There’s a dizzying array of gravel shoes on the market today, but which are best for you? Designed to blend on-bike efficiency and comfort with off-bike walkability, there’s a model of gravel shoe for everyone from the all-day wilderness explorers to the fast-paced gravel racers.
Will you opt for a Boa dial, laces or Velcro, for stiff soles or a little more flex, and how do you find the best fitting shoes for you?
All of these questions and more are answered in our buying advice, which you’ll find below, after our recommendations of the best gravel shoes we’ve tried and tested here at Cyclist.
Reviews of the best gravel shoes
- Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon – read our full review
- Fizik Vento Proxy – read our full review
- Lake MX238 – read our full review
- Quoc Gran Tourer II – read our full review
- Shimano RX6 – read our full review
- Shimano RX8 – read our full review
- Specialized Recon 3.0 – read our full review
- Udog Distanza – read our full review
Read on for a review summary for each pair and our gravel shoe buying advice to help you choose the best shoes for you.
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
How do we test gravel shoes and why trust our advice?
Everyone’s idea of gravel riding is different, which is why we’ve made sure that these gravel shoes have really been put through their paces across a range of off-road terrain and riding styles.
From speedy local loops to multi-day bikepacking trips with a healthy dose of hike-a-bike, each pair of clipless gravel cycling shoes has been tested in a variety of conditions so you can trust our conclusions will relate to the flavour of riding that you enjoy too.
Reviewer Katherine Moore is a gravel riding expert with vast experience riding gravel, writing about gravel, talking about gravel, guiding gravel rides and creating gravel cycling routes. Check out all her reviews for Cyclist here, and follow her adventures on Instagram at @katherinebikes.
Best gravel shoes reviewed
Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon shoes
RRP: £299.99 / $299.99 / €299
- Fizik’s top-end gravel racing shoe with velcro closure plus a Boa dial for the midfoot
- Toe stud ports for cyclocross compatibility
- Durable materials used that are easy to keep clean too
Offering ultimate comfort, the Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon shoes are a durable high quality option designed to meet the demands of gravel racing. A velcro closure ensures that you can keep going even if you take a tumble, while the bi-directional Boa Li2 dial on the midfoot allows for fine tuning the fit.
The upper is tough yet easy to keep clean, and the shoes are available in a range of eye-catching colours as well as all black. The carbon fibre sole offers good power transfer without compromising on comfort.
While the performance was good, the shoe doesn’t offer the same value as some comparable models, with a hefty pricetag of nearly £300.
- Read our full Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon gravel cycling shoe review
Fizik Vento Proxy shoe
RRP: £229.99 / $249.99 / €229
- Highly ventilated summer shoe for riding and racing
- Toe stud ports for cyclocross compatibility
- Comfortable fit adjusted by a single Boa Li2 dial
A step cheaper than the brand’s range-topping Vento Ferox Carbon shoe, the Vento Proxy offers better value for money with a highly ventilated shoe that’s ideal for summer riding in hot conditions.
Not only do they offer great breathability, but they’re also quick-drying, which is good for multi-day rides and river crossings.
The bi-directional Boa Li2 dial closure offers a good and easily adjustable fit, complemented by the well padded heel cup for a really comfortable fit. These are also available in half sizes for the most popular sizes.
At £229.99, they’re at the top of the mid-budget range, but the performance certainly means you get great value for money.
- Read our full Fizik Vento Proxy gravel cycling shoe review
Lake MX238 gravel shoes
RRP: £295 / $349.99 / €319
- Ecco Fullgrain suede leather and mesh upper give stylish brush-clean look
- Full carbon sole from front to back gives stiff construction
- Rubberised gum sole with angular tread blocks
The Lake MX238 shoes are not cheap, though they do offer impressive performance on the bike with efficient power transfer thanks to the full carbon sole. The rubber sole is also plenty grippy enough for hike-a-bike sections.
You’ll need to spend some time getting the fit right though, as Lake offers a more involved fit system than other brands, yet the shoes still size up a little too roomy on test, which can result in toe overlap issues. The standard shoes are fairly wide, and are also offered in a wide fit too.
The MX238 shoes are heavy, at 850g per pair (EU45), where comfort and durability is clearly a priority over minimising weight.
- Read our full Lake MX238 gravel shoes review
Quoc Gran Tourer II gravel shoes
RRP: £190 / $265 / €255
- Proprietary lace and dial closure shoes that are great for wide feet
- Nylon-composite midsole with rubberised tread
- Stylish range of colours available
The second generation in the British brand’s off-road shoe, replacing laces with a single dial and lace closure, the Quoc Gran Tourer II are stylish shoes that have proved to be both comfortable and grippy on hike-a-bike sections.
Though comfortable, thanks to the wide fit and roomy toe box, the Gran Tourer II shoes are heavy at 710g per pair (EU43).
The Nylon-composite midsole used is reported to offer better value than the inclusion of a carbon fibre sole, without compromising too much on stiffness and hence pedalling efficiency.
However, they are durable and easy to wipe clean, standing up well to hundreds of test miles.
- Read our full Quoc Gran Tourer II gravel shoes review
- Buy the Gran Tourer II from Quoc (£190)
Shimano RX6 gravel shoes
RRP: £159.99 / $180 / €177
- Roomy wide fit with generous toe box
- Composite sole with Shimano stiffness rating of 8
- Lightweight shoe at 536g per pair (EU 40)
The more budget-friendly option in Shimano’s gravel shoe range, the RX6 blends design cues from the premium RX8 option below with a few cost-saving measures.
The shoes are still impressively lightweight at 536g per pair, and similarly comfortable, though the single-direction Boa dial is a little cheaper than the premium model used in the more expensive shoes.
With a stiffness rating of 8/10 from Shimano, the RX6 gravel shoes aren’t quite as responsive when it comes to power delivery through the pedals as the RX8, with a composite rather than carbon sole.
Choose from some funky colours with the unusual inkjet-printed camo finish, or the all black option for something more subtle. There are also women’s fit shoes available in addition to the standard sizing.
- Read our full Shimano RX6 gravel cycling shoes review
Shimano RX8 gravel shoes
RRP: £229 / $275 / €230
- Wide fit as standard
- Very lightweight shoe at 518g per pair (EU 40)
- Stiff carbon fibre sole for optimal power transfer
Topping out Shimano’s range of gravel-specific shoes, the RX8 combines a slightly wider than standard fit with a stiff sole and lightweight construction for a five star package.
The shoes are wonderfully comfortable with a roomy toe box and well padded heel cup, and despite being stripped back to the bare minimum, they boast an impressively lightweight construction at 518g per pair.
The shoes feel very ‘sporty’ thanks to the carbon fibre sole, which Shimano has awarded a 10/10 on its stiffness scale, giving a very direct response when pedalling.
There are some really jazzy inkjet-printed colours to choose from, as well as a more understated black finish, and the shoes are available in a wide range of sizes in both a standard and women’s fit.
- Read our full Shimano RX8 gravel shoe review
Specialized Recon 3.0 gravel & mountain bike shoe
RRP: £210 / $250 / €250
- Easily adjustable fit with two premium Boa Li2 dials
- Grippy outsole and flex great for hike-a-bike
- High heel cup won’t suit all foot shapes
Quick-drying and designed for hike-a-bike as well as on-the-bike action, the Specialized Recon 3.0 shoes are a great shout for gravel riders who love to explore. The level of flex in the shoe plus a soft grippy rubber outsole make walking easier than some gravel shoes, though the high heel cup to keep them in place won’t be suitable for all foot shapes.
The shoes feature two Boa Li2 dials, which makes them easily adjustable across the upper. Specialized has added other features from its Body Geometry research, including a metatarsal button, longitudinal arch support and a 1.5mm varus wedge incorporated into the insole and sole.
Sitting just below the S-Works model in the range, the Recon 3 offers great value for money at £210, with features easily rivalling more expensive options from other brands.
- Read our full Specialized Recon 3.0 Gravel & Mountain Bike Shoe review
Udog Distanza gravel shoe
RRP: €180 / approx £153 / approx $195
- Knit construction upper for comfort and breathability
- Rubber outsole tread wraps around toe
- Lace closure with garage and ‘Tension Wrap System’ design
Proving to be very comfortable on test, the Udog Distanza gravel shoes are a great choice for riders who love day-long and multi-day riding. The shoes aren’t too narrow, though the lace closure does take a little getting used to and to get the tension right, and is a little more fiddly than a quick dial and lace system.
The aesthetics of the Distanza won’t be to everyone’s taste, though, with a chunky tongue when the laces are stowed in their elasticated pocket, and while there’s also a black colour option, those retail at €250 with the added cost due to a carbon fibre sole.
- Read our full Udog Distanza gravel shoe review
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
How to choose the best gravel cycling shoes for you
That’s our selection of the best gravel shoes we’ve tested here at Cyclist, but which are best for you? Here we answer a few of your most common questions to help you work out what style of shoe will work best.
Why do I need gravel-specific shoes?
While you don’t necessarily need gravel-specific shoes and could potentially ride in flats, they do offer a whole host of benefits for riders heading onto the rough stuff.
Firstly, the two-bolt MTB-style metal SPD cleat offers a greater pedalling efficiency than flat shoes and pedals, but is more durable and clears mud and stones more effectively than plastic SPD-SL style road cleats.
Recessed into the shoe, this also means that you can walk more easily in this style of shoe compared to road cycling shoes, which comes in very handy for hike-a-bike sections, such as summiting a hill or mountain, linking trails or setting up camp.
Speaking of hike-a-bike, some gravel shoes are designed to be flexible to allow for more comfortable hiking, while still remaining stiff when pedalling for greater efficiency. Grippy rubber soles are also used to make time spent off the bike easier. High, rubber or silicone-backed heel cups also help to keep the shoes in place while hiking.
Gravel shoes tend to be a little lighter and less chunky than XC MTB shoes, with slightly less protective rubber elements – though they are often pretty similar.
What’s best, dials, velcro or laces for gravel shoes?
The best closure method comes down to personal preference, each having its own pros and cons. Boa dials (or similar) tend to give the most easily adjustable fit and are very popular, but can cause issues if you break one (despite often coming with good replacement options).
Laces are preferred by some riders, but are less easily adjustable, take longer to put on, and can get easily clogged with mud or wear out.
Velcro is often used in budget gravel shoes – or top end racing gravel shoes. Velcro is very hard to break, so it’s interesting to see that it’s made its way into the top-end racing options.
How do I get the best fitting gravel shoes for me?
Different gravel shoe models tend to give different fits. For example, I find that Giro give a narrow fit, and am better suited to Fizik or Shimano shoes. The best way to find out which suit you best is to visit your local bike shop and try on a few different pairs from different brands and models.
If you know that you have particularly wide feet, look out for the larger brands such as Shimano which offer their shoes in a wider fit option.
Can you use road shoes for gravel riding?
You might have seen some of the gravel pros using road shoes for gravel racing, and this is for the optimum power transfer. These racers are unlikely to put a foot down during a race, let alone face any hike-a-bike, so road shoes aren’t a problem.
However, for general use and everyday riders, road shoes aren’t recommended. Plastic three-bolt cleats don’t stand up for long to use on off-road trails.
Can you use mountain biking shoes for gravel riding?
You certainly can use mountain biking shoes for gravel riding. Clipless shoes will offer greater pedalling efficiency than flats, but aren’t for everyone. There’s also an argument for running flats in the winter to combat muddier and more technical trails, as they are less likely to get clogged up with mud.
The benefit of gravel shoes here is that they tend to be a little lighter and more streamlined. Some shoes will easily cover gravel, XC mountain biking and cyclocross, but it’s worth avoiding chunkier, more enduro and downhill-focussed models as they will be heavier and use more unnecessary reinforcement.
Do I need toe studs in my gravel shoes?
Unless you plan on doing some very mucky winter riding, toe studs are generally reserved for cyclocross and some XC MTB use, so they shouldn’t be on the wish list for most gravel riders. You’ll sometimes find them incorporated into the soles of gravel shoes, perhaps to make them more versatile, or perhaps because the shoe uses the same sole as a cyclocross-oriented model.
What do the most expensive gravel shoes offer?
If you spend more on premium gravel shoes, you can expect a stiffer sole for enhanced power transfer, higher quality closure methods (for example the use of premium dual-direction Boa Li2 dials), more adjustable fits such as interchangeable insole arch support, and the use of lightweight materials.
Looking for more gravel cycling buying advice and news? Check out our gravel cycling hub here.
