S-Works Torch
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The S-Works Torch is the most comfortable road cycling shoe most reviewers have ever worn, built wider and smarter than the S-Works 7 it replaces — but it's a divisive fit for narrow feet, and the $450 price demands a try-before-you-buy.
- Width redesign: The last is 4–8mm wider than the S-Works 7, derived from 110,000 Retül foot scans, making this a ground-up new shoe rather than a minor update (Velo, road.cc, CyclingTips).
- Comfort consensus: Cycling Weekly's long-term tester called it the most comfortable shoe he's ever worn after a year of use; Cyclingnews scored comfort 10/10 — but both outlets also include secondary testers who found the toe box and heel cup a tad too roomy.
- BOA dial trade-off: Twin BOA S3-Snap dials earn consistent praise for security, but multiple reviewers — including road.cc and CyclingNews — flag the lack of a pull-to-release function as a step behind competitors like the Shimano S-Phyre RC903's Li2 dials.
- Durability caveat: One long-term YouTuber frames the shoe as an "F1 car" — exceptional performance, but upper wear shows faster than his benchmark Sidi Shot 2s.
- Insole frustration: The Body Geometry insoles shown on the packaging are sold separately at $39.90 — flagged as a genuine source of confusion by RoadBikeRider and Specialized's own customer reviews.
Skip if: your feet run narrow or low-volume — secondary testers at Cycling Weekly, In The Know Cycling, and CyclingTips all noted the wider last creates unwanted heel slop or toe box looseness for slimmer feet.
- value · price
Is the S-Works Torch actually worth $450, or is the cheaper Torch 2.0 good enough?
Reviewers say the Torch 2.0 is 'nearly indistinguishable on the bike' from the S-Works, but the S-Works gets you a lighter carbon sole (~220g vs ~268g per shoe), superior upper materials, dual BOA S3 dials vs. one BOA + Velcro, and a more anatomical last. If pure on-bike performance is the goal and budget allows, the S-Works is justified; for most recreational riders the Torch 2.0 delivers ~90% of the experience at less than half the price.
- fit · sizing
How does the S-Works Torch fit — is it wide, narrow, or true to size?
The standard Torch runs 4mm wider at the forefoot than the outgoing S-Works 7, making it one of the widest dual-BOA performance shoes available. It is generally true to size, though riders who previously sized up in the S-Works 7 for forefoot volume should try their true size first. A 'wide' option adds another 3–4mm. Heel fit divides reviewers: some find it perfectly snug, others (especially narrower-heeled riders) report too much side-to-side movement.
- performance
How stiff is the sole and how good is power transfer?
The S-Works Torch carries Specialized's maximum stiffness index of 15 — unchanged from the S-Works 7 — with an I-Beam carbon sole that multiple reviewers describe as 'violently stiff' and comparable to Bont. Every watt goes to the pedals with no noticeable flex, and the shoe is used at WorldTour level (Mark Cavendish wore it to win a 2022 Giro stage).
- known issues
What are the known issues or complaints about the S-Works Torch?
Four recurring issues across reviews: (1) The BOA S3-Snap dials lack a pull-to-release function — you must unwind them fully to exit, unlike the Li2 dials on competitors. (2) The stock insoles are cosmetic/thin and most reviewers recommend buying Specialized's Body Geometry insoles separately (~$40). (3) The toe area has minimal tread and scuffs/wears faster than expected for a $450 shoe. (4) Riders with narrow heels may experience lateral heel movement and potential blistering. 10
- vs. competitors
How does the S-Works Torch compare to the Shimano S-Phyre RC903 at a similar price?
The RC903 is stiffer in independent deflection tests (1.4mm flex, vs. Specialized's claimed stiffness-index 15 equivalence) and uses BOA Li2 dials that fully release with one pull, which the Torch lacks. The Torch wins on forefoot width and out-of-the-box comfort for wider feet; the RC903 is narrower throughout and better for riders needing extreme cleat setback. At roughly the same US price (~$450), the choice comes down to fit profile and dial preference.
- durability
How durable is the S-Works Torch after thousands of kilometers?
Reviewers disagree slightly: one YouTuber logged 8,000km with the upper still 'shiny white' (just needs a baby wipe), while another calls it an 'F1 car — fast and light but not durable,' noting scratches and a matte finish that shows wear. The toe area is the most vulnerable spot — minimal sole tread means scuffing. One reviewer also noted the S-Works 7's tongue failed where BOA wires cut through, and says the Torch has addressed this with better materials and a fabric guide channel.
- use case
Is the S-Works Torch a good shoe for cold or wet weather riding?
No — it's primarily a warm-weather performance shoe. The toe box has no perforations on the front, which does keep toes warmer than expected in cool conditions, and one reviewer used electrical tape over the underfoot vent for rides near 0°C with Merino socks successfully. However, the shoes are slow to dry when wet and most reviewers switch to warmer footwear once temperatures drop.
- components
What do the BOA S3 dials actually feel like to use, and is the lack of quick-release a real problem?
The S3-Snap dials offer precise 1mm micro-adjustment in both directions and feel smooth in use, but they require fully unwinding (4–5 turns on the top dial) to exit the shoe — there's no one-pull release like the Li2 or IP1 dials on Shimano and others. Most long-term reviewers call it a minor inconvenience rather than a dealbreaker, but riders who frequently clip in and out quickly (triathletes, criterium racers) may find it frustrating. 10
What reviewers actually said
Nearly indistinguishable on the bike from our best overall, the S-Works Torch, the trickle-down tech and fit make the Torch 2.0 excellent value.
Overall, we found the S-Works Torch to be a very comfortable pair of high-performance cycling shoes. The outsole is as stiff and the power transfer is as good as any previous S-Works or other models we've ridden.
The forefoot area is now 4 mm wider than it was before. That extra room allows your feet to spread out like they naturally want to do, supposedly for better blood flow, better performance, and more comfort in general.
The new carbon plate is 20g lighter than its predecessor, featuring what Specialized calls internal I-Beam reinforcement in the midfoot.
The lower Velcro toe strap of the S-Works 7 has gone and the lower BOA cable has been shifted down and angled, preventing lift on the ball of the foot, negating the need for a strap while supplying a power-enhancing structure and eliminating unwanted pressure or pinching.
The Specialized S-Works Torch is an excellent pair of performance road shoes for those wanting a slightly wider fit. They have offered exceptional comfort for my feet while being stiff and, crucially, looking good.
I found this shoe to actually be a lot wide around here which is where the styloid process of your foot is so if you have a wider foot this is actually more likely to fit you.
I've gone somewhere I went down in one of my Vlogs you will have seen that out by now and I do have some wear to kind of show off that yes you know I'm not things aren't always perfect so things happen and you know what the shoes held up just fine I continue to use them.
How it compares
The cycling shoesfield — SKUs we’ve researched or seen mentioned alongside the Specialized S-Works Torch. Research a competitor to add its full brief.
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Related
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