Blingy top-end shoe joined by new RSL Road and updated Velocis

By Jack Luke

Published: Friday, 16 February 2024 at 15:26 PM


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 use the same last. – Felix Smith / Our Media

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

Trek RSL Knit road cycling shoe
The RSL Knit is one of the most expensive shoes on the market. – Felix Smith / Our Media

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. 

Trek RSL Knit road cycling shoe
The knitted upper is designed to hug the foot without creating pressure points. – Felix Smith / Our Media

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. 

Trek RSL Knit shoes
Would you be bold enough to rock these bad boys? – Jack Luke / Our Media

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. 

Bling! – Felix Smith / Our Media

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. 

Trek RSL Road shoe

Trek RSL Road road cycling shoe
The RSL Road is Trek’s new second-tier road cycling shoe. – Felix Smith / Our Media

The RSL Road shares the same overall features, insole, outsole and fit as the RSL Knit, but has a more traditional TPU upper.

Trek RSL Road road cycling shoe
All shoes feature insoles manufactured using Rise by Bloom foam. – Felix Smith / Our Media

Unlike the inherently stretchy knitted upper found on the RSL Knit, the RSL Road uses perforations in the upper to provide form-fitting stretch. 

The RSL Road also has a carbon sole. – Felix Smith / Our Media

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

Trek Velocis road cycling shoe
The Velocis is back, this time under the Trek banner. – Felix Smith / Our Media

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. 

Trek Velocis road cycling shoe
The Velocis uses a glass-fibre reinforced outsole. – Felix Smith / Our Media

The same Boa Li2 dials are used on the Velocis, though they fasten the shoe with a different lacing pattern.

The Velocis is the most affordable of the new shoes, but still a premium option. – Felix Smith / Our Media

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.