Today Specialized launches the S-Works Torch Remco in an attempt to make the ultimate lightweight shoe. Be prepared though, there’s no expense spared along the way,
Now certainly Specialized knows about making expensive shoes. We included the S-Works Ares 2 in the Velo Buyer’s Guide: The Best Cycling Shoes of 2025 but moved it from the number one slot because of the price. The S-Works Torch Remco is even more expensive at $700.
According to Specialized, “the price reflects the unparalleled innovation, extensive R&D, and rigorous World Tour testing that went into developing this shoe—pushing performance, fit, and Body Geometry technology beyond anything we’ve ever created.” This shoe is also more of a special edition rather than a replacement for a staple shoe. The S-Works Torch Remco doesn’t replace the standard S-Works Torch and it takes everything to the extreme. I’d call it a homologation special.
The S-Works Torch Remco is seriously light
Specialized claims that the shoe was “the S-Works Torch Remco is the lightest shoe in the pro peloton at a stunning 148.2g.” The brand also explains that the development cycle was only 8-months working hand in hand with Remco and points out that “Yeah, we count grams to the tenth. Yeah, we know it’s a little obsessive. But that’s how we engineered this shoe with Remco to be 3 grams lighter (in size 41) than its closest competitor.” I weighed my copy at 175 grams for a size 44.
To get that weight, Specialized looked at every detail. From a top level, that looks like “a simplified upper, a smaller carbon plate, a nylon-injected heel counter and toe cap, and a single Boa Li2 Dial.” In reality the biggest noticeable difference is the upper construction.
For the S-Works Torch Remco the team ditched everything possible and came up with a whole new design. There’s no bulk and instead a single layer of mesh and TPU make up what you see. It’s incredibly thin and yet the TPU is also far from fragile. The design saves 39.81 grams.
Of course lightweight and a new upper also mean a new closure system. According to Specialized, “the team explored several closure systems with the goal of remaining lightweight while holding the foot in place for immediate power transfer. Utilizing a single BOA Li2 Dial and a wider closure strap at the midfoot shaved off another 11.29 grams.”
That forefoot closure strap also provides a nice pop of orange that Specialized says has a story. At first it was part of the prototype because that’s what the team had. Then it stayed because it was a “nod to the time, effort, and talent that went into creating a shoe worthy of the Tour.” It probably doesn’t hurt that it looks great too.
With the upper 51.1 grams lighter, Specialized looked to the outsole. The story goes that carbon was actually too heavy. Or you could say that Specialized had already optimized the carbon outsole found on the S-Works Torch and had to get radical to go further. Either way, less material is lighter and Specialized “reduced the size of the carbon plate and integrated an injected nylon toe cap, heel counter, and added structural support around the carbon plate.” The new design saves 14 grams.
The final piece of the puzzle was the heel counter. The heel counter might not be something you’ve thought a ton about but it’s there to stabilize the heel. In the Specialized S-Works Ares 2 it comes nearly to the top of the heel of the shoe. For the S-Works Torch Remco Specialized dropped the height as low as possible and paired it with molded shaping of the mesh and foam that makes up the rear of the shoe. This was good for 65.1 grams.
Stiffness didn’t suffer
Todd Carver, Human Performance Manager at Specialized says that “Most cycling shoes on the market are overbuilt when it comes to stiffness, adding unnecessary weight without improving performance.”
So the story is that the team went searching for a balance. How much carbon was possible to remove before it compromised feel and efficiency? That was the question and it took “sprint tests, load-bearing flex experiments, and real-world rides with elite cyclists, including 2,000-watt track sprinters and 2021 & 2023 National Crit Champion Charon Smith” to answer it.
Beyond that, Specialized doesn’t share any specifics. There’s less material and it shouldn’t be noticeable.
The difference between the S-Works Torch Remco and Ares 2
With two high-dollar shoes in the brand portfolio how does a consumer choose? Specialized was detailed in the response.
The S-Works Ares 2 and S-Works Torch Remco are purpose-built race shoes for the demands of modern road racing. S-Works Ares 2 is tuned for explosive sprint finishes while S-Works Torch Remco is designed for relentless climbing. Both are built on our Body Geometry platform to boost power, enhance comfort, and reduce injury risk to deliver performance where it matters most.
S-Works Ares 2
S-Works Ares 2 is our most secure and efficient shoe yet, already trusted by nearly 50% of World Tour riders. It was the first to debut our Body Geometry Last, reducing forefoot pressure by 44% for greater comfort during hard efforts.
A patented closure with dual BOA® dials and strategically placed laces boosts contact area by 20%, delivering a locked-in fit without pressure points. A conforming upper and enlarged, symmetrical heel counter eliminates heel lift under max efforts. The carbon outsole is tuned for explosive power in the final 300 meters, making it the top choice for sprinters like Tim Merlier who need every advantage to cross the line first.
S-Works Torch Remco
S-Works Torch Remco was built for long, sustained climbs and at just 148.2g (size 41), it’s the lightest shoe in the peloton. Developed exclusively with Remco Evenepoel, it’s designed for riders who want to shed weight without sacrificing comfort or power transfer in the mountains. Featuring the Body Geometry Last, it reduces forefoot pressure by 44% and delivers maximum efficiency for serious climbers.
Engineered with the philosophy of ‘everything you need, and nothing that you don’t’, the S-Works Torch Remco features a smaller, lightweight carbon outsole shaped by six years of stiffness research, optimized specifically for Remco’s power output on uphill efforts. A nylon injected toe cap and heel counter maintain critical foothold and control on steep gradients, all without adding unnecessary grams. A simplified upper with a single BOA® Li2 dial and a low-profile symmetrical heel cup ensure stability during uphill efforts.
First ride review
I’ve ridden with this shoe but I’m not ready to share a full review. Fit feels roughly the same as the Ares 2 with plenty of room in the toe box. I also found Specialized was right on the money with the description of the outsole and stiffness. At no point during my testing did I notice any flex or discomfort from the outsole. That nylon toe might not hold up though, after a 100 mile ride it’s looking pretty scuffed from the push that gets you rolling after a stop.
What’s different is that there’s very little structure to the upper, especially in the toe box area. In contrast my favorite shoes, the Ares 2, have a ton of structure in that spot. For me personally I wasn’t a fan of the loss. My foot moved around a lot more and my toe felt like it was often in contact with the upper.
It’s possible I can fix this with the closure system. Like the outsole, I find this design a very successful minimization effort. There’s no hotspots and the two straps are incredibly comfortable. I could potentially cranks down the two adjustment points and minimize movement but I run the risk of creating hotspots that don’t otherwise exist.
Given that I find the Specialized insoles invaluable in other shoes, even from other brands, I have reached out for recommendations from Specialized.
What I can tell for sure is that it feels amazing to ride with shoes this light. Your feet move a lot on a bike so minimizing that weight is noticeable. If I can dial in the right balance of reduced movement these could turn into a favorite.
Pricing and availability
The S-Works Torch Remco is available today at the Specialized website with pricing set at $700 / €599 / £549 / $800 AUD.
For more information and purchase visit Specialized.com