As with most leisure footwear, the grippy EVA soles lack sufficient rigidity for turning pedals in anger but are narrow enough for nylon mtb clips and straps-jut right for social occasions or those quick hops to the shops.
Setting them apart from the crowd are the BG foot beds taken straight from their race shoes. Foot beds are anatomic insoles designed to provide greater support for the arch based upon the shape of your feet. A complete BG fit some twelve months back revealed my legs were of equal length but my left tibia shorter than my right, explaining my tendency to lean to the left aboard the bike. Introducing foot beds corrected this, markedly improving my posture aboard the bike. Similarly these provided markedly improved support over longer periods compared with conventional pumps.
Their only downside is colour. White looks razor sharp in the shop but isn’t the most practical for day-to-day duties. Mercifully they’re also available in black and relative to other fashion footwear, change from £50 seems very reasonable.
Verdict: 7 Stylish, comfortable casual trainers with a twist.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Specialized BG Stumpy trainer shoe
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
These are described by Specialized as Podium shoes- old school trainers with no cycling pretentions but featuring the BG footbeds for additional support and ultimately comfort.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Suede/Leather uppers mated to EVA sole foot beds isoles straight from their race shoes.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Better made than many leisure shoes.
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
Very comfortable for prolonged use and just slender enough for short commutes in clips and straps.
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
Good standards of workmanship but white doesn't stay white for long...
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Competitive given the price of trainers.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Extremely comfortable for prolonged periods and with better ventilation than many I've used.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Sharp detailing, light weight, great soles and foot-beds tick all the boxes for me.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
White can tire quickly.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Age: 35 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
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