“In general, we’re seeing that many of these shoes have a greater impact on street running than on-road performance,” Bodin says. “So, it will have a mix of foam, midsole geometry, less focus on fit, and a more subtle outsole pattern than trail shoes.”
What are the benefits of gravel shoes?
In a word: versatility. You can lace up gravel shoes at home with confidence that they’ll handle whatever comes next, provided you’re not actually traversing a technical trail or ankle-deep in mud.
“Many shoes in this category can perform well on roads, gravel paths, and light trails,” says Bodin. “It’s not something that a lot of strictly road shoes or dedicated trail shoes can do.”
The more curved midsoles are intended to smooth the transition from your heel to toe, reducing calf muscle fatigue when walking on uneven ground and for long periods of time. They are often lighter than technical trail shoes, due to smaller lugs, less pronounced rock plates and lower levels of upper reinforcement. It offers more agility than heavier trail shoes, allowing you to move faster and lighter on walkable ground.
Do gravel shoes feel different from “regular” trail shoes?
“Yes and no,” Bodin says. A lot depends on the brand. Some companies, like Kraft, have several gravel-specific options. Others, like Salomon and Hoka, use their redesigned road running shoes for their gravel range.
Even gravel shoes have their limits, Bodin cautioned. “In my experience, most gravel shoes will be limited when they approach moderately technical trail-running scenarios. Then, because the bulk of the gravel shoe experience is focused on overall ride on smoother terrain, performance degrades when there are more turns or more challenging terrain with rocks and roots.”
Do you really need gravel shoes?
Photograph: Kieran Alger
Like everything in the world of running shoes, it depends. There are trail shoes available with the chops to conquer everything from technical to more runnable terrain, like the Hoka Speedgoat 6 ($125). Some pricier trail shoes, like The North Face Vectiv Pro 3 ($250), combine modified versions of their springy road-shoe foam with carbon plates to provide a bouncier ride that doesn’t feel out of place on the road. I’ve tested these shoes, and some top-tier trail shoes hold up better on the road than cheap road shoes.
However, if you regularly tackle firmer, less technical mixed terrain on your runs, generally in dry conditions – and rarely venture onto more technical routes – then there’s a good case for investing in gravel shoes. It will happily take you from road to trail and back again, and will even cover your road distance on the way For the mark.
Similarly, if you’re new to trail running, a gravel shoe can be a good halfway house as you transition from asphalt to singletrack, thanks to a ride that retains some road-shoe familiarity. They’re also an excellent suitcase shoe – if you’re traveling and you can only fit one shoe in your luggage, the versatility of the gravel shoe makes it a great choice.
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