Specialized

S-Works Recon Lace Shoe

Too Stiff

I bought this shoe around a month ago because it was half off and I had heard great things about the Specialized S-Works. It is a great looking shoe. But like many reviews it is super super stiff and needs some good breaking in. I ultimately decided I didn't want to wait to break it in and I wasn't so stoked about the laces. I sent them back and purchased the Shimano RX8.

These deserve a much better rep!

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I have an average woman’s foot and this is my third pair of Specialized shoes. The other two are road shoes, but the fit is identical and I had none of the weird rubbing issues that some reviewers commented on. The stiffness is excellent and durability excellent.

Amazing once you fix the ankle rub issue

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I’ve read the reviews and own many generations of S Works shoes. Almost everyone will have the ankle bone issue because the material is too hard around Lateral and medial malleolus: the bony knob on the outside and inside of the ankles. Specialized has corrected this on most of the boa shoes by lowering the material, but they have not done it on this one. The solution is simple if you don’t want to wear band-aids while you wait for the material to break in. You take a heat-gun or powerful blow dryer and you heat the material that would touch your ankle bone and massage it while it’s hot. Don’t overheat the material it should be hot enough to touch with the hand and you will feel the material soften up. It’s not just the green area it an also the black padded area that has a stiff pipe like material in it. Once you break it in, which should take about 15 minutes to do both shoes, the shoes fit like a glove. I wore them before, when they were super stiff, and then after, when I softened them up and they were amazing. The toe box area is super comfortable compared to other S-Works shoes and ai think over time they will break in nicely. At 50% off they are totally worth it.

Nice shoe but super uncomfortable

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

42

Height:

5' 6"

Weight:

130

Really hard shoe. As in, requires breaking in. Rubs at tongue, really not worth the $.

Works well for me!

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

I too was concerned about the ankle rub issues that some have experienced. I decided to take a chance and I am glad I did so. I have high arches and narrow ankle bones. No issues. I have about 150 miles riding in them and they are breaking in nicely. Good show @ the discounted price.

Love these (non-ankle biters)

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

40

Height:

5' 6"

Weight:

118

I was apprehensive about ordering these secondary to the many reviews about the discomfort at the ankles. But with the Specialized footbed insert these are amazing. Gives me great power transfer in a lightweight shoe. Perfect for me. Might get a second pair as a backup/replacement.

Ankle Stabbers

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

These are now a great shoe, but I had to cut the tops of them to not stab my ankles. If you're OK with some DIY modifications to make these work, they are light, stiff, and if you have other Specialized shoes the sizing should be spot on. (It was for me, at least.) I had to use an angle grinder with a sanding disk to clearance the tops of each shoe to not stab / cut into my ankles. Its really surprising Specialized missed it by so much. You can see by other reviews on here I am not the only one with this problem.

Super stiff and light but

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Great shoe, super light and stiff, planning on using them on the gravel bike. Only issue is the tongue is not long enough so the edges of the show give me a nice blister where the tongue should be. Not a deal breaker but annoying, you have to where thick socks with them.

New life

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

After getting used to the lace up style, my riding was very comfortable. The shoe feels very solid yet light. Easy to walk in without worry of damaging tge clete or anyone's floors. The ankle issues mentioned by others could be an issue if your ankle bones are low.

I wanted to love these, ouch

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

My first ride with these was fine and then I had the similar ankle issues that others spoke about. Just wrapped a 3 hour ride and have cuts in the sides of my ankles because of these. I got these because I had the Specialized Recon 3.0s (with the boas) and thought these would fit the same. I was wrong :(