Mavic’s top of the range shoe claims to be one of the lightest, most comfortable shoes on the market and with the success it has achieved in the pro ranks, who’s to question these claims?

Dancing up the climbs on the Tour and sprinting to success in the Classics, the Mavic Cosmic Ultimate Shoe is a firm favourite amongst the pro peloton and is the shoe of choice for many at Cannondale Garmin Pro Cycling.

Mavic Cosmic Ultimate Shoe Review Side

Therefore It is safe to say I was pretty excited when my new set of signature yellow Cosmic Ultimates arrived. The bright yellow Ergo bonded design was definitely a head turner. This was complemented with black detailing and graphics which hark back to Mavic’s illustrious history and race pedigree. Of course colour and design is a very personal thing, but I liked the high visibility look and found it sat perfectly with the matching Mavic Pro socks and and Mavic Cosmic Ultimate helmet I was also testing.

If you would rather be mellow than yellow, the shoes are also available in a more understated white and black.

"The fit was snug yet neither wide nor narrow, a pretty standard width"

So looks got a big tick, next it was onto fit. I was swapping from Bont shoes so was intrigued to see how the Mavic’s would compare. After trying a few sizes I opted for the 8.5 options. The fit was snug yet neither wide nor narrow, a pretty standard width. I would recommend going for a size up from what you normally go for.

Mounting the cleats was a simple process, with the Energy Full Carbon SLR Outsole offering a neat guide and the heal tread added grip.

Mavic Cosmic Ultimate Shoe Review Sole

"Tightening the dial the shoe felt like it wrapped seamlessly to my foot, with the velcro straps adding the last fine tuned adjustment I needed."

So time to try the shoes on. The Ultimates use an Atop dial and Ergo SL velcro straps to hold the foot in place. The dial and the straps are attached to the shoe via laces. These are strong and keeps the shoes weight down to a mere 460 grams a pair. Slipping my feet into the shoes for the first time the first thing that struck me was how the Energy Lock Carbon Comp heel cupped the rear of my foot, adding support. Tightening the dial the shoe felt like it wrapped seamlessly to my foot, with the velcro straps adding the last fine tuned adjustment I needed.

Mavic Cosmic Ultimate Shoe Review Straps Detail

Clipping in and heading off for my first, two hour ride in the shoes I was straight away impressed with the stiffness and thin carbon fibre sole. As I climbed out of the saddle it felt like the power I was producing was being directly transferred to the pedals. There was no slipping or rubbing and the support the Energy Lock Carbon Comp heel and carbon Energy frame offered gave me confidence to kick the pedals round.

"The breathability was so apparent I would be slightly concerned how they would perform in the depths of winter..."

As the ride progressed the temperature rose and this is where the Cosmic Ultimates came into their own. Designed to be used on the hottest stages of the Vuelta and the baking heat of Qatar, the designers have added numerous breathable materials, on the upper, 3D tongue and even the Energy Full Carbon SLR Outsole to keep your feet as cool as possible. This was definitely working as my feet stayed cool and fresh for the duration of the ride. The breathability was so apparent I would be slightly concerned how they would perform in the depths of winter...

Conclusion

This is a truly impressive shoe but the only downside is the lack of adjustment offered from the Atop dial. Yes, it offers precise adjustment when tightening but unfortunately the same cannot be said when loosening the dial. I often over tighten shoes at the start of the ride only to later loosen them. Unfortunately this wasn't possible with the Atop Ergo dial system, turning the dial anti-clockwise completely loosened the shoe, not a good feature in my book.

Mavic Cosmic Ultimate Shoe Review Side on Bike

Other than this minor gripe, I had a blast wearing the Cosmic Ultimates and after a number of weeks putting the miles in I can honestly say these are some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever used. They offer slipper like comfort with the help of the Ergo Fit 3D+ OrthoLite® sole and Ergo 3D tongue yet also delivers high performance features to make this the perfect shoe for mountainous days in the saddle and races, where weight and stiffness are key considerations.

Pros:

  • Comfortable and supportive
  • Highly breathable
  • Dynamic styling
  • Exceptionally lightweight

Cons:

  • A top dial lacks adjustability