wonky feet, but the latest version has widened the toe box and increased the carbon heel.... These sound like racing shoes for wonky feet (me), but for now I'm happy with my Bont dbl wide Vaypors.

Bont Vaypor S in double wide here - the ONLY cycling shoe that is WIDE enough.

[@nelsonsilva6842]

You know what nobody tells, is why you need the arch support when humans are born to have arch support. Then there is study that shows that stiffness on shoes from the middle to high does not affect your performance...

[@snobroadies]

Exactly the problem I had with the bonts

[@thayerkids]

Wow! Pedal with your heel down much? I’ve never seen someone with that low of heel in their pedal stroke.

[@robertlight2370]

Is there any science that actually supports the idea that stiffer shoes lead to better power transfer? I mean, just because it feels like it should doesn't mean that it actually does.

[@jmmeares]

I couldn't direct you to a study, but it's logical. Does a car manufacturer build their engines with cranks that flex... If you bend your back mid squat, is that a good idea... Does Shimano build flex into their cranks... Any loss of stiffness would result in a loss of power in my mind.

[@bontcycling]

The stiffness of our Vaypor S shoes while intention is also correlated to the design which inherently creates a rigid chassis. So, while the stiffness of our shoes is most certainly a perceived benefit, the true upside is the ability to create a platform that stabilises the foot in a comfort and natural way.

[@MicheasHerman]

I don't know of any research one way or the other. But, I do know that Laurent Fignon rode the Sidi Revolution shoes that were easy to bend and very flexible and that Sean Kelly won the green jersey in the Tour de France and was known for being a sprinter and Kelly raced on super flexible bikes that felt sort of like riding on a spring. Other riders seem to prefer the stiffest equipment they can find.

[@HighCarbAlex]

I love my bonts.

[@savagepro9060]

A Great Shoe, Shoe Review ---->> "I hate them . . . my feet are bumpy and lumpy, but if these are working for you, stick with them, because they're a great shoe in their own way"

[@DanTuber]

what brands does he recommend?

[@roadcyclingacademy]

We’ll make a video about it next time we sit down 👍

[@discbrakefan]

Generally whatever fits your own foot. Depends on its width, shape and arch (I discussed this with Neill when I had my fit with him).

[@mebunzing]

Love my Riots. Very comfy and roomy. Have them for 2 years now.

[@vlombardi]

NOBODY CARES YOU CANT RIDE ANYWAY

[@mebunzing]

@@vlombardi?????😂 whatyoumean

[@MrBusunglueck]

0:28 i dont understand the comparison. They look exactly the same width.

[@mgoo1713]

I have very narrow feet and they swim in Bonts.

[@euniceling5213]

These shoes work with the Peloton bike+ (April 2022), kzbin.infoUgkxGPkov2mNjgZfG33r6Bwvies8jKE4AKZB and are of good enough quality. I have completed 10 rides so far and there are no issues. The first time trying to fit them on the Peloton bike took 10 minutes (even with the help of an experienced cyclist friend who wears the same type of cleats). It took a couple of rides to break in. After the first two rides there were no issues at all.