The Best Gravel Bike Shoes of 2026

The Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon ($300) is the brand’s top-of-the-line off-road riding shoe. Whether you’re racing XC, cyclocross, or all-day gravel events, these shoes are designed to meet the demands of high-output riding. And, while other brands’ top-tier shoes often cost upward of $400, the Vento Ferox beats them in price by a fair margin — not that $300 is exactly cheap.

We found the Vento Ferox Carbon to fit true to size in length and about average in terms of volume. They are on the narrower side overall, but they aren’t exactly low on the volume scale. They’re also super easy to get on and off the feet and adjust with the broad hook and loop strap over the top of the tongue, and the lower BOA Li2 dial to customize the fit over the top of the foot.

Inside the shoe, small dots on the inside of the heel help to lock it in place, and we never had issues with heel lift. The ankle cuff is also cut just right to avoid any hot spots or irritation.

Fizik’s X1 carbon sole is unyieldingly stiff, and along with the secure fit of the uppers, gives these shoes impressive pedaling efficiency. There is virtually zero energy wasted during the pedal stroke, making these a fine option for racers and those with racing aspirations.

The carbon midsole is almost completely covered in rubber sole lugs to protect it from damage. Those rubber lugs provide good walking and hiking grip while a slight rocker through the toe allows for a relatively normal gait despite the sole stiffness. The Ferox Carbon also accepts toe spikes, but they aren’t included.

The generally thin woven mesh upper and perforated synthetic tongue allow for surprisingly good breathability on warm days. The woven material is robust and PU-laminated for added durability in high-wear areas. The heel cup and toebox are also nicely reinforced for a little bit of foot protection. Beyond that, however, the Ferox Carbon shoes have minimal padding, so riders with particularly sensitive feet could potentially develop hot spots.

Otherwise, the Vento Ferox Carbon are stellar gravel riding shoes that are ready for race day or long adventure rides. They’re also stiff and light enough to be a one shoe quiver for those who ride XC and road as well.

Hear us out. The Pearl Izumi Expedition PRO ($260) shoes aren’t the least expensive shoes around, but we feel they are an excellent value for the level of performance they deliver. In a market where top-of-the-line carbon-soled shoes often break the $400 mark, the price tag of these shoes bucks the trend while still delivering in pretty much every department.

The Expedition PRO is Pearl Izumi’s top-tier off-road shoe made for discerning cross-country and gravel riders and racers. As such, it boasts a stiff 1:1 EX PRO carbon sole that doesn’t flex at all under power. Whether you’re mashing all day in a gravel race or out for a fun journey with friends, your pedaling effort is certainly not being wasted.

Up top, the synthetic leather uppers are quite supple and conform easily to the feet. The dual BOA L6C dials pull tension evenly and allow for independent adjustment over the mid and forefoot. The soft TX laces, lace guides, and padded tongue are also quite comfortable over the tarsal bones.

The tongue is not gusseted, so these shoes are incredibly easy to put on and take off, but they can drift a bit from side to side. We never had issues while testing, but depending on how tightly you wear your shoes, the tongue has the potential to move around a bit.

We found the fit to be true to size in length, with an average but accommodating width in the forefoot. Lots of smaller perforations in the uppers provide respectable airflow, especially above the toes. A hefty toe bumper and reinforced heel offer a good level of foot protection for such a light and stiff shoe of this style.

Off the bike, the Expedition PRO performs much like similarly stiff gravel shoes. TPU rubber lugs at the toes, heel, and around the cleat box provide respectable traction. Still, these shoes are super stiff, so walking isn’t their forte, but they get the job done. The exposed carbon on the sole is also prone to scratching, so you’ll want to be careful when walking around in rocky terrain.

Our only other complaint about these shoes is that the heel cup is quite firm initially, and it took a couple of rides to break in for our sensitive heels. Beyond that, we were impressed by the top-level performance of these mid-priced shoes. If the price of other race-ready gravel bike shoes is tough to stomach, check out the Expedition PRO.

Crankbrothers is better known for its mountain bike components and tools, but in recent years, the brand has been growing its gravel lineup. The new Crankbrothers Candy Lace ($160) shoes launched in the spring of 2024 and are a very impressive effort for the brand’s first gravel and XC shoe. We got our hands on a pair just after they came out and quickly set about testing them on both gravel and XC rides.

One of the first things that stands out about the Candy shoes is how good they look. Style isn’t everything, but these are some seriously classy-looking shoes. We especially liked the black color we tested with the contrasting gum soles — and the lace closure — that gives them a timeless appeal. They also come in blue and white.

Our size 43.5 (10 US) test pair fits perfectly true to size with a nice snug fit for our tester’s relatively low-volume feet. Slipping into these shoes is super easy with the laces loose and a tongue that opens up nice and wide. While laces are a little more cumbersome to deal with than BOA dials, they are comfortable and make it easy to get perfect tension over the top of the foot. An elastic lace retainer also keeps the ends tidy while you ride.

The fiber-reinforced nylon midsole is stiff enough for just about any type of riding short of professional-level racing. It doesn’t feel like any energy is wasted through sole flex, yet it is a bit more forgiving to the feet on longer or rougher rides. Other than the cleat box, the entirety of the sole is covered in Crankbrothers’ MC1 rubber with fairly aggressive tread lugs. This rubber is relatively soft and provides a touch of cushion when you walk and a great grip on rocks or loose dirt.

The synthetic uppers are heavily perforated over the toes, sides of the foot, and the tongue, and the Candy shoes breathe better than expected. The front of the toebox and the heel cup are also nicely reinforced for added protection.

So, while the new Candy Lace shoes aren’t the absolute stiffest or lightest, they happen to be the least expensive and arguably the best-looking shoes we tested. If you’re looking for comfortable, versatile, and affordable all-around gravel shoes, look no further.

Okay, so the Shimano S-Phyre XC9 ($450) shoes are technically made for cross-country mountain bike racing, but that’s exactly what makes them our top choice for gravel racing, too. They are super lightweight, very stiff, well-ventilated, and fit like a glove. They are also very expensive but potentially worth the asking price for high-performance riders and racers seeking maximum efficiency and marginal gains.

The foundation of the S-Phyre XC9 shoes is the super-stiff carbon midsole. These soles don’t flex (like at all), so all of your precious pedaling power goes straight into the cranks. The synthetic uppers conform very nicely to the feet with a wrap-style tongue and dual BOA Li2 closure that hugs snugly but doesn’t constrict.

In the well-shaped heel pocket, a textured material helps prevent any unwanted heel movement when you’re laying down surges of power. Hundreds of perforations in the uppers also allow air to move around the foot and breathe in warm conditions and during high-intensity rides.

On the bottom of the shoes, Shimano’s ULTREAD XC rubber covers nearly all of the carbon fiber except for the cleat mount area. If and when you’re forced off the bike and need to walk or hike the bike, the carbon won’t get all scratched up, and the grippy rubber lugs provide great traction.

They also accept toe spikes and are a popular choice among cyclocross riders for racing in muddy conditions. While the soles provide good grip, the midsoles are super stiff, so walking or hiking in these for an extended period isn’t the most pleasant experience.

Our test pair fit perfectly true to size in length. The uppers have some give, and they break in over the first few rides, but they are pretty low-volume in the standard width. Fortunately, Shimano also makes a wide version of the S-Phyre XC9. At 616 g for the pair in size 43.5, these are some of the lightest shoes we tested, which almost seems surprising given how stiff and comfortable they are.

At $450, the Shimano S-Phyre XC9 shoes are a significant investment in race day and training speed. They’re definitely not the right choice for everyone, but if you’re seeking to maximize your efforts and shave some seconds off the clock, this is our recommendation.

The Empire VR90 was a staple in Giro’s off-road shoe lineup for years and gained somewhat of a cult following among gravel riders. The updated Giro Empire SRC ($350) builds on that legacy and continues to deliver top-tier performance and impressive comfort on par with its predecessor.

Giro didn’t stray too far from the formula that made the Empire VR90 an iconic gravel and cross-country mountain bike shoe. That starts with the uppers. Built with a one-piece Teijin Evofiber synthetic leather material, the Empire SRC is supple and supportive. These shoes are comfortable out of the box, and after a few rides, they conform perfectly to your feet. Still, they provide excellent lateral support and overall stability when mashing on the pedals.

Although BOA closures may be dominating the high-end of the cycling shoe market, laces still work well and appeal to many riders. Not only do they give the shoes some retro vibes, but they also happen to look classy and timeless. Aesthetics aside, laces are also super comfortable. We found it easy to get even tension over the top of the feet with no hot spots or pressure points. They may lack the on-the-fly adjustability of BOA, but we were too comfortable to care.

Our size 43.5 test pair fit true to size, with a relatively average width and volume that is perhaps a touch more accommodating than the previous version. Inside, Giro’s excellent SuperNatural footbed comes with three levels of arch inserts to optimize the support and the fit even further. This level of customization is appreciated, but also expected in a high-end shoe.

The carbon composite plate provides race-ready stiffness but miraculously avoids feeling punishing underfoot. When combined with the secure uppers, these soles provide excellent pedaling efficiency for your next race or long-distance ride. A Sensor rubber tread has been co-molded to the carbon plate, providing ample traction and respectable walkability for such a stiff shoe.

The one-piece uppers are very comfortable, surprisingly tough, and super easy to clean, but they aren’t the most breathable. You’ll want to look to shoes like the Giro Sector or the Rapha Pro Team Powerweave if airflow is high on your list of priorities. At 720 g for the pair (size 43.5), they’re also around 100 g heavier than many similarly priced shoes.

The Empire SRC continues to prove that laces will never go out of style and that comfort and performance are not mutually exclusive. From race day to daily training rides or your next gravel fondo, these shoes look good, feel great, and perform alongside the best of ’em.

Giro combined a relatively stiff midsole, grippy rubber outsole, and highly breathable Synchwire mesh upper to create the Giro Sector ($240). Those ingredients result in a great all-around gravel and XC mountain bike shoe that tops the charts for its impressive ventilation and breathability.

What truly sets the sector apart is Giro’s use of its proprietary Synchwire material. The whole upper of the shoe is made from this supportive yet super porous material that allows maximum airflow to the feet. While the Synchwire is relatively supportive on its own, it also has a thermobonded exo-structure, which adds additional support and durability.

If you’re prone to sweaty feet or regularly ride in hot temperatures, these might be your new best friend. Ride with them in temperatures closer to freezing, however, and it might be the opposite.

The other benefit of Synchwire is that it is fairly supple and it conforms nicely to your foot shape. Not that it needs to, given Giro’s years of experience making great-fitting cycling footwear. Our size 43.5 test pair fit true to size and the dual BOA L6 dial closure makes snugging them up on the feet quick and easy. And for the female riders, Giro also makes the Sector in a women’s version.

The Sector shoes aren’t the absolute stiffest, but they are close enough that most riders won’t notice or care. There’s no discernable sole flex under power, yet they manage to feel a bit more damp than some of the stiffer competition. This is nice on those all-day epics and when tackling rougher surfaces.

A softer rubber compound forms a full rubber sole around the carbon composite midsole. The lugs aren’t especially aggressive, but they grip well and feel comfortable underfoot while walking.

At $240, the Giro Sector is moderately priced but provides a high level of performance and ventilation that’s hard to beat. These versatile shoes have you covered for everything from cross-country mountain biking to long gravel rides and races to bike packing through the desert.

Rapha may be better known for its high-end cycling apparel, but it’s been making some of the best shoes on the market for several years. The Pro Team Powerweave Gravel ($480) is its top-tier off-road shoe with the price tag to match. This shoe recently got a complete redesign, improving on its predecessor in several ways. It looks nearly identical to Rapha’s Pro Team road shoes, but with some gravel-specific features.

The namesake 3D woven upper, or Powerweave, is at the core of these shoes. This woven synthetic material not only looks great, in a unique kind of way, but it also helps make these shoes incredibly breathable. Not only that, but they are impressively comfortable as well since the woven material easily conforms to the shape of your foot.

The only obvious drawback we can see is that the rigors of off-road riding may impact its longevity. We experienced some early fraying in the previous version, so we were happy to see the addition of 40% TPU yarn added to the weave to boost durability. Still, the texture of the material does tend to hang onto dust, dirt, and mud a bit more than smoother uppers.

Fit-wise, the supple Powerweave uppers are very accommodating to varying foot shapes and widths. The width and volume are pretty average, but the material has a bit of give to it. The stock footbed also has adjustable arch support so you can further customize the fit. It is worth mentioning that Rapha states the shoes run small and suggests going up a half size. Our size 44 test pair fits just a tiny bit longer than a typical 43.5 in most other brands.

While many companies use a single-dial system to “lace” the shoe shut, the Explore Powerweave uses BOA’s incremental Li2 dial platform. The two-dial system creates a custom fit around both the forefoot and instep. Combined with the Powerweave uppers’ sock-like fit, these shoes essentially become an extension of your foot. We took them straight from the box for a 40-mile ride and had no issues whatsoever.

The carbon midsole is stiff and felt plenty efficient on the pedals. We never noticed any flex under power, yet the soles didn’t feel harsh underfoot. These shoes could mix it up in a long-distance bike race one day and embark on a multi-day bikepack tour the next. At the same time, they walk pretty well. Thankfully, the tread is toned down a bit compared to the previous version, but the Vibram Megagrip rubber still provides plenty of off-the-bike traction.

At $480, the Pro Team Powerweave Gravel Shoes are undoubtedly a splurge. But if money is no object and you want shoes that look, feel, and perform fantastically across the board, then they are certainly worth checking out.

Read Review: WorldTour Winning Cycling Shoe Gets Gravel Treatment: Specialized S-Works Recon First Look

Specialized makes some of the best products in the industry across all genres of cycling. The Specialized S-Works Recon ($450) is its latest top-of-the-line shoe designed for XC and gravel riding and racing. Of all the shoes we tested, these are the most like its road bike sibling.

They are essentially the S-Works Torch road bike shoes with some more aggressive toe/heel lugs and “pontoons” around the cleat box. In most ways, that’s a good thing, but it does have its downsides.

When Specialized launched the redesigned S-Works Recon shoes in early 2023, they didn’t just update the shoe. They completely overhauled it. Lots of changes were made with the goal of creating an ultra-high-performance off-road shoe — but one of the biggest was the fit.

While the previous version was quite narrow, the current version has a significantly wider forefoot that should work well for many more riders. The narrow-footed among us, however, might find them a bit roomy.

Specialized also ditched the Velcro strap by the toes and now uses two BOA S3 dials to pull tension evenly over the foot. This system cinches the sleek-looking seamless synthetic uppers nicely around the feet and only adds to their classy (read: expensive) looks. What Specialized hasn’t done away with is its Body Geometry technology. While it may sound like a gimmick, it does work to align the foot and lower leg more naturally.

The midsole is a super-thin and super-stiff carbon plate that’s borrowed directly from Specialized’s top-shelf road racing shoes. This gives the Recon some of the stiffest soles you can imagine, and there’s absolutely no wasted pedaling power when these puppies are on your feet. It also means that they aren’t the most forgiving, a tradeoff for their ruthless efficiency.

Specialized tried to “off-road” the soles of these shoes by adding some toe and heel lugs as well as “pontoons” that border the cleat. While they are okay for walking around on flat surfaces, they are not great for hiking, and the exposed carbon on the soles gets scratched easily when you come anywhere near sharp rocks.

At 590 g for the pair in size 43.5, the S-Works Recon are some of the lightest off-road shoes we’ve tested. They’re also one of the stiffest and a great choice for performance-oriented riders and racers who want to look fancy, especially if you have wider-than-average feet.

The Terra Powerstrap X4 ($170) is a wonderfully comfortable shoe that keeps the price low by securing the foot with two wide hook-and-loop straps. The lower strap zigzags over the toes, with the second closing over the foot’s instep. With both straps released, the tongue opens wide, making it easy to pull over the feet.

Velcro straps can often show early signs of wear and tear and can easily get caked in mud. But after two years of abuse, the edges of these straps are still going strong with no signs of early retirement.

The upper is made from a durable synthetic material with a light TPU bumper that inconspicuously protects the toe. What the shoe gains in durability, it takes back in breathability. While the material is perforated, these shoes run warmer, and we found them best suited for spring and fall rides.

Fit-wise, the Terra Powerstrap X4 is the widest of the bunch we tested, and pedals toe-to-toe with the Quocs. These are a solid option for those with wider than average feet. However, we found the minimal lugs (and no lugs under the toes where the toe flexes) lacked traction for any significant hike-a-bike. The toes have some flex that makes them walkable on tame terrain, but the narrow tread platform can feel a little tippy underfoot. 

For riders with above-average-width feet who spend the majority of their riding time in the saddle, the Fizik Terra Powerstrap X4 is a great pair of shoes and a solid value at just $170. If your feet are on the narrower side, the Crankbrothers Candy Lace is a better bet with a similar price and performance.

The problem with most cycling shoes is, well, they feel like cycling shoes. Somewhere, somebody thought that in order to eke out the watts, feet should be locked inside a coffin. To maximize power, it’s not uncommon for cycling shoes to squeeze into a stiff, narrow fit that runs long for some amount of comfort.

Why do we love the Quoc’s Gran Tourer Lace ($235)? They feel normal. The width is natural, the length is appropriate, and the heel stays locked in place. This fit is most noticeable on all-day tours where every other part of the body is begging for mercy. And when you finally pull into the coffee shop, the Gran Tourer is classy enough to brush off the pain in style.

A traditional lace-up cycling shoe, Quoc’s Gran Tourer might look too nice to dirty up. But when the weather is in full mud season, this is the shoe we reach for first. Encased in a protective TPU rand, the synthetic upper is waterproof (up to the rand) and incredibly durable. And if you prefer the convenience of BOA closures, Quoc also makes the Gran Tourer II ($265).

We wore them on a late-winter 50-miler where the gravel turned to mud, and the mud turned to ice. We rode, we grunted, and we walked a lot. At the end of the day, the shoes were caked in mud but our feet remained dry. Back home, we rinsed them under the hose, and they washed off looking unscathed.

Flip them over, and the sole is a great combination of durability and protection. The rubber sole wraps the entire bottom of the shoe. The traction is soft enough to walk in, but after 2 years of abuse, they still show little evidence of the thousands of miles we’ve put on ours.

The Gran Tourer Lace isn’t the stiffest of the bunch, but if you aren’t overly concerned with watts and KOMs, they hit the sweet spot of pedaling efficiency and comfort. And for most riders, that’s exactly what they want and need. At $235, this is a mid-priced shoe. You can easily drop $400 on carbon platform racing shoes, but they probably won’t last as long as Quocs.

One of the lightest shoes we tested, Shimano’s RX8 ($275), at 265 g per shoe, has a killer price-to-weight ratio. Shockingly, these shoes are lighter than the Shimano XC9 and $175 less expensive. They also happen to fit like a glove, have soles stiff enough for racing, and do pretty well when you’re forced off the bike and have to walk.

There isn’t really a huge difference between these shoes and Shimano’s models marketed as cross-country mountain bike shoes. The primary differentiation is honestly the colors and “graphics” on the uppers. And that’s not a bad thing, given that the brand’s XC shoes are some of the best in the business.

The RX8 has supple synthetic uppers and a BOA Li2 dial that tightens nicely over the instep. Down by the toes, a small Velcro strap adds some tension over the forefoot.

The carbon composite soles are plenty stiff — a hair less stiff than the XC9 — with a stiffness rating of 10 on Shimano’s scale. You’d be hard-pressed to notice a difference between the two, and they certainly don’t lack in pedaling efficiency.

A lugged outsole covers the carbon midsole for durability and off-the-bike traction. These shoes walk and hike reasonably well for what they are. They also happen to be relatively well-ventilated with ample perforations in the uppers to let the feet get some air.

The Shimano RX8 is a staff favorite and our go-to shoe for fast rides and races where stiffness and low weight are the priority. They strike a strong balance of comfort, stiffness, performance, and durability. Now, if we could only get Shimano to put a second BOA over the toes — but that would come at a weight penalty, of course.

The new Five Ten Kestrel BOA ($230) represents a significant departure from the brand’s more gravity-oriented mountain bike shoe line. Known more for its legendary flat pedal shoes, this is the first stiff-soled cross-country/gravel shoe that the brand has made. We’ve been riding in a pair off and on for the past year, and it turns out that they’re a great pair of shoes that’s plenty stiff and offers a bit more foot protection than most.

Unlike more expensive shoes that typically use carbon fiber, the Kestrel BOA uses a glass fiber midsole that’s plenty stiff and helps to keep the price down. It might be a touch less stiff, but we never noticed a lack of pedaling efficiency or support or felt the soles flexing under power.

Five Ten also added some serious lugs to the sole made from Stealth Marathon rubber. While this is one of the firmer compounds they make, there’s no lack of walking/hiking traction due in large part to the aggressive toe and heel lugs.

The upper is comprised of a couple of different synthetic materials. A tough, Cordura-like fabric wraps around the whole shoe and allows for decent breathability over the toes and sides of the midfoot.

That’s wrapped in an abrasion-resistant material around the toes and capped with a thick rubber toe bumper to provide some serious rock strike protection. The heel also has a healthy amount of reinforcement along with padding around the ankle cuff, making these shoes more protective of the feet than others on this list.

Five Ten chose to use a BOA dial to tighten the shoes over the upper foot and two Velcro straps to secure them over the mid and forefoot. This system is quick and easy to use and allows you to snug the shoes around the whole foot. The Velcro straps do make us a little wary, however, as they tend to wear out more quickly than other closures — ours are still fine after a year, though.

It’s also worth noting that the fit of the Kestrel BOA is more voluminous than others. They aren’t too wide, necessarily — there’s just quite a bit of volume. We found that replacing the thin stock footbed with a thicker aftermarket option helped tremendously to dial in the fit for our lower-volume feet.

Beyond that, the Five Ten Kestrel BOA shoes are an excellent first XC/gravel effort from the brand. These rugged shoes are quite versatile, with uses spanning from trail and cross-country mountain biking to long and adventurous days on the gravel bike. Anyone with somewhat higher-volume feet seeking something a bit more protective than typical gravel shoes will find a lot to like here.

Another comfortable gravel shoe we tested, Garneau’s Baryum ($300), is a fine implementation of BOA’s dual-lace systems. The micro-adjustments make dialing in your fit simple and easy, and the X-Comfort zone makes them accommodating to a range of shapes and widths. Essentially an off-road version of its Course Air Lite II road shoes, the Baryum combines great pedaling efficiency, lightweight, and a streamlined design with a grippy walkable sole.

A carbon midsole provides plenty of power transfer and stiffness. That’s completely wrapped in a heavily lugged T-flex rubber outsole that protects the carbon and offers plenty of off-bike traction. The heel and toe sections of the shoe have extra protection for durability for the scrapes and scuffs you’re sure to encounter.

We found the Baryum to be super comfortable. The synthetic uppers conform to the feet nicely, and the dual BOA L6 dials make it really easy to achieve perfect tension over the foot. The X-Comfort zones can also stretch a bit to fit a range of foot widths. A small mesh panel over the toes and perforation on the midfoot help keep some air moving and prevent your feet from overheating.

We found the Louis Garneau Baryum a solid choice for everything from long gravel century rides to quick evening spins or XC mountain bike sessions. As a bonus, these shoes are quite comfortable and easy to walk in while off of the bike if your rides turn more adventurous than expected.