RXL Mountain

RL Mountain

Race Mountain

Bontrager has released a brand new range of footwear. And from our initial inspection of the samples that have just arrived on the BM editorial desk, they look to have everything needed to threaten some of the more established names.

With these shoes Bontrager is hoping to steal customers away from other popular brands and, judging by the lengths the company has gone to, it might just have every chance of succeeding. Fundamental to its entire range of shoes is what it is calling 'inForm'.

inForm is based around what Bonty describes as “four crucial aspects of shoe design: the construction, cut, cup, and customisation.” Perhaps the most appealing, and unique aspect of the shoes is revealed when you look inside - they've been designed to accommodate Orthotic insoles, and each model features a custom sole designed for Bontrager by eSole.

Different soles are available and have been developed by eSole from scanning over 20,000 feet - how long that must have taken them we've no idea. But the upshot of all this scanning is a wide range of soles to fit many different shaped feet.

Around these soles Bontrager has developed three different shoes to suit different riding requirements. At the top, the £150 RXL Mountain shoe uses a Silver-series carbon outsole (the stiffest available in the mountain range) which should ensure impressive power transfer.

Next down the range is the RL Mountain, focused, say Bontrager, on "all-day comfort and all-day support for all day on the mountain." The entry-level Race Mountains still uses the same eSoles but with a less stiff build for those seeking more recreational footwear.

Other features to boost comfort and ensure a good fit include external heel cups, with several layers of cushion between you and the cup, and a ‘derby’ cut – where the pattern of the tongue extends right down to the shoe to offer a better fit, and more adjustability, around the toes.

Three models are available, the £60 Race Mountain, £90 RL Mountain and the £150 RXL Mountain's. We've got a pair on test right now - more soon.

See the full range at www.bontrager.com