4.6
102 Reviews
The Recon 3.0 is all about putting the legendary performance of our S-Works Recon—power…
We deliver! Just say when and how.
The riders have spoken. We are proud to announce that Specialized took top honors for best brand in road and gravel shoes at the 2022 Gran Fondo Best Brand Awards. When we focus on what our riders want the most, it makes sense that our shoes are loved year after year. Featuring our proven Body Geometry technology, we continue to lead the way in comfort and performance.
The Recon 3.0 is all about putting the legendary performance of our S-Works Recon—power transfer, comfort, light weight, style—in a package perfect for the XC and gravel rider. Starting with Body Geometry, Recon 3.0 delivers comfort and efficiency, with features that stand-out off the beaten path.
Looking for in the saddle speed as well as off-bike performance? Recon 3.0 mates a carbon outsole with a Pavé-inspired glass fiber forefoot to create Carbon STRIDE toe-flex, which lets your foot function naturally off the bike, yet still provides incredible power transfer with a stiffness index of 10.0. Whether you’re flying up a run-up on the ‘cross course or strolling into the brewhouse post ride, STRIDE toe-flex is a game changer.
We know venturing off-road means venturing into the unknown, so we’ve given the Recon 3.0 XPEL Mesh to create a comfortable fit that sheds water, keeping the shoe light and making it dry as fast as it rides. Our SlipNot compound provides full rubber coverage of the outsole for off bike traction on any surface, with open treads to eject mud.
Dual L6-Snap Boas and a Velcro forefoot closure ensure micro adjustable comfort with a secure fit designed for all day comfort and performance, whether your ride calls for open gravel, twisting single track and even more than your fair share of hike-a-bike.
Body Geometry sole and footbed are built with purpose and backed by science to boost power, increase efficiency, and reduce the chance of injury by optimizing hip, knee, and foot alignment.
Carbon STRIDE toe-flex technology allows for natural toe movement off-bike but remains stiff for pedaling: Stiffness Index 10.0)
Fully-welded upper reduces seams for superior step-in comfort.
Independent BOA® L6-Snap dials for on-the-fly micro-adjustment.
SlipNot™ rubber tread for confident traction on all terrain with removable toe studs.
Two-bolt cleat pattern fits all major MTB pedals.
Approximate weight: 355g (1/2 pair, Size 42)
4.6
102 Reviews
IDK. For me, the ankle cutout is too high so i put in some 1/8" heel inserts, still rubbing, but better. Everyone else raves about the off bike hiking ability, make no mistake, these are stiff. Kinda prefer the Rime 2.0 for comfort and walking, but prefer these for the stiff platform, though slightly uncomfortable for my ankle and walking. After about 1 year and 4300 miles of paved river trail riding, like new. Ex MTBer, so I run MTB Shimano XTR platform clipins on a Roubaix. Moved the shoes and pedals from a Diverge 8 months ago.
Owner of local Spec. shop said "Try these on.." (i had a pair of high-end mtb race shoes (regartnoB) and the boa's failed and the MFR would not warranty...), I bought these Recon 3's, two years on and 2,500+miles of gravel and mtb later, they still hold up and are comfy. This is the third pair of Specialized shoes i've had now, they are the real deal, try them on and trust your local shop, they're worth it.
Just awesome fit and quality is great, may be my best MTB shoe in 30 years. Size 43 fit perfectly, fairly roomy toe box and great heal fit along the lines of Sidi. I’m between 43 and 44 in Shimano, and pretty much right at 43.5 with Sidi. The BOA’s work great and the dials are far enough off the shoe they are easy to grab even when wet or muddy.
Specialized does it again.. the power transfer is superb… i
Stiff carbon some when pedaling got rid of hotspots for me. Still walks excellent with the flex toe stuff. Good looking color. Boa’s are a must. Good room in toe box not a narrow shoe. Got a pair for my daughter as well who races on a MTB team and she loves them too.
I had the middle of the road Recon 2 shoes for the past two years to MTB and Gravel bike. I upgraded to the Recon 3 shoes. A much more comfortable shoe for me. Just a little pricey.
Love these. Upgraded my Bontrager shoes after four years, and love them. The foot bed is wide and comfortable, and the back is snug and really easy to pull from. The sole is solid and the grip is firm. The cactus red color is amazing.
I've bought the shoes for my gravel rides and I love them. These are SPD shoes. The body geometry makes them very comfortable. They have the correct stiffness.
I ordered the blue with light blue Recon 3.0 online. When they arrived the color isn't close to the what the website shows. It's not blue at all, much more green. I should have sent them back, but I needed new shoes. Now I'm stuck with a color I don't like. I also don't like having to buy an extra $40 foam footbed. Feels like a ripoff.
great fit, size matches my son's shoe size (36); cleats fit in nicely, good for running in cross on multi surfaces
Overall is a good kind of gravel or MTB shoe that doesn’t get my five stars review just because it bothers me where the upper ball wires are located once I tie it up regardless I would buy it again
I have very high arches and slightly wide feet. The double BOAs allow me to dial in the perfect fit. I've tried several different models of MTB/gravel shoes and the Recon is perfect. Just finished a 90-mile canal trail ride in Central NY with no numbness or related issues. Great shoe!
Nice stiff sole transfers the power to the ground. I had a pair of 2FO shoes from 2019. They were too narrow. These shoes fit wider and are much more comfortable. Shoe makes less contact with my xtr pedals which I don't like
This shoe was my first clipless shoe and i'm glad it was. The colors on these shoes are amazing and they have good traction on the bottom for when you have to walk your bike. Super light weight with a carbon sole. 100% recommend these.
Great shoe. Comfy and supportive uppers. Sole is stiff as expected to deliver good power to the pedals. Found them to be tight across the toes so went up 1/2 a size
I love these shoes. Nice stable rubber lugs on the bottom provide stability when stepping down on chunky slick limestone or making it easy to clip back in. Toe box is fairly wide. I use green inserts for high arch and better fit. I don’t get toe slop when pedaling and the soles are very stiff which offers a great transfer of power. Boa straps are awesome and have great granularity. Not a race shoe although you can. But a solid all around trail/XC shoe. Note: with wider toe box these shoes my run a touch long. The boa system allows me to keep my foot in place towards the heal of the shoe.
This is a good MTB shoe. Flexible enough to hike a bike without focusing on your feet yet rugged and durable. The toe box is a little narrow in my opinion, but I like the shoes enough that I've bought a second and even third pair.
I got these Recon 3.0 to enhance my gravel riding experience. I previously (and stupidly) used Torch shoes for gravel rides, and these Recon are SO MUCH better to walk on rocky surfaces and are generally more comfortable for long rides. The quality of the shoes is undeniable, the fit is optimal thanks to the two BOA dials, and they look fantastic as a bonus!
Comfortable shoe. Boa system is great. Has a nice stiff sole, perfect for my daughter who's getting into NICA racing. Not too pricey, and a great quality.
So far great shoe. Drys quick when it gets wet. Very comfortable
Awesome fitting shoe-nice to be able to get off the bike and walk in a bike shoe. Love the bright red color-more visible when I'm riding.
I have a problem with hot spots and these are great as I haven’t had any issues.
Very comfortable shoes. Boas are good for making. Adjustments. Maybe a tad large (ordered a 43, likely could have done 42.5) but all is good. Great shoes.
Was looking for a new shoes that will not cramp my feet too much. Gave this model a try and was really please with how they fit. Lots of adjustment with BOA and with the strap on the front.
These shoes are fantastic!! They run a little big tho!
after 3 S-Works it was time to get one for gravel-walks…. fantastic, even for multiple days
I like the shoe. I wanted to keep the shoes I ordered, but the right shoe was too tight for me in the otter edge.
These shoes are fantastic. Fit is great, boa is easy, stiff power, wouldn’t get anything else in this or more price range except to maybe try the s-works stiffness but those are 2x+ the price.
Fit good, like the tighteners, love the orange color!
Great fit, well designed and built…. Looks great, functions great!
Perhaps one of the beat gravel shoe ever
Great fit with quality craftsmanship.
I really like these shoes. I use them on my road bike with Time Especiale 8 enduro pedals because I want a stable platform and stiff, walkable shoes. These fit that need perfectly.
Great fit and feel
I’ve always wanted to try clip less shoes. These are awesome. I followed the fitting instructions measuring each foot and identified the proper arch support inserts. They fit great, no hot spots or other problems.
Love the BOA adjustment and available in more than just basic black.
comfortable, fits good.
Bought these to replace an old pair of Giro shoes. Carbon sole is much stiffer and the energy transfer to the pedals is significantly better, especially when standing. I find I have to wear them a little loose to prevent binding against my ankle, maybe will improve with break in. Still very efficient and comfortable to wear, just completed a 70 mile ride no problem. Used mainly on a Turbo Creo SL EVO gravel bike.
This is a great shoe! It feels stiff and responsive to the pedals. The double boa system is the way to go. I will say it runs slightly small as a 44 was on the snug side and 45 was a little too big. I will also say to go with the smaller option for your size.
Runs larger than previous models.
Comfortable shoe with lots of room for cleat adjustment. Great retention system.
Outstanding shoe. Fits well, BOA system is excellent for quick and precise fitting. I initially ordered the Recon 2.0 on closeout, but a mistake by Specialized cancelled my order. Specialized stepped up and got me the 3.0 for the price of the closeout 2.0. Specialized customer service IS OUTSTANDING and is as good as their products.
I first ordered the recon 3.0 in a 45. They was smaller in length and width than the 2.0. Returned them with no problems. The 2.0 fits my wider foot much better. It’s got a unique toe flex that helps with walking. The shoe feels good on longer rides so far and supports the heel very well for pulling up and pushing down on the pedals
Boas work great, I’ve been riding with laces for mountain / gravel stuff and while I like them I think the adjustability of these has made the foot pain I was dealing with on longer climbs more or less gone…
Well designed, very stiff footbed, not for wider feet, takes a few miles to get used to but you will feel solidly connected to your bike
Very comfortable. Form fitting. Good transfer of power to pedal.
Toe box seems to be a little small, but adjustability with front strap and two Boa’s is helpful. Would suggest using some loctite on the cleat screws. Mine fell off after 3 rides (yes, they were tightened)
Run these while on my cyclocross and trail bikes. Super stiff sole is power transfer that you can feel. That said, these aren’t impossible to walk in on the trail or pavement. The rubber around the cleat pocket is thick, allowing contact with the pedal and grip during hike-a-bike sections. At first the toe box was roomier than I’d prefer, but it doesn’t bother me any more. My one complaint is that the Boa dials are only one-way adjustable. You can tighten them one click at a time but not loosen them in the other direction. You must pop up the dial (loosening them completely) and retighten. As you’d expect this makes on-bike adjustments difficult. For the cost of this shoe, it’s disappointing they chose to use inferior Boa dials. Despite this, I’d still recommend to people wanting a stiff XC-style shoe.
Great shoe, you can use their online procedure to assure perfect fit.
Rode RAGBRAI in the Recon 3.0 and loved the support it had to offer both cycling and walking through all of the towns. Along with a roomy toe box, its ability to dial in custom comfort and rigidity was excellent!
I absolutely love these shoes. My shoe search finally ended with this one. They’re walkable when walking stiff when riding. Power transfer is great. They fit very comfortably. I use them for road and MTB.
Bought these for gravel riding. I'm not sure how they could be any better. Easy to adjust. Felt great out of the box. They are comfortable to walk in for hike-a-bike sections.
There’s definitely a break in period but once that’s over these feel great!
brilliant ' just luv em ..
Great shoe. Have ridden about 100miles and I am happy with them.
Very comfortable. Color is nice too. Great for riding and hike a bike.
Under the ball of my foot does not feel completely flat as is there is a small bump there. I tried another pair and they felt the same. My Recon 2 shoes do not feel this way and are more comfortable but flex too much. Going to put some miles on them to see if this changes.
Excellent stiffness, but easy to walk in off the bike. Toe box is a little funky for my foot: wide at tip, but tapers a bit too quickly. BOA closure works well. Breathability of the shoe could be a bit better, but it’s a trade-off for keeping junk out of the shoe. Overall thumbs-up.
I’ve worn Sidi shoes exclusively for the last 15 years. Since I teach indoor RPM Spinning classes and wear cycle shoes at least an hour everyday I like a light colored shoe so the participants can see my feet turning like pistons. Thought I’d give Specialized shoes a shot since they had an almost white color. I’ve used them only for a week or so and have been impressed. The circle ratchet tightens very well! And I was told in the local Specialized South Bay Cycle shop that the wires are actually steel and shouldn’t stretch. Don’t know this to be true by I believe the SIDI ratchet wire is fishing line. It seems the MTB standoffs in the front are slightly taller in the front of the shoe than on the heel which tends to tilt you back a bit. No issue for me but didn’t notice it on past SIDI models I’ve owned. The Specialized shoes seem to be constructed very well. Only time will tell how they hold up.
Love the shoes and the price was really good since I purchased the orange color! What a deal.
Great xc shoe!
Very easy to get in and out of, double BOA closure is excellent!
Love the Dual BOA’s and the quick realease for the BOA. Glad I upgraded to the Recon 3.0 for the vented tongue. The unique sole pattern makes the Recon comfortable for short run segments as I cross bridges that do not permit bikes. Great Shoe!
Perfect fit and function. Comfortable shoe. Sturdy enough to tolerate click in out without becoming loose. Love the BOA fastener system.
Found it a little tight in toe box for me. Couldn’t get next size up so not sure how much difference that would make. Still looking for the right fit
This is my 3rd pair of shoes, and I kmow my Spezialized size very well. For those of you that whant to know more, my dressing shoes are 431/2 or 44 depending on brand. As far Specialized I use size 45. Hope it helps
The shoes didn't fit me. Thong of the soe is to short, while riding the edge was working it self/chafing top of my foot.
Great shoes, they fit nicely and with good padding in the right places. Better fit than my Sidi’s Dominator
In the end, this shoe is great. I’ve been on about 5, 20-40 mile rides and I have no complaints. Almost no break in required. Also, pretty easy to walk in. My complaint is the insoles. If Specialized is going to offer 3 different Body Geometry insoles, it would be great if that was an option when purchasing. It is a bit annoying to buy a good shoe then spend $40 extra on insoles to make them great. I wish you could select insoles when purchasing, even if it was an additional $5-15 fee (but discounted from full price).
These shoes are really good but not as good as the S Works I have so I can’t give them a perfect score. But they are significantly less cost. The performance is great but if you have money for the SWorks you can tell the difference
Very comfortable shoes, I recommend getting your arches checked for the correct arch insert, I went to a Specialized store that had equipment for that. Also once they are correct there isn’t a lot of extra room in the shoes for thicker socks or toe warmers.
Roomy toe box. Love them.
One week in so far, all is good
Nice shoes. Have worn them for about 500 miles and so far so good. Lots of toe room and the size chart is accurate. Much better vented than the previous version. Stiff but able to walk comfortably and the boa adjustments work well. No hot spots on these.
Very comfortable and they look great!
This bike shoe is nice and wide instead of those skinny narrow bike shoes that put pressure on your bunions.
Third pair of shoes I have tried this time around. Think I’m going to stick with these awhile. Very comfortable. I really like the heel cup, it really hangs on to your foot and allows you to run the laces a little looser than with other shoes I’ve tried. They look great. Good walkability. Not amazing, but if you have to hike a bike for bit they will get you through. Dry very quickly. Only thing I have really disliked so far are the sorry excuse for toe spikes. They are smooth aluminum and slide around in everything. Can’t comment a ton on reliability yet. On have a couple hundred miles on but so far so good.
Comfortable and stylish
Great fit for me. Room in the toe box, a lot of adjustment with 2 boas and toe velcro. Nice quality, stiff sole. I appreciate the 1/2 sizing as well as that solved the issue of fit for me.
Based upon the length of my foot I needed a 44, but the sides were too tight and pinched my foot. I got a 46 which is wide enough but I have a good inch from the end of my toe to the front of the shoe. This is okay on the bike but feels awkward walking. The more nagging issue is the tip of the tongue digging into the front of my ankle. I may have to stuff something in the toe to push my foot farther back in the shoe.
Awesome shoe BOA is also a plus First time I’ve used this system and works great
Those Boa strings sure do cut into the front tendon of my foot. I like everything else about the shoe.. light, stiff, easy walking. But, I had to heavily modify the top Boa closure in order to tolerate the fit.
These are stylish, comfortable, and performance oriented shoes. I’ve had several pedal strikes early or even caught a tree without being slowed down. Highly recommend.
This is the 3rd pair I ordered, the 1st was too big, the 2nd too small. This pair fits in length but the toe box feels big. Also, the tongue seems to be stiffer & longer than necessary. I also bought the blue inserts which is why I buy from Specialized but adding $35 to the price of the shoes is a bit much. I have been happily using them on my spin bike but have not yet worn them outside so I can't yet speak to how they hold up to the elements. Overall, happy with my purchase.
Awesome shoes and do great for those times you’re off the bike lol
Excellent fit and feel!! Nicely constructed and great looks!! Always had great experiences with Specialized shoes!!
The shoe is fantastic. I enjoy riding with them.
I use these shoes for gravel riding and couldn't be more pleased. The sole is stiff, but still walkable. I can get through mud, dirt and gravel. Traversing rocks is a little more difficult, but I have only encountered a rocky path on a few rides. I pair them with the red Specialized insoles and they are comfortable for long rides and provide great power transfer. Really happy with these shoes.
I’m upgrading a 15 year old set of Shimano MTB shoes, so I was expecting to be wowed and I am for the most part. Fit: compared to other brands, these ones are a little bit on the big side, but not so much that I would size down. The toe box is really roomy and was comfortable right out of the box. The only issue I’ve had with them is part of the collar (inside and front by the Xpel tag) that digs into my ankle. Since it’s only on one foot (right), I’m hoping it will break in/soften up over time. Function: power transfer is great for a MTB shoe. The insole is nice and provides a good amount of support and seems to align my foot/lower leg really well. The articulated toe box is nice for walking but still isn’t the same as the flat SPD shoes for rocky hike-a-bike stuff. These will happily be my go-to shoe for gravel and XC stuff, but I’ll be sticking to my flat SPD shoes for enduro/DH.
Great show on the bike, stiff to pedal and comfy. The only flaw is the heel cup doesn't hold snug so if you're walking around your heel lifts out too easily.
I've put on a little less than 500 miles with these shoes and can really recommend them. The cleat area is protected but not too tight. I wear a 44 and the fit is perfect for me. The BOA fastners are solid and exhibit minor slip. The longest ride I've done in these shoes is 47 miles so I vcan't comment on longer trips, but for my use they were comfortable. The exterior is relatively resistant to minor scratches and scuffs. They are ""walkable"" but stiff. If I was going to walk around a lot, I'd wear my Rime 2.0's as the soles on the Recon's don't have the best traction. But really when needding to put down the power these shoes are excellent.
I have been using these on my gravel bike on some long rides. I bought these because I have a pair of torch 3's and they are perfect for me. These fit wider and so my foot is not as cradled in the footbed. This results in some minor foot numbness above 100 miles. They are also not quite as stiff especially from the cleat forward which is suspect was done to improve walkability. As you move up the range, you would expect stiffness to become more important. The rubber sole makes these nice to walk in. Overall pretty pleases and may consider some custom insoles to help with the numbness issues.
I just got the shoes and I have to say they fit great and they stay down on my heel. Walking in them is also very easy.
I'm the type of guy who races and attempts KOMs on Strava on a daily basis, so the carbon sole was pretty much why I bought. The Boa dials have been nice, but hard to release. The stiffness definitely has made me faster. There is a totally pointless strap on it. If Specialized cared about weight (hint hint) they would ditch that since it does nothing to secure your foot, and it's kind of ugly. The toe box is roomy. The Xpel has held up well thus far. The tongue is brutally stiff when you first get them. It bruised me pretty badly in the first 15 rides. It is finally starting to break in after 20 hours of ride time. I'm not bruised anymore. Don't try to walk around in them because you'll wish you didn't the next day when you start limping. Other than that they're great. They managed 3 stars instead of two because I managed to fit into a regular size width for the first time in my life.
I have had them about a year, and they fit fine. (I've had other shoes from S before, so I know what size I was). If you are doing Enduro rides, look at the 2FO, not this, they won't hold up. They are stiff and can be hard to walk in, but if you don't walk on your rides you'll be happy with them. The BOA can be a bit hard to pop off, but you know if won't pop off when you brush something on your ride. They stay nice and cool... I really like them.
I couldn't be more disappointed by this shoe and I really wanted to like it. My New Torch 3.0 road shoes feel like I am wearing slippers even for a century ride so I'd like the same for my MTB. I was excited to finally upgrade from my Expert XC MTB shoes, which are tough to walk in, to these Recon 3.0's which were supposed to have ""s-works comfort"". The Recon 3.0's dual Boas and flex-stride soles are great, but the uppers are a major fail. I was hoping to have these great new soles with uppers that feel like my torch 3.0's or even the S-works Recon as advertised. What Specialized delivered were uppers shaped like my Comp MTBs that I replaced with Expert XCs. That is to say very narrow with no room in the toe box. The Recon 3 upper is the shape of a section of a foam pool noodle - they are not wide toe-shaped as these photos show. The sole is the widest part and the upper gets smaller from there. To make matters much worse, the velcro toe-strap loop hole on the Recon 3.0 is situated directly on the inside edge of the shoe atop the big toe knuckle (Metatasal head) at the very edge of the shoe which caused a lot of discomfort. I couldn't even wear them for an hour in my home office. On my Torch 3.0 and Expert XC's, that strap hole had been moved to be atop the second metatarsal bone which is completely non-intruding. So, forget body geometry on this shoe. I think the stylish shape of the tongue cut-out forced the move of the velcro strap hole to the edge where it doesn't belong. And the tongue is very wide even deep inside the shoe taking up space which exacerbates the issue. My employer will reimburse shoe cost to me as a fitness item. But even at no cost to me, ""No, thank you"". I'll be returning these. Specialized, when you make a comfortable upper like the torch 3.0 or S-works recon or Expert XC's on these great new soles, let me know.
great quality price is steep but this is a top notch product stiff sole good power transfer and decent weight hikes as well as it pedals and dries well I own 2 pairs of specialized shoes and i would buy again no questions asked
Just upgrade old Specialised shoes to Recon 3.0 2020. Wow well worth money HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Stiff and grippy sole best on market twin BOA makes shoe feel part of foot and NO slippage out of shoe. Strava timings improved !!!!!
Had to return these. Sizing was correct but the shoe bit into the front of my ankle so bad it bruised it.
Customer service was so great in trying to help me figure out what size to order. But without phone lines in use it was too difficult to explain my issue through email. The listed sizes make absolutely no sense. How can European sizes be two different US sizes according to gender? And on top of that I wear a [Specialized] US 9.5 but according to the women's chart for these shoes that means I'd wear a Euro 40 and that is way too small. And then on top of that there are quarter sizes? Can you please start sending samples to your western PA stores so women at least have an opportunity to try these on before buying? No prepaid return shipping so now it'll cost me $40 to return them Jesus how much are these shoes really worth?! I just need shoes to ride my new Diverge Pro Carbon but noooooo that's never going to happen being a female and having absolutely no choices available to me in any surrounding store thanks. The 40s that arrived are gorgeous, I'm psyched to get my correct size but that'll probably be a year from now with how long it has taken so far.