Fizik X5 Terra, Men's Cycling Shoe

Product Information

The gold standard is the double Boa, which allows you to independently tighten the forefoot and instep. In our experience, this creates a fit that’s both secure and comfortable, yet stays solid throughout your ride. Uppers

In practice, on rougher terrain an all-over lug pattern is best for stability. The question of whether or not to add studs is a personal one, though for us it’s not crucial unless we’re racing cyclocross, where the extra grip could make or break a race. FitA common combination is a strap over the toe section that allows it to be tightened independently, with a Boa dial or similar over the mid-foot. It’s a construction that generally works well, as long as there’s enough adjustment in the toe strap. With an almost air-like feel, the micro-adjustable Boa L6 Dial fastens the asymmetric opening with a non-restrictive closure, dialling your feet inline with the Fizik Cycling sole for the ultimate ride performance. Fitting an array of foot shapes, this ingenious securing system utilises a steel-coated lace through lightweight yet tough plastic guides for long-lasting strength and versatile comfort. A camp by the Linn of Dee was lovely, beautiful sunshine at sunset and a few whiskies were had, it also is in the middle of a figure of eight route wise so you have options. But however you choose to define gravel riding, it is more likely than not that your gravel shoes will need to balance stiffness and efficient power transfer with comfort for longer rides and walkability for rugged terrain or off-the-bike use. The fit of a gravel shoe needs to be snug but not tight, comfortable but not loose. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that pulling the fastenings tighter will overcome a shoe that’s slightly too big, or that you can wear in one that’s too tight.

The line between gravel shoes and cross-country mountain bike shoes is often thin. David Caudery / Immediate Media For some of us, gravel is simply a jaunt down a few green lanes, while others regard gravel as anything that mixes tarmac and dirt in one ride – even if that dirt calls for what are effectively mountain bike skills but on drop bars. Gravel-shoe uppers have to help deliver power transfer like road shoe uppers, but also have to have enough stretch for walking. They also have to be particularly durable and resistant to any scuffs from clambering over rough terrain. The Specialized S-Works Recon Lace is closely related to the S-Works Recon shoe, but trades Boa dials for laces. This won’t suit everyone, but the laces do give the shoes a classy look and provide more points of tension control. The upper uses a seamless synthetic material that is lightweight. It isn’t particularly soft at first, which led to some initial discomfort in testing, but over time it did break in.Providing superior breathability and supple coverage, the Microtex upper offers a lightweight composition that moulds to the foot geometry with a supportive fit, preventing unwanted movement and cramps. Laser-cut to promote airflow, the upper material effectively manages both temperature and moisture throughout sweat breaking rides so you can push to your full potential without distractions. Giro’s Sector is an undemanding shoe to wear, and its comfort from the off allows you to get on with the job of bother-free riding. David Caudery / Immediate Media Yes it is good to be waterproof, even if it is just for slogging through puddles and mud without sending freezing water straight in the cleat holes every time our feet touch the ground. But the water will find its way in eventually, running down your legs and generally filling the shoe up if it is a long, wet ride. Short of wearing waterproof trousers that seal around the ankle it is always going to happen.

Overall, this shoe is top-end. It does come with a price to match, but we’d happily choose the S-Works Recon Lace for our longest, most epic rides. You get two of Sidi’s Tecno 3 Push dials for retention, with the top one working in tandem with a strap across the instep. We don’t find Sidi’s dials quite as simple as the two-way micro-adjustment of the latest Boa dials, but they are still easy to use and hold firm over long rides.

These need to be stiff enough for us to put the power down but flexible enough to walk in, and light enough not to feel uncomfortable, but sufficiently stable and grippy to keep us grounded. Sidi’s Jarin is a cross-country mountain bike shoe, but this olive green version is aimed at the gravel market. Immediate Media