Craft Xplor 2 Review | Gravel Biking For Your Feet

The Gravel Grinder is the best description of the Craft Xplor 2.  I would never have guessed that basing the outsole of a shoe on gravel tires for a bike would work so well, but it just perfectly works.

One of the newer names in the trail shoe world, Craft is coming through with some quality shoes built for the miles.

Just looking at the Xplor 2 there are no flashy, stand out features but it delivers a solid, versatile shoe built for going from dirt to concrete all in one run.

Craft Xplor 2 Overview

I always love seeing what new models and new to me shoes can do so I took the Xplor 2 through all my usual trails plus a few road miles and there were definitely some stand out runs.

The Craft Xplor 2 is not a flashy shoe, but it’s not a bland shoe either.  But sometimes that is the best type of shoe and for those of us with a narrower foot it’s great to see some more options on the shoe scene.

The Vittoria outsole is a gravel racing tire-inspired tread that really does translate well to going dirt to road – exactly like my gravel bike.  The outsole does look like a bike tire also. 

The tire-like outsole and shallow lugs gives the Xplor 2 that right balance of not too grippy on the road and just grippy enough on dirt.

Locally we have one of those popular routes that is half rail trail style dirt and half concrete – one of those loops that I never know what shoes to pick.  The Craft Xplor 2 was a great shoe for that type of run, especially having half my pace miles on dirt and half on concrete.  I seamlessly changed surfaces  and picked up the paces with no regrets.

A smooth single track is also well within the capabilities of this shoe.  The only run I did that the Xplor 2 wasn’t all that suited for was a highly technical trail, 2000+ ft of elevation gain in 3 miles, and I ended up taking a chunk out of the midsole. 

But that’s more my “test it to the limit” practice rather than a shortcoming of the shoe.  I could see these being a go-to long dirt road Sunday run shoe actually.

And an added bonus that I  love is the amount of recycled materials in these shoes from the mesh upper to the laces to the insoles.

Quick Take

Craft Xplor 2 Fit

Did Craft change up their sizing?  Maybe?  The Xplor 2 is a true to size fit whereas other Craft shoes I’ve run in have felt small in the same size.  So intentional or not, this is a good upgrade and makes it less stressful trying a brand you may not be familiar with.

This is one of those unique shoes that is a narrower fit, hugging the heel well, but also has a really roomy toebox.

The Px Foam midsole is just that middle softness cushioning.  It’s not that pillowy cushion that disconnects you from the trails but also it’s soft enough for the miles on the road.  This is partially what leads to that versatility of trail to road.

The tongue is lightly padded and gusseted down the sides.  The lightly padded heel backing and a really breathable mesh made the Xplor 2 a comfortable shoe on my long runs.

Coach Amanda Note: We have actually seen this across our Craft reviews the last 6 months, so something has changed in their last! We’re thrilled to finally be getting shoes the right length.

Craft Xplor 2 Feel

The craft Xplor 2 could easily fall into rotation as a long run, dirt road shoe.  The Px foam midsole is a soft cushion without being too much to disconnect you from the trail.

Utilizing 50% recycled materials, the re-engineered bidy-mapped upper mesh nicely hugs the mid foot and heel all while being really breathable.

There is  no extra eyelet for a heel lock lacing on the Xplor 2 but for the types of trails I liked doing in these shoes I didn’t have an issue with my heel slipping especially if I snugged up the lacing on the midfoot.

The Vittoria outsole had a nice coverage on the bottom keeping you from feeling any gravel or rocks on whatever surface you’re running.

What to read next?

• Our picks for the Best Road to Trail Shoes
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