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PRODUCT REVIEWS: FOOTWEAR FRIDAY - BONT VAYPOR
Road Bike Action
August 18, 2011
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BONT VAYPOR
Bont is an Australian company that has only been in the cycling shoe market since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Their technology is derived from the skating industry where they are the premier shoe on the market and have achieved enormous international success since their inception in 1975.
Bont is well known for the quality they put into their products; and their shoes are worn by the likes of Thor Hushovd, Bradley Wiggins and Ben Day. They also sponsor famous Olympic ice skaters like Eric Heiden.
THE TECH
Bont’s Vaypor road shoe is memorable right out of the box. The shoe is incredibly light with a carbon fiber sole. A key ingredient to the shoe’s light weight is the hand-laid carbon foot bed that is only 3mm thick.
The Velcro strap system differs from other shoes as it is offset on the shoe to eliminate pinching and angles toward the outer rear of the foot and holds well. The shoes are designed as a heat-moldable monocoque chassis. In the shoe business, monocoque refers to a carbon sole that is directly laminated onto the shoe liner.
The shoes are indeed moldable, and very clear instructions are printed on the box (even more, you don’t need a special shoe oven). We did not need to mold our shoes, but we heard it may take a few attempts to get it right. Bont has done their homework in the mounting and adjusting category. The grid is precise down to the millimeter.
The carbon sole is only 3.6mm thick, so your seat may need to be adjusted down due to the low stack height of the cleat. The bottom is a standard three-hole design, and there is a black toe guard to protect the shoes from the tire. The ratcheting buckle system is standard and has two levers that need to be depressed to release the strap.
It’s not challenging at all to adjust the shoes on the ride, but you may want to have a spare buckle or two in case of a crash. The insoles are very thin, helped by the fact of the inbuilt arch support in the shoe. Our test rider’s orthotics easily fit into the shoe.
THE RIDE
Out of the box, the Vaypor fits tight and required some break-in time. We wouldn’t suggest racing these shoes right out of the box—and, in fact, some riders have complained
of aches during the first week or so of riding with them. Once the body adapts to the stiffness of these shoes, they feel more natural and comfortable. On the bike, the shoes are amazing; weighing almost nothing.
Their stiffness is like nothing else on the market, with a feeling of incredible power transfer. Riding in the heat, the shoes only have frontal vents and side gills. We actually raced in the snow, and the shoes functioned very well; our feet were never cold.
THE VERDICT
Bont’s mark in the road shoe market is a positive one. Bont has spent more time pioneering carbon sole technology in the skating industry before it was even heard of in cycling shoes.
The Vaypor model is light, stiff and moldable, which are nice features for personalization. They make a great shoe suitable for most cyclists. They are available in narrow, standard, wide and Asian fit. Custom shoes are also available, as well as an aerodynamic time-trial model—perhaps the craziest looking shoe ever—and an even lighter weight climbing model. The new WCE with rainbow stripes is pretty cool.
The $370 price is on the high side. But knowing that Bont makes a high-quality product, and not only has a one-year warranty but is almost unique on the market due to its stiffness, makes the choice easier.
PUNCH LINES
• Plenty of top pros use them, but they still look funny
• Stiffness is key
STATS
Price: $370
Weight: 488 grams (size 45)
Sizes: 36-50
For more information: Bont Cycling
Reprinted from the July 2011 issue of Road Bike Action Magazine |
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