Review: Bontrager Velocis Road Shoe
The Bontrager Velocis is a premium, performance road shoe at mid-level pricing.
When it comes to performance road shoes, more often than not there’s a compromise on comfort. They can be helluva pricey too. It’s then a serious proposition when performance meets affordability. Such is the case with the Velocis road shoe – it punches far above its mid-level pricing suggests and has me wondering why anyone – other than Pro Tour Sprinters – would need more.
Details
Despite the use of additional material around the heel, tongue, collar and top lining – all in the name of comfort – the Velocis shoes remain remarkably light. Our test pair, a size 43, tipped the scales at 239g per shoe.
Bontrager Velocis
| SIZES | 37 to 47 (16 in total) |
| CLOSURE | Two-way adjust BOA + velcro strap |
| UPPER | Perforated synthetic |
| SOLE | Carbon Composite |
| CLEAT | SPD 3 bolt type |
| WEIGHT | 239g (per shoe) |
| PRICE | R3800 |
| MORE | trekbikes.com |
A BOA and single velcro strap are used to set and adjust tension. The BOA is a dual-direction adjuster, making on-the-fly tension tweaks quick and easy. For added ventilation, the synthetic uppers are perforated on the top and sides of the shoe.
When it comes to fit, ‘snug’ is the word. A molded cup around the heel holds the foot in place on the true-to-size shoe. At the risk of repeating myself, the extra material (shown below) helps the shoe hug the foot, with maximum comfort – no matter how much tension is wound into the BOA.
The thin-looking sole is of a carbon and fibreglass construct. Stiffness-wise, Bontrager rate the Velocis as a 10/14. In my opinion, only World Tour sprinters would need the brand’s range-topping XXX shoe, which scores a full 14/14 on the old stiff-o-meter.
The low 8mm stack height keeps the sole close to the axle of the pedal, improving the margins of efficiency in each pedal stroke. The cleat rails have a wide range of adjustability – including a deep rearward bias which can improve blood flow.
Ride Impressions
After a little over six months of testing, there are little to no scuff marks on the uppers. Underneath the shoe, it’s a different story but that’s a testament to a look walk down Chapman’s Peak after a blowout and not true wear. Those cleats do look hammered though.
When it comes to comfort and fit I’ll give the Bontrager Velocis a very high score. The fit is so good that even with medium tension on the adjusters, I’d have no perceptible float or rubbing inside the shoe. I really enjoyed the softer feel of the part carbon, part fibreglass sole.
An initial concern I had was cool weather riding. Just how chilly would the shoes be on days under 15 degrees? A few rides in Portugal’s winter earlier this year quelled those concerns. The biggest performance driver (other than comfort) has to be their low weight. The Velocis road shoe is within 5 grams of many range-topping offerings, which can be more than twice the price. All in all – these are high-quality, all-around road shoes that I’d highly recommend.