Specialized Women’s Torch 2.0 Road shoes review

Specialized’s Women's Torch 2.0 Road shoes sit in the middle of the Torch range of cycling shoes and have been designed to offer performance, but not at the expense of comfort.

The construction is a mix of 100 percent mesh and TPU, which Specialized says allows for more space in the toe box and a less constrictive feel. The shoes are also available in black and green, but I tested the all-white version in a size UK 4.75 / Euro 38.

The shoes have a carbon sole with a rubber heel and toe, and measure 7.0 on the Stiffness Index — compared to 6.0 for the 1.0 Torch and 8.5 on the higher-end 3.0 Women’s Torch.

• Women's bike size guide
• Women's road bike buyer's guide: comprehensive advice to help you find the perfect bike

Specialized’s Women's Torch 2.0 Road shoes fit

The Boa dial and Velcro strap are easy to adjust while you’re out and about and provide a secure fit. I experienced no slippage in the heel on or off the bike. The shoes were also just the right stiffness for everyday riding.

I found the connection to the pedals that they provided led to efficient pedalling and a confident connection to the road, but the extra wiggle room in the toe box was too much for my foot shape.

The right shoe felt secure and comfortable, but the left foot had noticeable space around the toes, which forced me to shift the foot around to try to find the optimum position.

This was more noticeable when clipped in on my indoor training bike in a stationary position than out on the road, and made me consider whether I’d chosen the correct size.

I checked cleat position, thinking that perhaps this wasn’t set up correctly, but it was just that the fit was not as secure as on the right foot.

So I decided to visit my local Specialized store to check if I was wearing the correct shoe size, which I was, and, after trying some off-the-shelf solutions, got fitted with some custom Retül footbeds. These cost £105 in the UK and take approximately 30 minutes to fit.

The custom footbed, as you’d expect, are super comfortable and have definitely made a difference. There is still a small amount of space in my left shoe, but they feel like comfy slippers now, still with a little space for toes to breathe.

Although I found the performance of these shoes and the comfort in general to be good, they were just a little wide for my feet. The extra space that the shoes offer is something that will suit some more than others, so they might not be ideal if you prefer a more snug fit, like me.

Overall, the Torch 2.0 Road is a great shoe that will suit riders with wider feet.