SCOTT’s Supersonic collection was developed with one thing in mind – pure race speed. The collection includes a number of SCOTT’s top-of-the-line bikes and accessories. In this review, we’ll be looking at Road RC SL Supersonic edition road cycling shoes which take the minimalist Road RC SL shoes and add the limited edition Supersonic color scheme. Although the shoes have a premium $499.95 retail price, SCOTT has put in quite a bit of tech and performance into the shoes. Built on a HMX carbon sole, the Road RC SL’s feature SCOTT’s highest stiffness index of 10 to maximize performance. To keep weight low, the upper is constructed of Carbitex carbon fiber fabric and 3D air mesh. It’s a unique design that takes advantage of carbon fiber’s impressive strength to reinforce the closures while still providing comfort and ventilation. A dual zone BOA IP-1 closure system provides micro adjustments to dial in the fit and prevent any hot spots.
The SCOTT Road RC SL Supersonic shoes are high-performance cycling shoes with a stiff carbon fiber sole, Carbitex carbon fiber uppers and unique gradient color scheme.
| Rating | Design: A Closures: A Comfort: A Value: B+ |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 536 (EUR 44) |
| Retail Price | $499.95 |
| Likes | + Lightweight construction + Unique Supersonic color scheme looks fast standing still + Impressive power transfer with stiff sole and Carbitex uppers |
| Dislikes | – Premium price – Non-replaceable heel and toe pads – Lacks the latest BOA Li2 dials or a heat moldable sole |
| Where to Buy (US) | SCOTT |
UNBOXING
SCOTT packs the shoes in a simple cardboard shoe box with SCOTT logos printed on it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Road RC SL Shoes
- SCOTT branded storage bag
- Waterproofing mid-sole stickers
These are the first cycling shoes we’ve seen with the waterproofing stickers which are meant to waterproof the cleat attachment zone inside the shoe. To apply them you simply remove the insole, attach the sticker and place the insole back in.
FIT & FINISH
As a part of the Supersonic collection, the shoes feature a limited edition distinctive purple to violet gradient color scheme. This design not only gives the shoes the illusion of speed but makes them stand out compared to the typical white and black shoes on the market. SCOTT has even gone the extra mile and incorporated the color scheme onto the carbon fiber sole rather than leaving them black or having an exposed weave. Branding is limited to reflective SCOTT logos on the toe and heel cup. Visually, the shoes have three distinct zones: the reinforced toe, the Carbitex carbon fiber centers, and the glossy purple heel cup.
Although the Road RC SL shoes have a more conventional tongue and lacing pattern, it has some unique features. The most obvious is the Carbitex CX6 upper material which is a flexible carbon fiber textile. It’s an impressive product that combines the high strength and low weight of carbon fiber into a pliable textile form. What makes the Carbitex CX6 so well suited for cycling shoes is that it offers one of the highest tensile strengths available in commercial textile, weighs less, and no stretch under load. This allows the Road RC SL shoes to be exceptionally lightweight and provide a precise fit for sprinting or all-day rides.
In terms of the sole, the Road RC SL shoes utilize Scott’s HMX carbon fiber soles. With a full length design, the soles are one of Scott’s stiffness road insoles and utilize a proprietary high-modulus carbon fiber blend reserved for their premium products. The soles have a standard 3-bolt cleat compatibility with fore and aft adjustment. Helpful angle and positional markings on the sole help ensure you place your cleats consistently. There is also a large nylon mesh at the font of the shoe that funnels air into the toe box while heel and toe pads improve the walkability of the shoes. The heel and toe pads do not appear to be replaceable which is a bit surprising at this price point as they can wear down with heavy use.
CLOSURES
SCOTT has utilized a dual IP-1 BOA dial closure system with a front facing lacing pattern across the tongue. This is a dual-zone design as the upper dial controls the top ankle fit while the bottom dial allows for fine tuning of the toebox tension. The IP-1 BOA dials should be familiar to most cyclists and offer 1 mm micro adjustments in both directions as well as a full release when pulled out. It’s a well thought out design that makes it easy to fine-tune the fit and tweak while riding. The Road RC SL shoes are starting to show their age as the newer shoes such as the Shimano RC9 utilize the sleeker BOA Li2 dials. The Road RC SL shoes are also one of the easiest shoes to put on and take off as the opening is wide and unobstructed.
COMFORT
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Road RC SL shoes are exceptionally stiff and comfortable on the road. The light weight upper material provides a secure fit and very good ventilation through the airmesh material, perforated tongue and vented sole. We found the shoes comfortable to wear even on hot California summer days with the dual BOA dials providing fine-tuned adjustments. Even though the Road RC SLs lack heat moldable soles like the Bont Cycling Vaypor shoes, the adjustable Ergologic insoles had a custom-like fit right out of the box. The stiff soles and Carbitex upper provide a stable and responsive feeling that makes you quickly forget you’re wearing shoes. We felt like the shoe sizing ran a little larger compared to the same size EUR 44 Shimano or Bont shoes and had a wide and roomy toe box so we’d recommend sizing down a half-size or trying before buying.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the SCOTT Road RC SL to be lightweight and high performance cycling shoes. The combination of the stiff HMX carbon fiber sole and Carbitex carbon fiber upper material means the Road RC SL shoes are one of the lightest and responsive shoes we’ve tried. We also found the Supersonic color scheme beautiful to look at with its front to rear violet to purple gradient. One of the biggest downsides to the shoes is the steep price, at $500, the Road RC SL shoes cost more than Shimano or Bont’s top shoes and are priced close to semi-custom options.. Aside from the price, the Road RC SL shoes have the premium appearance and performance that would satisfy even the most demanding cyclists.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Carbitex. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.