When gravel cycling got big a few years ago, we don’t think anyone expected it to take off as well as it did. We had the bikes the group sets followed, and then the UCI started racing it professionally at the world championship level. What did take a while to catch up was gravel cycling clothing, and for a while, we saw a mix of people wearing Mountain bike clip-ins, road bike clip-ins, and even flat shoes.
Clothing companies had a license to be as inventive and creative as they wanted to because nobody knew what way gravel cycling was going. When it came to shoes that showed and we have been blessed with some amazing shoes which are all adventure ready. In this article, we’ll be telling you about the best.
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What shoes to wear on gravel rides?
Gravel cycling shoes come in a couple of different forms, and understanding what you need to wear for gravel riding is important. The majority of gravel cyclists use SPD clip-in gravel shoes, but that’s not just what we look for. Here’s what you need to be looking for in a gravel shoe;
Appearance
When we look at gravel shoes, we’re looking at great designs. We want them to look incredible and have all the others on the trail asking where you got them from. We look for eye-catching, classy shoes that look epic on your feet and bike.
Functionality
Not only do shoes need to look good, but they also need to be functional. We want them to have the ability to work properly. They need to be able to clip into your SPD pedals, rugged enough for a bit of hike a bike, and ventilate your feet well while having an element of waterproofing.
Secure Attachment
Shoes can be attached to your feet in many ways. You have the classic lace-up style, Velcro, and boas twist system. When we look at attachment systems to ensure they pull the foot tight and spread the pressure. We don’t want them to cause you pain or discomfort.
Comfort
An easy way to ruin a good bike ride is to wear uncomfortable shoes, especially on gravel. Gravel shoes must be stiff enough to be responsive but cushioned enough to be comfortable. We expect the same level of comfort as top mtb shoes. Many gravel cyclists wear mountain bike shoes because they offer an excellent ride on lumpy terrain.
Hygiene
What a lot of cyclists don’t think about is hygiene. Big companies put a lot of money into ensuring that your shoes can be cleaned without them being damaged, and they have the right materials to stop them from getting smelly.
Do you need cleats for a gravel bike?
When it comes to gravel cycling, you can wear whatever you wish. If you want to wear normal shoes with flat pedals, that’s fine. These will give you a good experience, but they are not what most gravel cyclists use.
The most popular system is SPD clip-ins, often known as MTB cleats. They secure your foot into the pedal, and by twisting your foot, they quickly release. They are double-sided and work excellently even when caked in mud.
SPD clip-ins are what we recommend and have personally had the best experience with. They do not just offer the best performance, but they also offer a great level of comfort. Although they take a few rides to get used to we highly recommend spending the time using them if you haven’t already.
7 Best Gravel Bike Shoes
Check out our list of the best gravel bike shoes below!
1. Sidi Gravel Shoes
- Brown Gravel Finish
- SPD clip in
- Boa attachment
- Sidi Heel Cup
- $250
- Sizing 42-46.5
If you have a high budget and want to buy a set of gravel shoes that will perform and do it comfortably in style, then go to Sidi. The Sidi gravel shoes are very special and had to be at the top of this list. They come in a brown finish we really like and size from 42-46.5, which is limited compared to other brands.
They use a boa attachment with a long cable run to distribute pressure evenly. This adds to the comfort and makes them quick and easy to take on and off and simple to wash. The heel cup adds to the structure and ensures a solid platform to ride on. We love the defender side piece and the small bottom tread.
Pros
- Look Excellent
- Sidi Heel cup for stabilization
- Boa long wire attachment
- Defender side piece
- Great gravel racing shoes
Cons
- Not the cheapest
- Limited Sizing
Rating
9/10
2. Giro Sector Shoes
- Stealth black finish
- SPD clip in
- Double Boa attachment
- Stitch-less upper
- $240
- Sizing 42-47
Giro has always been excellent at making shoes that are not only very functional but also have a great look and fit. The Sector off-road shoes come in a stealth black finish and look great. They have the SPD clip-in capability and come in 42-47 sizing.
It has a stitch-less upper that, paired with the double boa attachment, gives an incredible fit, and they really wrap around your feet perfectly. The Aegis Microbe shield helps keep the shoes smelling nice and with the smart ventilation, you still keep your feet cool on those longer rides.
Pros
- Look great
- Hygienic barrier
- Stitch-less upper wraps foot excellently
- Double Boa
Cons
- Not very colorful
- Limited Sizing
Rating
8/10
3. Shimano RX6 Gravel Shoes
- Camo Design
- SPD clip in
- Boa / Velcro attachment
- Rugged Walking Platform
- Carbon sole
- $180
- Sizing 42-48
Shimano was one of the first companies to start making gravel shoes, and they didn’t disappoint with the RX6 gravel shoes. They come in two different designs and look incredible with a camo finish. Shimano is known for making very comfortable shoes, and many people rave about them.
They are compatible with SPD clip-in with a wide range of movement for adjusting. The Boa Velcro mix attachment is excellent at holding your foot in place and paired with the rugged walking platform, it’s ideal for all conditions.
Pros
- Look Excellent
- Rugged
- Lots of SPD adjustment
- Great Boa, Velcro attachment mix
Cons
- Not the cheapest
Rating
9/10
4. Bontrager GR2 Gravel Bike Shoe
- Bold Yellow design
- SPD clip in
- Lace up attachment
- Rugged walking platform
- $145
- 41-48
Bontrager is not shy when it comes to making excellent shoes. As a sister company to Campagnolo, you can expect incredible quality. They come in a bold yellow, which stands out great. The sizing goes from 41-48, which is a good range.
We love the laces, yes, they take much longer to do up and are harder to clean, but they offer an excellent fit and evenly distribute the pressure. With a solid Tachyon rubber base for the hike a bike sections and a stiff sole, they tick all boxes for us.
Pros
- Bold look
- A solid set of shoes for hike a bike
- Lace-up gives a perfect fit
- Great value for money
Cons
- Not the color for everyone
- Laces take time and don’t clean easily
Rating
8/10
5. Five Ten Trailcross Clip In
- Casual Style off-road shoe
- SPD clip in
- Lace up / Velcro attachment
- High ventilation
- $95
- 41-46
The Five Ten Trailcross shoes are really unique, and we like them because they offer something very different. They are very casual-looking shoe and are the kind of thing you could wear publically, and people will only know you’re a cyclist once they see your tan lines. The Trailcross has a lace up Velcro system for a comfortable fit. The size range is limited, but it’s still good.
They still offer the SPD clip-in ability alongside excellent ventilation. The color isn’t for everyone, and we appreciate that it’s not often you see a light brown mixed with a blue. Coming in at $95, they are great value for money and well worth every cent.
Pros
- Look excellent
- Much more casual than other shoes
- Good ventilation
- SPD clip in
- Great price
Cons
- Limited sizing
- Color is not for everyone
Rating
7/10
6. Adidas The Gravel and Shoes
- Unique design
- SPD clip in
- Lace up attachment
- Custom bottom grip
- $130
- 34-48
Adidas recently made a big hit into gravel cycling, and this list wouldn’t be complete without their gravel shoes. The Adidas gravel shoes have a really unique design, and they have so much style. They are a very similar design to the famous football boots they make. They have a classic lace up design, but it comes alongside a modern finish.
The shoes are actually pretty rugged, and the unique footplates provide all the grip you need without being too much. It has an SPD mountain bike shoes clip-in attachment and a solid sole, but ventilation is limited compared to other shoes.
Pros
- Look amazing
- Very comfortable
- Huge size range
- SPD clip in
- Great value for money
Cons
- Not amazing ventilation
- Lace up isn’t for everyone
Rating
8/10
7. Espezz Off Road Shoes
- Simple Design
- SPD clip in
- Boa and Velcro attachment
- Very rugged
- $45
- 41-46
When it comes to bargain shoes, you don’t get much better than the Espezz gravel bike shoe. These off-road shoes are ready for gravel trails and will really add to your cycling experience. They are SPD clip-in shoes and come with a Boa and Velcro straps attachment. They size from 41-46 and come in both black and brown.
The shoes are very rugged and, by all means, are not the lightest of shoes. They will be excellent if there are sections you might need to walk. Coming in at $45, they are incredibly cheap, well worth every cent, and can do everything else the other shoes can.
Pros
- Great Price
- Color Options
- Boa and Velcro work great
- Look good
Cons
- Not the most comfortable
- Not the lightest
Rating
7/10
Finding the Best Gravel Bike Shoes for You
The best gravel bike shoes are hard to find. When looking, it’s easy to end up lost. We can highly recommend all the shoes we have spoken about above. What do you need to be thinking about when buying?
Do you like the way they look?
We highly recommend getting shoes that you like the look of. It’s easy to fall into the habit of going for very functional cheap shoes, but if you don’t like how they look, that will haunt you constantly.
Are they functional for your riding?
The next thing to consider is whether they will be functional for your riding. If you live in a warm climate, we recommend shoes with a lot of ventilation. In cold and wet climates, you might want shoes that are warmer and easier to clean. Think about what you want them for before you buy them.
How much do you want to spend?
There’s no denying the more you spend, the better shoes you will get. It will perform better, last longer, and probably smell better at the end of a ride too. Shoes that you invest more in will give you a much better experience and will last. Some shoes can give you five to ten years of use, and other cheap shoes might give you one single season.
We hope you have found the best gravel shoes for you through this article and that you enjoy every ride you take them on.
Read More: 5 Best Electric Gravel Bikes