My last few days of gravel riding and a bit of bike packing chasing about some DofE groups has persuaded me I need change of default gravel shoes.
My Gravel - at the gnar end of gravel....Highland estate tracks mostly and some where zipping along something vaguely smooth is a thing but some sections where I question my sanity not riding a hard tail. Hike a bike is sometimes a thing. Fording streams a common occurrence most rides.
My shoes - Gravel to me means spds (flats on mtb). I've been using old Sidi disco slipper xc shoes. Not great off the bike but relatively stiff and feel good on it.
Moon on a stick new shoes would have the stiffness of an xc shoe with the walkability of a walking approach shoe, which at worst don't soak up water like a sponge but could even be (a bit) waterproof.
What you got? It's always going to be a compromise, but maybe a bit less disco slipper and a bit more vibram sole kinda vibe.
Oh, and I could be persuaded to ditch the trusty M540 pedals for something with a wider platform if it helped with softer shoes...but I'm not 100% convinced its a thing.
They don't seem to list them in the UK now but Specialized Tahoe might fill the gap. Id describe my older version as a 'touring shoe'. Grip like a pair of approach shoes but SPD compatible. Less stiff than MTB race shoes but comfortable on the bike or for a bit of walking round town, cafes, campsites or footpaths.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/tahoe-mountain-bike-shoes/p/133042?color=228684-133042
You may find them imported or older versions on sale somewhere.
This don't look vastly different and also have a walkable looking sole:
https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/specialized-rime-1.0-mtb-shoes/137570672/p
hmmm - maybe these could be the answer
Shimano EX7 (EX700) Gore-Tex Shoes
https://singletrackworld.com/2025/03/shimano-ex7-ex700-gore-tex-shoes-review/
I have the EX7s which are good but they would be a bit warm for normal summer months let alone heat wave territory.
I've recently bought (and now use) Specialized Recon 1.0. They look a bit like the "roady" end of gravel but have been just fine for similar use. Importantly, they were also relatively cheap. I have a pair of Fizik boots for when it's colder/wetter so I'm not too fussed about waterproofness for the shoes (though Dexshell socks are also an option).
I've got some Spesh recons as well. They flex at the toe in a way that I really like for hike-a-bike etc, dry reasonably well and are stiff enough to feel good on 150+km days.
For DofE days I always went for flats & hardtail to give myself way more margin for error than I should ever need. I really don't want to be the DofE guy who got the exped cancelled because he fell off his bike.
Another vote for Recon, they're one of the best shoes that tries to be the Giro Terraduro. I've also a pair of Fizik Terra Atlas, which are very comfy, (a bit of heel slip) but otherwise robust and pretty good for 2/3 season work
I almost bought Fizik Ergolace 2's as they seem to review well, ended up with QUOC Gran Tourer XC though as last trip I did had more road than off-road (and not much hike a bike) so chanced it with stiffer shoes, they worked well (were fine to walk in for short rocky climbs etc. although the sole doesn't have much grip on wet rock...). Still might try the Fizik's for other trips with more expected walking though.
I took my Leatt Clip 6.0 shoes for Lon Las Cymru. Fine for the riding bit and ok for walking to the pub in the evenings. Definitely a summer shoe as they are well ventilated and not at all waterproof, but they dry quickly.
I like Recons, but it's worth knowing that the Specialized Body Geometry design angles the forefoot down to the outside slightly to compensate for a biomechanical trait, which in reality [allegedly] very few people actually have. They can, in some people, cause medial (inner) knee pain, don't ask how I know etc. You can correct the slant with a Specialized shim, but that, in turn, slightly reduces the volume of the forefoot, which can be problematic in itself. Just worth being aware, I'm sure plenty of people use them without issue, but I wouldn't buy them again for this reason.
Not perfect for summer (but that'll only be here for another few weeks anywway), my hike a bike/crap weather option for clips has always been whatever version of Shimano boot is currently available)
The answer WAS Giro Terraduros. I've currently got Recon 3.0 for gravel use and they're not in the same league for walkability (comfortable though).
Maybe something from the Shimano GE range?
Udog have a big gummy rubber outsole that "looks" like it might not be rubbish, but looks can be deceiving and no practical experience.
I like Recons, but it's worth knowing that the Specialized Body Geometry design angles the forefoot down to the outside slightly to compensate for a biomechanical trait, which in reality [allegedly] very few people actually have.
Oh... it dawned on me at the weekend that Im not getting the same pain/cramp along the inside of my left foot any longer and thought that new pedal was the reason, but it could be the change from Recons to the Fizik...Interesting.
Shimano XC03 or 05 are fine. Fairly light. I use mine commuting and XC including bike packing. Not too padded so will dry quickly. My favourite comfy shoes are M089's but no longer available.
Oh... it dawned on me at the weekend that Im not getting the same pain/cramp along the inside of my left foot any longer and thought that new pedal was the reason, but it could be the change from Recons to the Fizik...Interesting.
It's something that quite a few people have seem to encountered based on a google search or two, plus a thread I started on here, and Bikefit James on YouTube, is emphatic that the 1.5mm varus, I think, outwards angle/slant built into the shoes is unnecessary and can cause issues.
I was having inner knee pain on both sides with them which developed gradually over time while using Recons, changing shoes has significantly reduced/pretty much eliminated that, though to be fair, I've also increased the stance width on my turbo trainer cross bike and my gravel bike using SQlab pedals, which may also have helped.
I'm sure plenty of people have no problems with them and they're nice shoes otherwise, but it's something I wish I'd known when I bought them. And while the information is out there, it's stuff you have to almost deliberately seek out, I suspect most buyers have no idea that they're any different from other shoes.
I've got Shimano RX8 gravel shoes and some older top of the range MTB shoes. Both are very stiff (index 10) and hard not grippy substances for soles but frankly they work fine. If I think I'm going to be scrambling around it's 5:10s and flats. Shimano shoes suit my feet and put up with being hosed down inside and out. Not even a little bit waterproof but the MTB shoes have the advantage of holes that let the water drain out. Very comfortable on the bike. Buy a size or even two over street size.
Udog have a big gummy rubber outsole that "looks" like it might not be rubbish, but looks can be deceiving and no practical experience.
I had some Udogs, sadly got rid as I attributed to the shoe a pain in my foot which I think was just cleat position! (because it has been replicated in the new shoes as well, the perils of going one size up to achieve forefoot volume is that the cleat slots are positioning further away!).
Anyway, very comfortable walkers.
