Bont Helix road shoe

Bont's Helix shoes are as stiff as previous models and they're built to the same high standards, but although the new around-the-foot retention system is innovative, the single Boa closure doesn't give you the options of a double dial system.

• Pros: Stiff, lightweight, foot-shaped last!
• Cons: Single point fit adjustment

Let's take a look at the retention system first because that's the major talking point here. The Helix uses a Boa IP1 dial, a tried and tested closure that works amazingly well. You see it all over the place these days; click the dial one way to tighten the Kevlar lace, turn it the other way to loosen it, and pull it upwards to let off the tension completely. It's easy to operate one-handed from the saddle.

What's different here is that the lace surrounds the whole of your foot. It goes into the carbon sole and out on the other side. One end of the lace goes from the dial towards the heel, then underneath the shoe and up on to the bridge of your foot; the other one goes underneath, around the ball of your foot, and then up to the area just behind your toes. It's one long loop.

Why? Bont says, 'Continuous wiring spreads the load for a secure hold without localised pressure points. Cable routing wraps around and under the chassis for a wide, even anchor point.'

That's certainly true. My comment would be that although I guess some people will like the simplicity of a single Boa single dial closure, it doesn't give you as much control over lace tension in different areas as a double closure system, such as you get on Bont's other shoes.

If you have a slim forefoot and a tall bridge, for example, you can adjust two different dials accordingly – the lower one tightened up, the upper one less so. With a single dial you have to compromise. Don't get me wrong, I found the Helix's fit adjustment to be good... just not as good as that of the Vaypor S, for instance.

These shoes boast all of the features that Bont has become known for over recent years. First up, there's the bathtub-shaped chassis (or 'sole' to you and me) that's made of unidirectional carbon fibre from Toray. It bends up around the sides of your foot, especially towards the rear where it extends to about 70 per cent of the height of the shoe.

That chassis is heat mouldable as many times as you like, so if there are any tight spots you can heat up the shoes in your oven and push the sides out until the fit is right (the EVA innersole is thermo-mouldable too). Shaped properly, the sides of the chassis provide extra support to help prevent your foot over pronating (falling inwards) or supinating (dropping outwards).

One of the main reasons why you might consider these shoes is because of Bont's last which determines the overall shape. Essentially, it's a cycle-specific last that's designed to be closer to the shape of a foot than others out there. I get on really well with Bont shoes because of this. Many people find that with Bonts, their toes aren't squashed together like they usually are, leading to improved comfort while pedalling. You also get a 'medial longitudinal arch support' – you can see that the chassis is shaped on the instep – to prevent over pronation and all of the problems that can result from that.

The chassis is incredibly stiff and the extended heel cup holds everything firmly in position to add plenty of stability, even when you're sprinting. A TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) toe protector helps prevent damage up front when you walk to and from the bike while a replaceable heel pad does a similar job at the back.

Bont uses a proprietary material sandwiched in the upper to prevent stretch – there's absolutely none – and memory foam in the tongue and around the opening to provide comfort without retaining sweat or rainwater. The lining is faux suede while the outer layer is Durolite (as it is on the Vaypor S), a composite material that's very hardwearing. I can tell you that for sure. It might look a bit scuffed after a scrape along the tarmac but it'll probably survive.

Vents over the toes let fresh air in and moist air out, although if hot, sweaty feet is a particular issue for you there are certainly more breathable shoes out there.

Three hundred quid plus is, of course, a lot of money to spend on a pair of bike shoes, although the Scott Road RC Ultimate shoes that we reviewed recently were a little more expensive than these. I'd actually be willing to spend a lot on shoes because they're so important to both comfort and, ultimately, performance (you're not going to do your best if you're riding with hot spots, for example). Also bear in mind that making Bont Helix shoes is a labour-intensive process involving high-quality materials.

> Buyer's Guide: 13 of the best performance road shoes

Overall, the Helix shoes offer many excellent features and they're built to Bont's distinctive shape which will win them many fans, but although the under-the-sole cable routing can help to avoid pressure points, the single dial closure does mean you have less opportunity to fine-tune the fit than with a dual dial system.

Verdict

Stiff and lightweight shoes made to Bont's usual high standards, although new closure system has both pros and cons