Specialized Audax shoes

While most eyes have been on Specialized's slippery new Venge aero road bike this summer, the US company has also rather more quietly added these Audax cycling shoes to its range, and they deliver on their promise of all-day comfort for sportives, day rides and commuting.

Aimed at cyclists who want a performance shoe without the usual performance aesthetic, they take their name from the popular long-distance non-competitive cycling events and offer a more understated styling than Specialized's regular race shoes.

Although the appearance, as well as the name, suggests they're not intended for cyclists interested in maximum efficiency, their full carbon fibre sole provides a high level of stiffness that ensures they can accommodate some quite aggressive riding. I've not felt any penalty compared with regular high-end race shoes.

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They use a combination of two Velcro straps and a Boa S2 dial to keep your foot secured inside. The upper is made from a Micromatrix synthetic leather material with laser-perforated venting. A couple of discreet reflective details around the heel are a nice touch for riding at dusk or in the dark, and as well as the 'burnt orange' of the test shoes, there are light blue, white and black options if you want a more subdued appearance.

They're intended for all-day comfort, and they are extraordinarily comfortable. I found them a little roomier – a bit wider across the front – than other road shoes, including Specialized's own S-Works model. The fit is excellent with no heel lift even during harder bouts of pedalling.

The twin Velcro straps and Boa S2 dial, which pulls a wide strap down across the top of the foot, evenly distribute the load with no discernible pressure points. The fit is so good that only light tension through the straps and dial was necessary; I certainly didn't have to tighten them down loads. And adjustment on the fly is a doddle.

So far, so good. Turn the shoe over, though, and we find a three-bolt cleat drilling (compatible with Shimano, Look and Time cleats), along with minimal treading on the sole. They aren't really designed for walking in. That's in stark contrast to the mountain bike and touring-style shoes with a recessed cleat that makes them better for walking in, and hence favoured by regular audax cyclists.

There are certainly no rules governing the type of shoe you have to wear to participate in an audax, but the preference for a mountain bike shoe has come from the practicality of being able to comfortably walk across the pavement and into the tea shop/someone's front room without slipping up.

Still, not everyone approaches an audax in the same way, and many do wear regular road shoes regardless of the lack of walking ability. And the styling will probably make the Specialized Audax appeal to cyclists who want a performance shoe without the usual pro race wannabe look, or a non-racy appearance without having to change to touring or mountain bike pedals.

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To sum up, the Specialized Audax is a high performance road shoe with good comfort for for long rides, with more relaxed styling than the largely race replica shoes that tend to dominate cycling at the moment. They'll appeal to cyclists wanting a comfortable and good looking shoe for long rides, sportives and cycling to work.

As for their use in an audax, well, there are more suitable shoes for riding such an event. Ignore the name and you've got a really good shoe that offers good performance. I'd love to see Specialized offer a proper audax version with a mountain bike SPD sole, but if you can live without that, these are an interesting alternative to regular race designs.

Verdict

Stylish alternative to race shoes with good long-distance comfort, but where's the proper audax-specific sole, Specialized?