Stuff: Mavic Cosmic Pro LTD (Paris Nice)

If there is one thing I love as much bikes and my family…. It's shoes. Honestly, who doesn't love pair of fresh new kicks?

A few weels ago, while in a cab from the airport, I had one of my regular check-ins with, Jon Burns, the fellow behind the Kitgrid feed (formerly WTFkits). He's someone I've come to know over the past year as we share a passion for gear and in particular, the technical details. It was during that conversation when I asked him where he thoughtcycling trends were going. Jon immediately answered that it was footwear. I kind of hate it when he's right. He does that a lot.

He's right because if you just look around you're definitely seeing the beginnings of a trend explosion. While the cycling footwear industry undoubtedly pushes the technical boundaries, their design aesthetics (for the most part) have been either bland or unfortunately traditional. They've been lagging in creative aesthetics. The good news is that is changing fast. If you don't believe check out the Velokicks feed for some daily drool.

You may be asking yourself where all of this coming from? It's been slowly building momentum for a while. But the tipping point happened last year with any number of the Adam Blythe customs or with the first appearance of a pair of unapologetically bold yellow shoes. People couldn't help but take notice of this elusive pair of sunshine.  The shoes I'm talking about are the Mavic Cosmic Pro LTD - Climbers which we now know was just the first of a series.

Timing is everything because the same week I was talking with Jon, I got an email from Mavic about the upcoming second edition. They wisely teased me with a sample picture and it was hitting all the right feelings. They asked if I'd be interested in checking them out. Uhmmm…. Me, shoes, early release? No brainer.

The monochrome print and limited run of the Mavic Cosmic Pro LTD, Paris Nice edition mean you won't be rolling in the same kicks as anyone else in the grupetto.

The Paris-Nice edition of the Mavic Cosmic Pro LTD switches to their Energy Carbon sole.

Graphics:

Built to celebrate the Paris Nice classic, the second edition clearly differs from the climber oriented first edition with its bold hand-drawn style graphics in a monochrome colorway. The graphics feature iconic French phrases and landmarks. All with cycling influence of course. To me, the print is akin to the midfoot strap on the original Air Jordan XX OG and even more so the Air Jordan XX - Playoff colorway... I told you I love shoes.  

Visually the shoes stand out and if individuality matters to you, the limited release numbers of the Cosmic Pro Limited (~800 pairs globally) means a lot less chance of wearing the same shoes as anyone rolling next to you in the grupetto. Style is incredibly subjective and thus these are definitely an expression of taste but are hitting right on trend.

Features: First Edition vs Second Edition

From a technical perspective the Paris Nice edition of the Mavic Cosmic Pro Limited - differs from the climbers edition with the move to their Energy Carbon outsole which is a little heavier than the Energy Full Carbon SLR outsole with its cutouts. The Energy Carbon outsole ranks as an 80 on their Energy Transfer Index. That's more flexible than the 100 rating of the Energy Full Carbon SLR but still plenty stiff from my take. However, I'll have to find out more about how they measure and quantify that index rating. Lastly, both shoes are made from a synthetic microfiber upper but the climbers shoe has bonded seams rather than stitched. Since this is a classics oriented shoe, no surprise it's a bit heavier at 263gr for my size 8US.

The new Paris-Nice edition does keep consistent with the Ortholite insole w/3D fit, Endofit Tongue, Energy Frame, and Mavic's Ergo Dial QR. Both also have generous amounts sticky rubber affixed to both the fore and aft of the sole. Of course they are both molded support standard 3 hole cleats.

Built for the run to the sun, the Mavic Cosmic Pro LTD, Paris Nice edition.

Keeping the sock game strong with a Mavic Cosmic Pro LT and Team Dream Bicycling Team Supreme sock combo

Fit:

For me, shoes are always a struggle to fit because I've got flat feet. The bane of my existence is the overly shaped and high arches of carbon soled shoes. They can really wreak havoc on my kickers. The Mavic Cosmic Pro have a more naturally subtle and low arch to their last. That's why I was advised to consider a pair, and thus when they asked if I wanted to try some, I said sure. My initial impressions are very positive. The Cosmic Pro feels really comfortable.  For reference, they fit true to my US shoe sizing.

How do they feel on foot? The Endofit tongue is secured to the inside of the shoe to prevent it from sliding and cause annoying hot spots or pressure points. There's a really clear feeling when you dial down on the upper Ergo Dial QR and it pulls on the Energy Frame to firmly wrap around the midfoot. This locks you in and confidently pulls your heel back into the heel cup. The lower Ergo Dial QR pulls atop the forefoot giving your foot a more complete hugged feeling.

I'll definitely be rocking these a bunch this year… once it's not -20 degrees Celcius outside! White shoes always look crisp out of the box but time will tell how well they hold up to rain and dirt.