Bontrager has aimed for simplicity with its Solstice road shoe, which it says is designed to balance on-bike comfort and efficiency.
The brand has pretty much got it bang-on with that aim.
The Solstice has straightforward ‘hook-and-loop’ closures, a very low weight for the price and works with both Look-type pedals and SPDs, maximising versatility.
Bontrager Solstice spec and details
Trek’s kit brand has aimed the Solstice very much at the rider new to the world of riding with clipless pedals.
It uses simple Velcro-like closures and a sole that scores 7 out of 14 on its own stiffness scale, so the ride isn’t dauntingly firm.
The two-bolt compatibility shows the shoe's more all-round ambitions. While I’ve listed the lack of a two-bolt plate as a negative (you’ll need to buy it separately for £8.99 / $9.99 / €9.99), if you’re going for three-bolt cleats, it’s a bit of a boon.
This also keeps weight down, but my guess is most prospective purchasers of these shoes will go for three-bolt setups. Walking with small SPD cleats that are proud of the sole is never that much fun.
This contributes to keeping the weight down to a mere 227g per shoe, which is very impressive for footwear at this price.
Bontrager Solstice performance
Velcro – or ‘hook-and-loop’ – may look a little old-school compared to Boa and similar dial closures, but it’s tried-and-tested tech and the two straps are wide, which gives a pretty secure fit.
The Solstice shoes coped well with hard out-of-saddle efforts, even if they’re not quite as snug across the top of your foot as a dial closure, especially a pair of dials as found on the Van Rysel RoadR 900 shoes I've also tested.
The moderately stiff sole is flexible enough for long-distance comfort without ever feeling overly flexy when you put the hammer down.
Bontrager says it has achieved this level of stiffness by using its PowerTruss sole, which is effectively an extra outsole connected by a cantilever-like structure.
I can’t say it felt any different from other semi-stiff nylon or nylon-composite soles, but it certainly doesn’t add extra weight.
I found these shoes sized up a little smaller than most, so it’s a case of ‘try before you buy’, if you can.
Bontrager has one major trick up its sleeve to address this – a ‘30-day unconditional guarantee’. Other shoe brands, take note.
I would have liked a little more in the way of venting. The sole has two small front vents and a narrow central vent, with the upper getting laser-cut holes over the forefoot and along the side, but these are quite few in number compared to most other shoes.
This wasn’t an issue during moderate autumnal rides, even as the hours ticked over, but come summer your feet are likely to get warm.
I’d also have preferred to see more reflective elements. Bontrager isn’t alone in this, but shoes are a great place to improve your night-time visibility, because your feet are moving so much of the time.
A final positive, especially for an entry-level shoe, is that the insole is more impressive than you’ll find in most road cycling shoes at this price (with the possible exception of the Van Rysels).
It’s not only more substantial than the flimsier insoles all too often specced, but it’s better shaped to offer more support to your arch.
Bontrager Solstice bottom line
Apart from my issue with the sizing, I think the Bontrager Solstice shoes are pretty much ideal for riders new to the world of clipless cycling.
They’re light, the sole is stiff enough without being too stiff and I found them comfortable for day-long rides.
However, the comparative lack of venting may act against them in summer.
