Trek RSL Knit Road Shoes Review

Knit, lace-up shoes have long been considered the ultimate in comfort and breathability, but laces have their limitations. So, the Trek RSL Knit Road Shoes aim to offer the best of all worlds. With a knit mesh upper featuring dual BOA Fit System Li2 dials and Trek’s stiffest OCLV Carbon outsoles, these top-shelf kicks will set you back a mint, but if breathable performance is what you seek, they are worth a shot.

Trek RSL Knit Shoes Features:

• Performance knit with a sock-like fit
• METNET relief zones stretch allow added comfort in typically tight areas
• Updated Trek Pro Last with a wider performance fit
• Dual Li2 BOA dials for micro-adjustable fit
• 100% OCLV Carbon plate with 14/14 stiffness
• Internal heel cup and no-slip heel lining
• Insoles made with Rise by BLOOM, a bio-based EVA foam replacement
• Compatible with 3-bolt cleats
• MSRP: $499.99

Knock Knock, Knit

It took awhile for Old Man Winter to losen his tenacious grip on Utah’s Wasatch Mountains this spring, so my initial miles on the new Trek RSL Knit Road Shoes were indoors aboard the Stages SB20 in Zwift’s Watopia and roads worldwide on Rouvy. With only a box fan for airflow, I could already feel the breeze through the knit uppers and in my mind I was imagining how they would perform on the road.

Upon arrival, the RSL Knit shoe reminded me of a mix of a triathlon cycling shoe and a pair of sports sandals. Seeing as they are white, the knit uppers give off a “socks with sandals” vibe as well. When I slipped them on, it was incredible just how cradling the uppers are. The unique cuff and sloped heel entry are easily-grabbed and pulled on as long as you pull on both. The addition of a simple heel loop could help. Once on, I love the wiggle-room that the knit fabric provides. Once cinched down, the BOA Fit System’s Li2 dials deliver just the right pressure (more on that later) and the anchor points deliver anatomical support — in spite of the stretchy uppers.

I can imagine as the designers were refining the placement of the straps on the foot, each millimeter of movement back and forth on the shoe changed the fit characteristics. Where placed, the METNET relief zones provide the most appropriate flex areas for troublesome tight spots. Surprisingly, I have found the RSL Knit to provide excellent instep and arch support. Much of that is due to the placement of the primary strap, which literally locks my heels firmly in place within the deep heel cuffs. And, the eco-friendly and supportive insoles.

Speaking of heel lock, the material used reminds me of the directional fibers found on ski climbing skins that allow you to glide forward, but stick to the snow surface with every forward step. With these shoes, I can slip inside very easily, but when it comes to heel movement on the bike or when it comes time to remove them, the directional fibers grip my heel and don’t want to let them go. As such, it does take extra effort to remove the shoes, but the locked-in feel is worth it.

Micro-fit adjustments are easily-done with the Li2 dials. Unlike the lower-grade dials, Li2’s offer micro adjustments in either direction to easily accommodate foot swelling or in preparation for that town line sprint. The metallic dials are so easy to grab that I have sometimes done a double-click instead of the single I was looking for. All it takes is a micro-twist to make meaningful fit adjustments either tighter or looser.

In the saddle, I have found the mesh material to offer excellent breathability, but not as much as I had imagined. I thought they would feel breezy at speed, but they aren’t quite as airy as I imagined. Yes, they breathe well, but don’t expect sandal-like airflow. I’ve worn lightweight socks with these shoes both indoor and out and have found the MAAP Division and Swiftwick Aspire Five to work well.

As I have racked up the miles, I have both appreciated the relief zones and the cradling fit. But, even though the straps do a great job of spreading the pressure, you can still feel them as they sit across your foot. Regular uppers distribute that pressure much better, but also don’t offer the near-custom feel of the flexible knit uppers. It’s all a bit of a give-and-take for the sock-like experience. Unfortunately for me, I do have a pressure-point on my left midfoot right where the strap meets the outsole. I don’t imagine everyone will have this issue, but I noticed it here and with narrow cycling shoes and ski boots.

After several hundred outdoor miles, I finally rode in the rain. In short, don’t expect much in the way of water-repellency. The knit material soaks up moisture and the white color gets quickly stained with dirt. After some scrubbing, they do clean up well enough, but not quite as crisp as new. I’m generally not a fan of black shoes, but I would recommend going that route if you like your white shoes to remain white.

Importantly, the ultra-stiff outsoles deliver astounding pedaling performance. With zero flex, every ounce of power is transmitted directly to forward motion. For both sprinting and climbing, I have loved just how powerful these pro-level shoes are. Any three-bolt cleats will work with them and I’ve exclusively worn them with TIME iClic cleats using the XPro 12 and 10 pedals. The cleats are easily-installed and adjusted and work perfectly with these shoes and pedals.

I’ve got to mention the looks of these shoes. They are certainly unique and may not be to everyone’s liking, but I’ll leave that for you to decide. While I typically prefer white or blue road shoes, I would suggest going black on these for a little more muted look. I have the new Trek RSL Road and Velocis shoes in for review, and will soon be delivering reviews of those other options in the Trek road shoe lineup.

Fit: I consistently wear size 44.5 in Trek/Bontrager shoes and these are no exception. It’s just the right fit or me. I have regular-width feet with low arches.

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