Trek’s RSL Knit Road Cycling shoes are an all-out race shoe designed to maximize power transfer and comfort. These are Trek’s top-of-the-line cycling with a sleek knit construction and Trek’s clever METNET relief zones. Retail price on the RSL Knit shoes is $499.99 which makes them the most expensive shoe out of Trek’s Velocis and RSL shoe lineup. What sets the RSL Knit shoes apart is the engineered performance knit upper that provides a sock-like fit with a stiff OCLV carbon fiber outsole. Trek also incorporates a dual BOA Li2 Dial Fit System with the Type-D anodized metal dials. The RSL Knit shoes also have Trek’s pro last and their METNET relief zones to optimize fit and comfort.
The Trek RSL Knit shoes combine the Trek’s stiffest OCLV carbon fiber sole with an engineered knit upper for optimal comfort and performance.
| Retail Price | $499.99 |
| Rating | 9.4 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 522 (EUR 44) |
| Likes | + Unique color scheme with eye catching gold and black + Sock-like fit with knit upper material + High performance yet comfortable fit for long rides |
| Dislikes | – High-end price with $500 price point – Thin and non-replaceable heel bumper does not protect painted outsole |
| Where to Buy (US) | Trek |
UNBOXING
The Trek RSL Knit Road Cycling shoes come in a sleek black cardboard box with reflective Trek logos on the exterior. Trek has added their “Ride Bikes | Have Fun | Feel Good” motto and graphics printed on the inside of the lid. Inside the box you’ll find:
- RSL Knit road cycling shoes
- Trek branded fabric bag
We’re happy to see Trek include a carrying bag for the shoes as it provides a great way to travel and store the shoes.
FIT AND FINISH
The Trek RSL Knit carbon road cycling shoes are Trek’s ultimate knit cycling shoes. Trek markets the shoes as defying convention as they maximize performance without sacrificing comfort through the use of knit upper and METNET relief zones. The shoes also have a unique appearance with a two layer upper that combines reinforced BOA Fit system webbing directly attached to the outsole with a soft engineered knit below it. To optimize performance the knit upper is composed of multiple zones with different elasticity and orientation. Trek offers the shoes in two color variations: white with gray accents and this stunning black with gold accent version we have in this review. It’s a polarizing design that combines a sleek black upper with anodized gold BOA dials and a gold outsole.
In person, the gold color is quite pale with subtle metallic flakes on the base that reflect the light. The black and gold color scheme is controversial and will stand out on the bike while the alternate white version helps the RSL Knit shoes blend in. The branding is also done in a matching gold color with METNET, RSL and TREK printed on the sides. On the heel of the shoes there is also a suede material that provides a subtle contrast to the black engineered knit material on the front portion of the shoes. Trek has optimized the performance of the knit upper by using a multi-zone design to allow for stretch only in certain directions and regions.
As far as the closure system, the Trek RSL Knit uses a dual BOA Li2 Fit System with the beautiful Type D metal dials. These are the top-of-the-line BOA Li2’s dials with anodized metal dials that make them pop against the black shoes. Each dial has micro-tightening and micro-loosening features which lets you fine tune the fit with quick clockwise or counterclockwise rotations of the dial while riding. What makes these shoes look so unique is how the lacing is set up with a top strap and two row bottom strap. Each of the dials are attached to reinforced material that is directly attached to the outsole. There is no traditional tongue here, instead the knit upper is a one piece design that fits like a glove with the two straps applying compression to hold the foot in place.
On the bottom of the shoes is the pale gold colored carbon outsole with integrated vents and cleat mounting surface. Unlike the Shimano S-PHYRE shoes or the Canyon Tempr shoes which conceal the outsole, the RSL Knit has a one piece exposed outsole. These are constructed from OCLV carbon fiber and have a full 14 out of 14 stiffness index on Trek’s scale. With the black and gold version we have here the entire outsole has an eye catching gold finish. It’s safe to say the finish won’t ever look as good as it looks out of the box as rocks and concrete will quickly scratch up the finish. This is aggravated by the fact that the non-replaceable heel pad is very short which means scratches on the rear of the outsole are inevitable.
Otherwise, the outsole has large vents on the front and rear to help air flow through the shoe. The Trek RSL Knit shoes are compatible with 3-bolt cleats like the Shimano SPD-SL or LOOK Keo and have non-adjustable mounting locations. Black markings help with cleat alignment as there is no Look Keo Memory Eyelet drilled into the outsole. Inside the Trek RSL Knit shoes are Rise bio-based insoles that replace traditional non-environmentally friendly EVA foam. The insoles have sleek gold Trek logos with a black and green mesh pattern. Perforations on the front of the insole align with the vent on the outsole and help pull air into the shoes. The insoles also have a nice deep profile around the heel and arch support for additional comfort.
RIDING IMPRESSIONS
Having ridden the rest of Trek’s cycling shoes including the standard RSL we were excited to get our hands on the RSL Knit variations. Where the Trek RSL shoes look a bit bland for their $450 price with only white or black offerings, the Trek RSL Knit look like they came from an entirely different brand. The knit inner structure wraps around your feet like socks with no pressure points or structure and felt great even with our wider feet. We were impressed with the fit of the shoes as the separate outer structures of the BOA dial apply uniform pressure to keep feet in place even on high-effort sprints. The RSL Knit shoes are also high ventilated thanks to the knit structure that allows air flow through it.
While it’s hard to say if the shoes really perform better than the standard RSL shoes, the knitted upper feels far more comfortable and unique on the bike. On longer rides the soft upper structure and METNET let your feet expand as needed to avoid soreness or pressure points even on longer rides. Our biggest concern with the shoes was the gold outsole which looks great but can be easy to damage by walking on uneven surfaces. After some careful miles, the shoes still look great and only have a few marks on the front section. The polarizing design is also more subdued on the bike where you can only see hints of the gold outsole.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Trek RSL Knit road cycling shoes to be beautiful and fast. Whether or not you like the gold or black color scheme, it’ll attract attention thanks to the anodized gold BOA dials and gold outsole. Trek has also utilized a unique multi-piece upper construction with a knit sock-like inner layer and external BOA dial support structures that apply even pressure to hold your feet in place. We were impressed with the comfort and ventilation of the shoes. The OCLV carbon fiber sole is also stiff with great arch support and stability for high-effort sprints. The main negatives for the RSL Knit shoes is the eye-watering price tag and the thin non-replaceable bumper which doesn’t protect the painted outsole. That said, if you’re looking for the ultimate knit shoes with unique color options and your budget allows it, then you can’t go wrong with the Trek RSL Knit.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Trek. 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.