I'm currently using a set for specialized recon gravel shoes. They're absolutely fine but over the years the mud has become ingrained and I've just can't get them clean anymore. After an epic muddy ride the boa on one side doesn't work perfectly as it's jammed up with mud and no matter how much I try and wash it I can't get it out
As I cut them for a couple of years I think it's time for a new pair. Can you recommend me a nice pair of gravel shoes:
Prefer boa to laces
Obviously SPD
Not white
I'm looking at a pair of quoc gran tourer as I have had quoc shoes before and the last pair of feel brand new despite 18 months use.
Lake MX238. Expensive, but they are my gravel/road/MTB shoes.
Lake MX238. Expensive, but they are my gravel/road/MTB shoes.
Ditto. I use them for all of my riding, except when it's cold and wet. They're comfortable on very long audaxes, and the wide fit suits my feet
Thank you I will give them a look
I use Shimano xc7 for both
Loving my Bontrager Foray shoes. I paid £69.89 for mine from Balfes, but seems they're a tenner cheaper now
Still using these 2 years on. Bought another pair to replace the originals when the weather out in the Evans)CRC sale.
Super comfy and enough give for hike a bike but no loss of pedal power
Lots of other colours available
https://ukgravelco.com/fizik-terra-atlas-shoe-review/
I didn't get on with the quocc shoes I tried, the cleat pocket was way too far forward for my liking. They really made my legs/Achilles hurt
Shimano xc 7 for me.
Obviously- great to pedal in all day.
Surprisingly- absolutely for walking up Lakeland passes. Which was not the case in my previous xc shoes.
Durable-mine are 6 years old and fine.
I'd imagine that the XC7 a few people have suggested would be good, but I love my Shimano XC5 shoes and can be had for under £100.
Boa will usually supply a replacement foc
Another XC7 fan, I have the wide version which is great at the the front but still snug at the heel
If you like the recons, fix the boa, or a new pair of recons......
Spesh changed the shape of the Recons a year or so back, much narrower toe box now.. I replaced mine and found them way too narrow and had to sell them after one ride. Lake 239 for me now, pricey but very comfortable.
I've got some quoc grand tourer and they've been good. 2 years of winter shit and still going strong. Good for walking in compared to some. Outlasts Mrs llama's fiziks. I prefer boa to quoc's own is only negative.
New Recons also use a really horrible stiff material that rubs your ankles up pretty badly. Pissed me off enough to argue with the shop for a warranty return (they weren't cheap...) but thankfully I managed to sell them despite disclosing my reasons for sale.
Confusingly Trek also do a Foray shoe that I found a bit prettier than the Bontrager (white though...) but more importantly seemed a good bit wider than some other shoes, not quite a Lake but close.
Another XC7 fan, I have the wide version which is great at the the front but still snug at the heel
Where did you get a wide version?? The XC6 (I think) gets great reviews but I couldn't find a wide fit anywhere...
I bought a pair of Quoc Gran Tourer II off Merlin last year. Still have some in their sale, but only a couple of sizes. Only thing is that I found the standard insole a bit flat, but once I swapped in my old Specialized ones, they've been great. I think the updated ones with the two Boas would be even better.
Spesh changed the shape of the Recons a year or so back, much narrower toe box now..
I'm riding a pair of s-works from 23. Got them much reduced so suspect they were end of line old shape. Still awesomely comfortable for short or long trips.
Thanks for the Boa link up there StuE, have just ordered a replacement for a sticky dial.
Lake MX238. Expensive, but they are my gravel/road/MTB shoes
I wouldn't recommend the MX238s personally, for a lot of people the heel cup is too wide (I have MX242's which aren't much better and have had to put suede heel grippers in them). The MX239's would be a better choice (although I only have the CX version for road so not actually tried the MX239). That said there's a lot of cheaper choices out there unless you have a wide forefoot or voluminous foot which the Lake's cater for better than most.
Thanks all for the advice, I eventually settled on a set of quoc gran tourer xc. They weren't the cheapest but my lbs had them in-stock and in my size so I was able to try them on before I bought.
I am going to cry when they get muddy
As above boa will replace FOC and they are surprisingly easy to swap over
Are these essential the same shoes as the Terra Atlas Goretex boots/shoes?
I have a pair of them and do like them, I also have a pair of the Bontrager above and the Bontrager are way stiffer, have a bigger toe box and a grippier sole. I've also used them for cx racing this last season.
I'd imagine that the XC7 a few people have suggested would be good, but I love my Shimano XC5 shoes and can be had for under £100.
Ditto this. XC5 are still prety snazzy, stiff sole, lightweight racy looking and BOA dial.
My standard Gravel/XC/Summer/Turbo trainer shoe. Good value now.