I agree with your comments. After riding Sidi's since 1995, I switched to the Ares last summer, and love it. The Ares is a pain to put on, I keep telling myself to buy a shoe horn, but I keep forgetting. 😁 In my Sidi's, my foot tended to slide forward unless I really cranked down the tightness, in the Ares I can leave them less tight and my foot does not slide at all - its a great system. But that sock liner does get dirty. I just got the S-Works 7 shoe and they are not as comfortable as the Ares, but way easier to put on. They also dig into the side of my outer ankle on the right foot just a little - I think more rides will soften them up (3 so far). Also a nice looking shoe, but the upper material is pretty stiff when new, especially when compared to the Ares, which was soft out of the box. I wore 47 in the Sidi's and a 46 in the specialized fits perfect, using the same insoles in all shoes (green BG's). I switched to Spec mainly because of the varus tilt built into the sole, Shimano's don't have that which steered me away from them.
Funny you mention the pain on the outer side of the ankle. I didn’t mention that, but it’s something I’ve experienced as well. Not at the time, but occasionally it gets me and is a reminder of why I like the shimanos.
Good review! I have all of these as well: however, the Lake 403 is the best shoe that I have used and it isn't even close. It cost some coin, but when you ride a lot and don't notice your feet at all, it's worth it. S-Works 7's are second and then the S-Phyre. Keep up the great work!!
Ares are so wonderful to wear. Can ride them forever. I just use a small shoehorn that lives inside the shoes - no problem to slip on. Off is quick and easy. Will never take anything else out for rides.
S-Phyre! That’s what I use. I’ve got the 2019 model and they still feel great but I guess I need some newer technology. 3 years is enough time for a riding shoe. I have never been unhappy with this shoe. Great review.
Excellent video, one question, I use the RC7 on the road, the version that does not have the shiny tip. But I have a question about buying the sphyre 903, these are the same width as the RC7 or are they narrower at the end of the foot (at the tip of the shoe more or less in the area of the metatarsals, where the foot is wider) It's because it's a more professional shoe, not if they are a little narrower (tighter than my RC7) and I should buy wide or if I buy normal ones like the RC7 that I have. I have never needed wide shoes
Good review…. I love my S7’s… I tried a pair of Ares on when they came out and quickly thought the mesh would end up annoying me.. glad to see I wasn’t the only one… 🍻
Got the Aries, vent and RC902 have the RC903 arriving today as the shops just got restocks, on Friday. I’m expecting good things. I have huge issues with calf fatigue with the Specialized, I also had to cut out the sock on the Aries, as they were far to tight around the top of my feet.
I was at a local bike shop dropping off my Tarmac to get some work done. A buddy asked me what my shoe size was, and luckily, he had a pair of SWORKS 7 Road shoes Sagan Collection (the green and black ones). They were unsold stock that they were trying to get rid of. I paid $10.00 for them!! I'm buying a lottery ticket next....
I think all the Specialized shoes have a varus wedge build in, the Shimano doesn't. Do you feel the difference? And how do you compare arch support? Fun fact: I have the S-Phyres and the way I made them comfortable for me is that I had put in the Specialized body geometry insoles.
I really don’t feel a difference. I run the green specialized body geometry insoles in all of my shoes and they’re fantastic. The arch support from those insoles is 10/10.
Thanks! The X with the cables was the only way I could get those to work. In hindsight, I think the crossing of the cables messed them up and they had to be replaced (which BOA is great about).
Thanks for all the detail! I'm coming from the Specialized Torch 2.0 and just ordered the SW7 in wide after feeling squished and ending a session with my small toes being numb. Question though, you mentioned you got a wide in the Shimano shoe. Did you get a wide in the SW7? Wondering if maybe the standard is wide enough.
What's up, Kenneth? I did not get the wide in the S-Works 7, only the RC9 at the recommendation of my bike fitter. All things being equal, I think I prefer the wider shoes- just enough room for long, hot days.
Thanks for the review! I would like to know what you think about the SW7 lace width, I love how they look, but I need wide shoes. Someone said that the lace version is wider than the boa versión, what you think?
Great in depth review. I’ve had the SW 7 for over a season and they fit great. I got the ares more recently and have had some tightness on the outside edges of my feet. I’ve got about 200 miles in them so far so they may not be fully broken in yet because I know it probably took at least 500 miles to break in my SW 7. Of course, shoes are different for everyone but I’m curious: how was your break-in period was for the ares, and did you experience any tightness on the outside edges also?
Mine was 0 miles! And I have very sensible feet. Can't imagine what's going on if you feel the SW 7 are more comfortable. Maybe tighten less - they don't need a lot due to the construction.
Had the Specailized second tier shoes and were great, my lake were horrible and so were the Specailized vent. What was impressively good was the sidi air wire 2 and the ares. For power transfer the sidi is to go to shoes. The Specailized s works sole stiffness to power transfer ratio is not as good. I would want to try the Shimano as everyone talks about the power transfer stiffness ratio is good. Let’s see
@@outdoorbros_ the sidi wire power transfer is the beat I have ever had. You feel that the shoes know what you want and gives back. I had the padded insoles in the beginning and decided to get back to the originals as I did not want to loose this perfect sweet point between stiffness and flex. One thing annoys me is that the toe box has lots of vertical room for my toes to wiggle. They still need to work more on the fit. If I have to choose between sidi and Specailized, I would definitely go with the sidi. They are so neutral and compliant and easy to position or fit the cleats on
Wearing Giro Imperials currently because that was all that was available through my LBS in my size. Could you compare these shoes to those? In the future I may also consider Sidi Wire 2 or Shot 2, or Fizik (which I use for MTB and winter shoes) Vento Infinito Carbon 2s. Will need to replace my XC shoes first though which I will probably go for the Fizik X1 Infinitos again just because they are as far as I can tell the most sturdy/durable built XC race shoes out there.
I have a good friend who has the Giro imperials and loves them- super light and adjustable. Have you ridden the Recons or shimano RX8? I’ve ridden the X1 Infinitos and the recons and shimanos are a huge step up.
@@outdoorbros_ I haven't but have seen lots of friends tear and ruin the uppers of their shoes that are mainly that soft 'pleather' around the sides and heels due to the rocky environment of the local trail systems I do the majority of my riding in (I wrecked had a pair of XC7s and a pair of Northwave XC shoes and neither made it through a full ~8 month mtb season, the X1s have made it through 1 1/2 seasons so far after the Northwaves disintegrated, granite is hard on the skin and the equipment). The Recons might hold up but maybe not as long as the Infinitos, I've seen Shimanos and other brands get torn up pretty fast. If I was going to use 2 different shoes I could definitely have a lighter duty race shoe.
@@outdoorbros_ i very much appreciate the response! Just getting back into cycling and re-gearing up. Enjoying your videos and grabbed those white Ares! And subscribed of course. Thanks again!
Wanted to ask you this a few months ago but figured I’d should just search myself. Where did you find that color way of the ares? I’ve been looking all over for them
Hi Chris! Great video, thanks for sharing! I got a question: what do you think: is Ares as wide as the S-Phyre (in the wide version). I am looking for a shoe for long rides and I like the Ares but I am afraid I have normal to wide feet. I am not sure, which is my best option. What would you go for? Thanks in advance.
The wide version of the Shimano shoes aren't actually that much wider, they just offer 20-25% more volume in the mid-foot. I'm borderline, I have 245mm width on my slightly wider right foot, but I just ordered the non-wide version. Mostly because it was $50 cheaper, so we'll see how they fit once they arrive! Did you try measuring your foot and comparing to the official Shimano sizing?
Can you confirm. I also want to purchase 903. Currently tight in the sw7 46. They fit great I just can’t go any smaller. Hoping the 903 are the same overall length
Ares are hard to put on, and they do get dirty, but they are the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn. The drawbacks are nothing compared to the payoff, for me.
These 3 shoes are the best on the market right now and the Ares are my favourite shoes ever! They don't cause any hotspot and they truly help to transfer power into every pedal stroke. I completely disagree with you when you say that they are a hassle so put on. I even did a video demonstrating how easy they are to put on! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fYnMTZO3S4c.html&ab_channel=AnthonyHT
@@outdoorbros_ I was often told by fellow cyclists that this was a major turn down factor for them when they tried to put their feet in for the first time in the store. It's a shame because you get used to it. I love these shoes so much that I got a second pair in red and black.
