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From lightweight road kicks to rugged trail shoes, these top picks deliver power, comfort, and performance for every ride

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The 9 Best Bike Shoes for Road, Gravel, and Trail Rides (2025)

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 shoe 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.

Our testers rode hundreds of miles to find the best cycling shoes for fit and performance across all of these categories. From sleek, clipless shoes for dancing on dirt to the mountain biking equivalent of steel-toe construction boots for your own personal Redbull Rampage, we hand-picked the following options that meet the needs of modern riders.

Updated July 2025: We added 8 new picks, including our new favorite MTB and road cycling shoes鈥攖he Crankbrothers Mallet BOA and Specialized Torch 3.0. We also updated pricing and info on previously listed bike shoes.听

Best Bike Shoes at a Glance

Best Mountain Bike Shoes

Best Road Cycling Shoes

Best Gravel Shoes


Best Mountain Bike Shoes

Dirty black mountain bike shoes displayed on wooden step
(Photo: Seb Scott)

Best Do-It-All Clipless Shoe: Crankbrothers Mallet BOA Clip-In Shoes

Available sizes: US M 6 – 14

Pros and Cons
Very comfortable
Super durable
Supremely adjustable fit
Limited ankle coverage

Technically, the Mallet is Crankbrothers鈥 offering for gravity-focused endeavors鈥攄ownhill, park, and enduro racing鈥攂ut these well-padded shoes are lightweight and breathable enough that if you loathe the ballet slipper look, they do just fine for any riding this side of XC racing.

While the brand makes their own pedals, the Mallet utilizes the brand鈥檚 鈥楳atch鈥 design philosophy: a long and wide cleat pocket that鈥檚 designed to both shed mud and aid cleat engagement/release regardless of your preferred clipless pedal. The shoes come with shims to optimize your pedal-cleat-shoe interface, but in a nod to their own pedals, and as an encouragement for you to use them, the Mallets come with Crankbrothers鈥 own cleat already installed in a neutral position.

The shoes are burly yet offer a comfortable amount of padding, with silicone gripper dots in the heel cup for a secure fit. They also utilize just the right amount of ventilation for good breathability on all but the hottest days. The medium stiff midsole combined with a nicely rockered sole makes for exceptional comfort both on and off the bike. All these features, combined with the ability to dial in an exact fit with the BOA dial, make these shoes a winner. Our only complaint: We wish they offered a little more ankle coverage.


Pearl Izumi X-ALP Launch cycling shoes 2025
(Photo: Courtesy Pearl Izumi)

Best Flat Pedal Shoe: Pearl Izumi X-ALP Launch

Available sizes: EU 39 – 49

Pros and Cons
Lightweight
Optimal for narrow feet
BOA loosened on longer rides
Soles not as grippy as Five Ten or Ride Concepts

The X-ALP Launch is an affordable flat pedal mountain bike shoe that takes the cake when it comes to a lightweight, flexible feel. The shoe features a stout Cordura mesh upper with a single BOA dial that allows for quick fit adjustments. We found that the X-ALP has a low-to-medium internal volume that runs a bit narrower in the toe box than other brands. An EVA foam midsole is paired with an outsole featuring Goodyear rubber molded with a chevron pattern, designed to offer good grip and traction.

Despite the use of brand-name rubber, the X-Alp is not the grippiest shoe out there. But that鈥檚 not necessarily a bad thing: this allows for easy micro foot adjustments compared to the locked in feel of some other shoes on our list. What the sole lacks in grip, it makes up for with impressive lightweight feel and efficient power transfer. In our testing, the shoes excelled on longer trail rides in dryer weather where heat and foot fatigue can be issues. And while the single BOA loosened up a bit on our longer rides, it’s fairly easy to tighten up on the fly. This might not be the shoe you want for bike park laps, but it hits the mark for those who prefer the versatility of a flat pedal shoe versus clipless for hot cross-country and trail rides.


Shimano GE7 cycling shoes 2025
(Photo: Courtesy Shimano)

Best for Downhill/Enduro Riding: Shimano GE7

Available sizes: EU 38 – 48

Pros and Cons
Excellent off the bike grip
Longer cleat channel
Roomy toe box
Runs a little hot

The Shimano GE7 is one of our favorite clipless MTB shoes. The SPD-compatible GE7 features laces with a velcro instep strap for precise fit, a burly outsole for enhanced grip, raised and padded ankle collar, enhanced toe cap, and a reinforced fiberglass midsole (TORBAL 2.0, a midsole technology that provides targeted rigidity and flexibility) for stellar pedaling efficiency.

Originally designed for Enduro style racing, this shoe is meant for big days that could involve a fair bit of hike-a-bike as well as full-tilt boogie pedaling. Translation: it鈥檚 super comfortable and holds up well on longer rides thanks to a nice balance of stiffness and flex in the sole, plus a relaxed鈥揹are I say 鈥榬oomy鈥?鈥搕oe box to give those little piggies room to stretch out. The traction is excellent when you鈥檙e off the bike and the cleat placement is slightly more centrally placed than other brands, allowing for a more performance-oriented cleat position. More importantly, the shoe can take a beating. And the asymmetric padded ankle cuffs keep ankle/crank interaction downright civilized.

Shimano shoes tend to be durable enough for multiple riding seasons, and while this one runs a little on the warm side and lacks the bling of a BOA system, the fit and performance won鈥檛 let you down. 鈥淸This is a] great all around mountain bike shoe for gravity-oriented folks that want traction while off the pedals,鈥 commented one tester from Hood River, Oregon.


Ride Concepts Tallac Mid BOA庐 cycling shoes 2025
(Photo: Courtesy Ride Concepts)

Best Protection: Ride Concepts Tallac Mid BOA

Available sizes: US M 7 – 13

Pros and Cons
Excellent grip in all conditions
Mid-height design adds extra protection to ankle
Easy to adjust fit with BOA庐 system
Bulky

When Ride Concepts released these mid-high shoes into the wild last summer, there was much rejoicing from riders demanding a more robust solution for technical gravity riding. The surprisingly roomy mid-volume shoe features BOA鈥檚 PerformFit Wrap for a snug fit, and burly Cordura mesh upper with liberal amounts of D3O padding in the ankles, toe, heel, and insoles for bombproof impact resistance. A stiff EVA midsole helps reduce foot fatigue, and an outer sole crafted from RC鈥檚 Maxgrip rubber provides secure pedal grip and confident traction off the bike.

The mid-height upper offers greater support than a low-fit shoe, while the gusseted tongue keeps debris at bay like a champ. Surprisingly, the Cordura mesh breathes tolerably well, but the trade-off for all this added material is a much longer break-in period. If you have the patience for that, the reward is a glorious, comfortable fit that offers loads of confidence no matter how gnarly the trail or how much you鈥檙e off the bike scouting lines and sessioning techy features.


Best Road Shoes

White Specialized cycling shoes displayed on off-white shoeboxes on off-white background
(Photo: Josh Ross)

Best Overall:听Specialized Torch 3.0

Available sizes: EU 36-49

Pros and Cons
Excellent weight
BOA Li2 dials
Hard wearing exterior
Cleat mounts aren’t adjustable

Road cycling shoe prices aren鈥檛 just creeping up鈥攖hey鈥檙e skyrocketing. Specialized is part of that trend, but the Torch 3.0 offers a refreshing exception. It鈥檚 not quite as performance-oriented as the S-Works Torch ($500), but you鈥檙e getting 90 to 95 percent of the performance for significantly less鈥攁nd with some surprising perks. The Torch 3.0 actually has a better BOA system. Both models use a dual-zone setup and the same pressure-optimized tongue cut, but the S-Works dial doesn鈥檛 pop for quick release. The Torch 3.0鈥檚 BOA Li2 dials, BOA鈥檚 best, make on/off much easier.

Elsewhere, the Torch 3.0 simplifies slightly. The upper is more uniform but still durable and easy to clean. The carbon sole is just as stiff, though slightly heavier and less detailed. It lacks cleat-mount adjustability鈥攂ut after thousands of foot scans, Specialized says you won鈥檛 miss it. (We didn鈥檛 during testing.) Bottom line: The Torch 3.0 delivers elite-level performance without the elite-level price.


Shimano RC903S cycling shoes 2025
(Photo: Courtesy Shimano)

Best Performance:听Shimano RC903S

Available sizes: 38-47

Pros and Cons
Supple, form-fitting upper
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鈥檚 S-Phyre line.

Dual Boa metal dials lock a rider鈥檚 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.


Black cycling shoes displayed on shoeboxes on off-white background
(Photo: Josh Ross)

Best On a Budget: Fizik Tempo Powerstrap R5

Available sizes: EU 36-48

Pros and Cons
Impressive weight for price
Velcro powerstrap
Vertical volume in toe box
Non-adjustable cleat mount
Narrow fit

Budget road cycling shoes are a tough category鈥攎ost cut corners so severely they鈥檙e no fun to wear. One common compromise? BOA dials. The top-tier Li2 dials are great, but cheaper versions often can鈥檛 adjust both ways and don鈥檛 pop for quick release.

The Fizik Tempo Powerstrap R5 avoids those issues altogether. It uses the same lightweight, easy-to-adjust Powerstrap system found on Fizik鈥檚 higher-end Aeroweave model, and it outperforms many dual-BOA setups: It鈥檚 easy to adjust (even mid-ride), lightweight, and offers a snug fit with zero hotspots. The shoe is on the narrow side, typical of older Fizik models, but a tall toe box adds comfort. The carbon-reinforced nylon sole is shaped well enough to feel plenty stiff. The biggest downside: The cleat mount point is fixed and offers limited adjustability.

Still, for this price, we were willing to overlook that shortcoming. The Tempo R5 doesn鈥檛 feel cheap鈥攕kipping BOA is a smart move here, not an oversight.


Best Gravel Shoes

Giro Sector cycling shoes 2025
(Photo: Courtesy Giro)

Best Overall: Giro Sector

Available sizes: EU 39 – 50

Pros and Cons
Lightweight
Quick drying
Responsively stiff
Pricey
Not ideal off the bike

The Giro Sector is our go-to riding shoe for all types of riding, from laps on our local trails to all-day gravel adventures to XC racing. They offer a nice balance of comfort and stiffness to keep the feet remarkably comfortable regardless of how hard you鈥檙e pedaling. The Sector features a one-piece synchwire material upper, dual BOA庐 adjustment, reinforced toe and heel, and a fairly stiff carbon-composite sole (for pedalling efficiency) with a dual injected rubber outsole with impressively tall lugs for off-the bike traction and pre drilled toe spike mounts.

While the Sector is lightweight and adequately ventilated, it is not the lightest on the market, but it鈥檚 by no means portly either. That being said, it gets extra points in comfort, and despite the fragile appearance of the upper, the shoe is surprisingly durable and robust; they show very minimal signs of wear despite extensive testing. If you are a one shoe do-it-all household, we highly recommend the Sector, although it鈥檚 happiest pedaling hard.


Sidi Physis cycling shoes 2025
(Photo: Courtesy Sidi)

Best Performance: Sidi Physis

Available sizes: EU 36 – 50

Pros and Cons
Wide toe box
Excellent power transfer
Expensive
Walkability

Brutally efficient and decadently comfortable aren鈥檛 descriptive phrases that typically go together. But if you鈥檙e describing Sidi鈥檚 new Physis shoes, then you鈥檝e pretty much hit the nail on the head. But to tweak an old Keith Bontrager maxim鈥攂rutally efficient, decadently comfortable, cheap鈥ick two鈥攂ecause at $400, these ain鈥檛 cheap.

But what you get is what you pay for: Sidi鈥檚 legendary Italian craftsmanship mated to modern footwear ergonomics. With the Physis, you get a phenomenally-fitting and well ventilated dual density TPU upper that errs on the roomy side (consider sizing down a half size for Sidi鈥檚 legendary glove-like feel while still enjoying the roomy forefoot volume of the Millenium fit), secured with Sidi鈥檚 proprietary BOA庐 type system and their patented Tension Strap over the instep, mated to a X2FC carbon sole so stiff that you might as well be wearing two-by-four planks with a footbed strapped to your feet. Only a two-by-four never screamed performance the way these do; rest assured that every single watt you generate is going right into your pedals. Other details: rubber dimples in the heel cup for a more secure fit. Minimalist abrasion/impact guards around the toe box and heel. Threaded holes at the toes for spikes (CX anyone?).

In essence, these are Ferraris for your feet, but are purpose built for performance gravel and XC riding; if your ride involves any halfway serious hike-a-biking, look elsewhere. But if you鈥檙e chasing podiums or KOMs, these are just what the doctor ordered.


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 Cycling Shoes

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.

How Should Bike Shoes 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 Bike Shoes

  • 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 and bike industry experts like and , 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

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.

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.

is a senior tech editor at Velo. He hails from the Pacific Northwest but when it鈥檚 time to ride, hot and dry is better than cold and wet. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but understands most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn鈥檛 care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset, and beyond, the answer is always yes.


More Bike Gear Reviews

The Best Road Bikes of the Year
The Best Gravel Bikes of 2025
The Best Bike Helmets for Road, Gravel, and Trail Riding

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The Best Bike Accessories for Road and Gravel Riding (and Racing) /outdoor-gear/bikes-and-biking/best-bike-accessories-road-gravel/ Tue, 07 May 2024 16:49:07 +0000 /?p=2665634 The Best Bike Accessories for Road and Gravel Riding (and Racing)

These accessories and tools will help you work smarter, not harder, on two wheels

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The Best Bike Accessories for Road and Gravel Riding (and Racing)

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

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
(Photo: Courtesy SpeedSleev)

SpeedSleev Ranger 2.0 Saddle Bag

Pros and Cons
Sleek design
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
(Photo: Courtesy Whoop)

Whoop 4.0 Activity Tracker

Pros and Cons
Easy-to-use
Barely there feel
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
(Photo: Courtesy Feedback Sports)

Feedback Sports Velo Hinge 2.0 Mounting System

Pros and Cons
Space-saving design
Simple installation
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
(Photo: Courtesy Craig’s Tool)

Craig鈥檚 Tool

Pros and Cons
Minimalistic design
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
(Photo: Courtesy Roll Recovery)

Roll Recovery R8 Plus Deep Tissue Massage Tool

Pros and Cons
Ideal for big muscles of the leg
Adjustable pressure
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
(Photo: Courtesy Q36.5)

Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey and Dottore Clima Bib

Pros and Cons
Highly breathable
Premium quality chamois
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
(Photo: Courtesy Garmin)

Garmin Edge 540 Solar GPS

Pros and Cons
Great tracking with no battery anxiety
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
(Photo: Courtesy Oakley)

Oakley Sphaera Sunglasses

Pros and Cons
Wide coverage
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
(Photo: Courtesy Tailwind Nutrition)

Tailwind Nutrition Rapid Hydration Drink Mix

Pros and Cons
Light
Easily digestible
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.

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