S-Works Vent Road Shoes
4.6
100 Reviews
Whether it’s a sweltering climb at the Vuelta or a toasty afternoon in your hometown,…
We deliver! Just say when and how.
The riders have spoken. We are proud to announce that Specialized took top honors for best brand in road and gravel shoes at the 2022 Gran Fondo Best Brand Awards. When we focus on what our riders want the most, it makes sense that our shoes are loved year after year. Featuring our proven Body Geometry technology, we continue to lead the way in comfort and performance.
Whether it’s a sweltering climb at the Vuelta or a toasty afternoon in your hometown, we developed the S-Works 7 Vent to keep you comfortable on even the hottest days.
With new features like the Vented Mouthport toe box and an all-new engineered mesh upper, the S-Works 7 Vent delivers exceptional ventilation and aides in sweat evaporation.
Pair that with World-Tour-proven features like our Body Geometry Longitudinal Arch, Varus Wedge, and personalized insoles with a Metatarsal Button, the PadLock™ heel, a FACT Powerline™ carbon outsole, and machined alloy BOA® S3-Snap dials, and you’re set for any ride or race, no matter how high the mercury rises.
4.6
100 Reviews
Keep the feet cool and dry. The mesh material won’t stay white but very durable and looks great. Cleats position a bit too far to the front , runs a little bigger than giro/ rapha shoes.
Firstly, without seeming obvious, in the wind and rain your feet will get very wet! But in the summer they're perfect. The boa system is great although I have had little slip when puttimn yhe power down. The sole is the best part of this shoe, and is what amkes them worth the money and the fit is excellent. Never had any issues, and literally ridden thousands of miles in them. My favourite shoes by far. Had for 2 years now, they have hole in from a little altercation with the chainring, and keeping them white is impossible, buy they are great shoes.
I did 50 miles my first day wearing them and they were comfortable from start to finish. And let’s talk about the look for these beautiful shoes. I must say I was getting a lot of looks.
Top notch Summer shoes. Way roomier in tow box than previous Sworks 6 shoes
Very well
These shoes look great but I got an incredibly defective pair which leaves me questions Specialized quality control. The cleat attachment part was just all wrong. First, the threading was too small for standard SPD-SL bolts. It was so tricky getting em on, I tried 3 different sets of bolts and they all were slightly too big. Second, the part where the cleat attaches would not stay put. My cleat just wiggled everywhere. I think the only way to fix it would have been to cut into the footbed of the shoe. I didn't want to risk voiding my return so I didn't do that. I just sent them back. Overall the fit and look of the shoe was great but my experience with trying to install cleats was abysmal. No thanks, hard pass.
This is the second pair of S-Works Vent Road Shoes that I have purchased. One pair for Southern Florida, and another pair for Washington State summers. I really like the ventilation which allows my feet to stay cool and dry. I also like the stiffness and transfer of power. Great shoe!
I love these shoes. Transformed my riding experience. Frankly way more than I thought they would.
Excellent airflow, perfect toe box, and love the ease of adjusting fit! Great value!!
Overall the shoes is gorgeous, however, underneath the shoe at the top, the rubber broke off when I was doing a bike fit. Quite tragic. Not sure whether it was due to long storage at shop or what caused it. Doesn’t affect anything but for someone to break upon first wear can be quite sad.
To begin with, I already owned a pair of 45 eu Torch 3.0 shoes, which turned out to be quite tight for me. In order to avoid a similar sizing issue, I took the initiative to call Specialized and confirm if their sizing was consistent across different models. They reassured me that it was indeed the case. Trusting their word, I decided to go for a size 45.5 eu, assuming it would provide a more comfortable fit. However, to my dismay, the 45.5 eu shoes turned out to be way larger than expected. They felt more like a size 46.5 eu, leaving me with a sloppy and imprecise fit. The lack of precision was further exacerbated by the fact that the shoes put excessive pressure on my first metatarsal, causing discomfort and irritation. Overall, this experience has left me with a sense of dissatisfaction, as the shoes failed to live up to my expectations.
rigid on the bottom and fits well！
Great looking shoe. Very stiff and light shoe. Overall awesome.
Awesome fit and quality
I downgraded this from a 5 star as I struggled with installation of the cleat on one of the shoes. One of the nuts inside the shoe pushed in and freely rotated which made the installation of the screw very difficult. I didn't expect this from a shoe of this caliber and cost. Overall though, very comfortable.
Love all the features of the shoe wish my foot wasn’t quite as broad the toebox
A bit bigger in town box than prior. Model.. but great shoe and quality
Purchased a pair for my wife for use on her Peloton. While I am a pretty easy fit for cycling shoes, my wife is not but these shoes look and fit great (sigh of relief) and are true to size (36). Because these shoes will be used indoors, their exceptional venting has no potential drawback for possible outdoor weather intrusion. Bottom line, happy wife....
Perfect hot weather riding, if cooler weather recommend wearing good wool sock or put a shoe sock over the shoe, runs 1/2 size bigger than my Swork 5 shoes, I like so much I got a blk pair 1/2 size smaller, fits perfect still roomy in the toe box no pinches anywhere or hot spot.
This is my first pair of high-end shoes and since it's February, I have not worn them too many times yet. I like the boa-dials on these shoes. With 2, the top locks the heel in and the lower can be adjusted through the ride for comfort or better energy transfer. Compared to some of my other shoes, these run a little big. They are a half size larger than I need but having plenty of room in the toe is better than not enough and the dual boas still allow for a good fit. As warmer weather arrives, I expect I'll appreciate them even more.
The hype is real! These shoes simply rock. They fit extremely well, very comfortable, stiff, no hot spots, the list goes on. If you’re in the market for a nice pair of road shoes, put these on your shirt list. They’re so good, I bought a second pair!
Perfect, highly breathable quality shoes for my peloton sweat sessions. I like how it helps me line up my joints in a straight line for a hard workout without strain on my knees.
Great shoes.
Great shoe! Comfortable and light. The BOA are a must for quick adjustments while riding.
Ok, so I tried these shoes because some of the reviews stated that there was ample room in the toe box area or otherwise said that they ran a bit wide. I have a fairly wide foot and decided to take a chance for the current great price. I did size up slightly (about 1/4 of a size) from my usual shoe size due to the Euro sizes . Well I put them on and walked around inside, they fit great and are super comfortable.! I also removed the inserts from my SHIMANO wide sized shoes and they matched up exactly ! I haven’t installed the clips and tried them on my bike yet but I’m really looking forward to using them this summer. Obviously I would say that they run wide (great for me !)
Nicely ventilated, specifically bought for indoor training and hot summer days.
very light and comfort. and good looking
Incredible fit / I wear size 8.5 and have a somewhat wide foot so a 42 fits perfectly. The comfort is unlike any cycling shoe I have ever worn. The power response, because of the stiffness, is equally amazing. Being winter with really cold temps and one storm after another I have only rode indoors on my trainer since the shoes arrived, but I push it hard and it’s a perfect way to break them in. I can’t wait to ride in warm to hot temps to benefit from the airflow and the engineering to keep riders feet cool. Lastly, it’s a really good looking shoe and have researched how to keep it looking white and like new for as long as it lasts. Get this shoe while you can at the incredible sale price of half off. You’ll not regret it.
the shoes are good and comfortable
These shoes are totally awesome, quality is incredible and was blown away when I took them out of the box they look amazing. And would highly recommend them to anyone.
ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL
A cyclist’s dream shoe. Super light with great ventilation. Plus a stiff sole that puts all your power straight into the pedal.
Overall the shoe is great! I would pay attention to the sizing chart as there are increments of 1/4 for US sizes. but other than that, the shoes have been wonderful. incredible boa system. roomy toe box for wider feet folks. vents are solid for indoor sessions.
Perfect cycling shoes.
Perfect, very nice shoes.
Great comfort and performance. Vent system works very well. Will be greatly appreciated in the summer Arizona heat.
I’ve ridden about 200 miles in these shoes and my initial impressions are mostly positive. Let me start by saying the shoes fit large both as to width and length. I usually wear a 46 in Lake, which is my go to shoe, but ordered a 45.5 in these based on existing reviews. I could have fit a 45. The shoes are very stiff and exceedingly comfortable for warm weather riding. My feet stayed cool in 80 degree temperatures. Judging from a sub 36 degree ride they wouldn’t be suitable for colder climates even with booties. The white shoes do stain very quickly and are not easily cleaned. I could not remove grass stains from the toe cap with scrub and shine. If you are meticulous black should be your choice. All in all a great shoe, especially if you get them on sale.
So I have the SW Recon on the same size of this, but this one is slightly bigger.
Normall use 47 had to go down to 46.5
These S-Works shoes are well ventilated and my toes are bunched up fighting for position. A must have for those dog days of the summer.
Nice shoes. Fit like typical Specialized shoes, which compliment my feet well. Only thing I don’t like is the way that the mesh on the toe box lies when your foot is in the shoe. The mesh is wavy and not pulled taught.
I haven’t risen the shoes yet, but they fit true and are comfortable.
This is my second pair of the same model. Comfortable and fits well.
Despite the very generous and stretchy mesh located on either side of the toe box, the Vents were still too narrow for my E width foot. After a couple of test rides it became apparent that they just weren’t going to work out for me. I did like the overall design, they’re very light and well ventilated, and the sizing was spot-on, but the lack of a wide option means I’ll need to return them. I may try the new Torch, now available in a wide option.
A well designed (comfortable and breathable) road bike shoe that matches the size listed on specialized’s size chart. The price point is high.
Unfortunately it doesn’t look and feel like a higher quality than my entry level torch’s. Even though it is wide, the second BOA presses on to the feet. You can visually see yellow glue all around the shoe, corners of glued pieces like the bottom and BOAs. My friend got the white color and the mesh part immediately turned gray, looking old and dirty in a few rides. Overall it’s not bad but it sure doesn’t deserve this price.
I really wanted to like these shoes. But much like the S-Works 7, the BOA cables don't align with the padding over the top of the foot and end up cutting into your foot. Exos, Ares, Torch 3.0 are all a better choice.
Great service and shoes! Arrived in 24 hours and fit perfectly. Great air movement as well
Great for hot days and definitely on the trainer - not so good for rainy days unless you definitely want wet feet
Ventilates as expected. The generous toe cap is welcome for a toe overlap with the front tire. As always with late model S-Works shoes, the heel cup is secure and the toe box is spacious.
Really comfortable shoe and great ventilation
Nice and light with lots of airflow, yet supportive & comfortable.
cool shoes for summer or indoor
Very happy. Fits great, as expected. Very cool in warm weather.
I have really wide feet and need a wide toe box. The mesh venting material on the side of the toe box area for these shoes make them VERY COMFORTABLE for my feet.
Great shoe with the right amount of stiffness. Looking forward to wearing this shoe through summer
Beautiful /comfortable shoes, true to size .
Great shoes, nice and cool when cycling in over 30 degrees in the summer, a little extra room in the toe area was a bonus too.
These are wider and have more give than my standard SWorks 6 shoes which is good as I have wide feet. Seem better finished as well with lower toe caps to prevent scuffing. The fabric areas help as when my feet get hot allows for better expansion due to swelling of the foot which i suffer from and different socks don't seem to cure this. The true test will be a long ride but so far so good. Recommend.
The shoes are beautiful, well built and very light. The shoes are longer than I expected so I would say they run big. They would fit riders with long and thin feet best. Mine were large, but the return process with Specialized was wonderful. Easy and fast, like a good ride :)
These shoes are very well made, lightweight and GREAT for hot weather—the venting is amazing. A few notes about my experience: the toe box is roomier than the Bontrager shoes than I’m replacing, so I need to really cinch down on the tie-downs to keep them snug. I thought there might’ve been a problem with the Boa dials (the shoe seemed to be loosening during the ride), but I think the material needed to stretch a bit. Now the shoe fits well.
Good fit
very comfortable even on the first ride. Needs the inserts though, worth getting.
Great shoes i have been using this shoe and the predecessors for the last 10 years and they are great. This version seemes to be even easier to get used too. The only thing I noticed is that you need to make sure the shoe tong is under the BOA closure otherwise it is giving a sharp pressure on the top of the foot. Ze
These shoes are incredibly ventilated and also very light weight. I think they are “unisex” sizing, which is weird, but for my female size 39 (European) foot, they work OK. They fit a bit larger than my other Specialized size 39 shoes and the toe box is very roomy - but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I do wish the footbed was a little more padded or supportive.
My favorite pair, very comfortable !
shoes are well vented and stiff. very comfortable. just what you would expect from the S-Works tier.
Love them. Easy to get on and off with the boa system. Comfortable and light and most importantly they are really stiff. Fit is good and I have not had any issues with hot spots, etc like I did with the Mtn version.
It fits my wide foot well Con: takes a little time to lace up.
This shoes are so comfortable and the air flow is amazing.
Excellent fit and stability. The stiffness of the shoe helps transfer force to the cranks better than any other shoe I have worn. Extremely comfortable for long rides.
Great shoe! These are very comfortable, very light weight with good ventilation. The fit is the best I've ever had in a road shoe.
Great shoes good looking
Fit and finish are top of class. The best shoes for me. Wish there was a plain white (so do many non-sponsored riders).
Really comfortable shoe, will be amazing in the hot California summers
I say this pretty regularly, Specialized has really nailed the contact points. Shoes, saddles, tires and stuff. My 2013 S Works Shoes had finally had enough. I got a pair of the Shimano S-Phyre, not bad but not nearly as comfortable as the S Works. Then I tried a set of the Specialized S Works Exos. I was lulled by the comfort and light weight when I put them on but after about a month on these shoes I realized they were too warm, and I just needed some heel support that they just didn't have. I live in the Southern California Desert so once I chose to bite the bullet and try the new S-Works 7 shoes I was directed to the Vent's for our area. Size 42.5 fit me perfectly, they have all the support and comfort that I had with my 2013 model coupled with incredible ventilation. Happy again, and peeved at myself for not going back to these right away. Obviously not cheap, but if they last even close to how long the last ones did I'll be perfectly satisfied!
Ive been cycling now for some time and originally had purchase a pair of Fizik shoes which have done the job for the past year and half. But I decided to upgrade to S-works vent just from the fact that I live in hot south Florida and needed something cooler and stiffer. My bike fitter had recommended on the previous shoe a 1.5mm wedge for better knee alignment and these have this already incorporated into the design which makes a world of a difference. I purchased the shoe measuring both feet in cM and let me tell you it was the perfect size. I was able to adjust my cleat in the middle of both the lateral and medial aspect of the balls of my feet and the power transfer is NIGHT AND DAY. From one ride to the next I noticed an easy 5-15 watt output difference on my SRM power-meter. This might be a placebo effect but no hot spots extremely comfortable on long rides and can put the power down. Im a larger rider at 230lb with peak power in 1300 watt range this shoe takes it and hugs my feet comfortably for long rides. What more can you ask for?
Very good, one of the best shoes…
Just loved!
Love these shoes! My second pair (just in case they stop making them). If you have hot feet this is the answer. Stiff, light and comfy. I wear 13’s so the 47 fit me good.
I bought these shoes on sale from Specialized.com. I ordered size 43.5 to replace my size 44 Specialized Pro shoes. Sizing story: I got the Pros in a larger size than I normally wear because I needed width, but then I found that had to set the cleats to their aft limit to get the balls of my feet over the pedal spindles. So when I ordered these new shoes, I just followed the sizing instructions on Specialized.com, which came up with 43.5. Turns out they are physically the same length as the 44 Pros, just narrower. But inexplicably, the lugs for mounting the cleats were moved closer to the toe (which meant that with the cleats slid all the way back, the balls of my feet would still be positioned behind the spindle). I tried to contact Specialized rider support through both phone and email, and amazingly, they did not respond at all except for this survey. End of story: I ended up exchanging them for a size 43 at my LBS - very gracious of them - and was able to get the cleats positioned properly. Although getting these shoes on my wide feet isn’t easy, they are amazingly comfortable on the road, and even though they’re an extravagance, I’m glad I bought them.
This shoe is breathable and lightweight. Works well for people with feet that are a bit wider (that's me), my foot never feels cramped. If using these during cooler temps you will want to use shoe covers to keep the toes cozy and warm. Great shoe!
I was a 47 in Specialized shoes some years ago now... I'm US 13 which is 46 these days
Specialized makes a great shoe, I ride them for Road, MTB, and Tri. All categories perform top of the line in the SWorks Brand. I have to use the Specialized inserts because of my arch but they integrate well and are great!
Best shoe I have owned for the hot and humid days in the DC area. Vents allow for good airflow and dual Boa system allows for proper fit and near infinite adjustments. Do wish the toe box was a bit slimmer. As a bonus they drain faster after a rainy ride
I will be wearing these shoes during the warmer months. They fit true to size. The toe box is roomy.
Part of me wants to give these shoes 5 stars, and part of me wants to give them one star, so I settled on 3 stars. First, the good - these shoes are without doubt the best shoes I've found for super-breathable road shoes and I would buy them again all day long. What I'd read about the toe box being big was absolutely true and I've found these shoes extremely comfortable over the miles. I'd definitely recommend them if you're willing to spend for a premium shoe. That said, the quality control on these is sorely lacking. I ordered these in 2 sizes and almost kept a pair that was too small because the BOAs on that pair worked really nicely. 2 of the 4 BOAs on the pair I kept feel great but the other two just feel 'cheap' despite clearly being the same devices. Not sure why some of the dials are loose and noisy (I sound like I'm wearing spurs when I walk) and others have a smooth, crisp feel but it's definitely annoying. My Garmin pedals also reported that my 'platform offset' was way off after I switched to these shoes - it turns out that the printed adjustment indicators on the bottom of these shoes was off by several millimeters on the left versus right shoe. So trying to line up your cleats based on the indicators was worse than useless. Basically not nearly the QC I'd expect on a $400+ pair of shoes. That said, I still love them and I'd buy them again. I just feel like they could/should be a lot better with some better QC.
Specialized did a great job with this shoe, and I definitely recommend it if you're in the market. I rode in them yesterday and noticed some immediate improvements over the road shoe 7. I wear a size 10 shoe, which means I can wear a 43 or 44 in cycling shoes. I have a the 7 series in 43 and they always hurt my feet. So much so that I would not even tighten down the BOA. After reading that these were roomier, I purchased the vented shoe also in a 43, and wore with thin socks. Man what a great feeling shoe. Lots of toe room, and excellent ventilation on both the top and bottom of the shoe. Bottom line is that if you're ok with paying the price tag, you'll be rewarded with an excellent cycling shoe that will perform as advertised
These beauties live up to the 'vent'. I've only ridden indoor so far and I'm not finishing up with soggy Lakes, however 500km in and their beauty is spoiled by the rapid discolouration of the mesh. It took a while to find the fit and after some conversation with my LBS I've ended up with internal wedges and think I'll probably be getting footbeds after lockdown. That is sure to reduce the vent and increase the weight, which I figure I'll mitigate with the help of a power drill. That being said I am happily slipping them on almost every day and training for that day when I am climbing a col in 30+ temperatures
After seven years using two pairs of these quality road shoes I was dismayed by the poor manufacturing quality of these shoes. I returned them and ordered a pair of more traditional style (without all the ventilation). The new shoes have the same solid feel I'm used to having. I do like the fit of the traditional style, too.
If you want to spend $400+ on a pair of cycling shoes, you're spoiled for choice. Sidi, Shimano, Lake, Bont, Fizik, Bontrager, Giro, and countless others all make great shoes. Zeroing in on the right pair is tricky, and even though it's a good problem, it's still a problem. I do my best to review shoes on their objective merits. I can't guarantee that the S-Works, or any other shoe will play nicely with your feet. That being said, personal comfort aside, I think that these are the shoe to beat. I'd argue that based on 4 points. 1. These are as-stiff or stiffer than any shoe I've ever ridden (RC9, Shot, Empire, 402). 2. The Specialized-specific boas are hands-down better than anything else I've ever used 3. The dyneema vented upper is killer 4. The footbed can be adapted to fit your foot perfectly. One note would be that if you live in a 4 season climate, and these are going to be your only shoe, the normal S-Works 7 would probably be a better bet, since the vented upper would make it diffucult to keep your feet warm below 50-60 degrees.
These are excellent high performance shoes. I have been an S-Works fan my whole life. This is now my 4 generation shoe and I will not ride with anything else. That being said the white mesh Dyeema material turns off-white very quickly. There is nothing that can clean it. The rest of the shoe has no problem, but that mesh turn color. It's somewhat disappointing for such an expensive shoe. I will continue to wear it but hope they resolve that issue in the next version.
Very satisfied. Often products are overpriced and underperform, but not here. Very cool and can actually feel the air circulating around feet. Makes longer or more aggressive rides a bit more manageable. Worth the fee! Feet are important! Toe box creases a bit more than desired for looks, but as far as functionality, the extra space in the toe box really is comfortable. Feet never goes numb.
Great shoe for summer hot rides, but insole has zero arch support!
I have worn these shoes in 95+ degree weather and my feet remain cool and comfortable! I can feel the air flowing over my feet and the air actually feels cool! Finally, after 49 years of cycling, I can finally have comfortable feet in the Texas heat!
Bought the S-Works 7 (excellent shoes btw) last year and my feet Were getting extremely hot in SoCal heat this summer. So I decided to invest in the Vent shoe and what a difference. I am just hoping they come out with the different arch footbeds for these. The regular Specialized footbeds are not vented like the one the Vent show comes with. The Vented shoe's footbeds are fully holed (not just the toe area)
Amazed at the rigidity of the sole along with the flexible feel of the uppers. Getting out in the summer heat has been a different experience with these. Have used them on 40-50 mile rides, now looking forward to the 100 milers to see how they perform on longer rides. So far, I have great confidence in their performance!
I was excited to receive these shoes. Especially for their cooling ability. However when I tried them on, the fabric/mesh on the outside of the toe box creates a deep crease. It looks like that shoes are too big for me. Total first world problem. But when I'm spending $400+ on a pair of shoes. I expect fit, form and function to be 100% I ordered two other sizes and all of them caused that noticeable crease. I've sent them all back for a refund. If this is not an issue for you, these shoes are incredibly comfortable and feel light on your feet.
The Vent is an incredible shoe, light, strong and graceful! The comfort is unreal.
I bought the white pair. Finally, a true vented bike shoe that actually keeps my feet cool, or ""un-hot!"" After nearly 40 yrs of biking, these shoes are the most comfortable bike shoes I've ever owned, hands down! Saving for the black pair. 😉