Trek’s new shoes aim to solve comfort problem through Metnet technology

Cycling products are invariably designed for performance, but that often comes with a sacrifice. In the realms of footwear that sacrifice has traditionally been comfort but Trek has attempted to address this through its new range of shoes which all feature Metnet technology.

The American brand has added three new shoes to its line-up, the RSL Knit, RSL Road and Velocis, which all interestingly omit Bontrager from their name. It’s something Trek has been doing for a number of products over recent years, including its latest helmets, which have also lost the Bontrager moniker - Bontrager being Trek's in-house accessories and components brand.

Both the RSL Knit - the brand’s first knitted shoe - and the RSL Road will sit as the range-topping models in Trek’s line-up of shoes, hence the RSL name which denotes the most premium products across its range of accessories and components. The Velocis provides a more budget-friendly option, although it’ll still set any prospective buyers back $249.99 / £229.99.

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Metnet technology: Trek’s comfort solution

Each of the new models is headlined by Metnet technology, something that allows a rider “to put down power without sacrificing comfort”, according to Trek.

Traditionally delivering a high-performing shoe has meant making it as stiff and tight-fitting as possible to maximise power transfer. This stiffness is delivered by a hardened shell but that isn’t the best formula for comfort, especially when a shoe is tight-fitting, as feet are squidgy with protruding bones that tend to rub up against unforgiving materials.

© Trek

Metnet technology introduces perforations to create flex in the material

Metnet attempts to address this problem by introducing perforations into the material that gives it extra flex and the ability to conform to a rider’s foot. This isn't done randomly and Trek says that these perforations target three areas that they’ve identified as pressure points: the head of the first and fifth metatarsals, plus the fifth metatarsal tuberosity, which is essentially the bony part on the outside of your foot half-way up.

It essentially allows Trek to still provide tight-fitting shoes, that “fit like a glove” in its own words, while still providing flex in the needed areas. The technology looks slightly different on each of the shoes but serves the same purpose for each.

Trek RSL Knit

We spotted Lidl-Trek's Jacopo Mosca using the shoes before they were released at the Tour Down Under in January and speculated that the perforations along the outside and inside of the foot, on the aforementioned metatarsal areas, were for breathability.

© Trek

We spotted Lidl-Trek riders using the RSL Knit shoes prior to their release at the Tour Down Under

While we now know it’s Metnet technology, they do also serve a breathability purpose and Trek says that the shoes are “unbelievably breathable”, something that is also delivered through the knitted construction.

It’s the first time Trek has veered from more traditional methods to create a knitted shoe. According to Trek, it's designed with “variable densities”, with the whole package tailored towards the performance and comfort formula.

The carbon sole has a claimed 14/14 stiffness index rating, adding to those performance credentials. Fastening is taken care of by Boa Li2 dials. These allow the tension to be adjusted in both directions and have become the default option on many top-range shoes.

• Read more: Lidl-Trek rider spotted using unreleased Bontrager shoes at Tour Down Under

Trek RSL Road

© Trek

The Trek RSL Road shoes will also be used by Lidl-Trek riders

While Trek has veered from its regular path for the knitted shoe, it has followed a more familiar design process for the RSL Road with its two-piece construction.

The Metnet perforations are easily identifiable by their distinguished three-leaf-clover-like shape, compared to the regular circular holes that are used for ventilation - they’re also positioned in the same high-pressure areas.

It has stepped in to replace the Bontrager XXX shoes and bears many of the same hallmarks, including the TPU synthetic upper and a carbon sole, as well as the heel brace.

It has the same carbon sole that’s used in the knitted shoes, once again providing a 14/14 stiffness rating, while the Boa Li2 dials also make the transition across.

Trek Velocis

© Trek

The Trek Velcois are the cheapest option but still feature Metnet technology

While the Velocis is the cheapest and most budget-friendly model, it’s still ultimately geared towards performance.

Like the RSL Road, it has a traditional two-piece construction with a synthetic PU upper instead of TPU. A slightly less stiff carbon and fibreglass sole offers a 10/14 stiffness rating.

The same Metnet perforations make an appearance once again, as do ventilation holes along the tongue and top of the toes. They’re joined by two vents in the sole of the shoe.

Completing a clean sweep, Boa Li2 dials make their third appearance.

Trek shoe pricing

All three shoes are available in sizes 36-48, including half sizes between 38-46. The RSL Knit shoes are available in either black/gold or white/silver, for the RSL Road there is a choice of black or white, while the Velocis has either black, red or white.

• Trek RSL Knit: $499.99 / £399.99
• Trek RSL Road: $449.99 / £349.99
• Trek Velocis: $249.99 / £229.99

Explore the full range of shoes on Trek's website.