FLR F11 XD Knit road shoes review

The FLR F11 XD Knit is a lightweight and elegant-looking road and triathlon shoe that majors on breathability, which is down to the seamless knitted upper and breathable insole.

Comfort levels are excellent, the Atop dial closure system works well and these are lovely shoes to wear on hot days.

However, the sole isn’t the stiffest you’ll find.

FLR F11 XD Knit details

FLR likes to cite its pro riders, such as the Australian national champion Jay Vine, although they’re racing in much more exotic kicks than these quite modestly priced F11 XD Knits.

However, these are very neatly made and are among very few road cycling shoes around this price that offer fore-and-aft movement of the cleat positions, albeit by only a few millimetres.

The closure is a single Atop dial, which works a little differently from a Boa dial.

Rather than pulling the dial up to loosen it, you simply undo it, when you’ll feel a distinct click, at which point the lace is completely loose.

To tighten, it’s a clockwise turn on the right shoe and anti-clockwise on the left. You can make adjustments on the fly, with larger increments than a Boa.

FLR F11 XD Knit performance

The first thing you notice when wearing these shoes is the nylon-composite soles aren’t that stiff, which is fine by me and suggests they'll be better suited to the non-competitive rider who favours comfort over all-out stiffness.

The sizing of my review sample was spot-on, with the size-EU42 shoes fitting my size-EU42 feet.

The FLRs proved very pleasing during both difficult efforts and more leisurely rides, with very few notable flaws.

After a bike-fit session a few years ago, I usually wear an insole that gives me more arch support, though in line with most shoes around this price, the F11 XD Knit insoles weren’t that substantial.

At 562g a pair, these are reasonably light for shoes around this price. Of the shoes I've tested recently, only the Bontrager Solstice notably undercut their weight.

However, I was entirely unable to detect any difference in weight.

If you’re a dedicated weight-weenie obsessive, you might be able to, but I’d always value comfort over low weight.

The shoes proved comfortable as the kilometres clicked up, to the degree that I never really noticed them. I couldn’t feel the cleats, there were no hot spots and my feet stayed cool during warmer autumn rides.

This suggests FLR’s claims about breathability are pretty accurate.

The uppers got spectacularly filthy on a canal towpath ride, but much to my surprise, they cleaned up better than I expected. However, I’d worry that dirt and mud might infiltrate the knitted material in time.

Both the uppers and the perforated tongue offer good support and the single Atop dial, while not quite as effective at securing your feet as a twin-dial setup, proved easy operate, securing across my upper foot nicely.

The sole is only moderately vented, which I don’t think will be an issue given the shoe’s excellent breathability, and its moderate stiffness makes the F11 XD Knit quite comfortable to walk in, aided by reasonably deep heel and sole bumpers.

The FLRs compare well with most shoes around this price point, unless you’re looking for a genuinely stiff sole.

The knitted upper, inherited from FLR’s top-end shoes, lends them a higher-end look than their price suggests, and their all-round comfort is very good.

FLR F11 XD Knit bottom line

I found it hard to fault the F11 XD Knits, which are the first FLR shoes I've worn.

Some may desire or need a more supportive insole, but I found them comfortable for long rides.

They’re breathable for hot days out and the single Atop dial closure system is simple and effective. I'm also a big fan of the knitted look, though your mileage and preferences may vary.