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review

Bont Vaypor 2023

8
£369.95

VERDICT:

8
10
A near-perfect, super-light road shoe that performs and fits brilliantly – and all sizes are available in a wide fitting
Very low weight
Efficient
Wide range of sizes Great looks
Great looks
Two widths – and wide fit even for small sizes
Expensive
Compromised durability with the toe guard – since addressed by Bont
Weight: 
346g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Bont Vaypor 2023 shoes are the newest additions to the Aussie brand's range – and they're likely to split opinions as much as their predecessors. These premium cycling kicks continue to boast Bont's familiar 'bathtub'-shaped sole, and the incredibly light and snazzy package is completed by impressive stiffness. If the fit is right you might just become a Bont convert! These shoes proved an ideal fit for my small but wide feet, and though I had durability issues with my test shoes, these have been already addressed by Bont.

> Buy now: Bont Vaypor 2023 for £369.95 from Bont

Our best road cycling shoes buyer's guide rounds up our favourite footwear from under £100 to over £300.

Bont Vaypor 2023 - Fit and ride feel

As a devotee of long-distance rides, my hobbit feet have come to accept that some level of discomfort after an eight-hour ride is guaranteed, especially around the sides of my forefoot. With the hope that a different shoe might alleviate the issues, I was excited to try out the wide-fit version of the Vaypor 2023.

Slipping the Vaypors on for the first time, they felt alien because of their shape – as if they were perhaps too big. This wasn't the case, though. Based on my foot measurements, I was between two sizes: 37 and 38, so I tested both and the 38 ended up being slightly more comfortable. I also opted for the wide fit as recommended by Bont's size charts; these shoes are available in two widths. Bont gives you the measurements of its shoe sizes in millimetres, which helps considerably in determining the correct size.

In terms of fit, the wide-fit Vaypor 2023 exceeded my expectations, resembling the shape of my feet more than any other cycling shoe I've tried. I have small but wide feet, so finding cycling shoes that fit comfortably has been a bit of a saga over the years, as most brands don't offer their wide shoes in their smallest sizes. Bont stands out by offering a wide fit across its full EU36-50 size range.

2023 Bont Vaypor shoes - instep.jpg

In addition to the distinct shape, their weight is very impressive, which you notice as soon you pick them up. Yes, my pair is small, but these weigh just 346g per pair – making them some of the lightest shoes we've tested.

Just as with our bikes, most regular cyclists could well make the most significant performance gains using a product that fits comfortably. And for me, the Vaypor 2023s have proved to be the Holy Grail as far as comfort is concerned – with a very stiff sole and wide forefoot, they made me feel that none of my pedalling energy was being wasted, either.

2023 Bont Vaypor shoes - sole heel.jpg

One thing I found odd when swapping to the Vaypors is that it felt like my saddle was higher. In reality, the shoes come with a very low stack height of just 3.6mm, which effectively means that the soles are thinner. Bont says this makes for a closer connection with the pedal, with 'more rounded pedal strokes' the result. I can't say I'm totally convinced by that claim, but the lower stack height does mean you may have to lower your saddle height a fraction.

Bont Vaypor 2023 - Design

The Bont Vaypor 2023 is designed to deliver 'the absolute best in performance with a zero-compromise approach', and though it is akin to the Vaypor S in terms of its stiffness, visually it's a departure from Bont's traditional style. These are perhaps the least 'Bont-looking' of the brand's shoes, featuring a normal tongue rather than its usual wraparound design.

I can understand why the unforgiving bathtub sole is a risky design – it's extremely rigid, and if your foot shape doesn't get along with it, the rest of the shoe isn't going to change that. And though you can heat-mould the shoes, this won't resolve any significant issues you might have with the carbon sole.

Moulding the soles is simple: heat your oven to 70°C, pop your shoes in for 20 minutes, and when they're out, you can alter the fit on any problematic areas with something like the round end of a screwdriver. It's worth noting, however, that once you've heat-moulded your shoes, you can't return them to Bont.

2023 Bont Vaypor shoes - toe.jpg

Bont went as far as saying that the new Vaypor 2023 has been so meticulously designed that it might not need heat moulding at all. And this did indeed prove to be the case for me, as the bathtub-style sole proved a good fit for my feet without adjustments.

The lightweight Japanese Durolite uppers are lined with a honeycomb fabric, which made the shoes feel snug though not uncomfortable straight out of the box. They're well-ventilated, which isn't always the case with Bont's shoes, and they're also easy to wipe clean. The comfort they offer is impressive, especially when you consider the minimalist padding, which is restricted to the collar and heel.

2023 Bont Vaypor shoes - heels.jpg

The Bont Riot Series insoles – or 'innersoles' as Bont calls them – are very basic. While Bont has partnered with the fellow Australian brand Cobra9 to supply more premium Vaypor Series inner soles, these do cost an extra £79.

The Vaypor Series insoles come in three designs to suit riders' different arch heights as well as offering greater customisation and rigidity. After my initial test ride, I tested the shoes with the Vaypor Series insoles, which didn't necessarily deliver huge performance difference,(I don't have higher arches), but they did add stability.

2023 Bont Vaypor shoes - back.jpg

The closure system is similar to that of the Bont Vaypor S Li2. The twin dials are simple to use and precise – they offer micro-adjustability in both directions and are also quite easy to turn even when covered by overshoes. To release them you just pull up the dial.

2023 Bont Vaypor shoes - BOA dials.jpg

The shoes continue to take three-bolt cleats and the sole has an alignment grid and grip to help you place the cleat. The carbon steel T-nut hardware system is supposed to aid with long-lasting and hassle-free cleat installation and adjustment – and in the months of testing, I've had no issues with this.

2023 Bont Vaypor shoes - sole front.jpg

Bont Vaypor 2023 - Durability

Now, when we talk about shoes sporting a £370 price tag, longevity is an expectation. However, the Vaypor 2023 fell a little short when it came to scratch resistance. Rather than Bont's usual rubbery toe guard, these have a thin, glue-on patch, which started showing wear after just a couple of rides; admittedly, one of them included getting off the bike on gravel.

2023 Bont Vaypor shoes - front.jpg

We contacted Bont about this, and Bont confirmed that others had had issues with the thin toe patch as well.

Bont told us: "We have since updated the V23 bumper to one that, while a touch heavier, provides greater durability over the long term. While the lightweight bumper was perfect for our quest to deliver the lightest package possible, we also understand that certain riding styles may lead to faster-than-expected deterioration in this area."

The updated bumper is the same as seen on Bont's Vaypor 2023 Lace shoes.

The update means my criticism of the toe guard won't be relevant if you're buying the shoes now, and both the toe bumper and heel guard are now fully replaceable, which extends the shoe's lifetime.

The outsole also quickly became a map for road-induced scratches – but this didn't affect their performance.

Bont Vaypor 2023 - Value

Now, let's address the elephant in the room – these shoes cost £369.95, which is quite an investment. But these Bonts aren't alone when it comes to cycling shoes at rarefied prices.

The Scott Road RC Ultimate Shoe comes in at £439.99, though Ben was at least suitably impressed.

The Sidi Sixty Road Shoes cost £360 and while Tom praised them for their looks, stiffness and comfort, he wasn't convinced by the inclusion of Velcro in shoes at this top-end price.

The Shimano S-Phyre RC9 (RC903) Shoes are a tad cheaper at £349.99, and Steve was taken by their overall quality.

All of these shoes are stiff, high-end road shoes, and if they fit, they're likely to elevate your cycling performance. However – and this is a major consideration for me and many others – none of those have wide-fitting shoes for smaller feet. They're also heavier than the Bonts, by a lesser or greater degree, even if the Bonts now come with toe bumpers that are a few grams heavier.

Conclusion

After years of wrestling my feet into shoes that just don't quite fit, Bont has truly excelled in terms of fit with these shoes. They look sleek, feel fantastic – and my feet have never been happier.

Verdict

A near-perfect, super-light road shoe that performs and fits brilliantly – and all sizes are available in a wide-fit.

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Bont Vaypor 2023

Size tested: 37

Tell us what the product is for

Bont says: Designed to deliver the absolute best in performance with a zero-compromise approach, the Vaypor 2023 is for the rider who demands it all. When power transfer, structural support and all-day comfort matter most, the all-new Vaypor is the shoe of choice.

Built using a revamped uni-directional carbon fiber base and featuring lowered carbon forefoot shaping, the Vaypor provides the very best in support while also accommodating to a greater range of foot types and shapes. Harnessing a dual-dial BOA® Li2 Fit System for a precise, secure and micro-adjustable fit, the Vaypor might just become your favourite cycling shoes ever.

Constructed using the highest quality carbon fiber from Toray of Japan, along with a lightweight Durolite upper, the Vaypor shaves up to 100g (per pair, size 42) over the current Vaypor S. For those looking to hunt that next PB, the Vaypor is your shoe of choice.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Bont lists:

100% carbon fibre construction utilising hand-laid unidirectional carbon from Toray of Japan and Bont Cycling's proprietary heat moulding technology.

Ultralight and supportive Japanese Durolite upper for improved breathability, comfort and performance.

Comfortable honeycomb fabric liner with lightweight padding and anti-stretch mesh for a cool and comfortable fit across the entire day.

Industry-leading 3.6mm stack height (sole thickness) for a closer connection to the pedal, more rounded pedal strokes, improved stability and injury prevention.

Front and rear drainage vents for breathability and water clearance across all-weather conditions.

Innersole – Bont Cycling by Cobra9 innersole with carbon core and dual-density EVA.

Sole Guard – Replaceable heel guards with 316 marine-grade stainless steel fittings.

Carbon steel cleat t-nut hardware for long-lasting and hassle-free cleat installation and adjustment.

Two widths with improved foot suitability across different shapes and types: Standard and wide.

Cleat Mounting: Slotted 3-hole road pedal configuration with alignment grid and grip with increase cleat adjustment forward and rearward, when compared to a fixed hole system.

BOA Li2 Performance Fit System with dual-dial adjustability for a fast, effortless and precision fit. Backed by a The Boa Guarantee, dials and laces are guaranteed for the life of your shoes.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

The toe guard is the one that I'd fault, otherwise, the construction is top-notch

Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

With the newer toe guard this would be improved dramatically.

Rate the product for fit:
 
10/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
10/10

These are some of the lightest shoes we've ever tested.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
10/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Expensive, yes, but not out of kilter with top-end shoes from other big-name brands.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

The shoes are easy to wipe clean and because of the drainage holes, they also let water drain out on very wet rides.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

These shoes are excellent for road cycling and provided stiffness where you need it, powering up the hills standing up or sprinting, and offering excellent comfort on day-long rides. The wide fit option is great for those of us with wider feet, and adds to the appeal of these shoes.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I love the look, the light weight, the closure system and the wide fit.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The toe guard – though Bont has since addressed this issue.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

There are a few products more expensive: Scott Road RC Ultimate Shoe at £439.99, and many of the other stiff, race-orientated carbon soled road shoes are also near the £370 mark, such as Sidi Sixty Road Shoes, Shimano S-Phyre RC9 (RC903) Shoes and Specialized S-Works Torch road shoes

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

I would like to give these shoes an even better score but the fact that the toe guard was quite quickly mashed doing what constitutes normal road riding, did diminish their durability score. But this is something that Bont has already addressed with an updated toe guard, so this is much lesss of a criticism than it might have been. The performance and fit are perfect, not to mention the classy looks and super-light weight. Though a price not far shy of £400 is hard to ignore.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 30  Height: 164cm  Weight: 52kg

I usually ride: Specialized Tarmac Sl6  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb, Ultra-distances

Suvi joined F-At in 2022, first writing for off-road.cc. She's since joined the tech hub, and contributes to all of the sites covering tech news, features, reviews and women's cycling content. Lover of long-distance cycling, Suvi is easily convinced to join any rides and events that cover over 100km, and ideally, plenty of cake and coffee stops. 

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