Bontrager Velocis Road Shoe

Their understated yet classy design help the Bontrager Velocis road shoes compete in a market where classic lace-up designs are on the up and image is everything. They look good, and the price isn't too bad considering the features they pack in.

I'm a bit of a fan of Bontrager's ‘Electric Salmon’ colour, but the simple black and white options with minimal logos on the uppers will appeal to those who like a more understated look.

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The uppers are white, very white (or black/pink, very black/pink). My first impression was that they were going to get spotted with tar and road grime then go a grubby looking grey, but the shiny character of the synthetic upper has meant a quick going over with a baby wipe has kept them looking fresh.

There's mesh ventilation up over the top of the toe, and perforated side panels, which are ridged, presumably to direct airflow towards the perforations. They're neither terribly warm nor cold, which means they've been well suited to the Scottish summer. I'd possibly want a more ventilated shoe for extended use in higher temperatures.

The sole is a high-gloss carbon/fibreglass composite, with a large Bontrager logo stretching diagonally across the base. Unfortunately, there are minimal markings for cleat positioning, which makes aligning cleats fairly fiddly. There are markings, but they sit under the body of the cleat, which means you don't get any reference points. Extending the markings to sit outside the cleat contact area would really help.

Heel and toe strikers help protect the shiny sole from scratches and to give purchase when walking. As with all road shoes with shiny soles, it takes a bit of an effort to keep this clean and walking over a gravel drive will inevitably start pitting the finish.

Bontrager has given the sole a stiffness index of 10, which would – at first glance – suggest they are the stiffest shoe Bontrager offers. But actually they sit somewhere within the upper range of stiffness: the index goes all the way beyond 11 (for the Spinal Tap fans out there) up to a heady 14. For a combination of general fast road riding and racing at amateur level, though, the stiffness factor of 10 should give any rider enough support. It certainly feels as though your feet are well connected to the pedal platform, with very little deflection when sprinting or climbing. This doesn't mean that they're flexible, as they are very far from being bendy.

Check out our buyer's guide to the best performance road cycling shoes here

The trade-off for a modicum of compliance in the sole is that they are very, very comfortable. Inside the shoe, the platform is fairly flat, so there's no Bont-style arch support, which will no doubt suit many riders. If you want more arch support, Bontrager offers an insole that can be heat-moulded to tune the bed of the shoe to your feet. The toe box is generous but not overly so, and there's a decent amount of adjustment in the front Velcro strap to make sure you get a secure feel across the front of your feet.

The Boa IP1 closure system is a very effective way of getting an even spread of pressure over most of the upper, and it's extremely easy to get right with a simple ratchet system to tighten and release pressure in small increments. To remove the shoe, you pull the Boa dial outwards and it immediately gets rid of any tension in the system, so the shoe can be pulled off rapidly. Having always used traditional ratchet systems, I found the Boa dial a great improvement and it's something I'll be looking for in the future when it comes to picking shoes.

They're not the absolute lightest shoe on the market, but they're also no heavyweights, and the technology that Bontrager has managed to pack into them is reflected in the pricing. At £169.99 they're not a cheap option, but they are very attractive.

Verdict

Effectively priced and feature-packed shoe with lasting good looks