Review: Specialized 2FO Roost Canvas

This review featured as part of the Kit Essentials grouptest in issue 142 of Singletrack World.

A contender to the throne at last

Price: £110.00
From: specialized.com
Tested By: Vicky Chapman

Despite having ridden mountain bikes for years, many riders don’t change shoe brands. When you find one that fits and grips sufficiently, it can be easy to stick with them. For a lot of those who’ve tried out the Specialized 2FO Roost Canvas, they’ve quickly become a favourite shoe.

The rubber is comparable to the new style Freerider Pro in terms of general grip on the pedals. The tread pattern is notably more effective than some rival soles and you may find yourself having to lift and manoeuvre your feet significantly more than usual. They really grab the pedals and stay put.

The outer canvas is sturdy, solid and doesn’t soak up water. There’s no unnecessary padding to bulk the shoe up or create a sponge effect. The only substantial padding is where you need it – the tongue and heel. Without any extra bulk, the shoes dry out impressively quickly – even without a radiator or shoe dryer.

The construction of the footbed is probably one of its biggest selling points. They actually feel like shoes! Walking in them is comfortable due to an actual moulded footbed, and traction when walking on wet trails is excellent for a mountain bike shoe.

In terms of durability, they’ve been ridden in once a week at a bare minimum throughout the past winter but show few signs of wear. The only noticeable change is the colour, but I wouldn’t expect beige canvas to come up clean after months of abuse in the mud. If that would bother you, get the grey ones.

Size wise, these come up small. As with newer Five Tens and seemingly most cycling brand shoes, it pays to go up a Euro size. Having got the correct size and battered them through all weathers, I can confidently state that these are a great choice. An excellent balance of a breathable, yet warm, shoe that dries out quickly.