Trek has revamped its range of top-end road cycling shoes, doing away with the Bontrager name and bringing what could be the most expensive shoe from a mainstream brand to market in the process.
The new three-shoe range comprises the RSL Knit, RSL Road and Velocis.
The Velocis is a long-standing name in the Trek family. Previously marketed as the Bontrager Velocis, in keeping with its latest helmets, the Bontrager name has been phased out for its new road cycling shoes.
All three shoes share the updated Bontrager InForm Pro last. This features a refined fit to better suit the average foot, according to Trek.
The pro-level RSL Knit costs a huge £399.99 / $499.99 / €449.99, the RSL Road £349.99 / $449.99 / €399.99 and the Velocis £229.99 / $249.99 / €249.99.
All three shoes are available in unisex sizes from EU36 to EU48 and half sizes from EU38.5 to EU45.5
Trek RSL Knit road shoe
The RSL Knit is Trek’s new top-of-the-line shoe.
It features a sock-like knitted upper, which is supported by a synthetic suede ‘cage’. Pressure-relieving areas – dubbed MetNet – have been incorporated into the design of the shoe to improve comfort, according to Trek.
The tougher synthetic suede cage supports twin Boa dials. These bi-directionally fasten the shoe (each dial tensions one side of the shoe).
The shoe is Trek’s stiffest, with its full-carbon outsole measuring a full 14/14 on its arbitrary stiffness scale.
Instead of the more typically used oil-derived EVA foam, the insoles are manufactured using Rise by Bloom – a naturally derived EVA foam alternative manufactured using algae.
The internal heel cup is encased within a suede-like outer material, with the inner lined with an anti-slip material.
Should they be to your taste, for the blingy price tag you can have suitably blingy looks – the black and gold option is certainly striking.
They’re also available in a more subdued silver and white option for high-performance wallflowers.
- Weight: 269g (size 45)
- £399.99 / $499.99 / €449.99
Trek RSL Road shoe
The RSL Road shares the same overall features, insole, outsole and fit as the RSL Knit, but has a more traditional TPU upper.
Unlike the inherently stretchy knitted upper found on the RSL Knit, the RSL Road uses perforations in the upper to provide form-fitting stretch.
Trek positions the RSL Road as a pro-level shoe, with Lidl-Trek riders expected to use this and the RSL Knit in racing. The shoes are available in black or white.
- Weight: 267g (size 45)
- £349.99 / $449.99 / €399.99
Trek Velocis road shoe
The new Velocis is the most affordable shoe in the new range, though still a premium option at £229.99 / $249.99 / €249.99.
The Velocis features a mixed carbon and fibreglass outsole, measuring 10/14 on Trek’s stiffness scale.
The same Boa Li2 dials are used on the Velocis, though they fasten the shoe with a different lacing pattern.
The upper dial covers the upper-most portion of the tongue, while the bottom dial fastens the base of the tongue, just behind the toe box.
- Weight: 244g (size 45)
- £229.99 / $249.99 / €249.99.
