My feet go numb on long rides. Will these help?

That numbness — “hot foot” — usually comes from over-tightening the forefoot, which compresses the nerves and arteries running between the metatarsal bones. Specialized's answer is the Metatarsal Button, a raised area under the ball of the foot that lifts and separates those bones instead of squeezing them. Two things matter as much: don't crank the forefoot dial (a two-dial shoe lets you keep the forefoot loose and hold the midfoot), and match the insole to your arch height.

Why does the sole feel tilted?

Because it is. Every Body Geometry shoe has a Varus Wedge: a 1.5 mm outward tilt built into the outsole, meant to stop the foot rolling inward under load and keep foot, knee and hip aligned. Riders coming from a flat sole usually notice it on the first ride and stop noticing it within a few. If it still feels wrong after a couple of weeks, the problem is more likely cleat position or arch height than the wedge — worth a fitting rather than a return.

Can I change the insoles?

Yes, and Specialized designs the shoes expecting you to. The Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2 fit every Body Geometry shoe and come in three arch heights: red for low, blue for medium, green for high. The outsole's Longitudinal Arch and the insole work as a pair, so matching the height to your own arch is what makes the system do its job. If you have never had your arch measured, that is the single cheapest upgrade to any of these shoes.

What do I actually get for the S-Works price?

Specialized describes the Torch 3.0 as “a not-so-distant relative” of the S-Works and lists what they share: a unidirectional carbon plate, the BOA Fit System and a seamless upper. The S-Works adds the internal I-Beam construction (20 g lighter than the S-Works 7), two S3 dials instead of one Li2, the asymmetric heel cup developed from RETÜL scan data, and a quoted 220 g per shoe in size 43. If you race or ride long, that is real; if you ride three hours on a Sunday, the Torch 3.0 gives you the same Body Geometry sole.

SPECIALIZED S-Works Ares 2 Road Cycling Shoes

Year of the Horse

€479,00

~~€479,00~~ €479,00

Tax Included
EU Destination Selected (Spain)

Low stock: 2 left

The essentials

Best for

Sprinting
Racing
Wide feet

SPECIALIZED S-Works Ares 2 Road Cycling Shoes - Year of the Horse

Technologies

Specifications

Sole	Unidirectional carbon
Closure	2 × BOA Li2 (Dual-Dial) + PowerHug
Body Geometry	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button
Compatible footbeds	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2
Cleat pattern	3-bolt, fits all major road pedals

Carbon sole

The sole plate is made of carbon fibre rather than nylon or carbon-reinforced nylon. Carbon is stiffer and lighter, so less of your effort is lost to flex; the brand’s stiffness index is in the spec table.

20% more locked in

Specialized says its patented closure system increases contact surface by 20% for a secure, efficient fit.

Enlarged heel counter

A bigger heel counter stabilises the foot and, Specialized says, eliminates heel lift in high-threshold efforts.

360° connected support

The conforming upper and carbon outsole work together for what Specialized calls 360 degrees of connected, ergonomic support.

Premium upper materials

Refined upper materials that clean easily, allow easy entry and conform to the foot without unwanted stretch.

44% less forefoot pressure

Specialized says its new Body Geometry last reduces forefoot pressure by 44%.

Varus Wedge

A 1.5 mm outward tilt built into the outsole. Specialized's reasoning is that the human body evolved to walk rather than pedal, so the foot tends to roll inward under load; the wedge tilts it back so foot, knee and hip stay in line. It is one of three patented Body Geometry elements, and it is the one riders notice first — the forefoot sits at a slight angle.

Metatarsal Button

A raised button under the ball of the foot. Specialized's explanation is that riders chasing a secure fit tend to over-tighten the forefoot, which compresses the nerves and arteries running between the metatarsal bones and produces the numbness and burning known as hot foot. The button lifts and separates those bones instead.

Longitudinal Arch

A patented arch support moulded into the outsole. Specialized's argument is that the foot has to act as a rigid lever to transfer power, and that an arch collapsing under load bleeds watts; the built-in support holds it. It works with the insole, which is why Specialized sells the Body Geometry SL footbeds in three arch heights rather than one.

Custom footbeds

Specialized says custom footbeds reduce foot fatigue and improve stability, for comfort and power transfer. Our in-stock Body Geometry footbeds are listed under the alternatives.

BOA Fit System

Specialized uses three BOA dials across its shoes. S3 (S-Works Torch) and Li2 (Torch 2.0 and 3.0, Recon 2.0; as a dual-dial set on the Ares 2, Recon 3.0 and Recon EVO) work both ways: tighten or loosen a click at a time while riding. L6 (Torch 1.0, Recon 1.0) tightens in micro-steps and releases by pulling the dial out. Dials replace without tools and are covered by BOA's guarantee.

SPECIALIZED S-Works Ares 2 Road Cycling Shoes - Year of the Horse

Compare with

	SPECIALIZED S-Works Ares 2 Road Cycling Shoes - Year of the HorseThe Ares 2 is the sprinter's shoe of the range: where the Torch chases grams, this one chases hold.	SPECIALIZED Sworks Torch Road Cycling Shoes - Black Choose it if you want the lightest of the range — 220 g in size 43 — with two S3 dials and the I-Beam carbon plate.	SPECIALIZED Sworks Torch Lace Road Cycling Shoes - Black Choose it if you prefer laces: 200 g in size 42, the lightest option, with a fit you set once rather than adjust on the move.
Regular price	€479,00	€257,86	€339,00
Safety rating	—	—	—
Sole	Unidirectional carbon	Unidirectional carbon with internal I-Beam	Unidirectional carbon with internal I-Beam
Closure	2 × BOA Li2 (Dual-Dial) + PowerHug	2 × BOA S3	Laces
Body Geometry	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button
Compatible footbeds	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2
Cleat pattern	3-bolt, fits all major road pedals	3-bolt, fits all major road pedals	3-bolt, fits all major road pedals
Claimed weight	—	220 g (EU 43, per shoe)	200 g (EU 42, per shoe)

Spare parts & accessories

SPECIALIZED Body Geometry SL Footbed Gen 2 - Red+ €27,99
SPECIALIZED Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2 - Blue++ €30,00
SPECIALIZED Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2 - Green+++ €30,00

SPECIALIZED S-Works Ares 2 Road Cycling Shoes - Year of the Horse

Size guide

EU	US	UK	Foot length (cm)	Foot length (in)
35	3.5	2.5	22.5	8.9
36	4.25	3.25	23	9.1
37	5	4	23.5	9.3
38	5.75	4.75	24.5	9.6
38.5	6	5	24.75	9.7
39	6.5	5.5	25	9.8
39.5	7.25	6.25	25.25	9.9
40	7.5	6.5	25.5	10.0
40.5	7.75	6.75	25.75	10.1
41	8	7	26	10.2
41.5	8.5	7.5	26.5	10.4
42	9	8	27	10.6
42.5	9.3	8.3	27.3	10.7
43	9.6	8.6	27.5	10.8
43.5	10.25	9.25	27.9	11.0
44	10.6	9.6	28.3	11.1
44.5	11	10	28.6	11.3
45	11.5	10.5	29	11.4
45.5	11.75	10.75	29.3	11.5
46	12.25	11.25	29.5	11.6
46.5	12.6	11.6	29.9	11.8
47	13	12	30.2	11.9
48	13.75	12.75	30.9	12.2
49	14.5	13.5	31.6	12.4
50	15.5	14.5	32.3	12.7

How to measure

Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, mark the tip of your longest toe and measure the distance in centimetres. Measure both feet and go by the longer one.

Find your size with a shoe you already own

Tell us a cycling shoe that fits you well and the size you wear in it. We compare the brands’ official foot-length charts.

Brand of the shoe you own Size you wear (EU)

An estimate from each brand’s official size chart. Width, volume and the last also change the fit — if in doubt, ask us.

Description

The Ares 2 is the sprinter's shoe of the range: where the Torch chases grams, this one chases hold. Its patented PowerHug closure wraps the foot rather than pressing down on it, which Specialized says increases contact surface by 20%, and an enlarged heel counter is there specifically to stop heel lift at threshold. An all-new Body Geometry last cuts forefoot pressure by 44%.

PowerHug closure increases contact surface by 20% for hold without having to over-tighten
Enlarged heel counter stabilises the foot and eliminates heel lift during high-threshold efforts
All-new Body Geometry last reduces forefoot pressure by 44%
Upper materials chosen to allow easy entry and conform to the foot without stretching out

Available sizes