Rated 1 out of
5
by
Tom87 from
Disappointed
Happy with the initial fit, feel, quality of these shoes. However, after a brush with the front wheel the power weave material on the toe of one of the shoes was damaged / unstitched. Approached Rapha about a repair or replacement and they don’t want to know about it. Very disappointing customer service and quality of this product.
Date published: 2024-04-25
Rated 4 out of
5
by
ADRapha from
High quality shoe, worth a strong consideration
Overall, very pleased with this shoe. Great fit, easy to walk on when off the bike, the weave construction if generally very comfortable, and the overall look is innovative versus most on the market. The only small downside I have is that the BOA system seems to loosen up a fair amount over the ride. Yes, the great thing about the system is that you can tighten on the fly but have been surprised at how much it loosens up and how consistently it does this (nearly every ride). For context, I only use these on gravel rides where the terrain is typically very dusty - I have used other cycling shoes with a BOA system, but have not had the same issue. Not a deal breaker and may not be the same for others. Overall, I really like this shoe.
Date published: 2021-04-25
Rated 5 out of
5
by
RinoTank from
Better then SWorks
Have been an SWorks user for many years. Recently purchased a pair of new mtb shoes for my new gravel bike. After one ride, the luggs on the bottom started to break down. by ride two, it was almost gone. Needless to say I was not happy. As I started looking for a new shoe. I already had a set of the new Rapha woven road shoes and i absolutely love them. I ordered the new mtb shoe. It is light, cool and somewhat water resistant. Has a stiff enought sole for good power transfer and is every comfortable. Infact, it has become my go to gravel shoe.
Date published: 2021-07-26
Rated 5 out of
5
by
JHow from
Great Shoes, Dual BOA Is The Way
Saw the dual BOA in a MTB shoe, super stiff soles, tred height is just enough to clear the CB cleats, and I snap in to my Candys with minimal rub (did not need to remove the covers on the pedals). Pretty comfortable but need a bit more time to break in the fabric. But the dual BOA makes getting my picky feet in just the right place, and to easily make adjustments mid-ride without needing to dismount or even stop. I WOULD prefer a tiny bit more cusion in the foot bed, but I can add a thin insole. But great shoes, so far, with 3-4 rides in them.
Date published: 2022-12-20
Rated 4 out of
5
by
tjf68 from
Really nice shoe
I'd read the reviews and agree with them, it's a really comfy shoe, hard wearing sole, you have to use a torque wrench to install your cleats. The tongue moves slightly but it's not been much of an issue with me, once tightened down correctly it stays put. I am a long time user of Shimano shoes which I always enjoyed but when I go back to them now I appreciate the room in the toe box that this has. No complaints and I am seriously considering buying the road version
Date published: 2021-05-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
gasmoney from
The Best Gravel/MTB shoe bar none.
I have had several Gravel shoes over teh past 4 years. This is bar none the best and most comfortable shoe I own. I've done two 60 mile gravel rides in these in the past month. Wow is what i say. Zero discomfort at any point in the ride. Bravo rapha
Date published: 2021-04-23
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Banzo from
Almost Perfect
Before the Explore Powerweave shoe I was torn between the Quoc GT and Rapha's gravel shoes with laces and strap. I read reviews that Rapha requires longer break in period. I opted for the Quoc GT which is great choice. Out of the box, it's already broken in with its supple leather. Quoc looked really nice too and comfortable off bike.
Then Rapha introduced the Explore Powerweave which I thought would have more comfier upper than Quoc GT. Yes, I know cleats are supposed to be stiff which the Explore Powerweave is way better than Quoc GT for stiffness. But it lacks the comfort of Quoc GT. So, which one is better? Both of them! Quoc GT and Explore Powerweave have their strengths and weaknesses. And on this case if I need to be faster on my bike, the weapon of choice is Explore Powerweave!
Date published: 2021-11-17
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Nieli from
Excellent shoe, but not for tendinitis sufferers
I love them....... and I won't be able to wear them this year. :-(
The shoes are gorgeous and very well-made. I love the double BOA fastenings, and the tongue doesn't cause any friction or hot spots. The sole may not be quite stiff enough for competitive riders, but for most of us, it's perfect for a gravel shoe. The fit is not as narrow as with most Italian brands, and there's ample room for a high arch as well. The back of the shoe really cradles your heel, which is great in most circumstances....... except if you're having Achilles tendon issues. I won't be able wear them at all until the tendinitis is gone. I'm willing to wait, but this is something you should know before you buy.
Date published: 2024-07-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
jekyll from
Great MTB-style road shoe.
Shoes are great, lightweight, very comfortable. If you’ve never had a double-BOA system, it’s quite nice and does seem to reduce hotspots. The ability to micro adjust these while riding is also phenomenal, and not present on all BOA systems (mainly higher-end shoes like this or Specialized 7, etc). If you’ve worn the prior Explore shoes, these have a similar fit. Haven’t tried out their water resistance in the rain yet so can’t comment on that one. The stiffness is perfect, able to walk but still feel solid power delivery while pedaling.
Date published: 2021-04-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
GT77 from
Well done Rapha
Great shoes, very comfortable, needed a couple of rides to feel really comfortable in them. I was worried they'd be hard to clean but have gotten them very dirty and they wash right off. They look great in the navy. I took the same size as I do in SW 7, and SW 7 recon, though these are a much more forgiving shoe all around than the Recon.
Date published: 2021-05-24
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Steve Dare from
Best Gravel & MTB shoes EVER
The fit and finish more than met my expectations. I had almost no break in period , there was some pressure points on bottom of my feet but didn’t notice until after I took them off but nothing to cry about . I use them for Gravel riding and Mtb . I ride about 100 miles a week . Off the saddle I really don’t realize I’m wearing cycle shoes climbing around rocks etc . They may be a touch heavier than other rd shoes but worth the xtra weight .
Date published: 2023-08-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Brummie from
Top Drawer!
I’ve been riding with these for a couple of months now & I am very impressed. I have found a noticeable difference in power transfer between these & other gravel/mtb style shoes I have previously used. The Carbon sole performs its job admirably. When you add that they fit well (I am a 44 with a slightly broad foot), are comfortable, easy to adjust & look as stylish as you would expect from Rapha, we’ll it’s a win win all round.
Date published: 2021-07-01
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Dalila from
A great shoe but size up
A great shoe but don't expect it to stay looking perfect for long. It was the perfect shoe for a ridiculously long hilly section of hike-a-bike, with absolutely no discomfort or difficulty during extended periods of walking. The only downside is that after using them for a 700km ultra, the powerweave outer is looking quite roughed up, it doesn't affect the performance of the shoe, but still it would be nice if it was a bit more resilient. Also I had to return my usual size for a half size bigger as these run small.
Date published: 2023-04-05
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Carlos Deperù from
DISAPPOINTED
It is very nice and eye catching and very comfortable, but the thread on the toe of the shoe on one outing started to fray...a shame really, I don't know how long these shoes will survive. I saw that you can burn the frayed thread ... but for the price this should not happen and there is no guarantee. A protective toe cap on the toe of the shoe would have been the best shoe I ever owned instead of the worst,,,,
Date published: 2024-05-05
Rated 4 out of
5
by
mick f from
Great shoe, watch out for the Ti threads.
Great riding shoe for off the beaten track, but if you get cold feet you might want a shoe that is less breathable. Watch out for the titanium threads when bolting on the cleats, they are extremely fragile, use a torque wrench UNDER 5nm to be safe,
Date published: 2021-09-15
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Roundcharlie from
Love at first sight, but relationship on the rocks
Jury still out. Very roomy and feels like I have to cinch Boas really tight to get a fit. Have pain in arches and on big toe knuckles and ankle, but that might be while they settle in. Prefer the original laced version if I'm honest. Tongue slips to the side annoyingly and shoes are VERY cold when weather is chilly. Let's see how they bed in but 200km in I'm not convinced. Shame as look great.
Date published: 2021-05-04
Rated 3 out of
5
by
David G from
These run small
Loved the look of these, a great shoe, but the sizing runs small. I'm a US 9.5/Eur 43 and have worn these for my last few rides and they're causing pain. Wish I'd returned them earlier when I had the hunch they were too small, but was hoping they'd give a little. So if you're looking to get yourself a pair, order a half size bigger than what you'd usually wear.
Date published: 2021-08-18
Rated 5 out of
5
by
MPietro from
Invest in these!
I have bought several Rapha products, this is the first that has driven me to write a review. These shoes are absolutely wonderful! In a cycling shoe world of stiff uppers, the knit material (that many running brands have used) is an absolute hit. It forms to your foot. The carbon fiber plate still provides plenty of rigidity. The boas mean that you can get the right tension every time. And easily loosen mid ride when your feet start to swell from a century. Best gravel shoes I have used to date.
Date published: 2022-12-26
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Misterbee from
Seemed like a winner, but disappointed overall
Pretty comfortable shoe with the power weave fit. The stretch does work. Look nice! Breathe well but I didn’t notice significant gains in cooling vs my other shoes. It’s hotter here than pretty much anywhere, so know they passed the Arizona desert heat test!
I found too many negatives though to keep the shoes and ultimately sold them.
The laces seem great at first compared to my other boa shoes, but quickly stopped operating smoothly due to dust (I assume) here in the desert. The shoes were then difficult to remove because the laces would not slide through. Spraying with water helped clean them out.
I could feel the connection where the cleat area bolts through the sole, and did not like this coming from spd-sl. I did get used to it though.
The insoles are thick and the top surface feels like it’ll trap heat and not breathe well. I didn’t use them but once. I used specialized insoles instead, but nearly always do this in my shoes.
The rubber cleats are very soft, therefore flex a lot, and constantly got gravel stuck in them. The softness also makes the pedal platform feel soft.
Bummer as I really would like to move to Mtb pedals for gravel rides…
Date published: 2021-05-21
Rated 5 out of
5
by
BikeRider1 from
These shoes get it right in so many ways
Really high quality bike shoes, the fit and materials are superb and they would suit anyone with a medium to narrow foot (sizing is just about spot on, and the 1/2 sizes are very critical to the fit). The stiffness is just right for maximum power transfer, and yet they are still ok to walk in. The Explore Powerweave shoes are a great example of a Rapha product I can splurge on to buy once, but if they were just a little cheaper then I would have bought multiple pairs by now.
Date published: 2022-12-16
Rated 1 out of
5
by
MandyS from
Don’t buy them
These shoes are heavy and clunky. The carbon portion on the bottom is very small. They do not feel like gravel racing shoes. The lugs on the bottom are excessive and seems to make clipping in more difficult than the average shoe. The mark was missed on these shoes, sorely disappointed.
Date published: 2024-02-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Mulletcocktail from
Great shoes.
I’ve had the lace up Explore for 3 years now. Even though the sole is staring to degrade, they’re still great shoes so purchased these knowing what I was getting. The power weave version is very similar, though the fit feels finer due to the material. I use most cycling shoes without any in-sole as my feet are wide, the sand applies with these. My only concern is the BOA dial used is one sided (one end of the lace is fixed in the dial) - with the laces running through a fabric eyelet, this will naturally fail ( though time will tell.
Definitely recommend.
Date published: 2023-02-26
Rated 4 out of
5
by
SpencerM from
Great All Around Performance PLUS Style!?
Powerweave and boa offer instant fit and comfort on a dime with these, both from the first ride and for quick adjustments while riding. I have sensitive feet and wasnt able to get a total fit with the provided insoles, so had to bring over my SuperFeet, but couldn't be happier after. no break in period with these. While I ended up with the right size on the first go with my pair, after cross referencing my European size and ordering that, I was nervous when the American size was a full size bigger than my existing Mavic shoes, so size may be a thing for some. Wish there was a 12.5, but used to that with big feet. This shoe isn't cheap, but if you're looking for a shoe that performs in almost any cycling scenario, from full road rides to gravel and MTB adventures while looking like a cool road racing shoe, I don't think this shoe can be beat.
Date published: 2021-05-21
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Shefford from
Amazing shoes!
Best shoes ever. I also bought a pair for my wife, she usually get numb feet and it is not the case with this model. We both have Specialized shoes and the sizing chart is on the Rapha web site is on par.
Date published: 2021-04-26
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Notes for other lovers of the lace-up Explore shoe
I came to the Explore Powerweave shoes from the wonderful Explore lace-ups, hoping they would fit like the latter but with the advantage of easy on-the-fly adjustability offered by Boa dials. The fit of the lace-ups is sublime for my feet - snug around the heel and mid-foot, but with copious room for my toes.
The Q&A section used to feature a question asking if the last used by the Explore Powerweave shoes was the same as that used by the Explore lace-ups, and the answer was in the affirmative. However, that question and answer have disappeared. While it may technically be true that the Powerweave shoes were built on the same last as the lace-ups, your feet may not think so. My feet tell me that the fit is similar from the heel through the mid-foot, but not so in the toe box. In the lace-ups, I can wear thick socks in cool conditions, with no pressure on my toes, while there is room for my feet to swell in hot conditions. Unfortunately, there is markedly less toe-room available in the Powerweave version, both in terms of height and width. It's as if the designer pursued the idea of "sock-like fit" to the extreme - but Powerweave doesn't give like socks do.
An unnecessary annoyance is that the tongue doesn't stay in position, immediately sliding off to one side. For anyone else trying to sew it down, learn from my mistakes and use a very sharp curved needle.
The Powerweave version also loses the excellent reflective heel tab of the lace-up shoe, which is unfortunate.
On the plus-side, the Boa Li2 dials are a joy to use, being micro-adjustable in both directions, which isn't true of all Boa dials. Like the lace-up shoe, the sole stiffness is excellent, while still allowing decent walkability.
Date published: 2022-11-15
Rated 5 out of
5
by
DAVE99BIKER from
Excellent gravel shoe- Light and sturdy
I am using these shoes for gravel riding and they really fit the bill. The fit is spot on, they are lighter than my Giro shoes, and the sole grip is excellent on wet and rocky surfaces. The carbon sole does not flex so you feel like you can push with your whole foot. I was skeptical about how easy the weave design would be to clean, but it is no problem. The BOA system works well but the laces are super thin. I hope they hold up.
Date published: 2023-02-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Maria C from
Fantastic gravel shoe.
I love this shoe - the BOA dials work so smoothly and the shoe is very comfortable. I am a US size 9 (women) and the 41.5 is perfect for my high arches and narrow heels but is still comfortable in the forefoot area where my feet are pretty wide, especially one side, and tend to go numb in other shoes. Easy to walk in. Wore them at 6 hour+ gravel race and they worked perfectly. They were caked in mud and cleaned up beautifully.
Date published: 2023-08-30
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Timc1991 from
Where do I start
So the first pair I had the sole came un glued from she the shoe after a few weeks. The second pair are fine but I do t actually like them. It’s like wearing a baggy sock. Super loose material that don’t hold shape or breathe. It’s nothing like the pro team road shoe which I use almost daily.
Date published: 2022-07-06
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Leighn from
Not good for long rides.
I see a lot of raving reviews about how comfortable this shoe is. It really isn’t a very comfy shoe. It’s too narrow and the it has points that dig into the side and heel of you’re foot. My wife has the female equivalent and says the same thing. It is very breathable, which can be a double edge sword. If you live in a hot country, then that’s a good thing. If you live in the Scottish Highlands, you will never find weather good enough for them. The rain and wind chill just freezes your feet. I’m also concerned as to why the boa string is literally a bit of thin string as oppose to the coated wire. Whether that lasts if something I’ll find out in the future.
One good thing about them. The gold ones are bling as duck. They look awesome.
Date published: 2023-03-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Taco from
Home run gravel shoe!
I decided to breakdown and purchase a gravel specific pair of cycling shoes (previously using road shoes). These shoes fit perfectly and felt broken-in/comfortable right out of the box. They are a bit heavier than the road version and weigh the same as my MTB set up. Very easy to walk in & will keep your feet happy on the 5hr + rides! Easy set up with a Shimano cleat/XTR pedals. Great product!
Date published: 2021-05-25