Zuatu enters the gravel market with a pair of high-end shoes

Eurobike always leaves some unexpected discovery. Among the major launches of bicycles, motors, and components in this 2026 edition, we have also found a brand unknown to most, but already present at the highest level of professional cycling. It is called Zuatu and has just presented its first gravel-specific shoes after having a wide variety for road in its catalog. This model keeps the philosophy of its exclusive Z1 Pro road shoe intact and adapts it for off-road use.

Zuatu arrives in gravel with extreme carbon shoes already used by WorldTour riders

The most striking aspect is not just the product, but the brand itself. Although for many enthusiasts it will be a completely unknown name, Zuatu shoes have already reached the WorldTour peloton and among its users are riders from teams like UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Bahrain Victorious, or Jayco AlUla. In fact, the company claims that its shoes are currently present in eight WorldTour teams and have been used in all three Grand Tours.

A brand obsessed with carbon

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The story of Zuatu begins in 2015, when a group of engineers specialized in carbon fiber and coming from the world of Olympic speed skating decided to apply their knowledge to the development of cycling footwear.

Their approach was simple: a shoe should not only be a support for the foot but also a power transmission element. Since then, they have focused much of their development on the handcrafted manufacturing of ultra-rigid carbon structures and the pursuit of an extremely precise fit.

The brand claims to have developed its lasts based on a database of over 128,000 foot scans, allowing them to offer different widths to accommodate most cyclists.

Gravel according to Zuatu: the same recipe as the Z1 Pro

The new gravel shoe presented at Eurobike takes the Z1 Pro, the brand's top-of-the-line road model, as its starting point. A shoe that stands out for its extremely lightweight construction, with a declared weight of just 190 grams per unit in size 41.

The main difference lies in the sole. While the road version uses a three-bolt cleat platform compatible with Shimano SPD-SL or Look Keo, the new gravel version adopts a two-bolt SPD system and a new Vibram outsole with a larger rubber surface and more traction capability for walking on technical terrain.

Still, it maintains the element that defines Zuatu: a spectacular visible carbon structure that seeks to combine extreme stiffness with minimal weight.

A carbon sole very different from the usual

The great technical argument of Zuatu is precisely that carbon sole. The company uses a multilayer construction based on 3K and UD (unidirectional) fibers that allows varying mechanical properties in different areas of the shoe.

According to the brand, the goal is to achieve an extremely rigid platform in the areas where power transmission to the pedal occurs, while other areas maintain a slight absorption capacity to improve comfort during long rides.

The architecture of the sole is also particularly striking due to the presence of wide ventilation ducts integrated directly into the carbon. These air inlets and outlets are part of a 360-degree ventilation system that works alongside the upper perforations to generate continuous airflow from the toe to the heel.

In the gravel version, that structure is protected by low-profile Vibram rubber lugs placed only at strategic points to ensure grip while walking without penalizing weight or compromising the stiffness of the whole.

Thermoformable fit and handcrafted manufacturing

Another differentiating element of Zuatu is its customization system through heat. Both the upper structure and certain internal areas can adapt to the shape of the foot through a thermoforming process.

The upper uses a technical microfiber developed by the brand itself that stands out for its water resistance, high breathability, and low weight. The material also incorporates precision laser perforations to enhance ventilation.

The closure is handled by two independent dials made in Korea, which allow for millimeter adjustments in different areas of the foot. Zuatu also assures that this system comes with a lifetime warranty.

A clearly premium product

The new gravel shoe still does not have an official announced price, but all indications suggest it will be in the same range as the Z1 Pro road shoe, which is priced around 550 euros.

This is a figure reserved for the most exclusive segment of the market, where it directly competes with reference models from brands like Sidi, Specialized, Shimano, or Fizik.

However, after seeing them at Eurobike, it is clear that Zuatu does not intend to compete by volume. Its proposal is based on handcrafted manufacturing, a strong specialization in carbon, and an almost extreme obsession with the relationship between stiffness, weight, and fit. And although its name is still unknown to most European cyclists, it seems that the brand is much less new than it appears.

Highlighted features of the new Zuatu Gravel

• Full multilayer 3K+UD carbon sole.
• Compatibility with two-bolt SPD cleats.
• New Vibram outsole specific for gravel.
• Integral ventilation system with channels in the carbon sole.
• Upper made of laser-perforated technical microfiber.
• Thermoformable fit.
• Independent double micrometric closure.
• Estimated weight close to 190 g per shoe.
• Handcrafted manufacturing at the brand's facilities.