Specialized Recon Shoes Get A Revamp. New Design For 2020

“Specifically designed for mud” reckons Specialized of its new Recon family. The Recon 1, 2 and 3 are differing levels of spec, but all share a similar trail shoe style. Not too racy, not too freeride…

The shoes come in a tier of performance – with the Recon 3 nearest to the super-light, super-stiff S-Works shoe. The Recon 3 gets a pair of BOA dials and a carbon sole ‘inspired by the Pave seatpost’ – which means that it’s stiff, but still flexes. The second model gets a single BOA dial for the Recon 2 with a forefoot Velcro strap while the entry level Recon 1 gets three Velcro straps.

The soles on the new Recon shoes feature two-bolt SPD slots surrounded by grippy SlipNot rubber (top marks for that, Specialized Naming Team…) and a general awareness that things aren’t always sunny and dusty…

The new Recon shoes can trace their ancestry back to the S-Works Recon SPD shoes launched in 2018. Those were no-compromise 270g race slippers that were designed for clipping in and crushing opponents, not schlepping up a mountain with your bike on your back for an hour.

The new Recons have ‘STRIDE Toe-Flex technology that makes them as nimble off bike as they are quick in the saddle.’ – in otherwords, the toes actually flex, because not everyone is a racer… Weight is 355g a shoe.

Specialized RECON 3.0:

The Recon 3.0 is as close as you’re going to get to the S-Works for a lot less cash. The sole has a stiffness rating of ‘only’ 10, whereas the S-Works went up to 13 (out of 10 we think…)

The Reckon 3 is as close to S-Works as you can get, featuring a race-inspired carbon sole with dual BOA dials for on-the-fly adjustability. Walkable performance is delivered via STRIDE Toe-Flex, thanks to a forefoot layup apparently inspired by the smoothing Pavé seat post. There are toe stud threads and full rubber coverage for off-bike action.

The Recon 3.0 will come in sizes 36-49 in whole sizes and will cost you £210.

RECON 2.0:

The Recon 2.0 is an interesting model. It’s the only one that comes in something other than black (though it also comes in all black too…) and it’s the only model that also comes in half-sizes. The full range is 36-49, with half sizes from sizes 38-47. Stiffness is a comfy sounding 6.0 on the scale while the weight is (just) the heaviest of the three at 357g claimed.

The Recon 2.0 will cost £158 – in black or the black/red options.

With one BOA, a performance minded nylon outsole, STRIDE Toe-Flex and a lifted heel the Recon 2.0 offers a more natural feel off the bike. Full rubber overage along with XPEL water shedding tech, whether crossing a river or avoiding a spill at the brewery post ride, the Recon 2.0’s got your back.

RECON 1.0:

The Reckon 1.0 is the simplest shoe with three Velcro straps and a black-only colour. It still features the SlipNot rubber sole and the hex shaped treds. It comes in sizes 36-49 and will cost £90. Weight weenies will notice that these are the lightest shoes in the range at 331g claimed.

The Recon 1.0 still features Specialized’s Body Geometry design, the STRIDE Toe-Flex, a lifted heel with a pull tab (that the others don’t have) and a full rubber SlipNot sole.

The Recon shoes should be on sale almost as soon as you finish this sentence… And for more info, they should be on Specialized.com about… now!

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