Specialized S-Works 7 Lace Road Shoes

£300.00

Metal eyelets for four of the six pairs of lace holes prevent any tearing of the upper, and an elasticated band that runs across the tongue provides a secure place for tucking the ends away.

Laces help keep the weight down, our pair of 46s coming in at just 254g per shoe – a few grams lighter than the same model with Boa dials, plastic hardware and a Velcro strap.

Specialized says that the Powerline carbon outsole is its lightest and stiffest ever and reviewer Mat couldn’t get it to budge in any direction.

The upper combines engineered mesh with areas of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). Despite not being very thick at all, it certainly doesn't feel like it stretches when you pull up, locking your foot in place to provide a secure feel.

The upper is also super tough while being supple and flexible enough that various foot shapes can get an excellent fit.

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Out back you get Specialized's PadLock heel – an external heel counter that squeezes your foot slightly to avoid any lift when you're out of the saddle and pedalling hard. It offers plenty of stability and no discomfort. In fact, the level of comfort on offer is excellent throughout, despite the pared-back construction.

Overall, these shoes offer excellent performance, the fit will work for most people, and the level of comfort is high. If you want laced shoes in your life, you can't go wrong here.