Gravel bikes shoes? Are you looking for some of the best options out there? Just quickly, I wrote a previous article about some of the best shoes for bikepacking, which are comfortable for hike-a-bike stuff if that is any interest. But today we are diving into gravel bike shoes. Some of these might not be the best for long term adventures, which is why I recommend the linked article above if comfort on and off the bike are equally important.
With some newly released gravel bikes shoes over recent times. I am super exciting to get this show on the road. So what are the some of the best shoes for gravel grinding?
For this write up I want to try my best to keep this only gravel shoe oriented. Some advise given out their when talking about the ‘best’ gravel shoes, other shoes are mentioned like MTB and road cycling shoes. Yes they may work well for gravel riding, but I want this to be specifically about gravel purpose built shoes only, if I can.
Are gravel shoes even necessary?
Gravel riding in general has gotten very popular over the last year or so and bike brands and companies have been making gravel bikes, then even gravel e-bikes. Along with this comes all the other number of gear you can name with a the word gravel in front of it. In my own opinion if you already have a nice pair of bikepacking clip-in shoes, potential recommended from the linked article above then honestly there is no need to go out and also buy a pair of gravel specific shoes. As the general consensus is that they are going to do the job just fine.
However if you are like me and like to roll with a more comfortable flat sole shoe for extended bikepacking adventures then a gravel shoes might be on your radar. It also depends on your purpose. Are you looking to get them for gravel commuting? or gravel racing? If you are racing you might want a seperate pair and cut as much weigh as possible combined that with exceptional performance for winning races. If I was into gravel racing, which I’m not (at the moment) then a seperate and dedicated pair of gravel shoes would make sense.
It is also said that there is some cross over when it comes to gravel bike related products at mountain biking. As most MTB gear is generally well suited for gravel uses. You could get MTB shoes for gravel biking, if you have MTB shoes you might already be good to go!
Gravel bike shoes tend to be more minimalist compared to bulky MTB shoes options. You can expect gravel shoes tend to have reduced amount of sole, heel and toe protection. All for a general lightweight advantage.
*If you want to buy any gravel bike shoes, after reading this article. Doing it via the affiliate links give Cycle Travel Overload a small commission which goes into creating more great resources for the bike travel community.
SIDI Gravel Shoes
The perfect shoes if you are planning to ride a mix of road, mountain and gravel. A comfortable shoe, the is a prime example of quality which is just about guaranteed with any SIDI product. A good choice if you have a narrow foot.
The SIDI Gravel Shoes are designed for XC, cyclocross, and gravel riding. It features a Tecno-3 Push System that dials in the fit along the entire length of the shoe, adapting the upper to the shape of the foot for a customised fit. It also features a polyurethane shock absorber on the external area with inner padding, a reinforced cup that stabilises and supports the heel, and a rubber toe for added abrasion resistance.
Pearl Izumi X-ALP Gravel Shoes
These shoes are just at home on gravel, XC trails or all-day adventures. They borrow technology from the X-Project shoes for walkability and improved peddling stiffness. The upper is made from durable 1-piece synthetic leather and added perforations to let feet breathe. A single L6 BOA closure provides equal pressure across the instep. You get extra protection at the toes, which comes in handy when dismounting and going on hikes through uneven and unpredictable terrain.
Mavic Allroad Pro Shoes
Perfect for your next gravel biking adventure! Designed for more narrow feet. The Mavic Allroad Pro Shoes are innovative, go-anywhere shoes that are durable and comfortable. They are made with a Matryx upper with Kevlar weaved in that offers comfortable, efficient foot mapping support. The laces have lace elastic that keeps them out of the chainrings. An Energy Carbon Comp Allroad outsole provides the perfect pedal interface with a lower rubber profile. The rubber outsole provides anti-slip traction so you can walk in the dirt and the reflective yarns add enhanced visibility in low-light conditions.
Terra Powerstrap X4
Bontrager GR2 Gravel Shoe
A new release off-road gravel shoe from Trek is one of the more exciting gravel shoes that I want to show you guys. It is a great gravel bike shoe for long adventures, endurance races, or even cyclocross races with a more contemporary look accustomed to the modern-day gravel rider. And I must say that it is a beautiful looking shoe, especially the yellow option.
The shoe is made with thought-out design. Including a “scuff saver’ which is a GnarGuard rubberized coating on toe cap and heel to prevent damage to the shoe when knocked. The shoe is compatible with 2-bolt SPD-style cleats and gives you better grip on all sorts of terrain when walking. The bottom is made from a Nylon composite Bronze Series sole which provides stiff-yet-walkable performance and has a stiffness index of 6 of 14. A rear locker loops let you hang the shoes up for quick drying. The shoes use a classic lace closure system with convenient elastic laces keeper. Priced at $140.00 at REI.
Fizik X5 Terra
The fizik Terra X5 is a Off-Road shoe that is said to deliver substantial all terrain performance, with adaptive fit, trail protective materials and pronounced treads for off-road grip. Tt’s easy and quick to get a precision fit for any foot shape. Thanks to the single micro-adjustable Boa® L6 Dial B dial running a steel-coated nylon lace. No need to worry about laces getting in the way.
It is another shoe that has a very attractive look to it. Some users have mentioned that this shoe is more suited to narrower feet. The stiffness of the sole is an excellent compromise between power transfer and comfort! Depending on your foot size you may have some difficultly fitting, especially for wider feet. Also compatibility with some cleats to, some have mentioned that the fit to Crank Brother cleats is not perfect. Overall these shoes are a good value for money, priced from $88.48
Quoc Gran Tourer
The Quoc GT gravel specific shoes are one of the popular options with all terrain riding. As Quoc themselves say, when heading out to the backcountry to hanging with the bunch, we needed a pair of gravel bike shoes that could handle trails, tarmac and off-bike exploring in the space of a single day. But they didn’t exist. So we made the Gran Tourer – the ultimate bike shoe for mixed-terrain riding.
Head here to view their complete collection. The Gran Tourer blends the light, pared-down aesthetic of our road line with the weather protection, durability and off-bike ease that gravel riding demands. Each shoe options gives a different color and flare for what suits your style. Priced from £199.00 GBP at the Quoc website.
Shimano RX8
Just to make things clear this is not the Mazda RX8 we are talking about. But they look just as good! With its camo design, this mountain bike shoe is another good option for gravel cycling. But for a bit more dollars! This shoe combines the best characteristics of Shimano’s high-end road and mountain footwear into one shoe that’s specifically designed for gravel racing. These shoes are said to be one of the best for gravel bike enthusiasts. As they are lightweight and stiff, but with grippy outsoles and just enough toe flex to be comfortable to walk in. Priced at $250
If you are also into mountain biking you might not, no longer need other shoes as these could be perfect for both MTB and gravel rides! With this shoe however some have said that it is slightly less comfortable to walk in than most MB shoes.
Shimano XC5
Another Shimano shoe option that we have to share with you is the XC5. These made it in the best bikepacking shoes article. As they are a great gravel riding shoe, that look so stylish and are super comfortable. The sole is stiff enough. Some riders mentioned a concern with the laces coming undone and problems with being able to tighten the shoe as you are riding as there is no Boa tightener. However the shoe does have a Mini Power Strap to hold the laces in place. Features a lightweight and rigid carbon fiber reinforced midsole. A supple synthetic leather with perforated venting for superior fit. Exclusive Michelin high-traction, mud-shedding tread and Rubber anti-slip arch outsole pattern. Price from $108.68
Rapha Explore Shoes
These last two shoes are from some of the biking worlds better brands. And this Rapha shoes, well the name says it all! A rugged and lightweight shoe designed for the road less travelled. The Explore shoe is not an adaptation of a road shoe but purpose-built for the rigours of off-road riding or gravel grinding if you will. Featuring a carbon footplate which is designed to flex at the toes and heels when walking. Along with the function these shoes have a stylish flare with the famous Rapha reflective finish. Also at the back of the shoe you will find a high traction rubber sole giving some grip off the bike. The Explore shoes come in a range of very stylish colors. Priced from $155
Specialized Recon Mixed Terrain Shoes
These shoes are the perfect balance of durability, comfort, and adventure. The shoe you look to when the paved road ends and you say yes to gravel trails. I am not going to talk too much about these shoes as availability is limited. But the shoes feature a Body Geometry sole and footbed which are ergonomically designed and scientifically tested to boost power, increase efficiency, and reduce chance of injury by optimizing hip, knee, and foot alignment. Priced at $100
Looking for Gravel Bike Pedals?
Before we get into the gravel shoes are you also looking for gravel bike pedals? If you want to read around and look at some of the best options. I have a blog article for that. Quiet a popular post with readers. Including flat and clipless pedals options for all different gravel uses. If you want to skip the read.
These Time Atac XC 8 clipless pedals are a popular choice with readers and are the lightest pedal option I could find at 143 grams with great reviews. Priced at $119.95
Looking for Gravel Bikes?
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