Has Specialized Made The Best Shoes Ever? NEW S-Works Torch Review 

I love my S-Works, but their footbeds are less than amazing. For the shoe price, they should just include all three or let you pick the one that works for you. If I'm going to spend money on a better footbed, I will get something like a G8 which gives me perfect adjustability.

I bought the base model Torch 1.0(black) in a size up 47 for Winter riding. With it's the wider toe box I'm able to wear heavier wool socks and not crimp my toes. The comfort of this new design is incredible.

Great review. Love my S7 Team. I have narrow heels so maybe this is not for me but will still give it a try when available.

I have found the new SW Torch to be about the most comfortable road shoe I've ever tried. Love the wide toebox and the stiff sole really transfers power.

For my part, I wear the Spec Torch 3.0 for 3 years now, and pretty happy with them. Comfortable without being loose: good fit for my feet (which are on the narrow side) and sufficient space to wiggle my toes. Transfer power very good, and it has been proven scientifically that super rigid high end bike shoes are not better than mid-range when it comes to power transfer… So if I had to replace my shoes, would I consider those new sworks torch? Maybe, but the price tag is very dissuasive for me…

I’m sure that they’re fantastic shoes but I can’t be the only one thinking £385 for a pair of cycling shoes is a big ask.

Excellent David, one of my favourite topics - LIGHT WHEELS. 2 videos on the topic within a week. The 48kmph wind tunnel testing is as aspirational as the price 😎

Nice slippers David. I do like my S-Works Recon’s. They just seem to do everything really well.

Well, being 67 I have had lots of cycling shoes, some great and some not so much. I have a fused right ankle , and about 12 months ago went for a bike fit for my new bike to a guy who is also a cycling podiatrist as I was getting hot spots with my new shoes after a couple of hours. Ended up with custom orthotics with Lake 241’s, and could not believe how comfortable these shoes were. Seriously thought about getting another pair to wear as slippers around the house :). I guess the thing is you have to get a shoe, with or without inserts that fit your feet .

Really love the shoes. One of the things I've always struggled with is my size 50 shoe size. Sadly, I'm often excluded from the higher-end range of cycling shoes on offer.

The metatarsal support is easy enough to add to any insole. For example, a sticky backed piece of cork like say for the bottoms of furniture feet works. The material is sold in sheets so one can cut their own shape to use etc. You can also buy metatarsal pads on their own. But if doing it the way I am suggesting allows one to change the thickness easily and dial in the right amount of upward support of the foot.

Well one thing I’m glad about is them removing the toe flap… I never understood the purpose of that thing, but clearly, removing it cost a lot since the price went up… 😜😆🍻

Ordered a pair from my LBS a few days ago. Really looking forward to an upgrade from my 8ish year old Sworks shoes

Love a proper white shoe without a lot of branding! Great review

The insoles should come with the $450 Torch shoes, come on!

Interesting, especially the new sole. I’ll give it a try. But Insane they are $450 USD now. Also, I can tell the joy when you’re using the S3 dial. I have the same feeling as well. It’ll never fail you.

Is there room in the mid foot area to allow flex in the outer material?

Just gave an order after your video :)

For this much money you should consider Bont or Lake shoes. Real leather, heat moldable customization, and replaceable heel

Better design, looks better without the strap, lighter and the BOA system has all the key points. Very good review. However no white shoes for me, so weird and the price is above my price range but will appeal for those who dont care about the budget. Thanks again

Arthur how easy is it to clean the white shoe?

Had issues with the tongue on my Sworks she before this model. It was digging in my ankle when properly strapped. I wonder if this has the same issue,

Heat moldable? Nearly $800 for these shoes in New Zealand. I am still using some Shimano R300 shoes from way back,about $280 at the time which seemed a lot. Have been heated a few times as my feet change,especially the right foot. Need to find a replacement.

just bought these in the deep blue colour. This video is making me think i made the right choice in buying them

Wish they made them in the same width as the 7, I'ts perfect for my feet. I think I'm gonna have to buy a extra pair to have when mine needs replacing.

best reviewer out there!

Is the wide version again black only?

Love these, means the 7’s are in the sales.

Good detailed review David. The Specialized varus system on their shoes is simply wrong though. It’s a corrective method that is not needed. Any good/top bike fitter will be hard at work correcting this correction that Specialized fit to their shoes as standard. Or simply say to the customer take them back and get another makers shoes. Often Lake. And for that money they should be including the correct shape insole and not offering a version thats good for the bin and expecting you to pay for “top of the range” insole that you actually need. It’s a good looking shoe for sure.

I like my S-Works 7 shoes a lot. Except of the insole coming on the shoe. Its a cheap crap insole. The special insoles you also showed in your video are fantastic. Specialized should include a better standard insole with 3 different arch supports like Giro does. Therefore I do prefer Giro shoes, like the Imperial.

How wide are these though - could they be considered wide-fit?

Mannnn got the feels bad bought the the bont vapor s last year before they rereleased it and tbh not loving them I do love the build of of the carbon around the foot bed but when done up hot spots on one foot and the other one I get blisters on my toes 🫣💸 very tempted to try ‘em hopefully with a 30 day return policy

I got so excited when I heard about the wide versions, contacted Specialized and they aren’t making the wide version in white… are they mad?!

Bugger - just bought the S Works 7 one week ago. Really like the security and support at the heel, but agree that the upper material is pretty stiff and a little uncomfortable. Hoping they’ll break in soon. 🤞

Tried the torch 3.0 a while ago. Do regular people really have such narrow feet?

This was very helpful as I know I have "flat" feet from my days of playing college basketball. I've been wearing orthotics since 1997 in my sneakers and dress shoes. I tend to suffer from tingleness in the upper part of my foot to my toes when I ride. I often find myself wiggling my toes. I imagine that one of these inserts would be helpful. I just bought the SWORKS ARES and Torch 2.0. My next bike fit is tomorrow (6/9) so I will bring this up to my specialist. I'm just curious which color would be more suitable.

Have had two editions of the SWorks, the last being the SW5. Fab heal but the narrowness of the front font caused unbearable pressure on very long rides. Tried the SW6 as they made a great thing about increased forefoot volume but they change the heal design to one that seemed only to cut into your ankle, so moved onto Lake. Not perfect but a forefoot designed for people with 5 toes. I fail to see why Specialized, with all it's research, athletes and money should have failed to consistently design shoes for people who only seekm to have 4 toes, or who have longer shoes to get more volume. I kinda lost faith in them. Still love the SW5 for shorter rides.

beautiful shoes

Have not tried any Specialized shoes, but I can say LAKE make som incredible shoes. Their 403 shoe is with no comparison IMO the best cycling shoe! Custom fit carbon, kangaroo leather, several insole choices, B.O.A lacing, replaceable heal/toe caps etc... Had mine for ten years now, excellent quality. But they are VERY pricy at 550$.

Will these come in a wide version like the 7 used too?

Anyone knows stack height of these shoes?

I heard the opinion that due to the less prominent heel cup it performs much worse when it comes to holding the heel at strong accelerations (much worse than the Pid Lock in S-works 6 and 7). What do You think?

I have also reviewed these (I paid for mine....). Good shoes, with some small improvements over the 7, but I don't agree that they're life changing and like slippers. They're just cycling shoes, albeit decent ones, they won't turn you into Peter Sagan.

I've tried quite a few shoes, cheap, expensive, light, fairly heavy and soles super rigid to supple. In the end I've gone back to SIDI wires only because I find them to be very rigid and the dials are strong albeit the shoes aren't the lightest. Ive had suplest and they are great quality too just less availability in my country. I tried the Shimano but found the upper a bit too flexy but light and stiff. I've tried the generic Chinese shoes and you're spending big money to get the quality otherwise very average shoes. Never tried sworks maybe in the future.

How does it compare to Bont Vapor S which are stiff but comfortable as well

These look futuristic.

Do they dig into the front of your ankles like the S7s did?

This looks like the first time a manufacturer has figured out it doesn't make sense to squeeze your toes together. There's no point in it. All you need to do is hold the foot into the heel which means, wrap the foot, behind the toes so it can't slide forward and then keep the pressure off that hot spot on top of your foot. Now, as soon as they figure out that ankle bones aren't symmetrical - the inside bone is up and higher than outside bone - and cut the heal collar to accommodate that so maybe next time.

These are SO Much more comfortable and supportive than the S-Works 7!

Wish I hadn't seen this. I've just bought a brand new pair of Fizik Vento's.

Love my Bonts 👍

Specialized dreamin again!

I am a Specialized guy. But i prefer Sidi. I just got the Sidi Sixty and LOVE them over the Torch.

Spent 420 euro on Sworks Ares last year and they started falling apart after two months. Specialized said “I was using them wrong” and refused to warranty. I will never touch any Specialized products ever again. Over hyped mega-priced junk with a half decent paint job - from frames to shoes, they apply the same principles I see.

I'll stick with my Shimano S-phyre .. so far so good!

My absolute favourite Body Geometry item is a relatively inexpensive one that has become nearly impossible to get hold of: the BG Grail mitts. The ones with a single pad in the middle of the hand. It seems counterintuitive, but they are uniquely comfortable

Sidi all the way much better for the planet (everything is replaceable), still made in Italy for some of their higher end models (the other non Italy models are still hand inspected in Italy.

I find my sworks 7 shoes uncomfortable. I like my giro empire slx lace ups

NB not everyone needs a Varus wedge in their cycling shoe, fact.

This year I have to retire my first sworks shoes-the 2012 sworks,they stil in good condition,but the button is broken.I am a Chinese,out asian foot,the front part is extreme wide.So we have to buy the wide version of shoes in the market.Over 10 years,only specialized,bont,lake,these 3 brands are kindly to our shoes.In January 2022，I bought a pair of shimano 902 wide version，but they are too tight for me，this torch is wide enough for me.10 years ago,my first Sworks shoes is nearly $300,but today torch sworks is nearly $500,it is too expensive for riders!

The key re: Body Geometry is the reduced likelihood of strain.

and why I will stick to my Lakes? Very simple Spec, Sidi and other fail to secure the most forward area - and that slop makes a huge difference in pedal efficiency

David - you have the ultimate shoes, that crazy 3D printed saddle… next review … ultimate bar tape? All the contact points covered.

At this price point , I really need a replaceable heel

When I seen the Giant bike, I knew I had to take your opinion with a grain of salt.

I've seen enough Specialized products to know that under the flash there's plenty of corners cut in production. Nice looking but definitely don't look like something that will last till next year.

Nice one David, keeping up the cycling dentist channel reviews. A pair of shoes that cost as much as a bike. When will people just stop buying this stuff. Brands are taking the piss.

So is this essentially the S-Works 8?

I bet they are great if your foot it shaped like a pointy, skinny pencil, which mine are not.

To be fair at that pricepoint you should get a propper footbed and not a flimsy insole

I have three pairs of cycling shoes and guess which ones are my favourites and most comfortable? Yup, the cheapest ones. £385 for shoes….. that’s just mad. “work in any situation”? They’re shoes, you wear them on your feet and you pedal a bike. These must be for rich doctors.

I love Specialized shoes and I love these and bought a pair (yet to arrive), but they failed by not providing more scuff protection for the front area of the carbon sole.

Sorry to say but from an orthopedic sight as well as an sport medical sight the non personally fitted aftermarket insoles are just a dumb way to go, easy to be argued soles should always be fitted to your personally needs and not a generous retül costumer... 🙈 Go with winsoles or other ortpedic costume made ones for cycling and try the lake cycling shoes, those are a way to get some quality for your money

The ASMR starts @14:00

Where wide length that I can compare with my toe

Sidi is the best

The S-Works 7 are the most horrible shoes I ever wore cycling. I am 57 years old and have been cycling since childhood. The shoes started coming apart after the first ride. Not what one expects from a $500US product. Specialized replaced them, however they soon became my least favorite cycling shoes. Glad someone likes them. But for me they just did not make the grade.

Finally no more velcros

£370 lol I'll have two pairs🤣

These shoes cost more than my bike 😬

I would destroy these crisp white shoes with dirt and mud in the first two minutes!

The price is just ... a big no no thank you very much.

Booo wide fit only in black

Simply don’t fit me. Same with shimano… reg or wide. 😢

So pretty much they just copied bont

Are you being paid by Specialized ?? It is all positive, no buts….

Made in China ?

Too bad they don't make wide range. So much for body geometry 😪

Arch-support rip-off.