Recon 3.0 Mountain Bike Shoe
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Why We Like The Recon 3.0 Mountain Bike Shoe
Built from the bottom up with lightweight performance and efficiency-focused comfort, the Recon 3.0 Mountain Bike Shoe draws on its S-Works Recon roots to give you a high-quality shoe for cross-country and trail. Carbon STRIDE toe-flex technology shaves off every unnecessary gram in the uppers, and keeps the stiffness index at a tight 10.0—which translates into pedaling power you can still hike in.
The Recon 3.0 likes to keep things comfortable. That's thanks to its Body Geometry sole and footbed. By combining ergonomic designs with intensive scientific testing, Body Geometry shoes improve comfort and help reduce strain on the body. Defining elements include a Longitudinal Arch support that boosts your power output, a built-in Varus Wedge that improves knee alignment while pedaling, and a Metatarsal button that alleviates numbness and hot spots.
Details
- Specialized's top Recon model for lightweight MTB comfort
- Body Geometry construction improves comfort and efficiency
- Welded uppers with carbon toe-flex deliver lightweight pedal power
- SlipNot rubber tread ensures grip in all conditions
- Durable synthetic uppers with micro-adjustable Boa closure
- Two-bolt cleat pattern fits all major MTB pedals
- Item #SCQ0089
- Upper Material
- synthetic
- Closure
- BOA L6-Snap dial, asymmetric hook-and-loop straps
- Midsole
- Body Geometry
- Sole
- rubber
- Cleat Compatibility
- 2-bolt
- Claimed Weight
- [single, size 42] 12.5oz (355g)
- Activity
- mountain biking, cyclocross, cross-country, trail
- Manufacturer Warranty
- 2 years
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
3.5 based on 8 ratings
Review Summary
Fits True To Size
Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.What do you think about this product?
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageMarch 18, 2023
Not good shoes
I purchased a pair of these shoes, not from backcountry (they were out of stock in my size). They are oddly narrow and I don’t have wide feet at all. Also, everything people say about the shoes digging into your ankle and the boa dial digging in on the side of the shoe is true. I tried to post a review on specialized’s website and they wouldn’t post it on there’d
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
November 7, 2022
Can't go wrong..
It was time to climb the ladder... I upgraded from a Recon 2.0 which was a great shoe. This shoe provides much better power transfer and has a much better closure system due to the dual boas. On a side note, if you do have to hike-a-bike these may not be that great due to the stiff carbon outsole but the Stride Toe Flex area does provide some flexibility and does make the shoe hikeable. Great shoe if you are looking for Sworks features at a lower price point. Note on sizing, I wear a us12 / 30cm, size purchased was a eu46 with no fit issues.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
September 8, 2021
Very good, but very flawed
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
- Weight:
- null
I've put a couple thousand miles on my pair of Recon 3's, used for road riding, gravel, and mountain biking. Pros: - Stiff soles, great power transfer - Boa works well, upper dial may be a tad too high and put painful pressure when dropping heels - Very good traction - Decently roomy toe box (way better than Giro, in my opinion) - Drains impressively quickly - Comfy to stand around in Cons: - Tongue is way too long, digs into my ankles, now I have actual scars there. In hindsight I wish I'd cut the tongue shorter on day 1. - Sizing runs large, my normal size is too big and now I need to downsize, but Backcountry doesn't seem to carry the in-between sizes
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
July 24, 2021
Not for wider feet
I was really excited for this shoe. It looks great, but the look doesn't match the fit. This was my first cycling shoe from this brand. I have several from other brands. This shoe was much to narrow in the front part of the shoe for what I guess is a wider food than some of the other reviewers. I don't wear the larger width shoes when that is an option so I wouldn't say my foot is super wide. This shoe was uncomfortable from the moment I put it in. The length was fine. If you have a narrow foot, this shoe may be a great option for you.
July 9, 2021
Best shoe I've found
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
- Size Bought:
- 11
- Height:
- 5' 9"
- Weight:
- 220
I have a relatively flat foot that gets wider under load. I also have a normal to narrow heel. Generally, if I find a shoe that fits in the forefoot, the heel slips. If the heel is locked, the forefoot is tight. When I tried these shoes on, my initial feeling was that they were a bit big. As I tightened the BOA, though everything felt perfect. When coasting, I had tons of room in the forefoot, borderline loose for cycling shoes. Then when I put the hammer down, they felt perfect, no tightness on my toes, but still sufficiently stable and locked in. All that said, they have the flaws that others mention... The toe strap has some extra material that can cause some pressure on the top of foot by your toe knuckle. Also the upper BOA is located up too high. If you drop your heels for a decent, you can really feel the pressure of the BOA lace if you have them set relatively tight. Under normal pedaling I don't feel it, but it's bad on decents. Overall though, for my feet, this is the best compromise I have found by quite alot. I've previously rode Shimano, Lake, and FiveTen.
June 10, 2021
Roomy toe and overall shoe
- Familiarity:
- I returned this product before using it
- Weight:
- null
Unlike other reviewers who say these are running small, I definitely found I need to size down in these. That?s why I am returning them. Otherwise they?re very comfortable. Toebox also seems spacious.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
October 14, 2020
The worst fitting shoe I've ever worn
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
- Weight:
- null
I've worn countless brands of shoes over many years of mountain biking, and my feet generally fit most shoes pretty well. I have no idea how these shoes were made, but they felt pretty terrible the instant I tried them on. They were the right size, they just hit my foot in all the wrong places. I can't imagine riding any distances in these things.
September 27, 2020
Great Shoes for my low volume feet
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
- Size Bought:
- 48
- Height:
- 6' 4"
- Weight:
- 205
It is evident from the previous reviews, that shoes, like helmets, are a very hard thing to generalize whether they are comfortable or not. I have rode in many different brands, including PI, and Sidi. I bought these this summer, to mainly ride gravel in. I have put thousands of miles on these, on both my gravel bike and my MTB. I have found them incredibly comfortable, and one of the only shoes that I haven't had to put extra insoles in, for my low volume feet. Maybe that is the key. I will probably keep these to race and ride MTB, and hopefully get some of the stiffer S-works version, when I can afford them, for longer gravel rides/races. The soles on these Recon 3's have great traction, when off the bike, and seem pretty comfortable to walk in, when needed. My only sorta complaint, would be that I had been riding my gravel bike in very stiff road shoes, and although I love the ability to get out of spd cleats much easier than my road pedals, on extended rides the stiffer soles were easier on my feet.
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