Value-packed shoes straight from Bulgaria

By Tom Marvin – Published: July 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm

FLR’s new range of gravel and XC shoes spans five models, featuring tech we’d expect to see in other brands’ higher-end ranges.

The line-up starts at under £100 (just!), meaning budget-conscious riders have a shoe to aim for, while the top-end shoe features pro-level specs for around half the price some other brands sell at.

This seems particularly pertinent given the cost of road race shoes.

We checked out FLR’s range at Eurobike 2026 to see their gravel and XC offerings.

FLR FNT-G3

Although it’s the cheapest in the range, the FNT-G3 features a breathable and flexible 3D-knit upper and Atop dial lace system. Scott Windsor / OurMedia

• £99.99 / $134.99 / €119.99

The FNT-G3 comes in as the cheapest in the FLR range, but packs a cool punch thanks to its 3D-knitted nylon upper.

3D-knit shoes were once the preserve of the highest-end race slippers, as the technology was first introduced to cycling. So, it’s great to see this upper built into a shoe at the base of the range.

The knitted upper adds ventilation and may help with fit. Scott Windsor / OurMedia

3D-knitted shoes, this one using a nylon knit, boost ventilation thanks to their more open structure, while the added flexibility can provide a more forgiving fit to outside-the-bell-curve-shaped feet, or a more comfortable feel to those with average flippers.

They might be best left for summer use, though, because the uppers will let splashes through. If that’s a problem, but the price is right, the next shoe in the range should be on your radar.

FLR FG-3

The FG-3 is built to blend performance and value. Scott Windsor / OurMedia

• £99.99 / $134.99 / €119.99

The FG-3 shares much of the lower architecture of the FNT-G3 – namely an injected fibreglass shank designed to give a comfortable amount of flex on and off the bike, with a TPU rubber sole with chunky treads to grip in the dirt.

The rubber, as with all the shoes in the range, covers the midfoot, too, so if you miss your pedal’s mechanism while clipping in, you’ll still have some security balancing on the pedals.

The fibreglass sole of the cheaper models adds a little extra flex, which should improve off-bike comfort. Scott Windsor / OurMedia

The upper varies from the FNT-G3 thanks to its microfibre leather upper. This has laser-cut ventilation holes, but it should keep more splashes out in damp conditions.

The shoe features a single-dial lace-up top.

FLR FG-4

Two dial closures add more fine-tuning to the fit. Scott Windsor / OurMedia

• £124.99 / $164.99 / €149.99

Next in the range, the FG-4 upgrades over the FG-3 with an additional dial lace, meaning there are two up top to improve the fit on your foot.

Inside, there’s a moulded EVA foam insole, which is breathable and replaceable when it wears out.

Toe and heel-scuff protection is included in the upper.

FLR FG-5

The FG-5 is the mid-range shoe and features a carbon sole and dimpled microfibre upper. Scott Windsor / OurMedia

• £149.99 / $199.99 / €179.99

The FG-5 sees the introduction of carbon fibre to the shoe, via the sole.

This boosts stiffness, said to improve power transfer. However, the carbon insert in this shoe isn’t as stiff as the top-flight shoe, which could improve comfort and off-bike walking.

The FG-5 returns to a single dial on the upper, although while it’s an FLR-branded one on the cheaper bike, it’s an Atop dial on the FG-5, with plenty of adjustability and a rubberised finish to help with grip.

FLR FG-9

The FG-9 is the race-focused top-end shoe, but still comes in at around half the price of its top-flight competitors. Scott Windsor / OurMedia

• £204.99 / $269.99 / €239.99

This is the top-spec shoe, with an extra-stiff carbon sole designed to be pro-level solid when you want to get on the power.

As with the fibreglass-soled shoes, the jump here is the dual-dial lace system, giving more control over lace tension to improve fit and performance.

The carbon sole features some pretty chunky lugs for grip off the bike. Scott Windsor / OurMedia

The upper is built from FLR’s premium microfibre material, which is said to offer excellent breathability, stability, weight, and durability.

Lower down, the STK grip rubber tread, also found on the FG-5, is there to offer grip on wet and slippy scrambles.

More details on all the shoes can be found on FLR’s website.

Reviews From: https://www.bikeradar.com/advertising-feature/flr-xc-and-gravel-shoe-range-overview