Choosing Between Road Shoes and MTB Shoes for Gravel and MTB Racing
By Stefano Barberi
As a full-time Gravel and MTB PRO, shoe and cleat setup is something I think about constantly. I’m heading into my 9th season as a professional Gravel and MTB racer and my 23rd season as a full-time professional cyclist, and after this many years in the sport, I’ve learned that footwear plays a major role in power transfer, stability, comfort, and how confidently I can handle unpredictable terrain. Over time, I’ve developed a clear approach to deciding between road-style 3-bolt setups and MTB-style 2-bolt systems for both training and racing.
In my own riding, I end up using the road-style setup for about 70% of my total training and racing miles. But depending on course profile, weather, and the likelihood of needing to walk or unclip, the MTB system can be the smarter—and sometimes essential—choice.
Below is how I choose between the Wire 3 and the Aeron for Gravel and MTB racing.
Road System: SIDI Wire 3 - 3 Bolt Cleats
When I’m running a 3-bolt system, the SIDI Wire 3 is my go-to shoe. For dry courses with predictable conditions, this setup offers the efficiency and stability I want during high-output efforts.
Why I Prefer the Road Setup in the Right Conditions
When I know I won’t need to walk, deal with mud, or unclip unexpectedly, the 3-bolt road system gives me a more locked-in, powerful interface. The larger platform creates a stable foundation, which is especially noticeable on longer climbs or sustained threshold efforts. Road shoes are also lighter, and while the cleats add back some weight, the complete system will save you some grams.
Advantages of the SIDI Wire 3
- Very stiff sole for optimal power transfer
- Lighter weight than MTB shoes
- Larger, more supportive cleat interface
- Ideal for riders who want every watt in a race scenario
- Wide market selection of road shoes for fine-tuning fit and feel
When I Choose Road Shoes
- Dry, predictable weather
- Courses without walking or hike-a-bike
- Fast gravel, road-based training blocks, or steady-state race efforts
- Any time efficiency and direct power transfer are the top priority
As long as conditions allow, this setup accounts for the majority of my training and racing because nothing else feels quite as fast or efficient.
MTB System: SIDI Aeron - 2 Bolt Cleats
For everything else—especially when the course threatens mud, weather, or hike-a-bike sections—the SIDI Aeron with a 2-bolt cleat system is my first choice.
Why the MTB Setup Matters
The biggest advantage of the MTB system is versatility. Two-bolt cleats shed mud better, work reliably in adverse conditions, and make clipping in and out fast and consistent when the terrain gets technical. The treaded sole and recessed cleat on the Aeron also make walking far easier and more stable.
If there’s any uncertainty about the course or conditions, I always bring the MTB shoes. The last thing you want is to be stuck in mud or on a steep pitch with a road cleat that simply cannot handle it.
Advantages of the SIDI Aeron
- More forgiving sole for long-distance comfort
- Walkable tread for rocks, mud, and running with the bike
- Durable construction designed for off-road abuse
- Easy, reliable engagement in unpredictable terrain
- A better option for ultra-duration events where comfort becomes performance
When I Choose MTB Shoes
- Muddy, wet, or variable weather
- Courses with hike-a-bike or steep run-ups
- Technical terrain with frequent clipping in and out
- Long-distance events where comfort matters as much as stiffness
And it's a simple truth:
You can do 100% of your riding in MTB shoes, but you cannot do 100% of it in road shoes. When in doubt, the MTB option is the safer, more dependable choice.
Final Thoughts
Footwear is one of the most important decisions you can make for gravel and MTB competition.
The SIDI Wire 3 and SIDI Aeron are both exceptional shoes, each designed to excel in very different environments. Choosing between them comes down to understanding the demands of the course and being honest about how predictable—or unpredictable—the conditions will be.
Road shoes when it’s clean, fast, and consistent.
MTB shoes when the terrain is unknown, rough, or long.
That approach has carried me through two decades as a professional cyclist and will continue to guide my setup choices racing in 2026 and beyond.