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.

My feet go numb on long rides. Will these help?

That numbness — “hot foot” — usually comes from over-tightening the forefoot, which compresses the nerves and arteries running between the metatarsal bones. Specialized's answer is the Metatarsal Button, a raised area under the ball of the foot that lifts and separates those bones instead of squeezing them. Two things matter as much: don't crank the forefoot dial (a two-dial shoe lets you keep the forefoot loose and hold the midfoot), and match the insole to your arch height.

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.

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.

SPECIALIZED Sworks Recon SL MTB Gravel Cycling Shoes

Grey Blue

€389,00

~~€389,00~~ €389,00

Tax Included
EU Destination Selected (Spain)

Low stock: 1 left

The essentials

Best for

Gravel racing
XC
From road to gravel

SPECIALIZED Sworks Recon SL MTB Gravel Cycling Shoes - Grey Blue

Technologies

Specifications

Claimed weight	approx. 280 g (EU 44, per shoe)
Sole	Carbon with internal I-Beam
Closure	BOA
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

Carbon sole

The sole plate is made of carbon fibre rather than nylon or carbon-reinforced nylon. Carbon is stiffer and lighter, so less of your effort is lost to flex; the brand’s stiffness index is in the spec table.

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.

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 Sworks Recon SL MTB Gravel Cycling Shoes - Grey Blue

Compare with

	SPECIALIZED Sworks Recon SL MTB Gravel Cycling Shoes - Grey BlueSpecialized describes the S-Works Recon as pavement-bred performance for gravel and XC, and the construction backs it up: the carbon base plate was shaped from more than 100,000 RETÜL foot scans, an internal I-Beam supplies the stiffness so no extra bracing is needed, and high-density pontoons with shims let you tune the pedal interface into a road-like platform.	SPECIALIZED SWorks Recon EVO MTB/Gravel Cycling Shoes - Black Choose it if your foot lifts at full gas: PowerHug with two Li2 dials gives 20% more contact, on a Natural Last with 44% less forefoot pressure.	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	€389,00	€431,10	€249,00
Safety rating	—	—	—
Claimed weight	approx. 280 g (EU 44, per shoe)	280 g (EU 44, per shoe)	approx. 345 g (EU 42, per shoe)
Sole	Carbon with internal I-Beam	Unidirectional carbon	Carbon Stride toe-flex
Closure	BOA	2 × BOA Li2 (Dual-Dial) + PowerHug	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
Stiffness index	—	—	10.0

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 Sworks Recon SL MTB Gravel Cycling Shoes - Grey Blue

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

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 describes the S-Works Recon as pavement-bred performance for gravel and XC, and the construction backs it up: the carbon base plate was shaped from more than 100,000 RETÜL foot scans, an internal I-Beam supplies the stiffness so no extra bracing is needed, and high-density pontoons with shims let you tune the pedal interface into a road-like platform. About 280 g per shoe in size 44.

Carbon base plate shaped from more than 100,000 RETÜL foot scans, stiffened by an internal I-Beam instead of extra bracing
High-density pontoons and shims to tune the pedal interface for a road-like platform on MTB pedals
Asymmetric heel counter: support on the inside, less material on the outside for a lower collar
Zoned reinforcement and updated BOA routing lock the foot down without a toe strap; about 280 g per shoe, size 44

Available sizes