The Specialized S-Works Ares Road Shoe Is for Riders Looking for That Extra Edge
Price: $425
Weight: 303 grams (with Shimano cleat, size 44.5)
Style: Road cycling
The right shoe for: Riders looking for that extra edge, and riders who constantly struggle with hot spots and uneven pressure.
The newest addition to the Specialized S-Works family of shoes is the Ares, a road shoe for the most demanding users. It’s not lighter than the S-Works 7, and Specialized doesn’t claim it has better ventilation than that model, but it aims to fix a perennial problem with footwear that uses wire closures: uneven pressure around the foot. Specifically, Specialized wanted to make a shoe that maximized power transfer while sprinting.
The team at Specialized claims to have solved that problem with this shoe that, at first glance, looks more like something you’d expect to see at an Ironman than the Tour de France. The claims of efficiency are bold: the California-based brand asserts the Ares is up to two percent more efficient than the S-Works 7. That’s a claim I can’t independently verify, but I can state that the shoe holds my foot far more securely than any other I’ve ever worn. I haven’t been able to log extensive miles in the Ares, but initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. It felt great to have my feet firmly in place over the pedals without the uneven pressure and discomfort typically associated with cranking down the Boa dials.
The hard plastic heel cup remains, and the upper is still made from the Dyneema Mesh fabric that’s proven durable on other S-Works shoes we’ve tsted. The Ares also shares the same carbon outsole, made from Specialized’s stiffest and lightest Fact carbon, as the S-Works 7. It still uses a two-dial closure, but gone is the Velcro strap over the toe box that was largely ineffective. A soft liner ensconces the ankle, providing mild support and padding against the stiff strap that attaches outside the heel and wraps around the top of the foot. That liner gives the Ares an unconventional profile, protruding higher above the heel cup than on most road racing shoes.
Two-Dial Closure
The closure relies on two dials, but it no longer uses two wires that run directly across the top of the foot and hook into open clasps. The lower Boa tightens a wire that takes a traditional route straight across the ball of the foot. But the wire that secures the upper part takes a more circuitous route and tightening it feels amazingly even. In a departure from the S-Works 7, the wires cannot be removed from their fabric loops. I’ve had to replace Boa dials and wires on a pair of S-Works Recons, so the inability to replace wires on the Ares causes this tester some angst. It’s also hard to ignore that the hard plastic hooks on the S-Works 7 have been replaced with fabric loops. Considering how much tighter this shoe can be worn, they represent a possible point of failure.
The Boa dials themselves are also new. Gone are the metallic ones that, despite offering a superb ability to micro-adjust tension, had a propensity to get knocked and easily loosened. The new dials feel more robust, are easier to crank down tightly, and stay in place better without sacrificing adjustability.
Snug and Secure Fit
I found it tough to wrestle my foot into this shoe, especially compared to the relative ease of sliding into the S-Works 7, which feel as comfortable as a pair of high performance bedroom slippers. That’s not an unreasonable compromise for the sake of greater security, and something I remember well from the days of shoving my dogs into both long and short track speed skates. The fit was magnificent once I they were on, and they felt snug even before cranking down the dials. The upper closure does such a good job securing the shoe that I found I could leave the lower dial loose to retain the feel of a nice, roomy toe box. But I could also cinch it down and comfortably lock my foot in place in a way I’ve been unable to do with other shoes.
That feeling of being locked in place translates to a new and exciting pedaling experience—a level of efficiency that’s most apparent when accelerating while standing up on the pedals. In fact, it opened my eyes to how much my foot had been moving around while in other shoes.
These kicks felt super and it’s not hard to see how having a more secure connection to the pedals enhances power transfer. Two big questions I have remains unanswered: how will these shoes feel on hot summer days and will I miss the light, low profile feel of a shoe like the S-Works 7 on an all-day ride? It’s too cold on the East Coast to test either but the shoe is impressive enough that I'm looking forward to finding the answers to both.
Ares Family
The Ares won’t replace the S-Works 7, so those of you who love your old shoes need not race to buy up remaining supplies. Those will remain as an option for riders who like the more traditional look. There also won’t be cheaper versions of the Ares for the time being. It joins the S-Works 7 as a shoe of comparable quality for those who prefer a different fit. The Ares is available in half sizes from 38 through 47, and whole sizes from 36 to 38 and 47 to 49.
Not Just For Racers
This is a great choice for riders looking for a more comfortable shoe that helps them maximize power transfer. And if you find yourself constantly adjusting your shoes mid-ride to alleviate hot spots, these may be for you. But you needn’t be a high-powered sprinter to realize performance benefits from the Ares. Remember, sprinting and accelerating are, in essence, the same thing. Even if you don’t throw down 1,500 watt sprints, you still make constant accelerations, whether popping over the top of a hill or chasing down a riding buddy. Finally, one shouldn't ignore the comfort factor. Happy feet go a long way towards making every ride more enjoyable, regardless of speed to duration.
You Might Also Like
