Mavic Cosmic SL Ultimate Tri Kona Shoes Review

Supremely comfortable, the Mavic Cosmic SL Ultimate Kona are designed to accompany triathletes over long distances. With a soft interior finish and numerous vents to keep feet dry, these triathlon shoes, equipped with a wide Velcro strap, ensure a pain-free and efficient ride thanks to a high-performance full carbon sole. All in an intense volcanic color inspired by the Hawaii Ironman.

By Pierre-Maxime BRANCHE. Photos: 3bikes.fr

A little less than a year ago, a few days before the 2019 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Mavic launched its high-end triathlon shoe, the Cosmic SL Ultimate Tri, in a fascinating LTD Kona colorway, inspired by the Hawaiian furnace. This vibrant design represents the changing sun of the Pacific island, from the red of dawn on Kailua Pier to the bright yellow of the afternoon and its scorching heat. Mavic also pushed the details and the nod to the event by integrating the race course under the ankle and at the heel on the insole, inscribing iconic locations of the event such as Ali’i Drive or Energy Lab.

This shoe should have set the 2020 season on fire but, due to Covid-19, it was unable to be showcased and shine in global triple-effort competitions. It settled for a (modest) presence on social networks, for example in France on the official pages of Charlotte Morel or Cassandre Beaugrand.

The purpose of the Cosmic SL Ultimate Tri? To support the total commitment of triathletes in one of the most demanding events in the world, the Hawaii Ironman in this case, but more broadly in long-distance triathlon. This model was designed to provide pedaling efficiency, support, comfort, and aerodynamics to cut through the air, especially in headwinds, as can indeed be the case on the formidable Queen K. Highway, that famous “straightaway” of the Hawaiian bike course where only a U-turn after 90 km requires using the brakes. These qualities can, of course, be transferred to many diverse and varied courses in France, sometimes much more mountainous, like at the Embrunman or the Nice Ironman.

A Velcro closure strap

Today, many triathlon-specific models favor Boa-type closures, which are indeed fast, adjustable, and high-performing, thanks to their technology that uses a cable and adjustment dials. Here, Mavic returns to basics, to the origins of triathlon, with a wide Velcro strap that starts from the outside and fastens towards the inside of the foot, thus preventing it from disturbing pedaling and getting caught in the front derailleur, chain, or large chainring when open, especially near transitions.

Another appreciable feature is an oversized heel tab to facilitate T1. Similarly, a Velcro is discreetly hidden under the high-quality Ortholite insole at the heel to ensure it stays perfectly in place. There is none on the front of the sole. Staying on the inside of the shoe, we observe very few seams, the only ones present are ultra-flat, and a generously padded heel collar.

On the outside, for energy transfer, this Cosmic Ultimate SL Triathlon features an ultra-stiff Full Carbon Energy SLR sole. Handcrafted from reinforced unidirectional carbon fibers and thermosetting epoxy resin, it is Mavic’s lightest sole. Four vents, two small ones at the front and two very long ones under the ball of the foot, create an airflow inside the shoe to lower the temperature, quickly dry feet after swimming, and keep them dry, protected from sweat that could cause friction and thus injuries in the absence of socks.

The upper is very flexible and features numerous vents. Fifteen in total, plus a sixteenth positioned on the Velcro closure. Their shape resembles tribal patterns, but also evokes flames, a reminder of its volcanic origins. The instep is divided into two parts and has an elastic textile piece in its center to adapt to your foot shape, especially its width. The toe box and heel are reinforced.

The whole is extremely light, weighing only 210 grams in size 42, a desire for the Haute-Savoie brand to offer a high-performance product. If you don’t like this color, the Cosmic Ultimate SL Triathlon is also available in the very classic Mavic yellow with a large logo on the side. It comes with a titanium V-plate for all types of pedals and a mesh bag to carry your shoes. Price: €330 and sizes from 36 to 48 2/3.

On the road

After a leisurely winter and a surprise lockdown, we were eager to put on these Mavic Cosmic SL Ultimate Triathlon LTD Kona barefoot. Is the promise kept when you know you’re embarking on a long distance, possibly 180 km, on varied courses, especially at altitude, and that you’ll have a run to complete afterwards?

Is it easy to put on?

Thanks to its wide and long Velcro closure, and also to the central cut-out of the upper, it is very easy to get your foot in. Once the toe and instep are positioned, simply grab the oversized rear tab with your index finger to slip in the heel. This tab benefits from two large seams that prove to be very solid, and its length allows for easy attachment of elastic bands in the transition area. You really have to pull on it like a brute to stretch the stitches. On the bike, there’s no need to go that far. Once grasped, it allows the heel to easily pass inside the shoe, even with wet feet. The Velcro tab closes in the blink of an eye and you’re done.

Is it comfortable, especially barefoot?

In our opinion, this is its huge strong point. When you’re embarking on a long, challenging course, sometimes in scorching heat, you need to feel very comfortable in your shoes. This is even truer in triathlon after the swim, where, to save time in transition, you might go barefoot, even if today, except for short distances, this rule tends to disappear. The foot finds its position perfectly, and you don’t feel any annoying seams. The Ortholite sole and the inside of the upper are very soft thanks to excellent finishing, especially around the toes. You feel a slight arch support in the forefoot, materialized by a small raised thickness that promotes blood circulation and optimizes foot placement.

The heel is also perfectly held thanks to the numerous padded cushions that hug its contour. With moderate tightening, the upper already adapts well to the morphology of the instep thanks to its design. With stronger tightening, a slightly higher pressure is felt under the tongue, but its width allows this sensation to be better distributed across the front of the foot. Overall, the slipper effect is successful.

When you move your foot and toes, nothing bothers, catches, or irritates it. This excellent comfort was confirmed on very varied courses and distances. We pushed the test on a 200 km summer ride with over 2,000 m of positive elevation gain. The comfort didn’t budge, no burning sensation in the foot, we hardly needed to adjust the tightening except on certain segments where we put in more intensity. In that regard, it’s a great success.

Is it ventilated?

Not wearing socks allows you to better feel all the imperceptible but so important airflows during prolonged effort. Here, the main ventilation comes from this cut-out on the front part of the upper and provides a slight fresh sensation on the forefoot, which also has eight other ventilated areas. We also notice seven vents on the back of the shoe and a last one on the Velcro strap itself. The carbon outsole is also perforated in four distinct areas that provide freshness under the Ortholite comfort sole, bringing us to a total of 20 vents distributed throughout the product. In use, our foot never overheated, especially during that very long 200 km summer ride. This air circulation also has the advantage of quickly drying the foot after swimming. This good ventilation obviously contributes to the great overall comfort of the foot.

Is it stiff?

No flex when pedaling, efficient tightening, and a perfectly held heel, the 100% Carbon Energy SLR outsole does the job perfectly for long-distance triathlon use. That is, for a smooth effort without a huge burst of power all at once, in a steep climb or to break away from a group of escapees a few kilometers from the finish line. When you increase power, the carbon sole is efficient, on the flat as well as on climbs, especially during several uphill sprints from a standing start. The foot is well supported, energy transfer is good but it can experience some losses due to the chosen tightening system here. During very strong accelerations, even by tightening the Velcro strap, you feel the foot move a little, less supported on its front part. Again, this is not its primary use, so nothing to criticize, unless you plan to use it for short distances with these peloton races that are similar to road events.

Is it fast in transition?

We were unable to test it in competition and had to resort to simulations in training. At T1, as mentioned above, the height (and presence) of the rear tab allows you to keep your shoes horizontal in the bike park by using elastic bands. Once on the bike, the forefoot enters without difficulty due to the maxi opening of the Velcro tab, then the heel follows without difficulty by using the rear tab. At T2, getting the foot out is even faster: on the one hand, the maximum opening of the Velcro is very practical for extracting the foot in one go and without a hitch. Towards its end, this strap benefits from a widened area to prevent it from coming out completely and disturbing pedaling. On the other hand, the Ortholite sole remains perfectly in place thanks to the mini Velcro under the heel that holds it in position. If your technique for getting on and off your bike during transitions is flawless, the Cosmic Ultimate SL Triathlon will only be an additional ease; if your technique leaves something to be desired, it will be a great help.

=> See also: Triathlon, the right transition

Is it adjustable?

In terms of ergonomics, this model has two clever little tricks. The first, the textile zone that connects the two front parts of the upper is elastic. This allows the shoe to adapt to some extent to wide or strong feet. It’s not extreme but it’s enough to offer a few extra millimeters of accommodation, thus comfort for different morphologies. The second concerns the tongue. As it is originally, its length means it can brush against or even butt against the crank arm. Thus, Mavic has made it so that it can be cut to the shape and length of your choice. At its end, markings allow you to choose the appropriate length. Two useful and practical tricks for a successful fit!

Is it expensive?

€330 is a hefty sum, but it’s also the price of a reliable, high-performance, and comfortable product. A product you can count on without question when you’re at the start of a competition. Because that’s the whole point. If you’re content with leisure riding without pushing your effort in events with a race number on your back, the interest in turning to this kind of product is almost nil, apart from the personal pleasure of riding well-equipped. If you’re looking at competition, with a hoped-for performance or time at the end of the final straight, this budget remains in a high but still reasonable range. Whether for road or triathlon models, high-end shoes are available from €300 to €400, sometimes much more.

Is it pretty?

A very personal question, but we liked this volcanic version in reference to the mythical Hawaii Ironman, with its vibrant hue from yellow to bright red. We like its intensity, its symbolism, but also the iconographic details integrated on the insole as well as on the outside of the heel, below the ankle. This Cosmic Ultimate SL Triathlon Kona stands out, and we don’t mind that at all.

For whom?

The Mavic Cosmic Ultimate SL Tri are high-end shoes for long-distance practitioners with a not-too-wide foot who prioritize comfort. Its interior finish is a great advantage for considering it on long courses, as are its numerous vents that keep the foot perfectly dry and healthy. Their lightness and the stiffness of the full carbon sole are two other qualities that make this pair a serious asset for performance.

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