Specialized Rime Flat Shoe

Hot on the heels of the excellent new 2FO Roost and 2FO DH shoes comes the Rime – another new shoe from Specialized, but this time with a different twist. The Rime was made for those who like to hike almost as much as they like to bike, and as a result, it looks nothing like a regular bike shoe. It does however share the awesome SlipNot ST sole with its aforementioned brethren, which was reason enough for us to want to give them a spin. Read on to find out how we got along!

Specialized Rime Flat Highlights

• “Body Geometry” features: Longitudinal Arch, Metatarsal Button, and Varus Wedge work together to increase efficiency, optimize hip, knee, and foot alignment, and reduce injury risks
• Welded mesh and TPU upper eliminates seams and is engineered for durability
• SlipNot™ ST rubber sole for unsurpassed flat-pedal grip and connection
• XPEL hydrophobic mesh construction reduces water absorption and dramatically improves drying time
• Cushioned EVA foam midsole for comfort and impact absorption with shank layer for impact absorption and stability
• Relaxed Fit last for a balance of pedal feel and off-the-bike comfort
• Sizes: 36-49 (half sizes: 38.5-46.5)
• Approximate weight: 438 grams (size 12 US, verified)
• MSRP: $130 USD

Initial Impressions

If you went into an outdoors shop looking for a hiking or approach shoe, the Rime would not look out of place. The welded uppers give the shoe a very “high-tech” feel, and the white/beige colorway of our sample certainly adds to that adventure vibe. If you’re not a khaki-pants-with-17-pockets kinda person, you can also opt for a slightly more discreet black colorway.

Closer inspection reveals a speed lacing system, with “Xpel” mesh used in the tongue, which should help the Rime shed water and dry faster. There’s a hefty amount of TPU reinforcements, and the sole wraps up around the toe box for extra protection. The insole is heavily sculpted and sports all of Specialized’s fancy “Body Geometry” features, with things like a Metatarsal Button and a Varus Wedge conspiring to make your life on the trails better.

The outsole is built using the all-new “SlipNot ST” rubber compound, which has made quite the splash in the flat pedal world since its introduction at the end of 2020. This stuff is as tacky as Five Ten’s ubiquitous Stealth rubber, and on the Rime it has been shaped into a more aggressive lug pattern in the toe and heel area to help promote better grip when hiking on loose surfaces. The Rime also features a shank just like the 2FO Roost and 2FO DH models, while the toe area has been given more flex to allow it to conform to the terrain while on foot.

On The Trail

The Rime runs true to size, with a fit that is a little bit more snug and “sneaker-like” than the 2FO models (especially the Roost which is fairly generous in width). We found the shoe very comfortable from the outset, with no notable hotspots nor issues related to the fit. The sole is a bit taller in the heel than most flat pedal shoes, which seems to contribute to a good hiking experience (not that we are experts in that form of recreational walking). The flex in the toe area makes walking easy, and it also helps the shoe conform to more technical terrain.

On the bike, the Rime is legit. SlipNot ST is as grippy as it gets, and the overall sturdiness of the shoe’s construction creates a very secure and locked-in feeling on the pedals. Sure it looks like a sneaker, but it behaves like a really good flat pedal shoe once you’re on the bike. The mesh on the top of the uppers is a bit on the thin side which may leave this area of the foot exposed to impact in a big crash, but there are ample reinforcements and padding in other key areas. We wouldn’t hesitate to use it for any kind of riding.

What’s The Bottom Line?

If you’re the kind of person who goes on big adventures where hiking and biking both come into play, but you don’t want any on-pedal performance compromises, the Rime was made for you. It feels like a bike shoe when riding, while holding its own as a hiking shoe at the same time. It should make for a great companion when building trail or mucking about in general as well – not as sturdy as a true work boot, but definitely up for action when it comes time to hike into the woods, dig a line and send it.

More information at: www.specialized.com.

About The Reviewer

Johan Hjord - Age: 47 // Years Riding MTB: 15 // Weight: 190-pounds (87-kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Johan loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.

Photos by Johan Hjord