Personally love the RX8 - almost as light as a road shoe, but with well placed (and not excessive) grip on the sole, and a stiffness that is ideal for bike packing, gravel, and walking when needed.
Another great review. You have a good sense of what factors people want to hear about. The suggestion of investing in shoes or Trainerroad was spot on. And clear you value aesthetics too, which is why the recon lace was a good pick. White is the best color for them, just high maintenance, like a black car.
Thanks, Pat! I'm a big fan of training programs- it's the best way to see immediate improvement without breaking the bank. $15-$20/month for near-coach level training plans? Can't be beat.
Great work on the reviews! I own the RX8 and have used the on MTB, gravel and road. After your previous video I might upgrade from the RC7 to the SH-RC9 for road this coming season.
Thanks Jake! You just can't go wrong with the RX8's- they're such a good shoe. If could persuade you in any direction, I'd give the Recon laces a try- they're amazing (no surprise).
Watching this because I just ordered a pair of white recon’s and the anticipations killing me😭. The white is so clean, but it’s like a forbidden fruit, you can’t keep it clean. You just gotta deal with the mess.
I have the Rx8 in wide width and have been quite happy with them. As noted the value is quite good. I think they compare favorably with other high end road and gravel shoes I have had . IMO more then stiff enough for even basic road use unless your going really hard on the road and in those situations I just run road shoes and pedals. While comfort is subjective I ran them only about 3x on short rides before a full day gravel event and couldn’t have been happier with the comfort on that ride.
I agree that they're plenty stiff for road rides as well. When I was riding the Upper and the Crux a bunch while traveling, I'd spent 80% of my time on road with the RX8's- no issues, performed really well.
@@Do4now I have not found the heel to be overly loose. It’s not as snug a fit as the Shimano RC902 road shoe but it’s more then adequate for its intended purpose. The toe box is definitely a bit wider.
Shimano RX 8 construction is very similar to Fizik X5 Terra. It's a surprisingly comfortable good looking shoe for a much lower price. It's not a carbon plate, but I'm not even sure if most of the people even need full carbon on gravel.
Ageed- when it comes to "needs," we don't need much. Good to know about the X5 Terras. I had the X1's and they didn't do it for me but the X5's look much better.
Should show more wide shots of the shoe for longer clips in the review. I still don't know what the shoe looks like but the Rx8 sounds good for my wide feet I have giros for $130 or something I forgot. I want a good hike and bike shoe. SPD Sandals are awesome. I know theres sneakers option but rx8
I actually have a few rides on a pair of sub-$200 LAKE MX (don't recall the model) in a wide size that I was miserable in on a recent 4-hr ride in 85°, which had be thinking about an upgrade for the last hour of the ride. I think the soles have a bit too much flex? One thought is to replace the insole with a Specialized BG footbed, but these might be relegated to commuting.
One more shout out for the RX8 they work fine on gravel, you do get used to getting them on but agreed it’s a little awkward! Oh and I like the colour 😊
Hi thanks for the review and comparing some of the shoes I am considering. You touched on the RX8 being almost as good as the XC9, I would like to know what the difference is? Another good comparison would be the Sworks recon v XC902.
i plan to buy spe recon laced white model because my first inquirment is to get white gravel shoes ( light gravel and road) but my feet are quiet wide (square feet :) ) .. so what woulf be your suggestions as to my case? ... and my last and least question: where can you find spe recon laced in WHITE ... this article seems to be recent and quiet difficult to find , i mean here in europe (france) . Congratulations for this great, clear and complete presentation !!!
Personally have never tried a lace on, but have tried the recon’s and recons 1’s and torches’s, and some shimano’s. I find I’m about equal in all of them. I’m a 44-44.5 in shimano. And I thought id be a 43 in s works, but ima 44-44.5. Noticed the torches are a big in comparison. But I’d say the recons fit pretty true to size. However on laces I’m unsure. I wear a true 10.5 in most of my “normal” shoe’s and I wear a 10.5 in a recon’s just ordered a pair today. I’d say go true to size. Of your normal shoe’s. Comfort is good, you don’t want it super tight.
What's up, Hussein? I ride quite a bit along the Santa Ana River Trail on recovery days or Crystal Cove if I'm out for a longer ride. Gravel trails around here are a little tricky- mostly up or down, very little in between.
Hey great videos!! When you switch from gravel to road, do you switch the pedals and shoes? If yes, did you have any problems with your position on the bike (Adjusting saddle height or any other)? Thanks !!
Thanks Thomas! I have dedicated pedals and shoes for road/mountain/gravel (although mountain and gravel will be combined this summer). No adjustments between bikes, just set it and forget it.
Bought a pair of RX8s for $80 and they arrive Monday so I'm pretty stoked. Thanks for the video
*I purchased these for my **Latest.Bike** and they work perfectly! I especially loved that they came with the delta cleat clip.*
Personally love the RX8 - almost as light as a road shoe, but with well placed (and not excessive) grip on the sole, and a stiffness that is ideal for bike packing, gravel, and walking when needed.
Agreed! They're the the best bank for the buck, no doubt.
Another great review. You have a good sense of what factors people want to hear about. The suggestion of investing in shoes or Trainerroad was spot on. And clear you value aesthetics too, which is why the recon lace was a good pick. White is the best color for them, just high maintenance, like a black car.
Thanks, Pat! I'm a big fan of training programs- it's the best way to see immediate improvement without breaking the bank. $15-$20/month for near-coach level training plans? Can't be beat.
Happy to have come across this video. I'm persuaded closer toward a pair of the S-Works Recon laces on sale, over Recon 3's and RX8.
They’re awesome shoes. I still use them weekly.
Thanks for reviewing. Nailed it again.
Thanks, Al!
I had the Recon 3.0's and was getting foot pain under my big toe on rough terrain. Picked up a pair of the RX8's wide and they are perfect!
They’re such an underrated shoe, right?
Great work on the reviews! I own the RX8 and have used the on MTB, gravel and road. After your previous video I might upgrade from the RC7 to the SH-RC9 for road this coming season.
Thanks! You'll dig the RC9's- they're amazing.
Great video, love the RX8s that I have. Definitely looking to try some of the others you mention.
Thanks Jake! You just can't go wrong with the RX8's- they're such a good shoe. If could persuade you in any direction, I'd give the Recon laces a try- they're amazing (no surprise).
Watching this because I just ordered a pair of white recon’s and the anticipations killing me😭. The white is so clean, but it’s like a forbidden fruit, you can’t keep it clean. You just gotta deal with the mess.
Yeah, it’s inevitable, but dang! they’re such good shoes.
I think it will be well suited on my project monster gravel 😎🚲🤩♥️🦋
I have the Rx8 in wide width and have been quite happy with them. As noted the value is quite good. I think they compare favorably with other high end road and gravel shoes I have had . IMO more then stiff enough for even basic road use unless your going really hard on the road and in those situations I just run road shoes and pedals. While comfort is subjective I ran them only about 3x on short rides before a full day gravel event and couldn’t have been happier with the comfort on that ride.
I agree that they're plenty stiff for road rides as well. When I was riding the Upper and the Crux a bunch while traveling, I'd spent 80% of my time on road with the RX8's- no issues, performed really well.
Did you find the RX8 “wide” to be any looser on the heel. Also was their noticeably any difference in the toebox ? Thanks so much !
@@Do4now I have not found the heel to be overly loose. It’s not as snug a fit as the Shimano RC902 road shoe but it’s more then adequate for its intended purpose. The toe box is definitely a bit wider.
I dont think there is any difference in efficency between rx8 with spd pedals and a traditional road shoe
@@brianstein406 perfect outcome. Freaking LOVE the shoe. Thanks for your help !!!
Shimano RX 8 construction is very similar to Fizik X5 Terra. It's a surprisingly comfortable good looking shoe for a much lower price. It's not a carbon plate, but I'm not even sure if most of the people even need full carbon on gravel.
Ageed- when it comes to "needs," we don't need much. Good to know about the X5 Terras. I had the X1's and they didn't do it for me but the X5's look much better.
Should show more wide shots of the shoe for longer clips in the review. I still don't know what the shoe looks like but the Rx8 sounds good for my wide feet
I have giros for $130 or something I forgot. I want a good hike and bike shoe. SPD Sandals are awesome. I know theres sneakers option but rx8
Noted. Sandals sound cool.
Lake MX241 are the best I’ve ever used. Works best for people with feet issues or need wide width.
I've heard amazing things about Lake shoes- I'll have to check them out.
I actually have a few rides on a pair of sub-$200 LAKE MX (don't recall the model) in a wide size that I was miserable in on a recent 4-hr ride in 85°, which had be thinking about an upgrade for the last hour of the ride. I think the soles have a bit too much flex? One thought is to replace the insole with a Specialized BG footbed, but these might be relegated to commuting.
One more shout out for the RX8 they work fine on gravel, you do get used to getting them on but agreed it’s a little awkward! Oh and I like the colour 😊
They seem to be the crowd favorite!
The rx8 are superb - just a bit more room in the toebox, and really light use them, will try the lace version👌
Have the RX8 and for whatever reason, only have a slight hotspot on the left shoe, near the upper. But otherwise great shoe for the money.
Do you have any long term thoughts on the Recon Lace? After a couple of years, any thoughts?
Liked the comparison, RX8 definitely value option, Which pedals would you suggest with them though?
I’m using Shimano XTR 9100 SPD on all non-road bikes. Love em!
@@outdoorbros_ Thanks!
Hi thanks for the review and comparing some of the shoes I am considering. You touched on the RX8 being almost as good as the XC9, I would like to know what the difference is?
Another good comparison would be the Sworks recon v XC902.
i plan to buy spe recon laced white model because my first inquirment is to get white gravel shoes ( light gravel and road) but my feet are quiet wide (square feet :) ) .. so what woulf be your suggestions as to my case? ... and my last and least question: where can you find spe recon laced in WHITE ... this article seems to be recent and quiet difficult to find , i mean here in europe (france) . Congratulations for this great, clear and complete presentation !!!
How was the sizing on the recon / recon laces? Any need to size up or down from your standard sizing?
Personally have never tried a lace on, but have tried the recon’s and recons 1’s and torches’s, and some shimano’s. I find I’m about equal in all of them. I’m a 44-44.5 in shimano. And I thought id be a 43 in s works, but ima 44-44.5. Noticed the torches are a big in comparison. But I’d say the recons fit pretty true to size. However on laces I’m unsure. I wear a true 10.5 in most of my “normal” shoe’s and I wear a 10.5 in a recon’s just ordered a pair today. I’d say go true to size. Of your normal shoe’s. Comfort is good, you don’t want it super tight.
Nope, same size as my SW7 shoes.
Another informative video!
I'm new to Irvine CA, where do you ride gravel and cross country?
I've also owned the RX8s but found them to be too narrow in the toe box. Now I ride the Lake MX241s which are more wide foot friendly.
What's up, Hussein? I ride quite a bit along the Santa Ana River Trail on recovery days or Crystal Cove if I'm out for a longer ride. Gravel trails around here are a little tricky- mostly up or down, very little in between.
Hi Chris, it would be nice to have your opinion on the recon 3.0 next to a s-works recon. What do you think? Thanks
What’s up Phil? Depends on your budget and riding style. 3.0’s would be fine, especially at the price point.
Hey great videos!! When you switch from gravel to road, do you switch the pedals and shoes? If yes, did you have any problems with your position on the bike (Adjusting saddle height or any other)? Thanks !!
Thanks Thomas! I have dedicated pedals and shoes for road/mountain/gravel (although mountain and gravel will be combined this summer). No adjustments between bikes, just set it and forget it.
@@outdoorbros_ Thanks! So you never change the pedals on the CRUX even when you put it on road mode? You just keep your gravel pedals?
Are all three shoes the same size? I own a pair of Sworks recon, and am wondering what size of shimano RX8 I should be getting.
I’m wearing 44.5 in the specialized shoes and 45 in Shimano. Hope that helps.
@@outdoorbros_and what is your foot length?
do u use the same size for recon laces nad shimanos RX8? Or one size bigger for rx8?
What is the best one for wide toe box? I want somethimg as wide as vivobarefoot ones.
Maybe the recon laces- they seem to be a little wider.
Thank you. I will keep here posted if I find a better one.
$260 WTF
How does the upper material on the Recon Lace compare to the Dyneema used on the Specialized Recon?
Both seem pretty solid to me- I've never had issues. I've unfortunately parted ways with the standard Recons or I'd do a double take for ya!