The contact points between the rider and a bicycle are some of the most important aspects of riding a two-wheeled steed (think saddle, grips, pedals, and, yes, shoes). The bike footwear category has widened dramatically in the past few years to include everything from the highest-performance road shoes to versatile gravel kicks to flat pedal pumps designed for rugged mountain bike rides. After testing this year鈥檚 offerings, we hand-picked the following options that meet the needs of modern riders.

At A Glance

Gravel Shoes

• Best All-Day Shoe: Udog Distanza ($200)
• Most Versatile: Specialized Recon ADV ($225)
• Most Accommodating Fit: Shimano RX801 ($275)
• Best Race Shoe: DMT KM0 ($520)

Road Shoes

• Best Value: Specialized Torch 2.0 ($180)
• Best for Everyday Use: Shimano RC903S ($475)
• Best Performance: Giant Surge Pro ($399)

Mountain Bike Shoes

• Most Versatile: Five Ten Freerider Pro ($160)
• Best Lightweight Shoe: Giro WMS Latch ($150)
• Best Protection: Fox Union Canvas ($120)
• Best Grip: Specialized Roost 2FO Flat Syn ($120)
• Most Comfortable: Ride Concepts Flume BOA Flat ($200)
• Most Streamlined: Shimano GF6 ($160)
• Most Stylish: Crankbrothers Stamp BOA Flat ($180)
• Best Clipless Shoe: Fox Racing Union BOA ($250)
• Most Waterproof: Adidas Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex ($220)
• How to Choose Bike Shoes
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best All-Day Gravel Shoe

Udog Distanza

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes: 38-48

Pros and Cons
鈯� Compliant, durable sole
鈯� Not easily adjustable while riding

While Italian-based Udog鈥檚 home base might be an ocean away from the birthplace of modern gravel cycling, its design team is leading the way in performance and comfort-focused creations. The Distanza is built to meet the demands of the all-day aspect of today’s gravel events with a compliant, walkable sole and highly breathable knit upper.

Design elements like 100-percent recycled polyester laces and a grippy rubber outsole distinguish the Distanza when a gravel ride becomes a hike-a-bike. The laces are routed through metatarsal support straps that aid in creating even tension along the foot, which reduces the hot spots that many standard lace-up shoes create.

We broke in the shoes for a few weeks before a 10-hour day on the bike at the Rock Cobbler gravel race. The 110-mile course with 10,000 feet of elevation and more than its fair share of muddy hiking is on the extreme side of our test rides, however, the Distanzas proved both durable and comfortable, with their flexible soles reducing foot fatigue.

Laces aren’t for everyone, and it’s worth noting the shoes run a bit big, so be sure to review the size guide to get the right fit. On the scales, our size 43s topped out at 702 grams, leaving our gram-conscious testers wishing for a bit of weight savings.

Most Versatile

Specialized Recon ADV

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes: 36-49

Pros and Cons
鈯� Stiff yet walkable carbon soles
鈯� Laces work well for some, but aren鈥檛 for everyone

The Specialized Recon ADV is designed for cranking out long miles on gravel roads. This lace-up model takes cues from the company鈥檚 Recon line of mountain bike shoes with its sleek look, but adds a splash of color and a stiffer carbon midsole with a bit of engineered flex in the forefoot. This forefoot flex makes the Recon ADV more walkable for mid-ride coffee stops and nature breaks.

Most Accommodating Fit

Shimano RX801

Retention system: BOA dial and Velcro strap
Available sizes: 38-48 EU (half sizes from 41-45.5, wider width from 40-46)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Stiff carbon soles
鈯� Great fit
鈯� Easy to adjust while riding
鈯� Less walkable than others

Shimano has been a leader in the gravel race shoe category, and the RX801 only builds upon that legacy. The Japanese component brand recently gave these popular gravel kicks a makeover with improved ventilation, fit, and adjustability.

The synthetic upper is heavily perforated to increase airflow. Shimano also made the toe box wider and included heel stabilizers to keep the foot in place for greater control through the pedal stroke. A surround-wrapping upper hugs the foot for a close fit, while a rubberized Boa Li2 dial allows for micro-adjustments on the fly, which prevents the upper from getting too constrictive over the course of a long ride.

Have wide feet? No worries鈥攖he RX801 is available in a wide version in sizes 41-47.

Best Gravel Race Shoe

DMT KM0

Retention system: Dual Boa Li2 dials
Available sizes: 37-47

Pros and Cons
鈯� Glove-like fit
鈯� Weak tread

DMT footwear is most recognizable attached to Tour de France powerhouse Tadej Pogacar. Now, the brand鈥檚 ingenuity and performance-oriented designs that earned two yellow jerseys on the road have made their way over to the gravel side of the sport.

A minimalistic knit upper and a shapely carbon sole are paired in the DMT KM0 for a glove-like fit with a focus on maximal stiffness (rated 10/10 by testers). During our first few rides, we noted the Michelin tread was extra grippy on short rough walks, however, after a few hundred miles of testing, a mile-long hike-a-bike wore the tread pretty quickly, leaving us slipping. At 542 grams (size 42), the KM0s are on the lighter side of the gravel shoe market.

Best Value Road Shoe

Specialized Torch 2.0

Retention system: Single Boa dial and toe strap
Available sizes: 36-49

Pros and Cons
鈯� A smart balance of performance and comfort
鈯� Minimal retention personalization

For riders looking for a performance road shoe but hesitant about diving head first into the high-end shoe market, the Torch 2.0 is a competitive option at the sub-$200 price point.

Though they鈥檙e designed for the recreational cyclist, our tester said he鈥檇 feel confident wearing them for a race. 鈥淭hey deliver an effective balance between comfort and performance,鈥� he noted. 鈥淚 do lengthy rides, often spending five or more hours in the saddle, and these shoes deliver comfort with minimal compromise in power transfer.鈥�

The shoe has a fully perforated, single-layer synthetic and seamless upper with internal toe and heel reinforcement. This gives the Torch 2.0 a fairly supple fit with built-in, long-term shoe protection. A toe strap is paired with a single Boa dial. While we’d prefer a dual Boa dial to allow micro adjustments for a more personalized fit, the Torch 2.0’s configuration makes on-the-road adjustments possible. Our size 43s tipped the scales at 549 grams, a fair weight in this class of shoe.

Best Everyday Road Shoe

Shimano RC903S

Retention system: Dual Boa Li2 Metal Dials
Available sizes: 38-47

Pros and Cons
鈯� Supple, form-fitting upper
鈯� Hard to keep clean

Shozaburo Shimano would be proud to know the freewheel company he started in 1921 has grown to showcase a wide range of cycling components and gear for competitive and recreational riders alike, including high-performance cycling shoes like the RC903S, which falls within Shimano’s S-Phyre line.

Dual Boa metal dials lock a rider’s foot into the anti-twist heel cup with the help of the wrap-around upper and six points of retention over the front end of the foot. The carbon sole is strategically reinforced around the cleat for added power transfer while remaining compliant toward the heel for optimal stiffness鈥攔ated as 8/10 by our test team who altogether put more than 4,000 miles of riding in these shoes.

Perforated vents allow for sufficient heat dissipation through the upper’s thin material, and a pair of size 44 hit the scales at a meager 502 grams. On a warm, five hour day at the Mammoth Gran Fondo, the mix of engineered breathability and overall stiffness made for a positive experience.

Best Performance Road Shoe

Giant Surge Pro

Retention system: Dual Boa Li2 dials and toe strap
Available sizes: 40-48

Pros and Cons
鈯� Stiff, performance-focused sole
鈯� Sole is too stiff for longer rides

As the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world, Giant has played a formative role in the modern cycling industry and always seems to be a step ahead of its competitors design-wise in just about every sector of the market. The Surge Pro, Giant’s flagship footwear offering, is just one example.

These shoes feature a three-point retention system, a unique carbon sole, and a weight of only 510 grams (size 43), making them an attractive option for performance-focused riders. A channel runs heel to toe along the sole, maximizing stiffness where it’s needed at the cleat鈥攖esters gave the shoes a 10/10 stiffness rating鈥攄elivering enhanced power transfer and cutting out excess carbon to save weight.

These were a top-rated shoe for high-intensity, hour-long criterium races, but on longer five-plus hour days, our feet needed relief from the extreme stiffness rating.

Most Versatile MTB Shoe

Five Ten Freerider Pro

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes:听6-14.5 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easy-to-clean synthetic material
鈯� Stiff for optimized pedal performance
鈯� Lace capture causes laces to lay across the shoe
鈯� Tread pattern tends to retain mud

There鈥檚 a reason the Freerider Pro is the benchmark for all other flat-pedal mountain bike shoes. First, the wide toe box and cozy heel cup fit a wide range of feet, including my exceptionally fickle ones. More importantly, we鈥檙e huge fans of Five Ten鈥檚 famously grippy Stealth S1 Dotty rubber outsole鈥攊t keeps us solidly placed on the pedals on even the rainiest fays.

The Freerider Pro also shines with a stiff sole that leaves us feeling one with the pedal, resulting in excellent efficiency on longer rides. Lastly, the synthetic upper is durable and easy to clean when things get muddy. One tester loved them so much, she said the Freerider Pro is 鈥渟till the master performance mountain bike flat pedal shoe that pedals all bikes and holds up throughout the season.鈥�

Best Lightweight MTB Shoe

Giro Latch

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes: 38-50 (men鈥檚), 36-43 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Very grippy
鈯� Lightest shoe in the lineup
鈯� More molded protection over toe box
鈯� Lace capture is flimsy
鈯� Slightly wider in heel

Giro鈥檚 Latch shoe fits, feels, and pedals a lot like the Five Ten Freerider Pro because of the stiff, flat sole that brings the foot closer to the pedal. Giro鈥檚 Tack Rubber and the irregular tread felt like it had the tackiest rubber of all the options we tested, and it shed mud more consistently than other tread patterns. The Latch鈥檚 quick-drying microfiber uppers were ideal for fall riding conditions, too.

At the end of the day, the Latch competes with the big guns in pretty much every metric of flat shoe performance. Plus, fashionable tester Megan Barton gives the Latch extra points for style.

Best Protection

Fox Union Canvas

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes:听37-47 (unisex)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Robust and sturdy
鈯� Reinforced toe box
鈯� Heavy
鈯� Canvas was hard to clean

The Fox Union Canvas flat pedal riding shoe combines off-bike street style with solid on-bike performance. While we did not find the Ultratac rubber on the sole quite as grippy as Giro鈥檚 and FiveTen鈥檚, it wasn鈥檛 far behind and still imparted a sense of durability while thrashing through local rock gardens in Hood River. The polyester canvas material also was not our favorite to clean, but it did provide robust weather protection during rainy, cold rides.

We liked how the shoe felt super stiff for pedal grip, but we would recommend it for shorter rides because we started to experience some foot fatigue around mile ten. Overall, this shoe has a nice low-profile design that we loved and excellent grip, and it would thrive from a short ride to a pub crawl.

Best Grip

Specialized 2FO Roost Flat Syn Shoe

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes:听36-49 (unisex)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Matches grip with Stealth rubber
鈯� Stiff enough for long rides
鈯� Doesn’t feel as light as advertised

The 2FO Roost delivers top-notch grip, breathability, and comfort, making it one of our favorite flat pedal shoes in the Specialized line-up. The SlipNot ST rubber easily competes with the Five Ten鈥檚 Stealth rubber and seems to offer better grip in cold weather, especially when we needed to constantly transfer our power on the burliest, most technical trails.

In terms of stiffness, as a trail shoe it handled long descents like a champ with zero foot fatigue. The heel cup was nice, deep, and comfortably retentive, ensuring our heels stayed in place on rougher trails. Our only real complaint is that the shoe lacks protective padding in the toe box, which resulted in a few jammed toes.

This isn鈥檛 the best pick for those with narrow feet, but it’s a competitively priced top contender shoe for riders who like to punish themselves on epic missions.

Most Comfortable MTB Shoe

Ride Concepts Flume BOA Flat Shoe

Retention system: BOA
Available sizes:听5-10 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Super grippy
鈯� Exceptionally comfortable
鈯� BOA allows for easy micro-adjustments mid-ride
鈯� Balancing mid-shoe and heel tension a slight challenge

The Ride Concepts Flume BOA Flat is an easily adjustable and well-crafted shoe that feels like a slipper. Their Max Grip rubber sole offered exceptional grip鈥攚e felt comfortably glued to our pedals at all times, even on extremely technical and rooty trails.

Moreover, the toe and heel have hexagonal treads for confident hike-a-biking traction in slippery mud. The spacious toe box is comfortable, while the midsole support adds an overall feeling of being one with the pedals. 鈥淚 loved how protected and secure I felt in these shoes,鈥� said tester Annick Chalier. Our only gripe is that it was slightly challenging to get the tension with the BOA just right for our heels to be secure without the mid-shoe being too tight.

Most Streamlined

Shimano GF6

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes:听38-48 (unisex)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Matches grip with Five Ten鈥檚 Stealth rubber
鈯� Stiff enough for long trail rides
鈯� Not quite burly enough for pure park riding

Featuring Shimano鈥檚 Ultread GF rubber, a torsional midsole that Shimano calls their Torbal 2.0 midsole, and trail-ready design, the GF6 is their premier flat pedal shoe. While the shoe has minimal padding compared to others we tested, there is enough to handle the accidental rock kicks and moderate impacts.

Fitwise, it had good heel retention both on and off the bike. More importantly, we found the grip on par with the Five Ten鈥檚, and they鈥檙e stiff enough to handle long rides without undue foot fatigue. Shimano footwear tends to fly under the radar for some reason, but they make an excellent product, and we鈥檇 love to see them out on the trails more. The fit and features make this my go-to flat pedal shoe.

Most Stylish MTB Shoe

Crankbrothers Stamp BOA Flat

Retention system:听叠翱础
Available sizes: 5-14 (unisex)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easy walking off the bike
鈯� Stiff enough for long rides
鈯� Match MC2 rubber not as grippy as others

The Stamp BOA Flat is a stylish option that features a BOA dial, Velcro power strap, Match MC2 rubber, and a relatively stiff sole for power transfer. The Stamp BOA is stiff, but not too stiff; there鈥檚 just enough flex for easy walking鈥攁lthough they did feel a hair tight in the forefoot for a couple testers.

The Match MC2 rubber was grippy, though it鈥檚 not Stealth grippy, so if you鈥檙e going to be riding on wet days or have trouble locking to your pedals, look elsewhere. We鈥檙e not 100 percent sold on BOA systems in terms of fit, but we do relish the ability to securely snug up shoes without the litter of laces.

Best Clipless MTB Shoe

Fox Racing Union BOA

Retention system: Boa Li2
Available sizes: 37-47

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great in-between profile
鈯� Spendy

Best known for helmets, body armor, and apparel, Fox Racing recently entered the mountain bike footwear market and the Union BOA is the brand鈥檚 premier clipless mountain bike shoe, designed for trail riding and enduro racing.

It utilizes a pair of BOA Li2 dials to adjust the fit tension and a lightweight nylon shank to stiffen the sole while pedaling. At 221 grams per shoe (size 42), the Union BOA is lighter than similar 鈥渟kate-style鈥� mountain bike shoes, but heavier than svelte shoes designed for cross-country racing. On the trail, we found it provided ample support, and the micro-adjustable dials are handy for on-the-fly adjustments.

Most Waterproof

Adidas Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes: M4/W5-M14/W15

Pros and Cons
鈯� Iconic grip
鈯� High cuff keeps out debris
鈯� Water can still come in through the top

Mountain biking can be dirty work. If you鈥檙e looking for a shoe to accompany you on wet-weather rides, look no further than Five Ten鈥檚 Trailcross Gore-Tex. The shoe鈥檚 waterproof upper shrugs off rain and trail spray while Five Ten鈥檚 legendary Stealth Phantom Rubber provides extra grip on slippery trails.

Like other waterproof mountain bike shoes, this model is not impervious to water running down your leg, into your sock, and then getting trapped within, so it鈥檚 best to pair them with water-resistant pants when riding in sloppy conditions.

How To Choose Bike Shoes

Cycling shoes can be segmented into categories based on their intended use and cleat interface.

Cleats/Clipless Shoes

Road cycling shoes are typically compatible with composite-based, three-bolt style cleats like Shimano鈥檚 SPD-SL and Look Delta/Keo. These cleats offer a high amount of retention and have a greater surface area to maximize stability and power transfer per pedal stroke, which is ideal for road cycling. However, the cleats are often exposed and provide poor walkability.

Gravel shoes use a two-bolt pattern for use with cleats like Shimano鈥檚 SPD. Two-bolt cleats are generally smaller and made of metal, offering greater durability for walking on uneven surfaces.

Flats

More and more mountain bikers are ditching clipless bike shoes in favor of flats, shoes with sticky rubber soles that offer good grip on pedals and don鈥檛 require you to clip in/out of pedals. Many experienced riders and downhillers who navigate high-consequence terrain prefer flats because they allow you to bail off your bike more easily.

Flat shoes are also better choices for novice riders, since they don鈥檛 come with a learning curve (getting the hang of clipless shoes and cleats can be tricky). The downside to flats is they don鈥檛 offer the same power transfer as clipless shoes.

Budget Versus Performance

Don鈥檛 disregard your budget. Bike shoes can be exorbitantly expensive, especially on the high-performance end of the spectrum. If you鈥檙e looking to get into racing, the higher price tag might be worth it for every additional watt of power. If you鈥檙e not racing, we recommend leaning to the more comfortable end of the spectrum, rather than trying to maximize stiffness and performance; these shoes generally come with more palatable price tags.

Materials

Road biking shoes feature lightweight soles made up of carbon or composite materials that blend stiffness and compliance to best suit the rider鈥檚 needs. A stiffer sole generally provides higher power transfer; a more compliant shoe flexes more and provides a more comfortable ride, but often equates to more power loss.

Gravel and mountain bike shoes add tread around the sole to improve walkability and stability.

Shoe uppers will consist of a microfiber or knit material with varying amounts of suppleness, ventilation and foot/ankle support. Microfiber uppers tend to provide more durability and support, while knit uppers have a greater amount of ventilation and suppleness.

Fit

Fit is critical in a cycling shoe and directly impacts performance. If you can, try before you buy. Your local bike shop may have a selection of bike shoes and employees with a wealth of experience to help you find the right fit. Call around to see what鈥檚 available and visit your local bike shop to get a real feel for the shoes before you commit.

How We Test

• Number of products tested: 21
• Number of Testers: 8
• Number of miles collectively ridden during testing: 12,000
• Biggest ride: 110 miles

Our group of testers, made up of men and women across the country, put 21 pairs of the year鈥檚 newest road, gravel, and mountain bike shoes to the test on various rides, races, and trails. Some testers assessed a shoe鈥檚 performance while preparing for marquee road and gravel events, while others set out to determine a shoe鈥檚 comfort and versatility on their weekly coffee ride. Our primary testing ground for MTB shoes was mountain biking mecca Hood River, Oregon, where we assessed a shoe鈥檚 performance on everything from technical, muddy trails to mellow, meandering cruisers. We graded each pair of shoes we tested on characteristics like stiffness, weight, comfort, and functionality. The shoes on this list impressed our crew in all departments.

Meet Our Lead Testers

David Kennedy has been riding road and gravel bikes for 15 years and has been writing about the latest tech in the sport since 2017. He鈥檚 toed the line at premier road and gravel events nationwide, including the Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego and the Unbound 200. When he鈥檚 not writing or riding, he鈥檚 pulling apart bikes at his local shop and connecting with the diverse cycling community around his hometown of Los Angeles.

Nikki Rohan has been mountain biking for close to 20 years, and testing mountain biking gear for Pinkbike for almost a decade. She resides in Hood River, Oregon, with her husband, two teenagers, a 1-year-old, two dogs, and a grumpy cat. When she is not working, cooking, or parenting, you will find her biking on the local trails.

Josh Patterson has been riding and wrenching on bikes for 20 years and, with a master鈥檚 degree in journalism, has been writing about the sport for over half of that time. He鈥檚 a cycling generalist who finds joy in riding road, gravel, and mountain bikes, which made him the ideal candidate to manage 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 Gear Guide bike coverage for the past four years. He grew up in the Flint Hills of Kansas and was an early adopter of gravel racing and participated in the first Unbound 200. He鈥檚 now based in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The post The Best Bike Shoes for Road, Gravel, and Trail Rides appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

From mid-ride hydration mixes to ride-saving tools to simple storage solutions, we鈥檝e gathered a selection of the best bike accessory needs and wants to make the most of your next ride. Looking for a new kit that will keep you airy and comfy over hundreds of miles? An activity tracker that delivers real-time ride data? A handheld massage tool for post-ride recovery? You’ve come to the right place.

At a Glance

• and
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

SpeedSleev Ranger 2.0 Saddle Bag

Pros and Cons
鈯� Sleek design
鈯� Only space for the essentials

Self-sufficiency on the bike isn鈥檛 a must, but we highly suggest riding with enough gear to get you home in the event of a flat tire or worse. SpeedSleev鈥檚 Ranger 2.0 saddle bag offers a minimalist approach to carrying just enough gear to get you home in a pinch. With the capacity to fit two tubes, two C02 canisters, an inflator, tire levers, plugs, and a multi-tool, we found ourselves prepared for the all too common roadside tube swap.

Whoop 4.0 Activity Tracker

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Pros and Cons
鈯� Easy-to-use
鈯� Barely there feel
鈯� Inaccurate measurements when not properly fitted

Whoop鈥檚 4.0 band provides an informative look into heart rate data with clear, easy-to-interpret graphs available through the Whoop app. The 4.0 will track heart rate day and night, providing users with valuable data like resting heart rate and heart rate variability to help athletes customize training and recovery routines. Bonus: The Whoop can also pair to a cycling computer via Bluetooth to broadcast live heart rate data on the road.

Feedback Sports Velo Hinge 2.0 Mounting System

Pros and Cons
鈯� Space-saving design
鈯� Simple installation
鈯� Vertical mounting only

Feedback Sports is best known for its array of tools and quality cycling equipment. At $40, the Velo Hinge is the brand鈥檚 most affordable wall-mounted bike storage solution, offering multiple vertical hanging positions. Installation is quick; just three screws are needed to mount the system to a stud. It鈥檚 proven to be a favorite thanks to its space-saving, compact nature.

Craig鈥檚 Tool

Pros and Cons
鈯� Minimalistic design
鈯� Magnetic bits get stuck in bolts

Craig鈥檚 Tool is the product of a lifelong industry engineer looking to capitalize on the minimalist desires of gram-conscious cyclists. At 32 grams, the multitool provides the six most common bits (2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, and T25) you鈥檒l need for road and gravel bike adjustments or repairs. Its sleek, high-strength aluminum L-shaped handle and additional tire plugs provide a simple yet effective set of tools that served us well for unexpected roadside stops.

Roll Recovery R8 Plus Deep Tissue Massage Tool

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ideal for big muscles of the leg
鈯� Adjustable pressure
鈯� Springs wear out over time

Like many athletes, cyclists are big on post-ride recovery massages, and the Roll R8 Plus allows us to administer our own deep tissue massage at home with a 360-degree squeezing action. An adjustment knob allows for easy tension selection to dial in various levels of force to target one鈥檚 glutes, quads, hamstrings, and more.

Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey and Dottore Clima Bib

Pros and Cons
鈯� Highly breathable
鈯� Premium quality chamois
鈯� Delicate

A quality kit can have a seemingly high sticker price, but your body will be grateful for the investment down the road. Produced in Italy, each piece of Q35.6鈥檚 Clima collection oozes quality craftsmanship and remarkable breathability. In the jersey, the use of graphene yarn鈥攁longside a blend of 60 percent polyester, 28 percent elastane, and 12 percent polyamide鈥攅nhances cooling with its inherent thermoregulating properties. In the bibs, a proprietary chamois provides a highly breathable cushion for the longest rides on your calendar.

We tested the kit over 100 miles at California鈥檚 Tour de Palm Springs and were pleased with its all-day comfort, and, after six months of hard riding, it retains much of its original elasticity and grip. Bonus: Q36.5鈥檚 warranty policy covers the practical lifetime of the product and offers repair services for a small charge.

Garmin Edge 540 Solar GPS

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great tracking with no battery anxiety
鈯� UI has a steep learning curve

A cycling computer, while not an essential accessory, is one of those nice-to-haves if you鈥檙e looking for navigation assistance and extensive data on your rides. The Garmin鈥檚 Edge 540 is our favorite thanks to its mid-ride solar charging capabilities which gives it up to a claimed 32 hours of battery life (and 60+ in battery saver mode), making it ideal for an all-day adventure without the worry of battery anxiety.

A multitude of sensors pair with its ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity, and multi-band GNSS provides class-leading positioning data.

Oakley Sphaera Sunglasses

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide coverage
鈯� Expensive

Oakley鈥檚 Sphaera is the latest sport-oriented release from the eyewear giant. A lightweight, half-wrap frame and a wide lens pair for a modern fit that falls in line with the oversized glasses trend of recent years. We appreciated the breathable central vent, polarized lenses, and rubber-covered arms that added comfort. For $271, the Sphaera is on the high end of the eyewear price spectrum, but we find Oakley鈥檚 consistently high quality helps justify the price tag.

Tailwind Nutrition Rapid Hydration Drink Mix

Pros and Cons
鈯� Light
鈯� Easily digestible
鈯� Not enough calories for long rides

Whether you鈥檙e taking a quick spin through the park or spending a day in the mountains, staying fueled is one of the simplest steps any cyclist can take to improve the quality of their ride. Colorado-based Tailwind Nutrition produces a variety of refreshing, easy-to-digest drink mixes, from calorie-packed to calorie-light.

The brand鈥檚 45-calorie Rapid Hydration mix is available in five flavors: orange, strawberry lemonade, lemon lime, raspberry, and berry. Testers found these did the trick for shorter, sub-two-hour rides, but felt the need to fuel with additional carbs for longer days in the saddle.

How We Test

• Number of products tested: 15
• Number of miles collectively ridden during testing: 11,000
• Biggest ride: 102 miles
• Number of Testers: 6

Our group of testers, made up of men and women across the country, put more than a dozen cycling accessories to the test on various rides and races during diverse training schedules. Some were preparing for marquee road and gravel events while others were more concerned about the weekly coffee ride.

Each product we tested earned a grade based on qualitative and quantitative characteristics like functionality, simplicity, and usefulness. The bike gear and gadgets on this list impressed our crew in all departments.

Meet Our Lead Tester

has been riding road and gravel bikes for 15 years and has been writing about the latest tech in the sport since 2017. He鈥檚 toed the line at premier road and gravel events nationwide, including the Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego and the Unbound 200. When he鈥檚 not writing or riding, he鈥檚 pulling apart bikes at his local shop and connecting with the diverse cycling community around his hometown of Los Angeles.

The post The Best Bike Accessories for Road and Gravel Riding (and Racing) appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.