Gravel Shoe Review: Rapha Pro Team Powerweave Edition
Rapha Pro Team Powerweave Gravel Shoes: A Lightweight and Stiff Off-Road Option
The Rapha Pro Team Powerweave gravel shoes have made a name for themselves with their exceptionally lightweight design and high stiffness, making them a popular choice among competitive riders. These shoes, priced at £350/$480, are a crossover between road and off-road riding, offering a balance between comfort, ruggedness, lightweight construction, and stiffness.
One of the standout features of the Rapha Pro Team Powerweave gravel shoes is their 100% carbon footplate, which ensures excellent power transfer on the trail. This stiffness, while beneficial on the bike, is noticeable off the bike, particularly when walking over uneven ground, as the footplate's inflexibility can result in limited feedback.
The shoes feature a dual Boa dial closure system, including Li2 Boa closures for a multidirectional fit. This system offers great adjustability, with interchangeable arch supports, but it can be noisy when loosening and clicking back through the ratchets. Additionally, the sock construction of the shoes could do with being a couple of centimeters taller to provide a better fit for the heel cup and foot collar.
The upper is made from a woven material called Powerweave, which is breathable but has limited stretch. An internal sock-like construction helps prevent gravel ingress. The midplate is an EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) lightweight and flexible foam.
In terms of weight, the Rapha Pro Team Powerweave gravel shoes weigh approximately 266g each and 523g for the pair, making them the lightest gravel shoes on the market, according to some sources. However, they are slightly heavier than some typical gravel shoes, such as the Specialized S-Works Recon, which weigh around 300g or more, depending on the model.
When compared to other gravel shoes, the Rapha Pro Team Powerweave gravel shoes excel in lightweight build and stiffness but sacrifice some off-bike comfort and have a narrow, snug fit that may not suit all foot shapes, especially wider feet. Competing high-end gravel shoes like the Specialized S-Works Recon offer a balance of stiffness and improved comfort but are similarly costly.
The Rapha Pro Team Powerweave gravel shoes also boast a one-hundred percent recycled collar and 'sock' construction, replacing a traditional shoe tongue, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole for off-bike agility and grip, with a twin bolt cleat system.
In conclusion, the Rapha Pro Team Powerweave gravel shoes are a top-tier option for competitive riders who prioritize power transfer and on-bike efficiency. However, their high price point and compromises in off-bike comfort may not appeal to all riders.
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