Trek’s phasing out of the Bontrager identify in its shoe line is sort of full. What higher method to put a degree on it than to launch three new street shoe fashions – two of that are top-of-the-line? That’s exactly what Trek did, simply in time for the “Is winter nonetheless a factor?” a part of the biking yr.
The brand new Trek footwear is available in a cascade of choices. One is a traditional design, just like the Bontrager XXX shoe. One other is a brand new spin on the knit ‘sock-style’ shoe with an distinctive really feel.
The final is a extra budget-friendly however no much less performance-focused traditional mannequin.
All three shoe fashions share the identical final, METNET aid zones, and up to date Trek BioDynamic Biking Insoles.
The brand new Trek BioDynamic insoles changed the Bontrager In-Type fashions and had been developed in collaboration with Superfeet. The brand new insoles characteristic enhanced heel seize and shoe match however no extra arch help like previous Bontrager insoles. Probably the most vital development of the brand new BioDynamic insoles is that they incorporate 70% recycled materials.
What’s METNET?
You’ll hear this time period all through this piece, so let’s cowl it now. METNET is a slight punch within the shoe cloth that permits the shoe to adapt to the forefoot’s contours.
It’s a very supportive materials (I just like the match/really feel) and permits the rider’s foot to ‘breathe’ with out being constricted by a TPU higher.
The METNET characteristic helps with numbness and tingling when the shoe is within the break-in interval (IMO). This sensation is one thing I element with typically using totally different footwear, and the Trek fashions utilizing METNET had been very snug off the road.
Trek 2024 RSL Shoe Fashions
Developed in collaboration with the Lidl-Trek professional workforce, the brand new RSL line has a little bit of the classical and the extremely modern. The road consists of the Trek RSL, the traditional of the 2, and the Trek RSL Knit, the wild card. Each use Treks 100% OCLV Carbon plate, Twin Li2 BOA dials and METNET aid zones.
Trek RSL Street Shoe
The brand new Trek RSL (traditional) is an replace on the Bontrager XXX mannequin. The shoe has the identical general really feel however is barely extra snug within the toebox and supportive utilizing METNET. The up to date final feels barely wider than the earlier fashions, however we await affirmation from Trek on that.
The BOA closure system had an replace to Twin Li2 BOA dials. The toe portion has barely extra protection with plastic and a nifty Trek emblem.
The forefoot enclosure and opening are extra intensive than its predecessor, permitting for a much less constricted really feel. The heel cup nonetheless employs the shark tooth anti-slip cloth with ample protection to really feel safe.
Trek RSL Particulars
- Conventional TPU higher
- METNET aid zones
- 100% OCLV Carbon plate (14 out of 14 stiffness)
- Twin Li2 BOA dials
- Exterior heel cup with no-slip lining
- Trek Professional final for a efficiency match
- Shade: Black and white
- Sizing: Unisex sizing: 36-48
- Weight/Shoe: 222g (with out insole)
- Worth: US $449.99
Trek RSL Knit Street Shoe
The Trek RSL Knit is the wild card of the bunch. It’s just like the Specialised S-Works Ares in that it makes use of extra of a sock than a standard shoe. Trek takes a knit strategy to the outer, one thing they’ve been profitable with the Bontrager Ballista Knit.
The material sock of the RSL Knit makes use of what Trek calls a ‘efficiency knit higher with METNET aid zones.’ It resembles a pair of slip-on trainers with a compressive supportive materials. The help straps cosy down the shoe with out reducing off motion.
The straps are strategically positioned, utilizing two BOA Li2 dials to safe the foot to the OCLV Carbon plate. The OCLV plate is identical as the precise one used within the RSL (traditional above) however in a silver shade.
The fabric protecting the heel and the shoe’s straps is a tender suede-like cloth that appears good towards the knit materials. The jury is out on the way it will maintain up towards mud and winter using situations. However as of proper now, the restricted quantity of filth they’ve encountered has brushed proper off.
Trek RSL Knit Particulars
- Engineered efficiency knit higher
- METNET aid zones
- 100% OCLV Carbon plate (14 out of 14 stiffness)
- Twin Li2 BOA dials
- Inner heel cup with no-slip lining
- Trek Professional final for a efficiency match
- Rise by BLOOM Sockliner
- Official shoe of Lidl-Trek
- Colours: Black/gold and white/silver
- Sizes: Unisex sizing: 36-48; half sizes 38.5–45.5
- Weight/Pair: 226g (with out insole)
- Worth: US $499.99
Trek Velocis Street Shoe
The third shoe within the Trek Street trifecta is the up to date Velocis street mannequin. For Trek, the Velocis shoe is an entry-level street racing design. It packs plenty of efficiency into the mid-tier price ticket.
For this new mannequin, the value pumps up barely; beforehand, fashions began at $185, and the brand new 2024 Velocis shoe entered at $250. So the place is that worth distinction?
The shoe shares almost all the pieces because the Trek RSL footwear, besides the 100% OCLV carbon plate and anti-slip heel cup. The Velocis arrives with a barely extra versatile composite plate with a ten out of 14 stiffness.
The Velocis has the identical METNET aid zones however a barely totally different really feel than the others within the new Trek line. This sensation comes from the shortage of the anti-slip heel cup and the marginally totally different higher materials. The match, nevertheless, is simply as beautiful on my foot because the others above.
Trek Velocis Shoe Particulars
- Materials: TPU artificial higher
- METNET aid zones
- OCLV composite carbon plate (10 out of 14 stiffness)
- Twin Li2 BOA dials
- Inform final for a efficiency match
- Shade: Black, white, and crimson
- Sizing: Unisex sizing: 36-48; half sizes 38.5–45.5
- Weight/Shoe: 214g (with out insole)
- Worth: US $249.99
Availability
All new Trek shoe fashions can be found on-line or at your native vendor. Keep tuned for a full assessment of all of the fashions.
