The heel is well shaped to avoid any lift at the back of the foot. The lightweight mesh construction does an impressive job of assuring a comfortable fit and providing a very uniform closure, making it a strong contender among the best gravel bike shoes. Thick padding secures the heel and the insole has a medium arch support orthotic. Two rubber wrapped Boa L6 dials tension stainless steel laces over a lightly padded split tongue. The Synchwire is overlaid with a web of bonded rubbery ‘Exo Structure’ for additional support. Giro uses its breathable triangulated weave Synchwire mesh upper for it gravel-oriented Sector shoe. Shimano has done an excellent job refining exactly what is needed from a performance gravel shoe. When it comes to descending, the stiff yet comfortable sole filters out the worst of the vibrations. The lightness really makes them akin to road shoes allowing you to dance on the pedals up climbs. The RX8s are suited to those looking to gravel as an extension to road riding rather than an exploration into the wilderness. They aren’t cheap but, considering the quality, the price is very reasonable in comparison to other contenders for the best gravel bike shoes. The sole features TPU lugs and an anti-slip pad to aid walking but the narrow tread profile means they do have a tendency to roll ankles on uneven ground. With a stiff yet lively sole and a tread that pairs well to the Shimano XT pedals, the application of power is stable and efficient. On the bike, the sole (rated 10 out of 11 on Shimano’s stiffness scale) provides an excellent pedalling platform. However, when we directly compared them to the Specialized S-Works Recon, on fit, they did not have quite the same premium feel. Shimano fits the RX8s with medium arch supports and includes large inserts in the box. The heel cup is well moulded to eliminate heel lift and the toe box is reasonably roomy. The slim wrap-around tongue and uppers provide a secure fit and the Boa IP1 ratchet is intuitive to use and easy to tighten or loosen while riding. The first thing you notice when picking up the RX8s is that they are very light for a gravel shoe. Shimano went all-in on gravel around the release of its GRX groupset and now offers a wide range of gravel-specific componentry and apparel, including the RX8 gravel-specific shoe. Narrow tread increases the risk of rolled ankles when walking The sole will likely divide opinions, for power transfer it is unmatched on test but the rigidity does nothing to isolate vibrations and for endurance riders, it might be too harsh.įind out how they earned their spot in this guide in our Specialized S-Works Recon review. The overall quality of the shoe has so far been excellent with only the exposed carbon sole showing any marks from use. If you are looking for a shoe that will give the top-level performance, the S-Works Recon is a shoe ready to race on anything no matter if its gravel road, cyclo-cross course or cross-country mountain bike trail.
On the flip side they have a very wooden feel and on longer rides can begin to feel a bit fatiguing as every vibration through the crank is transmitted to the foot. Power transfer is staggering, driving every bit of power into the cranks.
The sole is the crux of the Recon which boasts the same stiffness as the road equivalent. You need to be careful of tongue placement as it can dig into the front of the ankle but overall it didn’t cause much discomfort. The S3 Snap dials don’t have a pop release – like the IP1 on the Shimano RX8 below, for example – but the cables can be unhooked for fast shoe removal. The non-stretch uppers and rigid heel cup offer an aggressive fit which is more comfortable in use than it is off the bike. The hard-wearing Dyneema uppers are secured over the top of the foot with two premium aluminium Boa S3 Snap dials. Designed as a cross-country race shoe, the Recon's staggeringly stiff sole and light weight means that it is also one of the best all-round gravel shoes available. Specialized made the bold proclamation that its S-Works Recon shoes were the “fastest off-road shoes on the market”. Uncomfortable off the bike and lack of grip walking
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