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review

Bont Motion shoes

8
£79.95

VERDICT:

8
10
Stiff-soled yet very comfortable entry-level shoes with excellent performance
Stiff sole
Low stack height
Supple and supportive uppers
Excellent value
Velcro straps won't appeal to all
Heavier than some rivals
Weight: 
644g

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Bont's Motion shoes are comfortable and offer many of the benefits of the brand's higher-end models – stiff soles, an anatomical fit, and a low stack height – at an entry-level price. They are excellent value.

One of the things that sets Bont's shoes apart from the crowd is what it calls the 'anatomical design'. Essentially, it means that the shoes are more foot-shaped than most. That might sound weird, but the outline of a lot of shoes just isn't like the outline of most feet.

> Buy these online here

This means that Bont shoes look distinctive (some might say 'challenging'), but I find the last works for me very well, and I know the same is true for many other people. If you find that your feet get squeezed, pushed around or pinched by other shoes, it's certainly worth giving Bont a go.

One of the other key features of most Bont shoes is a bathtub-shaped carbon-fibre sole that extends around the sides of your feet and is heat-mouldable. You don't get that with the Motion – instead, you get a fibreglass sole that doesn't wrap upwards.

2021 Bont Motion - heel sole.jpg

Why? Well, fibreglass is cheaper than carbon fibre. On the downside, you need more of it to make a stiff sole, so there's a weight penalty. If you only want carbon in your life, Bont's Riots aren't too much more expensive. As it is, the Motion's sole is still very stiff, especially considering the price, and the stack height – the distance your foot sits above the pedal's axle centre – is low at just 4.8mm.

Sole hole

The sole itself doesn't feature any vents, but you do get some in the toe guard, which is the same as you'll find on other Bont shoes, and I know from experience that it does a great job of protecting the upper from tyre rub. That toe guard is replaceable too, although it is glued in place... but then I've been using Bonts on and off for years and have never got anywhere close to needing a new one.

2021 Bont Motion - toe vents.jpg

The heel guard is replaceable too, held in place by a little bolt, which is a far more civilised (user-friendly) way of doing it.

The sole takes three-bolt cleats –Shimano SPD-SL, Look Kéo, and the like – and you can slide the bolt holes fore and aft in their slots, giving you a little adjustability there.

One interesting feature is Bont's adaptor plate for compatibility with two-bolt (Shimano SPD-style) cleats too. It's similar to Shimano's existing SM-SH41 cleat adaptor.

2021 Bont Motion - heel toe.jpg

You bolt the plate to the sole using two of the three cleat bolt holes. Then a cover goes over the plate, held in place by a bolt that goes into the third cleat bolt (are you following this?). You then fit the SPD cleat to threaded holes in the plate, the bolts going through the cover and helping to hold it in place. A tread on the cover means the SPD cleat isn't as exposed as it otherwise would be when you walk.

2022 Bont Motion cleat adaptor - 1.png

It sounds more complicated than it is. Just take a look at the pictures and you'll get the idea. It's a clever system.

2022 Bont Motion cleat adaptor - 2.png

Objection!

Why add this feature? Bont says a lot of customers want a commuting shoe without the extra mass of a mountain bike-style design – it could have gone with a dedicated commuter shoe, but didn't think that was required. The ability to fit SPD-cleats is also handy for using on spin bikes at the gym.

Could you use the Motion with the adaptor plate for off-road riding? You could, but the relative lack of sole guards means it's not ideal. That said, I fitted it and used these shoes with Shimano XT pedals for gravel riding; at first, getting the cover's tread to fit around the cleat retention mechanism required a bit of a shove, but after a few engagements it all worked fine.

Motion sustained

Bont say a Motion-level product for off-road isn't out of the question in the not too distant future. Let's be honest, that means one will definitely be available soon.

You do find other shoes at this price that are compatible with both two-bolt and three-bolt cleats – such as the Shimano IC1 Indoor Cycling Shoes we reviewed last year – but Bont's solution is pretty neat. It does, though, add a few millimetres (we measured it at just under 4mm) to the stack height.

The uppers are made from a microfibre that's reasonably supple and doesn't stretch, and you get quite a bit of padding around the opening.

2021 Bont Motion - instep.jpg

The most obvious concession to price is the closure, which is handled by three Velcro straps. You can't micro-adjust them like you can dials or ratchets, nor can you fine-tune them through overshoes, but on the whole, they work fine. You do see dial closures at this price – Boardman's Road Cycle Shoes have a dial at just £55, for instance – but you can't really complain.

The uppers are perforated and mesh panels over your toes let moist air out and cool air in. I've not had the chance to try the Motions in hot weather, the test period being in the heart of winter, but I've used them indoors on the turbo and they're a lot cooler and less sweaty than shoes without mesh panels.

2021 Bont Motion - toes.jpg

Out on the road, the Motions perform way better than you'd expect at this price. As mentioned, the sole is very stiff, and those Velcro straps hold your foot securely in place.

The heel counter isn't anywhere near as rigid as you get on Bont's more expensive models (where the carbon sole extends almost to the top of the upper) but I didn't experience too much lift here when sprinting. It's a solid all-round performance.

2021 Bont Motion - heels.jpg

Hitting the road.cc Scales of Truth at 644g (size 46), the Motions aren't lightweight but they score in terms of comfort. Although we're all different, I find the shape of the last good and there's a decent amount of width in the forefoot. People with particularly wide feet can struggle with Bonts, but the lack of a bathtub-shaped sole means the Motions are more accommodating.

> 24 of the best performance road cycling shoes – get faster with light, stiff shoes

If you're concerned about sizing, try Bont's Size Wizard. In short, you trace around your foot on a piece of paper, measure the length and width, and stick these figures into the website. It'll then recommend a particular size.

In terms of durability, the fibreglass sole has held up well to grim winter conditions, and the microfibre upper is way tougher than you might think, shrugging off scuffs and scrapes. It wipes clean easily too – even on this white version I've been using.

2021 Bont Motion - velcro.jpg

The Boardman Carbon Cycle Shoes we reviewed last year come with a two-dial closure and a carbon-fibre sole, and are excellent value at £85, but I'd say the Bont Motions are equally impressive. Yes, the Velcro straps are a bit low rent but really that's the only way they fall short in comparison. The performance is terrific for the price.

Overall

The Bont Motion shoes offer a high level of stiffness, a whole load of comfort, and plenty of durability. They're not especially light and the Velcro straps won't appeal to everyone, but they're excellent value for money.

Verdict

Stiff-soled yet very comfortable entry-level shoes with excellent performance

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Bont Motion

Size tested: 46

Tell us what the product is for

Bont says, "Find new limits with Motion, Bont Cycling's most comfortable and efficient platform at a price point ideal for riders of all abilities.

"Delivering supreme comfort, anatomical efficiency and improved usability, Bont Cycling's Motion raises the entry-level cycling shoe game to all-new dizzy heights. Featuring a fully refined anatomical design, improved construction and performance-level materials, the Motion is Bont Cycling's most accessible model yet.

"The all-new Motion features a lightweight three-strap Velcro retention system, anti-stretch microfibre upper and improved bumper protection designed to withstand the rough and tumble of everyday cycling. Micro-mesh upper forefoot inserts, combined with specifically placed ventilation ports provide breathability across all seasons.

"Employing a revamped fibreglass base construction and harnessing Bont Cycling's renowned anatomical design philosophy, the Motion is the most comfortable, efficient, durable and anatomically correct platform currently available at this price point. The Motion is finished with a three-hole Micro Grid and is compatible with all major road and indoor bike pedal and cleat arrangements."

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

Bont lists these features:

Material: Fiberglass Construction with anti-stretch Microfibre upper.

Stack height: 4.8mm stack height for improved stability and injury prevention.

Air Vents: Ventilated microfibre air vents featuring micro-mesh inserts

Innersole: Comfort

Sole Guards: Replaceable heel and toe guards.

Cleat Mounting: 3-Hole Look/Shimano Standard configuration. SPD (two-hole) cleat compatibility available with adapter plate – March release

Closing Options: Three-strap Velcro

Sizing: 19 sizes (36-50), one width fits most

Weight: 320 grams (approximate weight based on size 42 shoe)

Color Options: White, Black

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

It's a really strong all-round performance.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

The microfibre upper is tough, while the fibreglass sole is showing minimal signs of wear so far.

Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10

Bont's anatomical fit works well to avoid areas of pressure and discomfort.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
9/10

Bont's online Size Wizard will tell you the size you need.

Rate the product for weight:
 
4/10

They're not mega-heavy, but they are heavier than average.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

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

They're easy to clean with a damp cloth.

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

Excellent performance for the price.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Stiff soles, supple uppers, excellent price.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I'd have really liked a dial closure at the top.

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

The Boardman Carbon Cycle Shoes we reviewed last year come with a two-dial closure and a carbon sole, and are excellent value at £85, but I'd say the Bont Motions are equally impressive. Yes, the Velcro straps are a bit low rent but that's the only way they fall short in comparison. The performance is terrific for the price.

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

The performance is excellent for the price. I'd definitely prefer a dial at the top (although there would probably be a price implication for that). Overall, it's a strong 8.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 48  Height: 190cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
jaymack | 2 years ago
2 likes

If only more manufacturers would make foot shaped shoes the cycling world would be a better place. I mean who'd have thought that feet are foot shaped?

Avatar
mdavidford | 2 years ago
0 likes
Quote:

It sounds more complicated than it is. Just take a look at the pictures and you'll get the idea.

Um, nope. Where am I supposed to be looking?

Avatar
Tass Whitby replied to mdavidford | 2 years ago
2 likes

mdavidford wrote:

Quote:

It sounds more complicated than it is. Just take a look at the pictures and you'll get the idea.

Um, nope. Where am I supposed to be looking?

Oops! They're in the review now, sorry!

Avatar
mdavidford replied to Tass Whitby | 2 years ago
1 like

Thanks - that does look interesting. There are two few 'road shoe shaped' SPD offerings out there - most of them seem to be too bulky to get an overshoe over when needed. This looks like it might fit the bill (as well as the foot).

[Edit] Though actually, it looks like you could fit the plate to any three bolt shoe, providing there's no obstruction in the area where the guard would be?

[Sidebar: nicely manky-looking cleat there. ]

Avatar
wrevilo | 2 years ago
1 like

With the SPD adapter these seem like they could be a good option for me.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to wrevilo | 2 years ago
2 likes
wrevilo wrote:

With the SPD adapter these seem like they could be a good option for me.

I prefer the Bont Riot - native SPD compatibility and a suitable sole to match so that you can actually walk with them on. Also - they're heat mouldable for a good fit. If only they were in stock somewhere.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
0 likes

They were in stock at Wiggle/CRC about 3 weeks ago when I bought a pair. Only in Black and White mind you. 
If I'd have known this adapter existed  I would have had second thoughts on a higher end road pair like the Vapours. 

Avatar
wrevilo replied to wrevilo | 2 years ago
1 like
wrevilo wrote:

With the SPD adapter these seem like they could be a good option for me.

I've now ordered a pair in white from CRC and can see the SPD adapter is in stock on the Bont EU site. Look forward to trying them out.

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