How well can I walk in them?

It depends on the model, and Specialized publishes the stiffness index that tells you. The Recon 1.0 and 2.0 are at 6.0 with Stride toe-flex, easy to walk in; the Recon 3.0 is at 10.0 with a carbon Stride sole that still flexes at the toes; the S-Works Recon Lace is at 13.0, a race plate. All use a SlipNot rubber tread and the two-bolt MTB cleat. If your rides end with a hike-a-bike or a café, the lower numbers are the honest choice.

What does Body Geometry actually do?

It is Specialized's name for three patented features in the sole: a Varus Wedge that tilts the foot 1.5 mm outward to keep foot, knee and hip in line, a Longitudinal Arch that stops the arch collapsing under load, and a Metatarsal Button that lifts the bones under the ball of the foot to prevent numbness. Specialized states the result is a 7-watt power improvement, validated by its own testing. Treat the number as the brand's claim; the alignment and comfort effects are the part riders notice.

Can I change the insoles?

Yes, and Specialized designs the shoes expecting you to. The Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2 fit every Body Geometry shoe and come in three arch heights: red for low, blue for medium, green for high. The outsole's Longitudinal Arch and the insole work as a pair, so matching the height to your own arch is what makes the system do its job. If you have never had your arch measured, that is the single cheapest upgrade to any of these shoes.

Why does the sole feel tilted?

Because it is. Every Body Geometry shoe has a Varus Wedge: a 1.5 mm outward tilt built into the outsole, meant to stop the foot rolling inward under load and keep foot, knee and hip aligned. Riders coming from a flat sole usually notice it on the first ride and stop noticing it within a few. If it still feels wrong after a couple of weeks, the problem is more likely cleat position or arch height than the wedge — worth a fitting rather than a return.

SPECIALIZED Recon 1.0 Gravel MTB Cycling Shoes

Black

€119,00

~~€119,00~~ €119,00

Tax Included
EU Destination Selected (Spain)

+3 units in stock

The essentials

Best for

First clipless shoe
Gravel and MTB
Indoor training

SPECIALIZED Recon 1.0 Gravel MTB Cycling Shoes - Black

Technologies

Specifications

Claimed weight	approx. 291 g (EU 42, per shoe)
Sole	Injection Stride toe-flex
Stiffness index	6.0
Closure	BOA L6 + Dyneema soft lace
Body Geometry	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button
Compatible footbeds	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2
Cleat pattern	2-bolt, fits all major MTB pedals

Varus Wedge

A 1.5 mm outward tilt built into the outsole. Specialized's reasoning is that the human body evolved to walk rather than pedal, so the foot tends to roll inward under load; the wedge tilts it back so foot, knee and hip stay in line. It is one of three patented Body Geometry elements, and it is the one riders notice first — the forefoot sits at a slight angle.

Longitudinal Arch

A patented arch support moulded into the outsole. Specialized's argument is that the foot has to act as a rigid lever to transfer power, and that an arch collapsing under load bleeds watts; the built-in support holds it. It works with the insole, which is why Specialized sells the Body Geometry SL footbeds in three arch heights rather than one.

Metatarsal Button

A raised button under the ball of the foot. Specialized's explanation is that riders chasing a secure fit tend to over-tighten the forefoot, which compresses the nerves and arteries running between the metatarsal bones and produces the numbness and burning known as hot foot. The button lifts and separates those bones instead.

Stride toe-flex

Specialized's answer to the gravel shoe problem: stiff enough to pedal, flexible enough to walk. The sole and upper flex around the toe box while the cleat pocket stays rigid, so the shoe bends where your foot does when you walk and stays stiff under the pedal. The Recon 3.0 uses a carbon version at stiffness index 10.0; the Recon 1.0 and 2.0 an injected version at 6.0.

BOA Fit System

Specialized uses three BOA dials across its shoes. S3 (S-Works Torch) and Li2 (Torch 2.0 and 3.0, Recon 2.0; as a dual-dial set on the Ares 2, Recon 3.0 and Recon EVO) work both ways: tighten or loosen a click at a time while riding. L6 (Torch 1.0, Recon 1.0) tightens in micro-steps and releases by pulling the dial out. Dials replace without tools and are covered by BOA's guarantee.

SPECIALIZED Recon 1.0 Gravel MTB Cycling Shoes - Black

Compare with

	SPECIALIZED Recon 1.0 Gravel MTB Cycling Shoes - BlackSpecialized built the Recon 1.0 for riders heading into the outdoors, clipping in for the first time, or using it on the trainer, and it prioritises comfort and versatility accordingly	SPECIALIZED Recon 2.0 Gravel MTB Cycling Shoes - Black Choose it for mixed gravel and trail: one Li2 dial with Dyneema soft lace, a forefoot strap to set toe volume, and a walkable 6.0 sole.	SPECIALIZED Recon 3.0 Gravel MTB Cycling Shoes - Black Choose it for S-Works Recon lacing, dial placement and carbon plate at a lower price, with Stride toe-flex (stiffness 10.0) so you can still walk.
Regular price	€119,00	€199,00	€249,00
Safety rating	—	—	—
Claimed weight	approx. 291 g (EU 42, per shoe)	approx. 307 g (EU 42, per shoe)	approx. 345 g (EU 42, per shoe)
Sole	Injection Stride toe-flex	Injection Stride toe-flex	Carbon Stride toe-flex
Stiffness index	6.0	6.0	10.0
Closure	BOA L6 + Dyneema soft lace	BOA Li2 + Dyneema soft lace	2 × BOA Li2 (Dual-Dial)
Body Geometry	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button	Varus Wedge + Longitudinal Arch + Metatarsal Button
Compatible footbeds	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2	Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2
Cleat pattern	2-bolt, fits all major MTB pedals	2-bolt, fits all major MTB pedals	2-bolt, fits all major MTB pedals

Spare parts & accessories

SPECIALIZED Body Geometry SL Footbed Gen 2 - Red+ €27,99
SPECIALIZED Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2 - Blue++ €30,00
SPECIALIZED Body Geometry SL Footbeds Gen 2 - Green+++ €30,00

SPECIALIZED Recon 1.0 Gravel MTB Cycling Shoes - Black

Size guide

EU	US	UK	Foot length (cm)	Foot length (in)
35	3.5	2.5	22.5	8.9
36	4.25	3.25	23	9.1
37	5	4	23.5	9.3
38	5.75	4.75	24.5	9.6
38.5	6	5	24.75	9.7
39	6.5	5.5	25	9.8
39.5	7.25	6.25	25.25	9.9
40	7.5	6.5	25.5	10.0
40.5	7.75	6.75	25.75	10.1
41	8	7	26	10.2
41.5	8.5	7.5	26.5	10.4
42	9	8	27	10.6
42.5	9.3	8.3	27.3	10.7
43	9.6	8.6	27.5	10.8
43.5	10.25	9.25	27.9	11.0
44	10.6	9.6	28.3	11.1
44.5	11	10	28.6	11.3
45	11.5	10.5	29	11.4
45.5	11.75	10.75	29.3	11.5
46	12.25	11.25	29.5	11.6
46.5	12.6	11.6	29.9	11.8
47	13	12	30.2	11.9
48	13.75	12.75	30.9	12.2
49	14.5	13.5	31.6	12.4
50	15.5	14.5	32.3	12.7

Specialized notes that customers report a roomy fit on this shoe, and suggests choosing one size down and checking the size chart.

How to measure

Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, mark the tip of your longest toe and measure the distance in centimetres. Measure both feet and go by the longer one.

Find your size with a shoe you already own

Tell us a cycling shoe that fits you well and the size you wear in it. We compare the brands’ official foot-length charts.

Brand of the shoe you own Size you wear (EU)

An estimate from each brand’s official size chart. Width, volume and the last also change the fit — if in doubt, ask us.

Description

Specialized built the Recon 1.0 for riders heading into the outdoors, clipping in for the first time, or using it on the trainer, and it prioritises comfort and versatility accordingly. A BOA L6 dial on a Dyneema soft lace avoids stretch without hard guides, the injection Stride sole (stiffness index 6.0) walks easily, and underneath is the same Body Geometry sole as the S-Works. 291 g per shoe in size 42.

BOA L6 dial on a Dyneema soft lace: no unwanted stretch and no hard moulded guides
Injection Stride toe-flex sole, stiffness index 6.0, with balanced stiffness for putting power down
Body Geometry sole and footbed, the same alignment principle as the S-Works Recon
SlipNot rubber tread, two-bolt MTB cleat, 291 g per shoe in size 42

Available sizes