Review - Bont Riot road shoes

[jb1989]

Hi all,

Thought I'd share my review of my recently purchased Bont Riot shoes.

http://www.todayonmybike.co.uk/2014/03/review-bont-riot-road-shoes.html

It's currently the main post.

Enjoy!

 

[winkybiker]

Thanks for that. Good read.

I don't consider Bonts because I think they are kind-of ugly. The quality control seems to be improving but not perfect - as per your observations about misalignment. Pictures of Bont's a few years ago revealed crooked stitching and glue overruns, even on their top-end custom shoes.

I also can't agree that we all should be buying our shoes a 1/2 size too big to account for swelling. I think this is an individual thing. My Sidis are a tight fit when I put them on (I hate the feeling of my feet moving in my shoes) but remain comfortable over long, hot rides. I guess it varies, but I don't suffer from swelling feet.

 

[jb1989]

Thanks! A little long but hopefully detailed.

I agree they're not the most attractive of shoe, I've heard the phrase 'spoon shaped' flying around which isn't too far from the truth. The quality is frustrating as they aren't really cheap-cheap. Although if they last a couple of years I can get over the slight imperfections.

I agree personally, this was frustrating when trying on shoes in the shops. It took about 3 rounds of 'they're too big' for them to bring the right size. I'm the same in that I don't suffer from expanding feet, though I'll admit that having a little width for the foot to expand when applying pressure is nice. Length wise though movement is annoying.

I think a lesson learned is see them in person first, I'll have to venture further afield next time.

Thanks for reading!

 

[ustabe]

I used a pair of A3s for almost two years, and loved them. They are spoon-shaped, but if that's the shape of your foot, that's an advantage. The fit guide is spot-on, and the heat molding really works. With aftermarket insoles, I never had a pair of shoes that were so comfortable and supportive right from the first ride. And I could ride with looser straps. The tub sole is ridiculously thin and stiff, even on the cheapest models, and the fit is the same across the entire line.

There were drawbacks. The cleat nut grommets turned inside the soles as I was refitting Speedplay adapter plates, and I had to hold them in place with a pin spanner when attaching cleates. These are right under the insole, so they are also thermal conductors. They weren't a problem in the heat, but cold days were colder. Then part of the upper ripped and came unglued from the tub sole. This was easy to patch with Gorilla Glue. No big deal.

I gave up on them after the edges of the soles wore through, and found a pair of Shimano R170s that fit even better. If the Shimanos ever give me a problem, I'd go back to Bonts in a minute.

 

[Elegant Degenerate]

I agree they're not the most attractive of shoe

Call me crazy, but I actually really like the look of bont shoes.

 

[ustabe]

Call me crazy, but I actually really like the look of bont shoes.

Functional minimalism for the feet. If the shoe fits, wear it.

 

[Master50]

I have the A-2s and they solved all my foot issues. no more foot cramps, no more pressure spots. wide toe box with wiggle room and able to ride with the straps looser than any other shoe yet have a fantastic connection to the pedal.
Still don't love the look but very happy with the function.

 

[jb1989]

I'll certainly be tempted by one of the lace up Bont shoes next time, I can't get on perfectly with the ratchet.

That said, these are my first pair of shoes with a ratchet full stop, so it's more than likely universal. Due to an odd lump of bone on my left foot I believe.

 

[El Oso]

I gave up on them after the edges of the soles wore through, and found a pair of Shimano R170s that fit even better. If the Shimanos ever give me a problem, I'd go back to Bonts in a minute.

How would you compare the Shimano R170s to the Bonts? I'm about to start looking for new shoes and those seem to be my main options since I have wider feet.

 

[ustabe]

How would you compare the Shimano R170s to the Bonts? I'm about to start looking for new shoes and those seem to be my main options since I have wider feet.

The Bonts are a bit wider all around, while the Shimano Dynalast is about the same in the fore- and mid-foot, but narrower in the heel. The Bonts are definitely stiffer, although the Shimanos are no slouches in this department. The Bonts have thinner soles, too (even the A3s), although the Shimanos are pretty darned thin. And the Shimanos are better ventilated. And they come with a more supportive insole, but with all the aftermarket footbeds that are available, who cares? And I wear size 45 Shimanos and 46 Bonts.

Really, if the R170s didn't fit almost perfectly right out of the box, I'd have ordered another set of Bonts.

 

[winkybiker]

.......Then part of the upper ripped and came unglued from the tub sole. This was easy to patch with Gorilla Glue. No big deal.....

This would be a "huge deal" for me. Completely unacceptable in top-end shoes, in my view.

 

[ustabe]

This would be a "huge deal" for me. Completely unacceptable in top-end shoes, in my view.

These were A3s that I paid $99 for. And the tear was only in the top layer over the structural part of the upper. And buying full-custom shoes for my injured, difficult-to-fit feet was simply not an option. And since I usually blow out the mesh toes of other shoes, I was happy to be able to fix the cosmetic problem with glue.

 

[richwagmn]

These were A3s that I paid $99 for. And the tear was only in the top layer over the structural part of the upper. And buying full-custom shoes for my injured, difficult-to-fit feet was simply not an option. And since I usually blow out the mesh toes of other shoes, I was happy to be able to fix the cosmetic problem with glue.

Glad to see it's not just me that does this. Usually takes a few months.

 

[winkybiker]

These were A3s that I paid $99 for. And the tear was only in the top layer over the structural part of the upper. And buying full-custom shoes for my injured, difficult-to-fit feet was simply not an option. And since I usually blow out the mesh toes of other shoes, I was happy to be able to fix the cosmetic problem with glue.

Fair enough.

 

[kuoirad]

These were A3s that I paid $99 for. And the tear was only in the top layer over the structural part of the upper. And buying full-custom shoes for my injured, difficult-to-fit feet was simply not an option. And since I usually blow out the mesh toes of other shoes, I was happy to be able to fix the cosmetic problem with glue.

Ah, the full custom thing. Among the reasons I've given up on clipless shoes/pedals is the relative inability to find shoes that would fit my 4E width feet. That and I'm turning more into just a commuter, but that's something else...

 

[ustabe]

Ah, the full custom thing. Among the reasons I've given up on clipless shoes/pedals is the relative inability to find shoes that would fit my 4E width feet.

4E. You have my sympathy.

 

[kuoirad]

4E. You have my sympathy.

Well if New Balance would just make cycling shoes too...

 

[ustabe]

Well if New Balance would just make cycling shoes too...

That could be an opportunity.

Having feet that are just a little wider than "average," I've never felt the need to try wide or "mega" widths by the customary brands. It's always been a game of finding the right "normal" width shoe.

I'd be interested to hear from riders with wide feet who have used wide the wide sizes from the usual brands--Specialized, Shimano, Giro, Northwave, Carnac, Lake, whatever . . . even Bont. And you Sidi Mega guys, I know you love your shoes and think everyone should wear Sidis, but could you please be a little more specific? What's your nominal width and how are your wide shoes working for you?

 

[El Oso]

The Bonts are a bit wider all around, while the Shimano Dynalast is about the same in the fore- and mid-foot, but narrower in the heel. The Bonts are definitely stiffer, although the Shimanos are no slouches in this department. The Bonts have thinner soles, too (even the A3s), although the Shimanos are pretty darned thin. And the Shimanos are better ventilated. And they come with a more supportive insole, but with all the aftermarket footbeds that are available, who cares? And I wear size 45 Shimanos and 46 Bonts.

Really, if the R170s didn't fit almost perfectly right out of the box, I'd have ordered another set of Bonts.

Thanks for the input! It sounded like it was about a draw so I tried ordering both and seeing which fit best. Unfortunately for me the answer was neither. Had heel fit issues with the Bonts, not to mention that the finish seemed a bit sloppy and the buckle seemed flimsy. The Shimanos were a bit too tight on the arch and the upper material didn't feel too forgiving or that it would form to the foot.

Oh the fun of shopping for shoes!

 

[Master50]

Thanks for the input! It sounded like it was about a draw so I tried ordering both and seeing which fit best. Unfortunately for me the answer was neither. Had heel fit issues with the Bonts, not to mention that the finish seemed a bit sloppy and the buckle seemed flimsy. The Shimanos were a bit too tight on the arch and the upper material didn't feel too forgiving or that it would form to the foot.

Oh the fun of shopping for shoes!

What was your issue with the heel on the Bont shoes? They are heat mouldable I think. My A2 are more Fiberglas but if memory serves I did tighten the fit around my heel with heat.

 

[El Oso]

What was your issue with the heel on the Bont shoes? They are heat mouldable I think. My A2 are more Fiberglas but if memory serves I did tighten the fit around my heel with heat.

When I had them strapped up tight and pressed down in a pedaling motion I had a good amount of heel lift and side to side movement. More so than any other shoe I've had. I'm guessing they're just a little too wide at the heel for me or the straps don't hold my foot quite right. The movement is significant enough that I'm not confident that heat molding would completely fix the issue and I fear having a shoe that doesn't fit and that I then can't return.