How to: Heat mold Bont Cycling shoesUpdated a year ago
Bont Cycling's proprietary resin has been perfected over the last 40 years and is designed to become malleable at relatively low temperatures. The carbon chassis (base) of all Bont Cycling shoes can be heat molded at home without the need for specialist equipment.
Bont Cycling shoes feature a unique bathtub-style construction which allows for small changes to fit and shape, not size. Any 'stiff' area can be adjusted during the heat molding process however, limitations do exist due to the characteristics of carbon fibre. Carbon fibre is not a highly flexible material nor is it designed to stretch when in its finished state and it's only through Bont Cycling's resin mix that allows it to be adjusted during the heat molding process.
Heat molding will not allow modifications to the sole/base of the shoe. Small adjustments can be made to the edges and heel cup however, changes to the foot bed shape are not possible through heat molding. For those looking for greater support in the base of the shoe, please consider an aftermarket inner sole with support as required.
Keep in mind any adjustments made to the shoe will have limitations, largely in part due to the anti-stretch upper. It's what makes our shoes so robust!
Heat molding is only designed for very small changes to fit, 1-2mm at most.
NOTE: Use of a microwave oven will damage your shoes and void warranty.
STANDARD INSTRUCTIONS
Pre-heat the oven to 70 degrees Celsius / 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70°C/160°F).
To mold your shoes, remove any cleats, cleat mounting screws and innersole before molding. The BOA Fit System (dials and BOA laces) do not need to be removed. Failure to remove the innersole can result in it becoming deformed by the heat.
Place the shoe in the oven for 20 minutes. Higher temperatures will void your warranty and may damage your shoes. Caution: Do not place your feet in the hot shoes or you may burn your feet. Let them cool a little and test the shoe temperature with your hand before placing your feet in the shoes. Install the inner soles and place your feet in the shoes. Tighten the BOA dials and/or Velcro straps gently and allow to cool. If you have any lumps, minor bunions or if there are any areas causing discomfort, while the shoe is hot you can use the round end of a screwdriver to press out any part of the shoe. You can heat mold the shoes as many times as you like.
If for whatever reason your shoes fail to become malleable in your oven at the prescribed temperature (70°C/160°F), the process can be repeated again with the shoes left in the oven for a longer period of time, with periodic checking of the shoes every 10 minutes. There is no limit to the number of times Bont Cycling shoes can be heat molded
Heat molding video: youtube.com/watch?v=cA_sr_HTvvI&t=8s
FIRST TIME HEAT MOLDING?
Pre-heat the oven to 70 degrees Celsius / 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70°C/160°F).
Take additional caution during your first heat molding experience as some oven can run hotter than stated. In addition, ensure your shoes are well away from possible hidden heating elements at the top and bottom of the oven. If in doubt, test the shoe temperature after 5 minutes and then again after 10 minutes. This will reduce the chance of unintended damage cause by overheating.
OVEN DOESN'T GO LOW ENOUGH?
Pre-heat the oven to 70 degrees Celsius / 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70°C/160°F).
Bont Cycling recommend using an oven thermometer for any ovens that do not list a temperature below 70 degrees Celsius / 160 degrees Fahrenheit. As per the "first time" instructions above, set the temperature for the lowest setting and once heated, put the shoes in the oven for 5 minutes, pull them out to check the warmth and if needed, put them back in for another 5 minutes. This will reduce the chance of unintended damage cause by overheating.
Note: Bont Cycling shoes are not eligible for return once heat molded.