Shoes

Specialized S-Works 6

These are the lightest, stiffest shoes the Californian company have ever made

Specialized’s latest incarnation of their flagship shoes were first spotted on the feet of a number of pro riders and they quickly became a firm favourite in the World Tour peloton.

You might not be astounded to know these are the sixth edition of Spesh’s range topping S-Works footwear and they’ve evolved significantly over that period of time to arrive at this design, what the Californian company are calling their most advanced shoe to date.

When designing the S-Works 6 shoes, Specialized focused on two key areas: power transfer and comfort. Power transfer doesn’t just come from increasing the stiffness of the sole, although Spesh have done just that, but it’s also been improved by the development of a new fabric called Dyneema Cubic Light.

The name gives little away but the fabric’s directional fibres are thermo bonded and strategically placed within the shoe to create ‘no stretch zones’, designed to improve the transfer of energy from legs to pedals when you’re really riding hard. This rest of the one-piece upper is made from a perforated synthetic microfibre with stacks of ventilation.

Specialized focused on two areas designing the S-Works 6 shoes: comfort and power transfer

As for comfort, Spesh have developed a new moulded heel cup to lock the foot in place and stop it slipping – another move which will improve both power transfer and comfort – while the sole and footbed have been redesigned.

The toe box, which in previous editions of the S-Works shoe had been unduly narrow, has been made much wider and all that contributes to a design which should help a broader range of riders manage to achieve a comfortable fit.

Price: £280
Website: Specialized

Closure is taken care of by two Boa S2-Snap dials and a Velcro strap over the toe box. It’s the same set-up as the S-Works 5 shoes and Boa remains our favourite closure system thanks to the level of micro-adjustability and even pressure distribution.

Besides improved power transfer and fit, the shoes have gone on a diet and come in at a svelte 224g for a size 42, putting the S-Works shoes among the lightest on the market. Light, stiff and comfortable – you just need deep pockets.