Cross-country and off road terrains demand cycling shoes that are both comfortable and robust. Of course, you might be able to get away with road cycling shoes or even commuter cycling shoes if you're on a bikepacking trip—but purpose-built cyclocross and gravel bike shoes will ultimately serve you best.
Why?
Foot dabbing, hopping on and off the bike means something more rugged and grippy is required than road cycling shoes that don't have a tread on the soles.
The best gravel bike shoes and cyclocross shoes will have a grippy tread, durable construction that can handle thick mud and a comfortable, secure fit that stays put when striding and mounting and dismounting your bike.
Until recently, most gravel bike and cyclocross bike riders have just had to pick their way through mountain bike shoes, but with an upward surge in drop-bar off-road riding, more kit specifically honed to the needs of the gravel bike rider (including gravel bike clothing) is gradually becoming available.
We've split our guide up into shoes we'd recommend for gravel (where long-distance comfort is a priority), and shoes we'd recommend for cyclocross racing (where power transfer is most important).
All of the shoes in this guide have been tested by Cycling Weekly, and we've only included pairs that got high ratings; click the link after each to read the full review.
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Gravel Bike Shoes
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We liked the weight, breathability and comfort of the Sectors. Two Boa dials allow for a precise fit and the price is very reasonable for the performance on offer. The sole does lack a little grip sometimes though.
Giro's mid-range Privateer uses a nylon midsole for pedalling power and walking flexibility, with plenty of grip on offer too. Lace closure keeps the weight down and adds some retro style whilst we were impressed by their robustness and durability.
The synthetic upper of the Recon 1.0 might lack a bit of ventilation, but that is rarely an issue in the UK, and the toe-flex system means that walking comfort doesn't compromise riding stiffness. Grip is good and the 3 Velcro straps allow for plenty of adjustment whilst helping to keep the price reasonable.
The VR90 ticks a lot of performance boxes - a Vibram tread mated to a carbon sole unit provides grip and stiffness aplenty with toe spikes for extreme conditions. Laces add a classic aesthetic and the one-piece upper looks great, but be aware that they can come up a bit on the narrow side.
Lake offers many of its shoes in width fittings, including the MX 238 Supercross, so finding exactly the right size should be a doddle. The water-resistant leather upper and carbon sole work very well together, but they don't offer much in the way of warmth for rides that aren't flat-out at threshold.
We loved the feel of the stiff Vento Ferox Carbon when powering up climbs and they proved very durable during testing too. The combination of Boa and wide Velcro strap wasn't always ideal for getting the perfect tension though.
Boa L6 dials don't back off tension without releasing completely
Mixing a one-piece upper and a carbon composite sole with tall side lugs, the Giro Sector shoes are thin, supple and supportive with mesh sections for good breathability. We found the sole sufficiently flexible for comfort off-bike but it still gave good pedalling support, although grip was a bit lacking for hike-a-bike in muddy conditions.
There are two Boa L6 dial closures, making for precise fit adjustment, although with the L6 you need to pop the dial to loosen, rather than having both-ways adjustability. But otherwise, the Sectors are a top choice at a reasonable price.
The Privateer lace-up shoe might be middle of the range from Giro, but it's certainly a great performer. Although a huge slice cheaper than Giro's flagship Empire VR90, these shoes certainly don't compromise on comfort or durability. They weigh in at 355g (size 42) per shoe.
The nylon sole gave us a good level of stiffness for pedalling but enough give for when we had to do a bit of hike-a-bike as well. The rubber-lugged outsole gives ample grip, no matter what kind of surface you're scrambling over.
The S-Works version of the Recon shoes with its dual BOA system was launched in 2019, but the high price tag somewhat limited their appeal. The Recon 1.0 (as well as the 2.0 and 3.0 models) however is significantly more accessible, although this has meant a redesign.
This version comes with a triple Velcro closure and a synthetic upper with a reinforced toe box zone. In use, the minimal ventilation kept our feet warm enough, although this might be something to consider if riding in hot weather.
Specialized says the nylon sole provides a good level of stiffness for on the bike, and thanks to its own STRIDE toe-flex system should help with walking off the bike - we would have to agree with this. The deep rubber lugs are also coated in Specialized SlipNot compound to help with traction on all terrain.
The shoes weigh in at 331g for a size 42, and are available in three colours and in sizes 36 to 49EU.
Fizik says that the Terra Atlas is the most versatile shoe in its range. The sole has been reworked to add extra lugs and directional spacing and is made of rubber to up grip and the sole is mid-stiffness for off-bike comfort. The cleat holes are fixed further back, in line with the modern trend.
We thought that the toe box was roomier than many Fizik shoes and there's extra padding, which helped with comfort. Silicone dots in the heel cup help to prevent heel lift. There's a single Boa L6 dial to provide adjustability with 1mm increments, although only having one dial does limit adjustability.
The Quoc Gran Tourer IIs are a comfortable and reliable option for riding off-road in late summer and early autumn conditions. They particularly excel when the temperatures are cool - but not cold - and when the conditions are damp - but not soaking wet.
The upper has proved robust and is reasonably thick. These aren’t an ultra-lightweight pair of summer shoes, but at the same time, there are holes in the splashproof microfibre fabric to help aid breathability. This makes them more of a three-season shoe, suitable for most riding throughout the year, but not a specialist for the extremes.
As with pretty much all shoes that employ only a single retention dial, we found getting the perfect tension a bit of a struggle. Our reviewer found that he was able to get the shoes sufficiently tight around the tops of his feet, but had a bit too much room left lower down. Two dials would solve this but would add a lot to the price - just a simple Velcro strap would have been a nice addition.
Despite the sole being constructed from Nylon rather than carbon, they make for quite a stiff pedalling platform, delivering good power transfer and feeling quite supportive. The lugs are quite deep and offer plenty of traction in the mud.
Hot on the heels of the relaunched Road Shoe, Adidas have entered the gravel world with the eponymously named Gravel Cycling Shoe. Largely based on the design of the road shoe there's a little crossover from sister off-road brand Five Ten to make things more trail-centric. The upper of the shoe is made from lightweight ripstop fabric with a distinctive lace closure and ankle cuff for protection from trail muck. The sole has pimply rubber grips on the heel and forefoot as well as enough flex for walking. Colors include trendy pinks, khaki gravel and football boot black.
The fabric upper, flexible sole and lace closure kept us comfy on long rides as well as those walks to the café counter. The main drawback of the Adidas shoe is there's no water resistance and the sole easily clogs with mud quickly, making it difficult to clip in so they're not for year-round wear.
The Velcro Powerstrap design has been used on other Fizik shoes in the road range. It's essentially an elasticated ribbon that attaches via Velcro, so you can tighten the midfoot and instep independently for greater comfort. This might seem primitive in the age of Boa dials, but it’s actually incredibly strong. In our test, this Powerstrap closure worked well, although the Velcro straps were a bit too long and collected dirt. This can be remedied with scissors and a lighter!
The tread is thick enough to shed some mud and provide some grip when walking but isn’t as deep or aggressive as the Fizik Terra X5s. With dry conditions this was ok, but the X5 would be better for year-round use.
The Terra Powerstrap X4 shoes weigh 339g for a size 42 according to Fizik, and is available in three colours in sizes 36 to 48 EU including half sizes.
The Giro Empire VR90 combines old-school aesthetics with cutting-edge technology to deliver performance, comfort and efficiency. While these are marketed as MTB cycling shoes, we think these excellent shoes for cyclocross and gravel cycling too.
Starting with the tech, the one-piece microfibre upper comes with a rubber toe cap for extra protection and a full lace retention system. In testing, we did find these laces made it hard to get the perfect retention on the first attempt and you might find an element of mid-ride faff.
The sole uses a sticky Vibram rubber tread with an Easton EC90 full carbon sole unit. This provides the Empire with an incredibly stiff pedalling platform and ample grip in most conditions too. For those conditions and races when you might slip and slide, Giro provides steel toe spikes for extra grip.
It's worth noting that we generally find that Giro shoes come up slightly narrower than some other manufacturers, and as such the fit around the whole foot is a little tighter, so it might be worth going up a size if you have wider feet.
The VR90s weigh in at 345g for a size 45 and are available in four colours across men's and women's range and in sizes 36 to 48EU.
The Lake MX 238 provide excellent power transfer and—crucially—pliability for normal running gait when off the bike.
Right out of the box, the real leather stood out to us straight away—it felt incredibly soft to the touch. The pliability of the shoe's outer is noticeable too but a quick look inside reveals mesh inserts that make these a much more robust and versatile shoes than a initial glances would suggest.
The leather may be soft but these are definitely race shoes. They have a stiff carbon sole and are water resistant, with rubber sections for added assistance when you need to run or walk. We particularly enjoyed the dual side-mounted BOA lacing system that offers next-level adjustability as seen on other premium shoes such as Shimano S-Phyre XC9 shoes.
Since the MX 238 is a race shoe, they are designed to be worn when you're working hard. In testing, we found them perfect for racing cyclocross at maximum effort but on slower paced gravel rides our feet got a little chilly in cold weather.
The size range is huge, with wide options to suit those with wider feet.
Velcro doesn’t offer the easy micro-adjustability that dials do
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Slight heel slippage
The Fizik Vento are fantastically stiff off-road shoes that are simultaneously lightweight and breathable. These shoes will cover you for everything from cyclocross races to all-day gravel events.
Similar to the Lake MX238, the Vento uses a BOA system for optimal adjustability and comfort. This is combined with a velcro 'Powerstrap' higher up the foot for extra security. In testing, we did find it was difficult to difficult to get the tension exactly spot-on. Often it would be a little too loose or a little too tight. Most shoes at this price point use two Boa dials rather than Velcro straps, and that allows for much more fine-tuned adjustment.
Competing in the GritFest enduro gravel race, our reviewer was very impressed by the shoe’s efficiency on the climbs. The shoes stiff soles proved to be highly durable, with the polyurethane-laminated upper shrugging off scrapes and knocks.
At $299.99 / £299.99, the Fizik Vento Ferox are significantly more expensive - but if you’re not one for mid-ride adjustments, then this is a robust performance-oriented option which could work well for you, if you’re willing to pay the premium.
Sizes: 38-48, half sizes 39-47, wide version 38-48
Weight: 560g (size 41)
Reasons to buy
+
Very stiff sole for good power transfer
+
Effective at keeping dirt out of your shoes
+
Extra warmth from the cuff
Reasons to avoid
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Some foot discomfort from the single Boa dial
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No women's sizes
The Shimano RX8R is a "rally edition" of the standard Shimano RX8 shoe, which we've also put through the wringer.
The RX8R features a knitted ankle cuff to keep debris out of the shoe. It's significantly lighter than those in Shimano's MTB range such as the GR5 and the S-PHYRE. It also
has a narrower carbon sole and no toe studs. There's the same tread pattern as the standard RX8 that's not as aggressive or bulky as a full-on MTB base. Unfortunately, like other Shimano shoes, the treads are not replaceable.
We found it a struggle to get the shoes on through the quite stiff cuff, which we reckon could do with being a little taller as well. The cuff adds some warmth though - good for cooler, wet rides, less so in the summer. We also found that the single dial closure resulted in pressure over the top of the foot which could become uncomfortable.
There's a good range of sizes and half sizes on offer as well as wide-fit shoes, although no women's version yet and no sizes below 38.
What are the different gravel shoe fastening systems?
There are basically four different systems used to tighten cycling shoes: Velcro, ratchets, laces, and dials.
Many shoes at the lower end of the price range will use Velcro straps for fastening, as it's a cheaper production method. While this is great to get you started, you will find that the longevity of the shoe can be shortened due to the mechanics of the hook and eye system getting clogged with mud and then failing to function. That said, it is a lightweight option, so even some of the top-end shoes will use the odd Velcro strap, generally at the less adjusted toe box area. Just be aware that all Velcro straps will require an element of housekeeping to ensure they remain fully functioning, especially after very wet and muddy rides.
The next step up in the fastening system food chain comes in the form of laces. Laces are great at providing lots of fit adjustability and help keep the shoe weight down, but are close to impossible to adjust on the move, and trying to un-tie wet and muddy laces post-ride with cold, wet hands will soon become one of your most hated things. You'll also find laces on some expensive gravel bike shoes like those from Rapha and Giro, as the lace closure complements a lightweight shoe construction and can distribute pressure well.
Ratchets, on the other hand, offer a good level of adjustability, security and are reasonably resistant to mud, although there can be the odd panic moment when they become clogged and fail to open, meaning a contortionist style cleaning requirement whilst still wearing them. They are super easy to adjust on the bike, although this also makes them more vulnerable in crashes and they're fairly easy to loosen by accident when you brush against trailside obstacles. Ratchet systems can be heavy, and after the sole, will be one of the factors in accounting for the weight of the shoe.
At the top end of the cycling shoe closure systems are dials. The cable and mini-barrel winch system provides very secure retention, easy micro-adjustment for a precise fit, a profile that minimises the risk of damage in a crash and all at an impressively low weight. Dials are hard to beat, however, in the famous words of Mr Keith Bontrager "strong, light, cheap - pick two". Owing to the more complex construction methods to enable dials to be used, shoes tend to be on the more expensive side.
What are the different sole materials used for gravel shoes?
As with the fastening systems, there are various different materials and methods used for sole construction for cycling shoes, and the choice will largely come down to style of riding and price.
While one of the biggest choice factors in road shoes will be out-and-out stiffness, off-road shoe choice is a more 'horses for courses' approach - much like bike tyres.
Like tyres, depth and pattern of the sole ideally need to match the sort of riding/hiking/running terrain. The chunkier tread will perform best in wet mud and slippery conditions, while a thinly spaced out tread pattern is better on rocky land, and saves you from having to get a friend to act as your farrier to remove wedged chunks of stone from the sole of your shoe.
Don't be too hasty to write sole stiffness off for the mud market; many of the top-end performance cyclocross shoes will err more towards pedal power than mud or sand running prowess. If you want a more run-friendly balance, opting for a stiff midsole with a slight flex in the toe box would be a good compromise, as would the ability to swap out studs for spikes for when the course gets very muddy.
Stiffer soles are also a good option if you intend to ride more rocky routes, as, a bit like walking boots, you'll want support from the sole when off the bike and walking over uneven terrain.
At the more casual riding and touring end of the spectrum, the focus will be more on comfort on and off the bike. The shoes will still prove stiff enough for efficient pedalling, but allow sufficient flex for walking the trails as well as riding them.
Entry-level cycling shoes will generally come with nylon plastic soles, but if you pay a bit more you will get shoes with carbon composite soles (i.e. a mixture of carbon and plastic), which will help to bring the weight down a little.
For those seeking performance-specific options, then carbon-soled shoes will be the ones to look out for, as these will be stiff and light, but with that comes a risk of discomfort over longer periods on the bike and of course, the wincing as you scrabble about on anything rock or gravel like when off the bike and the underside of your shoe gets scratched and gouged.
If your gravel riding potentially contains an element of hike-a-bike, you may find that a softer compound rubber sole might be more up your (dirt) street for overall grip and durability.
Are all gravel shoes cleats the same?
All off-road clipless pedals come with cleats that use a two-bolt mounting system. There are plenty of different brands that offer pedals but on the whole, many use a Shimano SPD style cleat. Some other brands such as Time and Crankbrothers use a slightly different cleat but still with a two-bolt mount. The correct cleats should be provided with the pedals when you buy them.
What two-bolt pedal system you run shouldn't impact which shoes you choose, but you do need to ensure that the shoe offers enough adjustment that you can get the cleat in the right position for you.
Most shoes will offer an element of fore and aft adjustment, and your cleat should allow for side to side, but if you like to ride with a less common angle or position, double check the adjustability is there and that the tread pattern doesn't interfere.
What to look for in gravel and cyclocross cycling shoes
Heat moulding of cycling shoes
There are a number of different shoes and insoles on the market, such as the Bont Vaypor G and the Lake MX range that can be customised through heat moulding to fit the shape of your feet. This means that the shoes should perfectly support the arch of your foot, giving an almost bespoke fit. This is a major plus point if you do have an above-average foot support requirement. Heat mouldable shoes can provide enhanced comfort to all foot shapes, as well as help with power transfer from a performance aspect.
What conditions will you be riding in most?
In an ideal world, we'd have a different pair of shoes for every discipline of cycling and variety of riding and weather conditions. In reality, we probably have to stick to thinking about what an average ride looks like for us.
While a pair of road shoes can be beefed up in cold and wet conditions with the addition of pulling on a waterproof or neoprene overshoe, this isn't quite as practical off-road. Although there are options out there, from experience they don't survive longer than a single season, maximum.
If cold and wet weather is a constant with your gravel riding, then you might want to look for waterproof features or winter cycling boots, or if you suffer from cold feet go up a size to ensure a thermal sock and insole will fit.
With cyclocross racing being a winter sport in Europe, bad weather is almost a given, but as the duration of time and pace spent riding is shorter and higher, cross shoes are purely performance-focused. As with XC-specific shoes, as well as not being designed for spending much time off the bike, like any performance shoe, they will offer foot ventilation, so don't just assume that because it's got grip it's going to be suited to bad weather.
Try before you buy
The best way to check the fit of a shoe is to try it on in your local bike shop before purchasing (hopefully you’ll make the purchase in the shop too). It is better to do this in the afternoon or evening as your feet may expand slightly during the day.
Shoe sizing can be pretty inconsistent across brands, particularly when compared to other pieces of cycling clothing – just because your old and worn-out size 46 shoes were comfortable, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can jump straight into a different brand in the same size.
Arch heights, shoe widths and different fastening systems can all mean that you may find yourself going a size up or down when buying new cycling shoes.
As well as the custom fit that the above-mentioned heat moulding allows, some brands offer women's-specific or wide options that will help you get the best fit for your foot.
How we test
Shoe comfort is always going to be highly subjective but Cycling Weekly's experienced testers assessed the uppers for ease of warmth, weather resistance and durability as well as giving their opinion of the comfort. The soles were evaluated for grip when walking or running off-road, ease of cleat/pedal location and stiffness for pedalling power.
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Hannah is Cycling Weekly’s longest-serving tech writer, having started with the magazine back in 2011. She has covered all things technical for both print and digital over multiple seasons representing CW at spring Classics, and Grand Tours and all races in between.
Hannah was a successful road and track racer herself, competing in UCI races all over Europe as well as in China, Pakistan and New Zealand.
For fun, she's ridden LEJOG unaided, a lap of Majorca in a day, won a 24-hour mountain bike race and tackled famous mountain passes in the French Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites and Himalayas.
She lives just outside the Peak District National Park near Manchester UK with her partner, daughter and a small but beautifully formed bike collection.
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