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Long Term Review: Specialized 2FO Gripstastic Flat Pedal Footwear

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Specialized 2FO Flat Pedal Shoe (1)

Last year at Crankworx, Specialized released new footwear  purpose built for guys and girls who like to go “braaaap.” In development for over four years, their name is an acronym for my favorite typo of riding style; foot out, flat out. After almost a year of ripping around on the shoes both on and off the bike, the verdict is in…

 

Specialized 2FO Flat Pedal Shoe (3)

It’s a well known industry secret that Specialized produces some of best (and reasonably priced) tires on the market, and they leaned heavily on that expertise when creating the rubber tread compound for these shoes. They call the material they created Slip Not, and it works remarkably well.

While the shoes we tested are designed for flats, there is also a 2FO Clip version offered. Both variations utilize the same outer tread, but the clip shoe has a landing strip in the center of the sole that utilizes a harder compound. This reduces friction when clipping in, making getting back into the pedals during those “’oh shit” moments an easier task. The cleat slots are also longer and offset farther to the rear of the sole, allowing for cleat positioning appropriate to gravity riding as compared to XC shoes, when power output trumps ankle stability and control.

Hidden to the naked eye is a nylon shank that Specialized calls “lollipop” due to it’s similar shape to the hard candy confection. It provides a stiffer pedaling platform, and presumably could also come in handy during a prison fight. The lollipop runs only halfway through the length of the shoe, so they’re comfortable enough for the brewery, or hiking up to session a new jump line, but still stiff enough to put the power down.

Specialized 2FO Flat Pedal Shoe (2)

A major design goal during development was weight reduction. To satisfy weight weenies, Specialized’s engineers utilized a type of air mesh for ventilation that is frequently found in car seats, rather than the foam traditionally used by competitors.

One of the claimed advantages is that it allows water to pass through more easily, which prevents the shoes from getting water logged, and packing on weight in the wet.

After months of riding, what I came away most impressed with was the ventilation. My first time wearing these shoes was on a lift at Whistler and I could literally feel cold air funneling across my toes.

Specialized 2FO Flat Pedal Shoe (5)

The 2F0s also have a reinforced toe kick and heel cuff for protection against  rocks or crank strikes – both features I have had the misfortune to utilize and appreciate.

Specialized 2FO Flat Pedal Shoe (4)

The fit is true to size and the company also offers a “women’s specific” version, which shares the same foot last as the men’s model, but comes in this tasteful purple and neon green colorway. The shoe is further customizable via multiple foot beds for those with low, middle,or high arches. They are available through stocking dealers, who can also help fit you with the correct insole, which is how I found out that the green insoles would work best for my high arches.

On the Trail

In addition to beating the piss out of these shoes on the trails, I’ve also worn these kicks on several impromptu hikes, and at multiple tradeshows – which is a testament to their comfort. They’re not quite as cozy as my Teva Links, but they are significantly lighter, and shed water much better.

On the grip scale, these fall somewhere just below perennial class leader Five.Ten, but are considerably more comfortable.

The 2F0s not only look good, but bring a refreshingly well thought out feature set to the gravity market. At $130 (or $170 for the 2FO Clip verson), they’re not cheap, but they are among the best shoes I’ve ever worn for flat pedals.

 

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Liasara
Liasara
8 years ago

How many hours is long term? They seem pretty new except for the dust.

'Merika
'Merika
8 years ago

Can’t wait for the comment similar to one I read in a tire forum:

“I hate Specialized with a passion, but I run their Butcher and Purgatory tires because they’re so good.”

Or, “I only buy American bike brands,” while shifting and braking with their Shimanos.

Which goes to show that most people are hypocrites.

JBikes
JBikes
8 years ago

‘Merika – just curious, should I not care where any of my bike is made because there are parts of it in which I have no choice?
I’ll buy gear I like first, but if its a toss-up, I don’t mind supporting my countries manufacturing centers when I can.

JBikes
JBikes
8 years ago

Saris,
Did you like the laces or would you prefer straps of some sort? I may want to pick up a pair of “flats” and the laces aspect kind of worries me since it near impossible to adjust on the fly.

Eric E. Strava
Eric E. Strava
8 years ago

The irony of writing “typo” when I assume “type” was meant.

GlazedHam
GlazedHam
8 years ago

I have about 20 hours in the non-clipless/flat version and a ton of hours in a bunch of different 5-10s. Relative to all 5-10s They do vent and dry out well. They are also really stiff and not as sticky which I thought would be a big problem. So far not though.

They are substantially less comfortable especially in the narrow toe box. It seems like they should have added a wee bit more padding there.

The also ru slightly small. I had my foot measure at specialized and the shoes came in a bit tight.

MissedThePoint
MissedThePoint
8 years ago

I did trail work in my 5.10 Karvers (Impact-based sole) and I don’t know if my feet are just soft, but the stiff sole made my feet feel like they needed a deep tissue massage after a couple of hours of hiking. They also reeked when I took them off, which I needed to do to empty the debris that gets in it. Wouldn’t say they’re all that great for walking and standing around for long periods, but I do appreciate not feeling the shape of the pedal through the shoe, especially with my style of riding (90+% weight on the pedals).

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