Time stepped back into the shoe world after nine years with the launch of their OSMOS road line earlier in 2019. With three different levels, they have a shoe to fit the needs of many different road riders. We’ve put the mid-level shoe, the 12, through a season of riding, and found it to be a capable shoe with great ventilation. Read on for the full review.
OSMOS Line Overview
The OSMOS comes in three levels, the entry 10, mid-level 12, and range topping 15. The look of each shoe is pretty similar, with the 12 and 15 gaining large mesh panels to increase ventilation substantially. Each shoe features at least one Boa IP1 dial for the closure (one on the 10 and 12, and two on the 15). The soles range from an 80% composite/20% carbon mix on the 10 to a full carbon sole on the 15 and all three models include a version of Time’s Sensor2 insoles.
When Time began working on shoes again, they turned to the experience of their parent company Rossignol. The Italian brand makes ski boots, among other items, and had a wealth of data on foot shapes to help create the lasts for the OSMOS. From there, Time worked with their R&D teams to create the new line.
The 12
Sitting in the middle of the line, the 12 is definitely a blend of the 10 and 15. The 12 benefits from the same upper as the 15, a seamless upper made from a mix of microfiber and multiple panels of mesh to make them extremely breathable. The closure is a single Boa IP1 dial at the top with a velcro strap at the bottom. For the sole, you get the 10’s 80% composite/20% carbon sole, but Time adds a carbon fiber plate at the cleat to increase stiffness. The rear heel pad is replaceable, which is something that is much appreciated. The 12 also shares the same Sensor2 Mono insole of the 10.
The 12 comes in two colors, white/black and white/red. The front half of the shoe, including the mesh, is white, with the back half as the accent color. The shoes, especially the black, have a classy look, while still providing a pop of color to keep them interesting.
On The Road
Time sent the OSMOS 12’s with a pair of their Xpro 10 pedals, which are the entry level for the Xpro, but sit about middle of the range of their pedals when you factor in the Xpresso pedals. This gave us the perfect chance to try them out as a system and we’ll have a review on the pedals coming soon. I spent some time on the road and on the trainer with them, but also used them in another demanding environment, the spin studio. Okay, maybe not as demanding as an alpine climb, but a small room packed with 24 other riders and only one fan on each side of the room, the put the ventilation to the test.
The first thing that I immediately noticed about the OSMOS 12 was the ventilation. Using these shoes in colder temperatures, I found myself grabbing my shoe covers to help keep my feet warm. But later on in the summer, or while on the trainer or in spin classes, the ventilation was very much welcomed. The addition of vents in the sole add some additional breathability. When compared to one of my favorite shoes, the Giro Empire, it almost felt like my feet were air conditioned, versus being able to pour sweat from the Giro’s after a hard indoor session.
The uppers were very comfortable from the beginning. The mesh and soft microfiber uppers conformed to my feet easily, with very little brake in time. The tongue can be a little fiddly at times , but as long as you take time to make sure that it lays flat as you slip your foot in, it is very comfortable. The grippy material on the heel does a great job locking in your foot for hard efforts.
The Boa IP1 dial is very familiar and made adjusting the shoe on the fly very easy. Spin the dial in either direction to tighten or loosen the shoe on a micro level, or pull it to completely release. The cord weaves overtop of the instep, but I never felt any pressure or hot spots. The velcro strap at the toe helps to tighten the shoe, but I never really felt like I needed to cinch it down tight.
Whether paired with the Xpro10 pedals or different Look style pedals, the the OSMOS 12 rode very well. The 80% composite/20% carbon soles with the carbon plate at the cleats felt plenty stiff for all but the most serious of racers. Compared to the full carbon soles on the Empires, various top of the line Bont’s or the Northwave Extreme Pro’s I’ve ridden over the last few years, the OSMOS 12 isn’t the stiffest shoe, but the flex is very minimal. The carbon plate at the cleat definitely helps, but it’s not exactly an apples to apples comparison. I’m sure the OSMOS 15’s full carbon sole would be up to the same level of stiffness as the other top end shoes I mentioned.
The Insole
My biggest complaint on the OSMOS 12 is actually the insole. Time developed the Sensor2 insoles to help dampen road vibrations, while remaining supportive. Comfort wise, they were great, but the support is where I feel they were lacking. To put things into perspective, for my running shoes, I usually go with a supportive shoe like the Asics Gel-Kayano due to the over-pronation in my running stride. For cycling shoes, I also prefer a supportive insole to help keep my knee tracking correctly during my pedal stroke.
The Sensor2 Mono insoles from the 10 and 12 just didn’t feel up to the task for someone seeking a higher level of support. Other brands, like Giro, include inserts to help customize the levels of support on their insoles, but the OSMOS 10 did not include anything like this. The Sensor2+ Bi Material insole on the 15 is said to be stiffer, so maybe additional support would be found there. After replacing the insoles with some custom insoles from FootBalance, I found the support I was looking for.
Overall
Time is off to a great start with their first shoe line in nine years. At $275 for the 12, the OSMOS is a little more expensive than some other mid-level shoes, but perform well enough to make up for it. The OSMOS 12’s are comfortable and the ventilation is definitely their strong point. The Boa IP1 dial and carbon plate in the sole help to elevate the shoe, but the insoles could be improved. Coming in at 258g per shoe in a 45, they are pretty respectable. While the 45 fit, I would say they possibly run a half size big and I could have gone down to a 44.5.
For now, Time only offers the road shoe line, but I’d guess it is only a matter of time until an off-road shoe is available.
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
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