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Specialized Recon 3.0 Review

A toned-down version of a full-carbon race shoe that is comfortable and walkable without sacrificing efficiency
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Specialized Recon 3.0 Review
Price:  $230 List
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Manufacturer:   Specialized
By Zach Wick ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 9, 2020
79
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#13 of 20
  • Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Traction and Walkability - 25% 6.0
  • Power Transfer - 20% 9.0
  • Weight - 15% 9.0
  • Durability - 15% 8.0

Our Verdict

Riders looking for a walkable shoe with great power transfer will find a lot to like with the new Specialized Recon 3.0. Unlike many race-oriented shoes, the Recon 3.0 allows your toe and forefoot to flex slightly as you walk to allow for a more natural gait, but when the time comes to stand on the pedals, the carbon sole ensures that you're not losing power to flex. It isn't the stiffest or most walkable shoe we tested, but it strikes a good balance between the two. When you bundle that rare combination with a double-Boa retention system and a Body Geometry insole, you have a rock-solid package. After a break-in period to soften up some hard edges, we became fast friends with this model.
REASONS TO BUY
Great power transfer
Highly-adjustable
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Long break-in period
Poor traction on hard surfaces

Compare to Similar Products

 
specialized recon 3.0
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Trail Riding Shoe
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Cross Country Shoe
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck Cross Country Shoe
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck All-Mountain/Trail Shoe
Price $230 List
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Bottom Line Riders looking for an efficient XC shoe without sacrificing too much comfort and walkability should check these outA unique design and a great blend of on and off-the-bike performance make this a versatile trail and all-mountain shoeLightweight, stiff, and comfortable, this shoe is one of our favoritesAn XC/trail riding shoe that combines high performance with affordabilityLightweight with good power transfer and walkability, these are a reasonably priced trail riding shoe with casual styling
Rating Categories Specialized Recon 3.0 Shimano ME7 Giro Empire VR90 Scott MTB Team Boa Specialized 2FO Roo...
Comfort (25%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
Traction and Walkability (25%)
6.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
9.0
Power Transfer (20%)
9.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
Weight (15%)
9.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
10.0
Durability (15%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
Specs Specialized Recon 3.0 Shimano ME7 Giro Empire VR90 Scott MTB Team Boa Specialized 2FO Roo...
Closure Dual L6-Snap Boa dials and Velcro strap Speed lacing system with cover and ratchting upper bucckle Laces Boa iP-1 dial, plus velcro strap Laces
Measured Weight (per shoe) 395 grams 415 grams 388 grams 359 grams 375 grams
Size Tested 45 44 45 44 43.5
Width Options Regular Regular and Wide Regular and High Volume(HV) Regular Regular
Upper Material XPEL Hydrophobic Mesh Synthetic Leather Microfiber Synthetic Polyurethane, 3D Airmesh Synthetic Leather and Textile
Footbed Specialized Body Geometry Shimano Pedaling Dynamics insole molded EVA footbed ErgoLogic Specialized Body Geometry
Midsole Carbon STRIDE sole with glass fiber forefoot Carbon Fiber composite "TORBAL" midsole Easton EC90 Carbon Fiber Nylon/Glass Fiber Composite Stiff Lollipop nylon composite plate
Outsole SlipNot rubber sole Michelin OCX3 dual-density Vibram Mont Molded Rubber High Traction Lugged Outsole, Mid-Foot Scuff Guard, Accomodates Steel Toe Spikes StickiRubber SlipNot FG

Our Analysis and Test Results

Specialized has a long history of making high-quality shoes. From lightweight race models to heavy-duty downhill brawlers, they have a habit of designing some of the best shoes on the market, so our expectations were high when we got our hands on the Recon 3.0. This new model boasts a highly-adjustable closure system with two Boas and a hook-and-loop toe strap, a carbon STRIDE walkable sole, and a burly Slipnot lugged outsole. The designers at Specialized went above and beyond to create a shoe with all the answers, and in testing we found that, for the most part, they hit the nail on the head.

Performance Comparison


specialized recon 3.0 - they took some breaking in, but we ultimately found a lot to like...
They took some breaking in, but we ultimately found a lot to like about these shoes.
Credit: Zach Wick

Power Transfer


With its XC and Gravel focus, power transfer is among the most important aspects that the Recon 3.0 needed to get right, and it didn't disappoint when we threw a leg over the saddle. The carbon STRIDE sole is among the stiffest and snappiest we tested, and-when combined with the minimally-padded but well-shaped Specialized Body Geometry insole—it translates your power directly into forward motion when you stomp on the pedals to sprint out of a corner or through a steep switchback.

In repeated back-to-back testing out on the trail, we found that the power transfer didn't quite match the stiffest models in the test. The Giro Empire and Shimano S-Phyre XC9 both felt slightly snappier, but without testing them side by side you would be very hard-pressed to discern a difference. For all intents and purposes the Recon 3.0 is among the stiffest models we rode.

specialized recon 3.0 - the upper edge of the tongue can press against the front of the...
The upper edge of the tongue can press against the front of the ankle causing some discomfort. The problem lessened for us as the shoe broke in.
Credit: Zach Wick

Comfort


The Recon 3.0 is a comfortable shoe with a few minor caveats. When we first donned our test pair and hit the trails we experienced some discomfort. One of our testers had the stiff upper edge of the tongue press against the front of his ankle during his natural pedal stroke which irritated the area over the course of a ride. Additionally, we found that if you're not careful with the tongue placement when tightening the Boa straps, it can create a pinching pressure point along the outside edge of your instep. Despite the initial issues, we continued riding with the shoes and found that eventually the material of the upper softened slightly and got a lot more comfortable. It took roughly ten hours of ride time before we really started to feel comfortable in these shoes, but when they were well broken in we liked what we found.

Once we got through the break-in period, we could really dig into what makes these shoes comfortable. The fit is a little bit roomy in the toe box, making the Recon 3.0 feel more natural on your feet than most typically-narrow XC race shoes, and the double-Boa closure system allows for the fit adjustment necessary to avoid hotspots and numbing on long rides. The combination of the two Boas and the hook-and-loop toe strap makes adjusting the fit comfortably to a wide range of instep shapes and foot widths quick and easy. We had no issues making quick on-the-bike tension adjustments to combat foot swelling on long rides. Like most XC shoes, the Recon 3.0's insole doesn't have a lot of padding, which means that you're at the mercy of the carbon sole when things get rough. If you're hammering long descents, the Recon 3.0's stiffness—like any purebred XC shoe—can cause some foot and calf fatigue.

specialized recon 3.0 - the carbon stride sole allows enough toe flex for a natural gait.
The carbon STRIDE sole allows enough toe flex for a natural gait.
Credit: Zach Wick

Traction and Walkability


If ever the time comes when you have to get off your bike and hoof it, the Recon 3.0 will have you covered. The sole's STRIDE toe flex technology allows the front of the shoe to flex slightly, similar to to the 3/4-length sole shanks in most trail and enduro shoes, meaning you don't have to do a robot shuffle to get up that unrideable section. Compared to our other top-rated shoes in the power transfer metric, the Giro Empire and Shimano S-Phyre XC-9, the Recon 3.0 allows for a more natural walking gait. The Slipnot outsole features large, flat-bottomed lugs that almost act as cleats in loamy conditions. We were surprised by the versatility of the outsole rubber and found traction in conditions ranging from dry hardpack to slick mud. The sole also has two toe cleat mounting points for especially muddy conditions.

While the Recon 3.0 walks great on a variety of dirt surfaces, we weren't overly excited about using them on hard surfaces like rock or concrete. Our SPD cleats protruded ever so slightly farther than the surrounding Slipnot lugs, meaning that it would contact the ground for a brief part of each hard-surface footstep. Smooth metal on a hard surface isn't ideal for traction, so between the cleat contact and the metal toe lugs at the cleat mounting points we were happy to get off of concrete or rock and back to dirt whenever possible. The metal contact points were so small and well-surrounded by rubber lugs that we never actually experienced a slip or loss of traction because of it, but regardless, the click-clack feeling of metal on rock isn't a comforting one.

specialized recon 3.0 - this lightweight xc shoe can hold its own in the rough stuff.
This lightweight XC shoe can hold its own in the rough stuff.
Credit: Zach Wick

Weight


Specialized's claimed weight for the Recon 3.0 in a size 42 is 355 grams, and our test pair of size 45s clocked in at 395 grams per shoe. They aren't the lightest shoe that we tested, but they're certainly in the ballpark. The Recon 3.0's most direct XC-oriented competitors all tip the scales within thirty-five grams.

Riders that are truly on the hunt for the lightest shoe they can find will want to look elsewhere, but anyone else will likely not be able to tell the difference between the Recon 3.0 and the lightest shoe we tested once they start pedaling. We certainly couldn't. The Recon 3.0 feels light and racy underfoot, and it also packs a more protective toe box than the lightest shoes we tested.

specialized recon 3.0 - riders who experience heel rub will appreciate the reinforcement on...
Riders who experience heel rub will appreciate the reinforcement on the shoe's proximal side.
Credit: Zach Wick

Durability


As we've come to expect from Specialized, the Recon 3.0 is a durably-constructed shoe. The heavily-perforated upper is reinforced in places that commonly wear quickly, and the sole and upper are firmly bonded. Save for a few scuffs and scrapes, our test pair is no worse for wear than when we took them out of the box despite countless hours of punishment and a few close encounters with granite and redwood bark. Riders should be aware that Boa closures do seem to have a finite lifespan before they stop functioning properly, but they are a replaceable part and Boa's warranty covers them for the lifetime of the shoe.

Although the Recon 3.0 packs a little bit more reinforcement than most XC shoes, it is still very clear that it's an XC shoe when you're out riding. The inevitable foot contact with sticks, branches, stumps, and rocks when you're out on the trail is a reminder that there's not a lot of material between your foot and the forest. Impacts that you might not notice when wearing a trail or enduro shoe can be disconcerting in a race shoe like the Recon 3.0. That said, despite the minimal padding, our test shoe held up to everything we threw at it.

specialized recon 3.0 - like most of their shoes, specialized packed a lot of value into...
Like most of their shoes, Specialized packed a lot of value into these kicks.
Credit: Zach Wick

Value


The Recon 3.0 carries a fairly heavy price tag, but when compared with the other top XC offerings that we tested it's actually quite reasonable. Many of the top XC race shoes, including the top-of-the-line Specialized S-Works Recon, sell for over $400. Given the Recon 3.0's near top-level performance, we think it's a great value for anyone looking for a competitive race shoe that won't break the bank.

Conclusion


Despite a rough introduction to the Recon 3.0 we grew to appreciate everything these shoes have to offer over the course of our test session. We weren't excited about the long break-in period, but once we got comfortable in these kicks we loved the feeling of speed they gave us on the trail. The closure system is hugely adjustable and the sole is walkable, which helps make the trail more shreddable for a wide range of people.

specialized recon 3.0 - for a performance-oriented design, they're a strikingly stylish shoe.
For a performance-oriented design, they're a strikingly stylish shoe.
Credit: Zach Wick

Other Versions and Accessories


Specialized offers a full range of Recon cross-country shoes, from the budget-friendly Recon 1.0 up to the top of the line S-Works Recon. Each version is available in multiple colors to suit your taste.

Zach Wick