Good for ’cross? Bont’ Vaypor is stiff but light and ready for cyclocross. © Cyclocross Magazine
Bont may not be the biggest name in cyclocross shoes, but the company is hoping to change that. it’s a market that they’re hoping to break into more with their Riot MTB and Vaypor XC Shoes. The Vaypor XC is the high-end model, and comes equipped with stiff carbon soles and a shiny microfiber texture that should keep rain, wind and mud at bay in the dirtiest of races. By comparison, the Riot is the less expensive version and may offer more give when it comes to running, with a $100 savings.
Vaypor XC Mountain Bike Shoes
The Vaypor XC—the high-end MTB shoe from Bont at Sea Otter 2014. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Vaypor XC is designed to be great for mountain biking and cyclocrossing, and is made with a carbon composite sole with shiny microfiber upper and a suede liner that reps tell us is almost impossible to soak and when you do, is quick drying. The inner sole follows the current trend in shoe design with a thermo-moldable insole. Memory foam padding adds to the comfort. The shiny uppers and carbon sole remind us of the excellent dual Boa, bright green Scott Premium MTB shoes reviewed in Issue 24 (available in print or digital).
Carbon soles on the Vaypor XC Bont shoes at Sea Otter 2014. © Cyclocross Magazine
The carbon soles seem to be extremely stiff and while we doubted they would work well for long running sections in a ’cross race, the company assured us that the feedback he’s received from pros racing ’cross in them has been all positive.
Bont eschews the increasingly popular Boa closure design in favor of the simpler standard buckles and Velcro. The shoes weigh in at 340 grams and are available in normal, wide and narrow options, with an MSRP of $309.
Riot MTB Shoes
The lower price point Riot MTB shoe from Bont at Sea Otter 2014. © Cyclocross Magazine
This entry level shoe from Bont still isn’t “cheap” at $199, but it is designed as an entry-level, more affordable mountain bike shoe. It’s the first carbon composite heat-moldable entry level MTB shoe of its kind, making it an impressive mid-range shoe.
Slightly more give in the Riot shoes from Bont at Sea Otter 2014. © Cyclocross Magazine
For a ’crosser, in particular, a beginner who may find him- or herself dismounting and running with a higher frequency than top-tier pros, more rubber and more give in the sole of the Riot MTB shoe may make it more attractive than the stiffer Vaypor version. It’s slightly heavier, of course, and doesn’t boast the same waterproof synthetic leather, but may be a better beginner choice for cyclocross or dual duty use on mountain bike rides with its burly sole.
More info: bontcycling.com
Missed the all our cyclocross-related product news from Sea Otter? The list continues to grow on our Sea Otter 2014 page.
