Gravel Shoes

16 replies · 1,682 views

Motorazr
15 posts
#1May 9, 2021, 11:10 AMedited
In a search for THE right gravel shoes, I ruled out road shoes because of my desire to walk in them plus I wanted double-sided SPD pedals. In off-road cycling shoes, I tried the following six models (clock-wise from top left):
- Shimano MT7 - $150, 730g
- Shimano MT5 - $110, 690g
- Scott MTB Comp Boa Reflective - $120, 740g
- Giro Gauge - $85, 812g
- Giro Ranger - $100, 630g
- Giro Ventana Fastlace - $130, 816g
Weights are as claimed (usually for a size 42).

Both of the Shimano MTB shoes were chunkier than desired and not very stiff. I also tried the Shimano XC3 ($120, 664g) and XC5 ($170, 596g) Cross-Country shoes but ultimately found that I preferred the fit and construction of the Scott MTB shoes (found at $100, 740g in Black or Red without the reflective feature). Shimano rates their MTB shoes as "stiffness index 4" on their own 0-12 stiffness scale. I noted that Shimano recommends large-platform, caged SPD pedals like the PD-M8120 and T8000 for use with their MTB shoes. You have to go up to a "stiffness index 6" before Shimano recommends shoes for use with bare SPD pedals like the PD-M520/M540/M8100

The Giro Gauge is noticeably heavy and the lace holes aren't eyeletted which means that it takes a lot of lace pulling to tighten or loosen them. Plus, like the Ventana Boa/Ventana Fastlace, the upper material has reviews critical of the fabric's durability. The Gauge and Ventana are both wider than many shoes. The Ranger was a surprise - very comfortable and seemingly well-made plus being the second lightest after the Shimano XC5's. Both the Giro Gauge and Ranger came with a flat, die-cut insole which is lame. I normally wear a size US-11 and I tried all the shoes in size EU-46. Giro's size chart says EU-46 is equivalent to a US-12 though and indeed the Giro shoes were all too large for me. If I wanted a velcro strap shoe, I would definitely have reordered the Giro Ranger in a smaller size and tried again. Ultimately, the fastening system I most wanted was a Boa on top with a velcro lower strap. Like some higher-end shoes, the Scott MTB shoes also optionally allow the wearer to double the bottom Boa lace for asymmetrical tightening across the instep which I found to be a useful feature.

Only one shoe is shown here with a SPD cleat attached - the other shoes are all being returned as tried-on but unused.
2
AmericanTemplar
78 posts
#2May 9, 2021, 12:59 PM
I have the Giro Empire VR90's that I use for everything (gravel, road, MTB). It's my second pair, and I think they're great. Pretty sure they're one of the lightest SPD shoes made. I get about 2 to 3 years out of a pair and I ride about 11 hours/week on everything from smooth pavement to super chunky MTB trails. They are stiff soled, so not great for tons of walking, but why would you be doing that? Also, I use these pedals for gravel, since they're light, have a platform, and I don't need a double sided pedal for gravel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074BT8VJG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I think it's a great setup for gravel.
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Motorazr
15 posts
#3May 9, 2021, 9:12 PMedited
AmericanTemplar wrote:I have the Giro Empire VR90's that I use for everything (gravel, road, MTB). It's my second pair, and I think they're great. Pretty sure they're one of the lightest SPD shoes made.

For me personally, even at only 630g, $300 for a pair of lace-up cycling shoes isn't happening. My understanding is that the Giro Sector (684g, $225 with dual-Boa fasteners) is made on the same last as the VR90 and so fits the same but I was shopping in the under-$200 category. I like nice things but I also appreciate good value and I found two different off-road shoe models that I liked a lot for just $100 (then I splurged an extra $20 to get the color I wanted). I do own expensive Italian motorcycle boots but those are in another universe of materials, features and engineering from MTB shoes.

Anyway, the purpose of my my post was merely to share information with anyone looking at shoes for off-road cycling.
1
Jumbo
123 posts
#4May 10, 2021, 12:46 PM
I really like the Shimano XC-5 for one main reason: they fit my feet. So many bike shoes (well, so many shoes in general) really don't. Never really understood why shoe designers make products that aren't foot-shaped. (Yeah, feet differ in shape, but you get the idea.)
1
cyclery88
16 posts
#5May 10, 2021, 9:22 PM
Great review. Do you have wide or narrow feet? I guess medium width would be an option too, but it seems like most people fit in either wide or narrow categories, for some reason.
Which of the shoes in your review would be the most narrow, in your opinion? At least from your picture, the Scotts and the Rangers look the most narrow?

I got some weird feets. Narrow, bony, and a high arch that sits normally where an EU-47 arch sits, but my feet are sized 45-46 EU, depending on the shoe. I usually have to end up getting insoles because of my weird feet, so maybe the Giro's would be the way to go?
0
p0is0n0ak
35 posts
#6May 11, 2021, 9:59 AM
I have a pair of the Sidi Gravel shoes with Sidi memory foam inserts and couldn't be happier with them. They have a stiff platform but are also pretty easy to walk in. I don't get the walking on wooden blocks feeling I got from past Sidi shoes.
0
chas
1,305 posts
#7May 11, 2021, 12:26 PM
Motorazr wrote:
Both of the Shimano MTB shoes were chunkier than desired and not very stiff. I also tried the Shimano XC3 ($120, 664g) and XC5 ($170, 596g) Cross-Country shoes but ultimately found that I preferred the fit and construction of the Scott MTB shoes (found at $100, 740g in Black or Red without the reflective feature). Shimano rates their MTB shoes as "stiffness index 4" on their own 0-12 stiffness scale. I noted that Shimano recommends large-platform, caged SPD pedals like the PD-M8120 and T8000 for use with their MTB shoes. You have to go up to a "stiffness index 6" before Shimano recommends shoes for use with bare SPD pedals like the PD-M520/M540/M8100

That is interesting, I learned something! "Shimano rates their MTB shoes as "stiffness index 4" on their own 0-12 stiffness scale." Made me search for their chart:
https://bike.shimano.com/en-NZ/technologies/apparel-accessories/footwear/stiffness-ind

How Ironic you shouldn't use their mountain bike shoes with their standard SPD pedals.

The XC shoes look like a better fit for that. They have a stiffness of 7-11 (out of 12). I got the one's rated at 11 for going fast (and for general gravel, I put on something more comfy to walk on)
0
imwjl
304 posts
#8May 11, 2021, 3:48 PM
Comfy to walk in? Comfy to ride in? Light weight? FiveTen shoes and OneUp or Chester pedals for about everything these days.
1
Motorazr
15 posts
#9May 14, 2021, 8:52 AM
cyclery88 wrote:Do you have wide or narrow feet? I guess medium width would be an option too, but it seems like most people fit in either wide or narrow categories, for some reason. Which of the shoes in your review would be the most narrow, in your opinion? At least from your picture, the Scotts and the Rangers look the most narrow?

Thanks for your feedback. All my shoes of every kind are generally a standard "D" width which makes my feet "medium width". Whereas the Shimano and Scott shoes all fit me fine in a size 46, that same size in all the Giro-brand shoes was too big. I'm speculating that the Giro Ranger shoes might be a bit narrow because the pair I tried felt okay in width despite being one size too large for me overall.

At various local bike shops, I had tried a variety of shoes from Shimano, Scott, Specialized, and Pearl Izumi. Except for the Scott MTB shoes, I wanted to try all the other shoes shown so I ordered online from REI knowing that I could easily return them for free at any local REI store. Once I got them, I didn't like any of the shoes as much as the Scott shoes. The LBS only had the Scott's in the black or red colorways though and I wanted the gray (reflective) version so I ordered those online too and then again compared all six pairs of shoes as shown in the photo.
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Motorazr
15 posts
#10May 14, 2021, 9:11 AMedited
imwjl wrote:Comfy to walk in? Comfy to ride in? Light weight? FiveTen shoes and OneUp or Chester pedals for about everything these days.

Though I'm not disappointed, I'm not finding a huge advantage to using SPD pedals over platforms. The one thing I wanted clipped pedals to help me with is bunny-hopping my rear wheel over curbs (and occasionally roots and rocks). Having SPD pedals/shoes DOES help with that but just using a hip-thrust technique alone to lift the rear wheel would likely work too. I'm honestly not that flexible and coordinated so a combination of lifting with my feet AND thrusting my body-weight forward gets me the cleanest lift to spare my own back and my rear rim from heavier impacts.

I could totally see forgoing the hassle and just sticking to platform pedals. The expert advice is that advanced riding techniques are easier on clipped pedals than on platforms but there are advanced riders who do equally well with either setup. Endurance-wise, the benefit of clipped pedals seems fairly minor to me but I'm not one to count grams and watts nor to ride a century.
0
Zx10freak
25 posts
#11May 14, 2021, 10:06 AM
I tend to be more on the thrifty side when it comes to spending money and I always stuck with shoes in the $150ish or lower price range. that strategy suited me well until my last set of shoes did the choke hold on my toes at 60miles. (seriously, how can numb toes hurt so badly)
anyway I decided to splurge a bit and to try out a set of Lake MTB shoes. I figure if I ride the road it's on my gravel bike and I only need one set of shoes for gravel or MTB, so I figured it was worth spending a little more for a set of shoes....
This ultimately was a bad decision as I will now unfortunately think "thrifty" is around $300 bucks....
I love these Lake shoes (MX238), they are a bit wider in the toe box then most. They seem pretty durable, nice a stiff but still walkable, and with the double boa on the fly adjustments are easy.
all that to say, it maybe worth spending a bit more if you can afford it.
1
Motorazr
15 posts
#12May 14, 2021, 2:16 PMedited
Lake MX238 Supercross...from the web page:
Featuring a larger toe box & tighter heel than the Comfort last and with slightly more overall volume than the Sport last. Exceptionally secure for hard riding/racing with enough room in the toe box to prevent binding when running up inclines or negotiating a hike-a-bike section. Designed for performance riding & racing.

https://lakecycling.com/products/mx-238

Of the mixed reviews on CompetitiveCyclist, one owner says that his size 45 shoe weighed 435g (either ridiculously light or it's really 870g for the pair with real, abrasion-resistant leather, dual-Boa's, and steel toe-cleats). It's a good-looking shoe in dark camo and they come CX race-ready with serious-looking toe-cleats.
0
imwjl
304 posts
#13May 14, 2021, 2:48 PM
Motorazr wrote:
Though I'm not disappointed, I'm not finding a huge advantage to using SPD pedals over platforms. The one thing I wanted clipped pedals to help me with is bunny-hopping my rear wheel over curbs (and occasionally roots and rocks). Having SPD pedals/shoes DOES help with that but just using a hip-thrust technique alone to lift the rear wheel would likely work too. I'm honestly not that flexible and coordinated so a combination of lifting with my feet AND thrusting my body-weight forward gets me the cleanest lift to spare my back and rear rim from heavier impacts.

I could totally see forgoing the hassle and just sticking to platform pedals. The expert advice is that advanced riding techniques are easier on clipped pedals than on platforms but there are advanced riders who do equally well with either setup. Endurance-wise, the benefit of clipped pedals seems fairly minor to me but I'm not one to count grams and watts nor to ride a century.

It's very worth every rider's time to know how to do even a lame mini bunny hop like me, pump and a little drop with flats. After decades of riding learning that stuff from mostly supporting kids at the pump track and jump park both improved and added a lot of pleasure to my riding. After the just plain fun part, you gain bike control and safety.
0
Djg21-2
37 posts
#14May 25, 2021, 8:06 PM
They’re at a far different price point, for those who want the best fit possible or need a custom shoe, but Don Lamson makes great bespoke custom gravel/MTB shoes. They are built with a Vibram light hiking sole so walking isn’t an issue, and they are obviously custom fit and come with a custom insole. They last for years and are worth the cost. And you can visit Don in Green Valley to get fit and ride in Patagonia.
https://lamsoncycling.com/off-road-shoes
0
Wolfpack7483
13 posts
#15May 27, 2021, 3:20 PM
Thanks OP, for sharing your experience. I was beginning to look for new shoes to replace my Shimano RT4s that have seen better days & found this thread. Comfort, walking ability, & Boa closure were my primary criteria. Found the Scott MTB Comp Boa online for $63 & figured it was worth a shot. While not as light as the Shimano RT4, they were way more comfortable, and the Boa system is night and day better than lace up - at least for me. Did a 30 mile route this a.m., & I'm sold..
0
mike d
138 posts
#16May 27, 2021, 10:04 PM
I bought a pair of Giro Rincon shoes for $150, because I was in a shop that had them in my size, they fit well, were comfortable, had boa closure, and fairly light weight. I'm very particular about bike shoes and have gone through 4 or 5 generations on Specialized S-Works read shoes for road biking. I've used the Rincon's now for over 1K miles and really satisfied with them. Seems like the Ranger is built the same, but velcro instead of boa and maybe a tad lighter. I don't think you can go wrong (based on my experience with the Rincon) with the Giro Ranger.
0
Angstrom
181 posts
#17May 28, 2021, 8:12 AM
If you’ve got high arches, aftermarket insoles can make a big difference in comfort. I’ve had good luck with the Superfeet Green and the Giro Supernatural. It may take a ride or two to get used to the extra support.
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