Having spent the last few months testing the best gravel shoes, and whittling down the best options on the market into a useful guide, I also learned a thing or two, so it seems prudent to share the knowledge so you can get the most bang for your buck and not end up disappointed, or worse, uncomfortable.
Since it’s been warm enough to ditch the best winter cycling shoes in favour of more svelte options, I’ve been riding off-road in numerous pairs of gravel shoes, sometimes taking multiple options on the same ride for a mid-ride switch out. I’ve been using options designed for the highest level of gravel racing, through bikepacking focussed models designed to help you when it comes to protracted hike-a-bike, and budget options too, hoping to be all things to those who are just starting out or who can’t afford more premium options.
Without further ado, then, here are my six key takeaways after swapping shoes nearly every ride for a few months.
1. Sole stiffness doesn’t matter as much as you think
It’s telling that the shoe I’ve awarded Best Overall has a composite sole. While on the road there’s a clear distinction between the carbon soles, stiff, race-oriented shoes and the more entry-level offerings lower down the category sporting a more flexible nylon sole, It’s different when you head off-road.
Having a super stiff sole may make sense for you when you’re racing, but for gravel riding it does very often result in a less comfortable ride. The Bont Vaypor G, for example, is at the very extreme end and is also the harshest shoe on test. The Empire VR90 is carbon-soled, but more comfortable thanks mostly to a more generously padded heel and interior.
On the flip side, the cheaper end of the spectrum often offered greater comfort. The Privateers were a delight on rocky ground, and the Quoc Escapes (if you ignore the ankle rub) were certainly more forgiving too. If you regularly spend time walking this distinction becomes even more stark, and if I’m on an exploratory ride I’d suggest a nylon sole is preferable, with the possible exception of the Rapha Explore Powerweave, which gets around the issue of having an inflexible sole with a fuller outsole.
My other slight bone of contention is that, while conventional wisdom is that stiffer shoes transfer power better, the matter is far from settled. My…
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