Bontrager Circuit Road Shoe

Bontrager's Circuit Road Shoes offer great looks and features at a price that will appeal to many on a more modest budget than some high-end shoes demand.

• Pros: Price, looks, Boa dials
• Cons: Not the stiffest sole

The first thing you notice with these shoes is how great they look. The vibrant red exudes class and style and suggests a shoe costing twice as much, following the lead of top-end S-Works and Giro designs. Obviously, the bright red isn't to everyone's taste, but I think it looks great.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The shoes are secured by both a Boa dial and a Velcro strap, fusing new and old technologies. The Boa secures the top two-thirds of the upper, giving the flexibility and adjustability of fit that makes this system so popular. There is only one dial to adjust two of the three fitting 'portions' of the shoe, though – some higher-end shoes feature a dial per portion. Having just one dial means there is a little less flexibility in the adjustment than you might want.

The very bottom of the retention system is via a Velcro strap. This system feels a little dated, but having just the one strap at the toe end is no big deal, as the lower half of the shoe is always harder to adjust for fit no matter what system used.

The overall fit is Bontrager's 'InForm Race' style, which is intended to be slightly roomier to fit those with a wider foot, and provide a little more comfort on longer rides. My feet tend towards the slimmer end of the spectrum, and I did notice the extra space. The shoes weren't massive on the foot, but a little roomier than I'd like, meaning I had to tighten the Boa almost to the maximum to obtain a secure fit.

I tested a size 43, and length-wise they were spot on, fitting just as I've found other size 43 cycling shoes do. The cut of the upper around the ankle and upper foot is quite high on the inside, meaning there can be a very small amount of rubbing on your skin as you ride. This isn't a huge deal thanks to the padded tongue and inner, but it was noticeable at first. Over one test ride of around 100km I generally found the shoes pretty comfy, with no numbness or blistering.

The sole is stiff, although – as you'd expect for a £100 shoe – it's not the best out there. When trying to really put the hammer down on some of my test rides I really noticed the difference between the Bontragers and a really top-end carbon sole. The sole is a nylon composite made up of 85% nylon and 15% fiberglass, which Bontrager says offers a stiffness of 7 out of 14 on its own index. Bontrager has applied its 'powertruss design' to the sole, which it claims adds stiffness without any extra weight. While the power transfer through the feet to the pedals didn't feel as effective and efficient as a top-end shoe, for the price it certainly isn't bad.

The sole is suitable for two and three-bolt cleat systems, so you can ride them with a set of SPD pedals or more traditional road pedals such as Look or Shimano SPD-SL, making them a versatile option that will suit all riders.

At 310g per size 43 shoe (without cleats), they're certainly on the heavy end of the scale, though you wouldn't expect featherweights given the price.

It seems there's a direct correlation between the price of cycling shoes and gourmet sausage rolls nowadays: it increases every time you look. Many cycling shoes are priced around £150 per pair, and it's not uncommon to see some retailing nearer £300. As such, finding a pair for 'just' £99.99 is refreshing. With that in mind, and the host of great features on these shoes – notably the Boa dial, great looks and relatively stiff soles – they're really good value for money and an attractive option for a newer or more casual rider.

> Still too much? Check out eight of the best cheap cycling shoes

What are the alternatives? A very similar pair are the Fizik R5Bs, which have the same Boa and Velcro strap combination, but weigh a claimed 50g per shoe less (602g a pair in size 46, according to the road.cc Scales of Truth), albeit for around £30 more. It's worth thinking about, as shoes are one of the most essential parts of your wardrobe in terms of boosting performance and comfort on the bike, so are well worth investing in. As these Cube C:62s illustrate, increasing your spend by £70 or so – which, if the shoes last a few years, ultimately works out as relatively little – means you can get a lot more for your money.

With all this in mind, I'd conclude that the Circuits are a great option for the money. There are a few little niggles – the wide fit and high cut don't suit my particular foot shape – but for £99.99, these shoes offer good value and performance.

Verdict

Great value entry-level shoes that offer both looks and performance