What do I actually get for the S-Works price?

Specialized describes the Torch 3.0 as “a not-so-distant relative” of the S-Works and lists what they share: a unidirectional carbon plate, the BOA Fit System and a seamless upper. The S-Works adds the internal I-Beam construction (20 g lighter than the S-Works 7), two S3 dials instead of one Li2, the asymmetric heel cup developed from RETÜL scan data, and a quoted 220 g per shoe in size 43. If you race or ride long, that is real; if you ride three hours on a Sunday, the Torch 3.0 gives you the same Body Geometry sole.

My feet go numb on long rides. Will these help?

That numbness — “hot foot” — usually comes from over-tightening the forefoot, which compresses the nerves and arteries running between the metatarsal bones. Specialized's answer is the Metatarsal Button, a raised area under the ball of the foot that lifts and separates those bones instead of squeezing them. Two things matter as much: don't crank the forefoot dial (a two-dial shoe lets you keep the forefoot loose and hold the midfoot), and match the insole to your arch height.

Why does the sole feel tilted?

Because it is. Every Body Geometry shoe has a Varus Wedge: a 1.5 mm outward tilt built into the outsole, meant to stop the foot rolling inward under load and keep foot, knee and hip aligned. Riders coming from a flat sole usually notice it on the first ride and stop noticing it within a few. If it still feels wrong after a couple of weeks, the problem is more likely cleat position or arch height than the wedge — worth a fitting rather than a return.

Can I change the insoles?

Yes, and Specialized designs the shoes expecting you to. The Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2 fit every Body Geometry shoe and come in three arch heights: red for low, blue for medium, green for high. The outsole's Longitudinal Arch and the insole work as a pair, so matching the height to your own arch is what makes the system do its job. If you have never had your arch measured, that is the single cheapest upgrade to any of these shoes.

SPECIALIZED Sworks Torch Road Shoes

Horse Year

€389,00

~~€389,00~~ €389,00

Tax Included
EU Destination Selected (Spain)

Low stock: 2 left

The essentials

Best for

Racing
Fast group rides
Long days

SPECIALIZED Sworks Torch Road Shoes - Horse Year

Technologies

Specifications

Claimed weight	220 g (EU 43, per shoe)
Sole	Unidirectional carbon with internal I-Beam
Closure	2 × BOA S3
Body Geometry	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button
Compatible footbeds	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2
Cleat pattern	3-bolt, fits all major road pedals

Carbon sole

The sole plate is made of carbon fibre rather than nylon or carbon-reinforced nylon. Carbon is stiffer and lighter, so less of your effort is lost to flex; the brand’s stiffness index is in the spec table.

Asymmetric heel cup

From rider feedback and RETÜL data, Specialized found the Achilles needed more room, so the heel cup is asymmetric: more space there while keeping a positive hold.

“Pie crust” carbon plate

The plate's new “pie crust” edge shape reduces flex and removes bulky material, which Specialized says cuts weight and gives immediate power transfer.

Zonal reinforcement

Data-driven reinforcement zones keep the foot secured for crisp power delivery; the reinforcement over the big toe helps the pull phase of the stroke.

Varus Wedge

A 1.5 mm outward tilt built into the outsole. Specialized's reasoning is that the human body evolved to walk rather than pedal, so the foot tends to roll inward under load; the wedge tilts it back so foot, knee and hip stay in line. It is one of three patented Body Geometry elements, and it is the one riders notice first — the forefoot sits at a slight angle.

Metatarsal Button

A raised button under the ball of the foot. Specialized's explanation is that riders chasing a secure fit tend to over-tighten the forefoot, which compresses the nerves and arteries running between the metatarsal bones and produces the numbness and burning known as hot foot. The button lifts and separates those bones instead.

Longitudinal Arch

A patented arch support moulded into the outsole. Specialized's argument is that the foot has to act as a rigid lever to transfer power, and that an arch collapsing under load bleeds watts; the built-in support holds it. It works with the insole, which is why Specialized sells the Body Geometry SL footbeds in three arch heights rather than one.

Custom footbeds

Specialized says custom footbeds reduce foot fatigue and improve stability, for comfort and power transfer. Our in-stock Body Geometry footbeds are listed under the alternatives.

BOA Fit System

Specialized uses three BOA dials across its shoes. S3 (S-Works Torch) and Li2 (Torch 2.0 and 3.0, Recon 2.0; as a dual-dial set on the Ares 2, Recon 3.0 and Recon EVO) work both ways: tighten or loosen a click at a time while riding. L6 (Torch 1.0, Recon 1.0) tightens in micro-steps and releases by pulling the dial out. Dials replace without tools and are covered by BOA's guarantee.

SPECIALIZED Sworks Torch Road Shoes - Horse Year

Compare with

	SPECIALIZED Sworks Torch Road Shoes - Horse YearThe S-Works Torch is Specialized's road race shoe and the reference point the rest of the range is measured against: 220 g per shoe in size 43, a carbon plate with an internal I-Beam that is 20 g lighter than the S-Works 7's, and two S3 dials.	SPECIALIZED Sworks Torch Lace Road Cycling Shoes - Black Choose it if you prefer laces: 200 g in size 42, the lightest option, with a fit you set once rather than adjust on the move.	SPECIALIZED Sworks Ares 2 Road Cycling Shoes - Black Choose it if your foot lifts or your forefoot goes numb: PowerHug wraps instead of squeezing, with 20% more contact and 44% less forefoot pressure.	SPECIALIZED Torch 3.0 Road Cycling Shoes - Black Choose it if you want the same Body Geometry sole and a unidirectional carbon plate without the S-Works price.
Regular price	€389,00	€339,00	€329,00	€249,00
Safety rating	—	—	—	—
Claimed weight	220 g (EU 43, per shoe)	200 g (EU 42, per shoe)	—	—
Sole	Unidirectional carbon with internal I-Beam	Unidirectional carbon with internal I-Beam	Unidirectional carbon	Unidirectional carbon
Closure	2 × BOA S3	Laces	2 × BOA Li2 (Dual-Dial) + PowerHug	BOA Li2
Body Geometry	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button
Compatible footbeds	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2
Cleat pattern	3-bolt, fits all major road pedals	3-bolt, fits all major road pedals	3-bolt, fits all major road pedals	3-bolt, fits all major road pedals

Spare parts & accessories

SPECIALIZED Body Geometry SL Footbed Gen 2 - Red+ €27,99
SPECIALIZED Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2 - Blue++ €30,00
SPECIALIZED Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2 - Green+++ €30,00

SPECIALIZED Sworks Torch Road Shoes - Horse Year

Size guide

EU	US	UK	Foot length (cm)	Foot length (in)
35	3.5	2.5	22.5	8.9
36	4.25	3.25	23	9.1
37	5	4	23.5	9.3
38	5.75	4.75	24.5	9.6
38.5	6	5	24.75	9.7
39	6.5	5.5	25	9.8
39.5	7.25	6.25	25.25	9.9
40	7.5	6.5	25.5	10.0
40.5	7.75	6.75	25.75	10.1
41	8	7	26	10.2
41.5	8.5	7.5	26.5	10.4
42	9	8	27	10.6
42.5	9.3	8.3	27.3	10.7
43	9.6	8.6	27.5	10.8
43.5	10.25	9.25	27.9	11.0
44	10.6	9.6	28.3	11.1
44.5	11	10	28.6	11.3
45	11.5	10.5	29	11.4
45.5	11.75	10.75	29.3	11.5
46	12.25	11.25	29.5	11.6
46.5	12.6	11.6	29.9	11.8
47	13	12	30.2	11.9
48	13.75	12.75	30.9	12.2
49	14.5	13.5	31.6	12.4
50	15.5	14.5	32.3	12.7

Specialized notes that customers report a small fit on this shoe, and suggests choosing one size up and checking the size chart.

How to measure

Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, mark the tip of your longest toe and measure the distance in centimetres. Measure both feet and go by the longer one.

Find your size with a shoe you already own

Tell us a cycling shoe that fits you well and the size you wear in it. We compare the brands’ official foot-length charts.

Brand of the shoe you own Size you wear (EU)

An estimate from each brand’s official size chart. Width, volume and the last also change the fit — if in doubt, ask us.

Description

The S-Works Torch is Specialized's road race shoe and the reference point the rest of the range is measured against: 220 g per shoe in size 43, a carbon plate with an internal I-Beam that is 20 g lighter than the S-Works 7's, and two S3 dials. The changes that matter most are not the obvious ones — the forefoot is 4 mm wider at the ball than the S-Works 7, and the heel cup is asymmetric, shaped from RETÜL scan data to give the achilles room.

220 g per shoe in size 43, with a unidirectional carbon plate whose internal I-Beam removes the need for extra bracing
Forefoot 4 mm wider at the ball than the S-Works 7, from more than 100,000 RETÜL foot scans
Asymmetric heel cup that makes room for the achilles while keeping the heel locked down
Two BOA S3 dials, adjustable both ways on the move, over zonal reinforcement that includes the big toe for the pull phase

Available sizes