Specialised S-Works Recon on test: Gravel shoe for high speeds

Light, stiff, fast: With the S-Works Recon, Specialized has a classy gravel racing shoe in its range

An ultra-stiff full carbon sole is designed to transfer power to the pedals without loss

There is only a very small amount of tread. At least the rubber is pleasantly grippy

Specialised tailors the Recon on the basis of the Body Geometry concept. The insole provides ergonomic support for the feet

For a fast racer, the toe box offers a surprising amount of space and freedom of movement. This increases comfort

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Photo: Georg Grieshaber

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The Specialized S-Works Recon is a light, stiff and elegant gravel shoe that is considered the fastest in the Specialized range. Its high-quality carbon sole in combination with the Body Geometry concept promises direct power transfer to the pedals without neglecting comfort. Does the concept work?

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At Specialized, the name S-Works has always been reserved for top-of-the-line products. This is where the entire know-how of the development departments flows together in absolute high-end bikes and components. This is also the case with the new gravel shoe S-Works Recon not otherwise.

Specialised S-Works Recon: Hard and light as a feather

The Recon in size 46 weighs just 658 grams, making it the second lightest model in our test after the Shimano RX801. Of course, the ultra-stiff and very light carbon sole is partly responsible for this. Even a powerhouse like Duke Francesco Sforza, known as an iron bender, would have had a hard time bending the sole even a little bit. The very reduced profile also saves even more grams.

Lots of visible carbon from underneath: The sole of the S-Works Recon is really stiff and can easily handle even the hardest kicks

Photo: Georg GrieshaberLots of visible carbon from underneath: The sole of the S-Works Recon is really stiff and can easily handle even the hardest kicks

More gravel shoes in the test

Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon >> e.g. available here
Mavic Cosmic Boa SPD >> e.g. available here
Northwave Razer >> e.g. available here
Quoc Gran Tourer XC >> e.g. available here
Scott Gravel Pro >> e.g. available here
Shimano RX801 >> e.g. available here
Specialised Recon 1.0 >> e.g. available here
Suplest XC/Gravel Performance

>> All gravel shoes from the test at a glance

Still comfortable

To ensure that comfort is not neglected in the S-Works Recon, Specialized relies on its well-known Body Geometry concept. The sole is equipped with a varus wedge, longitudinal arch support and metatarsal pad and is designed to ensure that the feet move in the optimum position and in line with the knees and hips while pedalling.

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Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe Body Geometry insole supports the arch of the foot and increases comfort

As soon as you slip them on, you realise that the toe area offers a surprising amount of freedom of movement for a thoroughbred racing shoe without being too loose. The heels are well enclosed, while the low-cut outer sides prevent pressure points on the ankles. The fit is already extremely successful.

Photo: Georg GrieshaberSophisticated cut: The heel section offers optimum support without pressing on the ankles

Perfect fit

The adjustment to the foot also works almost perfectly. In typical Specialized fashion, the special Boa S3 twist closures are used, which can be very finely adjusted in both directions. This allows the Recon to be neatly adjusted to the foot over its entire length and the heel is also held firmly in the shoe. One small drawback: these fasteners cannot be opened quickly using a release function.

Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe adjustment via the Boa S3 fasteners also works really well over the entire length of the shoe

If you want to thunder over gravel tracks at speed, the S-Works Recon is the perfect choice, because once clicked in, the stiff carbon sole delivers pure propulsion. It feels like no watts are lost. However, you need to get the click mechanism right when getting on, otherwise the pedals will quickly become slippery on the smooth carbon - the footing is much more secure on more profiled models such as the Suplest XC/Gravel Performance.

A scale helps with cleat adjustment. When clicking in, you should hit the pedal cleanly, otherwise it will be slippery with the carbon sole

Photo: Georg GrieshaberA scale helps with cleat adjustment. When clicking in, you should hit the pedal cleanly, otherwise it will be slippery with the carbon sole

Uncompromising for driving

Even pushing sections are only recommended to a limited extent with the Specialised. The Slipnot rubber from the MTB sector is grippy, but the narrow profile provides little grip and hardly any stability in off-road terrain. At least the Recon still rolls quite passably thanks to the clearly curved sole construction. Nevertheless, we recommend that Recon riders stay on the pedals.

Photo: Georg GrieshaberOf course, the S-Works Recon is not a running shoe. However, a little more tread would be helpful on pushing sections

Info & price of the Specialized S-Works Recon

Price390 Euro >> available here
Weight (size 46): 658 grams
Sizes: 36-49
Sole / StiffnessCarbon / 357 N/mm
Made inChina
Equipment2 Boa S3 twist locks, Body Geometry footbed, washers for cleats, asymmetric heel counter, Varus wedge, arch support, metatarsal padding
FitMedium width throughout, with a little more room in the toe area; true to size

Photo: Georg GrieshaberTop shoe for fast gravel laps and gravel races with a comfortable fit and great adaptation

Test grade & conclusion

Photo: TOUR

With the S-Works Recon, Specialized delivers a thoroughbred gravel racing shoe. The rock-hard sole ensures bombastic acceleration. Nevertheless, the shoe is exceptionally comfortable - this is where the body geometry concept pays off. Only when pushing do you have to accept compromises due to the narrow profile. The carbon fibre of the sole is also barely protected by a rubber coating. The fit and hold in the shoe are excellent, the handling of the high-quality Boa S3 fasteners is a little awkward.

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