I had the recons 1.0 for almost 2 years; those were sturdy and comfy. When they neared their end of life, I upgraded to 2.0. When I got my first pair of 2.0, the top toe rubber delaminated shortly after. A replacement was sent immediately. After a couple of months, it happens again. Also, the outer material does not seem to be too sturdy, getting some cuts. Finally, the Boa system isn’t the best when having only one dial because the wire is not distributing tightness equally. I prefer then the three velcro straps of the 1.0 version.

Great shoe but struggled with sizing. I really wanted to love these but the size 45 were too long resulting in the tongue pressuring the front of my ankle. And the 45.5 were too tight on my feet. Even after test riding, Specialized gave me a hassle free return with full refund. Great customer service.

great fit

I’ve never tried a clicksystem ever, it’s a new dimension to me. Boa system works amazing. Very comfortable. Love this colour(mine is purple).

Very solid performer. I transitioned from Recon 3.0 to 2.0 due to price and I really can not tell the difference. These fit right. The 3.0's I had to break (The wire BOA system) was hurting top of my foot for couple of weeks. Not these 2.0's. Got these for 100 bucks so I thought it was a good buy as well.

I had my shoes for 18 months now - very comfortable and good shoe, however the plastic covering is cracking and falling off, unfortunately out of warranty.

Overall great looks and footbed fit. Good stiffness and sole. But the shape and stiffness of the tongue area cuts into my foot/ankle on the instep/medial side. Torturous. Returned after one ride.

I wear a 44 in all my other bike shoes and went to a store to try these on but now after i ridden in them a bunch of times the fit is not what I had hopped for. They seem a little big on the sides even if I fiddle with the boa as it has just one the tension is not perfect. My foot big toe go numb after a while and I have to loosen them off for a bit to get the blood flowing then tighten them back up all while I'm riding. Might be selling these since I'm pretty sure since I bought them off the web site they won't take returns. One comment is they really don't fit true to size one 44 is not like the other (brand that is).

Great shoes!!

Great fit! Really love these!

I have only owned specialized shoes for 3 very good reasons; Quality of construction, fit and durability. However….these need done fettling when you get clipped in. Having only one tensioner means the centre part of the shoe does not tension the same as the top of the foot. It’s not a biggg but you might need to retention once you are clipped in. The Velcro strap is pretty redundant as there is hardly any material that it can snug up on my feet. They are a definite try before you but kind of shoe. But if they last half the time I owned the predecessor (7 years) at 1/2 price they are a good buy.’

fit well to your feet. You do need to manipulate the BOA cord slightly when first tightening to ensure it tightens evenly.

Best pair of shoes to date! I love the fit and comfort, not to mention their good looks! I use these shoes for gravel and road…but wouldn’t hesitate to click in on my mountain bike either. The Boa has to be one of the greatest inventions out there and the ease of taking them on and off is great. Adjustment on the bike is simple and safe. Keep up the good work!

I've had these shoes for about 6 weeks and the upper is already starting to separate from the sole. Disappointed that they won't last me very long.

Comfortable off road cycling shoes

I’ve worn Specialized shoes for near 20years so the decision to upgrade to the Recon 2.0 was easy. The fit for these is softer leather than the previous iteration meaning there really hasn’t been any break in period. I’ve been doing regular 20 mile rides in these since attaching my cleats. I’m a fan of this shoe for power transfer to the pedals and comfort on short hike a bike sections. No toe spikes on these and something I wish they had but honestly haven’t really slipped in them so I’m happy with them.

Let me begin by saying that I think Specialized has changed their last; I have a pair of S-Works shoes that are probably 10 years old and fit like a glove. These however do not. For reference, I wear a 45 in Specialized shoes (46 in Sidi) and have narrow feet with high arches and use the green Specialized inserts in all of my cycling shoes. Earlier this year I bought a pair of Recon 3.0 shoes and while they're not as narrow as my old S-Works shoes, with the green insert, they fit very well; given that I decided to buy these, the Recon 2.0s as well and from my perspective, while a good shoe, the lack of second Boa lace really makes a difference in the fit. I find the shoe to be a touch wider even with the green inserts. They're not so wide as to be too big but wide enough to be roomy. That said, they are well made, comfortable and ventilate reasonably well; I just think they're made for riders with wider feel, if that's you, these will be a very good option for you.

Stylish. They just work.

Product performs as advertised

I purchased these to replace my 2010 BG sport MTB shoes which gave me so many years of good service so my expectations of these was quite high. After 300km and three weeks of use my feet are bruised around the toe area, mainly because the boa system simply cannot give an equal amount of tension, so i ended up having the velcro strap at the front quite loose because the boa tension even done up tightly is simply not enough, its the only way to ensure there are no hot spots. I also experienced blisters for the first time in 20 years of cycling. I have noticed that other shoes have two boa adjustments and i think this may be a better way to go. Apart from that they do look good and are easy to walk in. They also look like they will last. Overall thoughI am disappointed by these shoes, i expect better from Specialized.

Good shoe. Looks good. The boa system is ok but where middle strap used to be feels a bit loose. Ok for the price

Great fit, love the wide platform of the sole. Moreover the grippyness is sweet when having to hike. Stiffness from the cleat back to the heal could be enhanced.

Overall a good shoe with a roomy comfortable toebox. A bit heavy with all the studs and the BOA closure can get a little fiddly as it grips tighter on the uppers instead of the mids.

Very comfortable shoes to pedal and walk in. True to size and really like the Boa closure system.

Well made shoes for bile a little hard from above

Shoes were high quality but the wide size was way too narrow for me

I've been riding these shoes for about 3 or 4 weeks just trying to find some sort of comfort. You can feel the pedal through the shoe when you get out of the saddle. My feet go numb after 20 minutes unless i loosen them completely, in which case defeats the purpose of these shoes. The boa is atrocious, 3 velcro straps would be an upgrade. I even went back to the store to buy the upgraded insoles for my arches and it made the numbness worse. I've had many brands of shoes and specialized always had a reputation for good shoes and saddles, but these just miss the mark completely.

My first week of owning the Specialized Recon 2.0 mtb shoes involved riding Phoenix and Sedona MTB trails. By the end of the week the left shoe had a hole in the outside toe box from abrasion and the right shoe had partial thickness tears on the outside. Specialized offered me 35% off the purchase of a new pair. While I like the fit, BOA system, and traction they didn't hold up to mountain biking on rocky trails. I have had Sidi shoes last several years of hard use.

Perfect fit easy to set up cleats and no stiffness on my first three rides. Also very comfortable to walk around in.

I have both these and the Recon 1.0. I ride a gravel bike and these are perfect for my rides. I like them both but these feel like they are more breathable due to the upper ventilation holes. I did have to go up one size in the 2.0. It feels like it runs a little small. And the upper is much stiffer on this model than the 1.0. The firmness of the outsole is perfect for me, just like the 1.0. I also love the look and style of these shoes compared to others.

This model improves on walkability over the older Sport model, but same great fit.

The Shoe fits my square-ish feet well due to its wider toe box. Construction overall is good with the exception of the tongue. In an attempt to make it breathable, there is stitched internal portion on the tongue and the extra stitching rubs the top of my feet causing deep red marks after a ride. The stitching is not visible but if you pinch the tongue, it will be noticeable. The tongue is also long so it puts pressure at the top bend of the foot. Because the overall fit was good, these nuances did not show up until after rides. I like the BOA system but I would look at the double Boa for my next shoe because the figure eight style does not always slide smoothly and then you end up trying to pull it with your fingers.

The black outer coating on my boa straps wore off after repeated use. Now it just randomly and quite often loosens up while riding or walking. It doesn’t grip like it should because the inner diameter is smaller. The heels of both shoes have blown out and all the comfy cushioning is falling out now. The Velcro strap is pointless. Other than that they are comfy, good grip sole and decent toe box. I’d try another pair if on sale but I’d rather go with laces moving forward.

I have a very wide foot. The wide width I ordered from Specialized fit like a glove. I tried 2 other brands that claimed to be wide - NOT. If you have a wide foot, save your time go SPECIALIZED!

Plenty of room in the toe box. Which is what I wanted. Overall, very comfortable for a bike shoe. Sole is plenty stiff for power transfer. Boa is difficult to open fully.

Took a guess at size (based on my road shoes) and they ended up being a perfect fit. Great shoe; far lighter than I expected. Not had a chance to wear them much but first impressions are solid.

Bought these to upgrade from a pair of Recon 1.0's for the upcoming season. Very comfortable like my old 1.0's but easier to adjust with the BOA system. Stylish too in the dark green with gum soles.

Support staff got me to the shoe I wanted. I would not have found it without his help!

This is a rugged weather-proof shoe that delivers a snug fit, but the technology is accommodating. The heavy traction and toe box gives a feel of a hiking shoe and protection against stumps and rocks.

nice

Comfortable right out of the box.

Excellent shoe, but after the first few rides, I realized the medial (inside) Boa loop comes up too high and gouges some into my ankle/foot just above my insteps, which are very low. I know you can't design for every single rider's foot, but people like me sometimes have issues with Boa/other systems that are placed too high up in the opening and impinge on our ankles. These seem to have an asymmetrical opening with the inside wrapping around more. Please consider this in future designs! The Recon ADV or 1.0 shoes will probably fit better as they have a more symmetrical opening, but am bummed about having to buy a new pair.

Fast shipping

Looks great, feels good , toes are comfy, good grip walking up hills .. the boa keeps the desired amount of lock in.

Nice shoe but still needs to wider not everyone has narrow feet .

Super happy

Great fit and nice and stiff sole. Tightening mech works perfectly and still does after 2yrs of use. The major problem is the upper material, before a year was up the outer started cracking and peeling now completely unusable. I went back to my previous shoes which I had retired which are bay far much older and have outlasted these.

The Recon 2's are very uncomfortable. While the footbed has more flex than my previous shoes (Specialized Expert XC), it also creates a crease all the way across the top of your foot. It's incredibly uncomfortable. I also found that the tongue kept slipping down the front of the shoes even though I was only walking in them. The shoe's shape is very boxy, not form-fitting at all. As others have mentioned, the velcro strap on the front part of the shoe is almost useless. Unfortunately, I never took these on a bike ride, so I can't comment on how the level 6 stiffness feels on the bike. Try these on before you purchase them. It sounds like many people have been pleased with them. I can't stand them. 2 stars because the olive green color is excellent, and the tread on the sole looks much improved over the Expert XC. Specialized also has a great return policy.

I recently switched from road to gravel, and I was running my old BG Comp carbon-soled road shoes with SPD-SL, and not did I scrape the heck outta my soles, but one of the ratchet straps broke, and thankfully I had these Recon 2.0s in the mail already because I was back up and spinning wheels in no time. Everything feels premium, the BOA ratchet is awesome, and the shoe fit itself is identical to my road shoes of the same size. Specialized did not pay me for this review, I just dig these shoes, man!

The fit was very comfortable for someone with high arches. Also a nice wide box for the toes. The lacing system is great.

Comfortable shoe, wide toe box , stiff sole,

These sites dig into the ankles (inside front of ankle). I try to use the tongue of the shoe for padding but it’s minimal improvement. The opening at the front of the ankle is oddly oriented and the inside part on each shoe dig into the ankle. Terrible design. Love the rest of the shoe, just uncomfortable.

Good looks..have yet to try them

Very efficient logistic, very high quality, very comfortable wearing.

Runs too small and is tight .

I have a wide foot so Specialized coming out with the Recon 2.0 WIDE was a major reason decision for purchase.

Got these for my Gravel Bike Like the sole good stiffness, comfortable heel and toe area are roomy prefer a snugger fit. Tongue could use more padding

Very light and comfortable. Feels like they run bigger than the Giro's they replaced.

MY Recon 2.0 in size 44 fit me great. After years of Giro HV (wide) shoes fitting me in 45 they changed their sizing. Tried many other brands and no seemed to work as well as these in 44 normal width. Had them for nearly 6 months, plan to buy another pair.

Brilliant product! Very comfortable for long rides.

Great shoe and love the colour!

Great fit. Most comfortable cycling shoes out there !

Fit is same as my specialized road shoes

These are a really great entry to mid level shoe that will carry me through the next several seasons. Comfortable with lots of wiggle room for my toes. I do not like a tight toe box, so these are great.

Fit is super comfortable, the flex toe box is a huge gain. The stiffness level is accurately described. Coming from the expert xc shoe from a few years back these are a little soft for my needs, however the comfort makes up for it. The raised heel for walking gives it a much more natural feel. Great shoe for bikepacking, mtb, commuting or anyone who wants a balance of on bike performance, with off bike comfort.

I got a pair of these when my -specialized I forget the model name but the version of this shoe from before they changed to the recon- started to wear out. The single boa+toe velcro does a better job than the previous shoe’s single boa+double velcro closure. However, the tongue on the previous shoe is much more comfortable. Many many rides in, the tongue on these recons is still uncomfortable and cuts into my ankle. Shame, because other than that they are comfortable and fit better than the previous gen.

Spot on with the sizing and they fit great.

I’ve struggled with my toes going numb during my rides. First ride with these shoes, numb toes, no more. Great for cycling but not for doing any long distance walking and I’m ok with the trade, it will make these shoes last longer.

First of all, this is a fun looking shoe in the berry color. Already gotten a few compliments. Haven't had the shoes long, only put in about a 100 miles, so can't comment on longevity, but so far I like them fine. On the bike, they feel good. The platform seems a bit thinner than other shoes I've had; I "feel" the pedal more than I do with other shoes, but I've gotten used to it and I don't mind. Off the bike, they feel terrific, which may be a commentary on my previous mountain shoes more than anything. Very comfortable for walking and, I would think, light hiking. One odd thing is that the shimano SPD cleat does not seem 100% recessed. When I walk on brick, I can hear it scratch the brick just a bit. This is not great for wear on the cleat, but the cleats are on tight as they can be, so nothing to be done. Overall, happy enough, look forward to many rides with these fun berry boomers.

Excellent cycling shoe.

I have plenty of toebox room.

Great shoes although I’ve got a pebble drive - just the right size to jam in the soles 😂

Nice shoes which I’m happy with. The velcro strap at the bottom appears to be pretty pointless, certainly if you have a narrow foot it won’t pull in. Perhaps if you have a wide foot it will help. The internal volume is higher than other shoes. I have a set of body geometry insoles and they take this volume out so the shoes fit perfectly. If I use these insoles in our brands it often results in a very tight fit. On the whole: comfortable, stiff - so good power transfer, you can walk in them but not really suitable as an all day commuter shoe.

NIce toe box, stiff to transfer energy well!

Perfect replacement for my 20 year old specialized mountain biking shoes.

Toe box is roomy and comfortable for wide feet. The Boa system is not as smooth as it should be. Does not tighten easily. It is a little better after a few rides. The soles are great on rough rocky trails.

Ordered the 2.0s because I didn't want dual velcro straps because I read mixed reviews on them. I considered going to the next level to get 2x BOAs but after having this one for a while it's more than good enough for me and my style of riding. They're easy to adjust even on the bike, and can go really tight if you need. The front velcro strap isn't really much use because the front of the shoe is the shape that it is, you're not going to get it much tighter than where it currently sits. Size seemed to be true to what's on paper. I'm a 9.5 US Mens and I ordered a 42.5 (9.3) and they fit great. I'd likely order the same size for my next pair and not go up or down in size to perfect it.

Good quality and comfortable!

I like these shoes very much. They're very comfortable for wide feet and the closure system which I've not used before is very convenient. The positioning guides and the sliding capability of the cleat carrier made it quick and easy to set up and symmetrical for both feet. They've been comfortable for two hours, the longest I've ridden in them since purchase.

Great customer service.Purchased a 44.5 and returned for 45.0. I am s size 11 with a narrow foot.Exchange went well and customer service was very helpful.

I ordered a pair of 45s because that’s the size of my last pair. But they were a size to big. Needed 44s.

Greek shoes! Weather riding gravel or mountain bike these are an excellent choice for a writer that wants performance comfort and durability

These shoes are great. There confortable and stiff for riding the fun stuff I think I will always go to these shoes

Seem to be good quality, although overpriced. I do not use clipless pedals and hate the noise these make when walking.

Love these shoes while riding and for the hike and bike crazy steep hills here in Calif. Really easy to put on and take off, makes for a great bike shoe.

I’m so glad I decided to go with the mountain bike style. Easier to walk in when I have to go between trails on foot. They look great and feel great. Although larger, wider and taller in the toe box than I thought they would be–I don’t have a narrow foot ether. Fit about 1/2 size too large. I filled the space with an insole. Great shoe and I’m thinking about getting a second pair.