Craft Xplor Pro Review | A Speedier Road to Trail Option

The Craft Xplor Pro is marketed as the Gravel World Champion, a versatile shoe that can handle both road and trail. And we admit it’s one of the faster, yet still durable, options we’ve tested. Here’s our full review.

I typically shy away from “hybrid” shoes that don’t seem to excel in either lane, but these offer traction and comfort across most terrain. They’re lightweight with enough grip for moderate trails and gravel, but the lugs don’t feel like weights on the road.

This is the first hybrid shoe that I didn’t feel a noticeable difference going from one terrain to the other. I’d say it absolutely excels on gravel, but holds up well enough on the road and trails to not be a distraction which is ideal for training runs or races with varying surfaces.

I felt fast on the road and consciously had to slow myself down for easy runs. This could be a great “do-it-all” shoe that travels with you when space is limited or the perfect shoe for a road-to-trail race.

The Xplor Pro is great for runs or races on varying terrain when you don’t want to sacrifice performance on any surface.

Craft Xplor Pro Overview

I took these for a spin several times in an area with road, gravel and technical BMX trails. I did some easy miles, quick turnovers, and even a grueling set of hill repeats.

These truly excel on gravel surfaces. Super grippy, and the firm midsole prevents any sharp feeling underfoot. When switching from gravel to road, I hardly noticed a difference. They just felt fast and comfortable.

This is one of those cushions that feels soft enough to carry you for long runs, but still really responsive. Meaning you don’t lose the energy return to something super squishy.

For me, this was a big win and part of making it an all around daily trainer that I liked.

The upper is a breathable mesh which is perfect for the warmer months, and it drains well when wet. I felt confident running through creeks with uneven rock bottoms.

The thing that will make or break this model for runners is the structure and volume of the upper. It worked okay for me in most situations, but those with a higher volume foot are going to get the most out of this design.

The bright orange and red with the blue is an attractive combo, and I like the red to black fade at the bottom. The white midsole looks a bit like Styrofoam in person but thankfully does not perform like it.

With the higher volume of the upper, it just doesn’t look quite as sleek as some other road or trail shoes, and it’s not a shoe to wear casually unless you’re really needing some extra grip in your day to day walking.

Quick Take

Craft Xplor Pro Fit

The Craft Xplor Pro fits true to size with some extra volume in the upper. The toebox is generous, although not as wide as an Altra.

The laces are soft and stretchy, and the thin gusseted tongue has a similar feel that was comfortable and stayed in place.

The heel has a bit of padding that didn’t cause any rubbing, though it did get stuck folded over a couple times when slipping into the shoe. The Px Foam™ midsole is firm but responsive and made up for the lack of rock plate you typically find in trail shoes.

The TPU mesh upper was spacious and soft, but is also my main complaint. There really is no structure outside of the heel. This wasn’t a problem on flat surfaces and even some uphill, but there wasn’t a good way for me to lock in my foot and get a good fit for downhills.

Craft Xplor Pro Feel

Stability and comfort are the words I keep coming back to for this model.

The outsole was created in partnership with world-class bicycle tire manufacturer Vittoria and inspired by their gravel tire patterns. It’s visible on the bottom of the shoe, and you can really feel the superior grip on the gravel.

The outsole is grippy while the middle of the sole is flat, making it just as comfortable on the road.

I noticed quickly the lack of any gaiter attachment. Luckily, the upper kept out debris despite being so airy. This also helped the shoe to drain well when wet. I didn’t notice any heavy, drooping feeling which you can sometimes feel in the first few steps out of the water.

The feel of the Xplor Pro on the downhills is where this shoe needs a bit of an upgrade for me. There simply isn’t enough structure to keep my foot from sliding forward or side to side.

It made the downhills feel sloppy, and potentially painful if prolonged. This is where those with a higher foot volume will likely benefit from this particular design.

The Xplor Pro is slightly heavier than other models, but the weight was never a factor for me, and it’s cushioned enough for ultra distances.

All around, I think this a serious contender for ultras with varying terrain. If they can add a bit more structure to the upper, it would be perfect, but anyone with a higher foot volume should absolutely give these a chance.

Who Tried It?

Hi, I’m Sierra Rush, primarily a trail ultra runner in the midwest who also spends time with my local run club on roads and clocks treadmill time on “lazy” days. I started running about seven years ago and worked my way up to a half marathon a year later. From there, I skipped past the marathon right into a trail 50k. Immediately obsessed, I’ve been seeing just how far I can go ever since, completing my first 100 mile trail race in 2024.

What to read next?

• Our picks for the Best Road to Trail Shoes
• Ultra Marathon Crewing Checklist
• Who will benefit from sweat testing?