In this Bontrager XXX shoe review I’ll explain why the XXX shoes are the best cycling race shoe on the market. We will cover sizing, price, and all the other variables that make up a great race shoe. Tighten your BOA dials because we are riding deep into cycling shoe details.
Speaking of BOA dials, the Bontrager XXX shoe has a double BOA system. This means you can set the tension of the bottom laces separate from the laces on top. There are several advantages to double BOA systems. First, they are less likely to cut off circulation to your toes. The blood vessels in your foot are on top and having laces too tight in certain places can cut off circulation. This will give you cold numb toes.
The second big advantage to double BOA systems is how much more comfortable they are. Being able to adjust the shoe from multiple points on your foot means you can dial in a precision fit. The same concept is true for snowboard boots. Once you’ve used double BOA you will never go back to laces. The BOA dials on these shoes are also the double directional kind. This means if you go too tight, simply spin the dial the other way to loosen a click or two.
Best Cycling Race Shoe
The best cycling race shoe must have a stiff and lightweight sole. Soles on race shoes are almost exclusively made from Carbon Fiber. The stiffer the sole the more efficient power transfer will be from body to your bike’s drivetrain. That increased efficiency when pedaling makes you ride farther and faster.
In addition to the sole, another important factor when choosing a shoe will be the overall weight. A lightweight sole is easily negated by extra padding in the shoe. A material like thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is lightweight, flexible, yet extremely strong. The XXX shoes weigh just 264 grams.
Finally, the best cycling race shoe will hold your heel in place. If your heel moves you will get blisters, chaffing, and your bike will be less responsive to your body movement. The Bontrager XXX shoes have a no slip material that locks your heel in place while adding extra comfort to the shoe.
Bontrager XXX Shoes: Are They True To Size?
Performance fit footwear will always run tight compared to comfort first footwear. The Bontrager XXX shoes run true to size, which will feel a little tight compared to a shoe like the Bontrager Circuit. I wear a US 10.5 men’s shoe, and my XXX race shoes are a 43.5 in European sizing which according to Bontrager is a 10.5 US. They fit perfectly when I tried them on.
Performance cycling shoes must fit like they are part of your body. Think of them like a second skin that comes tied-on to your pedals. This will make them more aerodynamic, and with the right material they will be more comfortable too. Even though the XXX shoes are made from TPU, a synthetic material, they still had a break-in period before they felt unnoticeable on my foot. Most synthetic materials don’t break-in, but the TPU used on these shoes gets softer with usage.
Bontrager XXX Shoe Price
No Bontrager XXX shoe review would be complete without talking about price, especially on an expensive shoe like this one. The Bontrager XXX shoes cost $419.99. A price that seems steep at first, but you must remember your shoes are one of only three contact points on the bike. They are extremely important for comfortable and efficient pedaling.
While the SPD option is best for mountain and gravel bikers, the XXX shoe with SPD-SL mounting is best for road cyclists. To read more on the various types of road bikes, read Road Bikes: Your Guide to the Fastest and Best.
The Bontrager XXX shoes are extremely well designed. The ventilation keeps your feet from getting too hot in the summer, yet they keep your toes warm on chilly winter rides. The type of comfort you get out of this shoe makes it well worth the price tag for any racing cyclist. Besides, the XXX shoes aren’t the most expensive shoe out there. Custom carbon fiber shoes are available for a several thousand dollar price tag. The most expensive pair of cycling shoes on Amazon is the Heroudsty Carbon Fiber Ultra Light Shoes at $690. (Check Them Out On Amazon Here)
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