Two-bolt cleats and a rubber-lugged sole are what separate a proper gravel shoe from a road shoe with knobs glued on, and Specialized built the Recon 2.0 around both. It's the shoe for riders who go looking for dirt roads and technical trails and want comfort and efficiency in a package that holds up. Saddle up a Diverge or Creo for a gravel group ride, or hop on your trail bike for an all-day session — either way, this is the shoe that comes along for days spent in the dirt.

What makes it work off the bike is the outsole. The tall tread blocks are carved from Specialized's SlipNot rubber compound, and the rubber covers the entire surface of the outsole, avoiding any slippery sections, which is a real plus if you're struggling to clip back in. The injection STRIDE toe-flex design lets the forefoot bend naturally when you're hiking a steep pitch, then firms up over the cleat pocket so you're not losing power once you're back on the pedals.

On the bike, the story is Body Geometry. The sole and footbed are built to optimize hip, knee, and foot alignment, which is where the comfort and efficiency claims come from. The stiffness index on Specialized's scale comes in at a six, which is plenty firm enough to offer good support and an efficient pedal stroke, although not matching the more direct power transfer of stiffer shoes. Translation: this is a shoe you can walk in comfortably, tuned for long days rather than XC race stiffness.... Read More