Red Rockets

The Shimano XC7 shoes get back to what matters.

TAKING THE ABUSE

Whether we’re trudging up or skipping down rocky, sandy portage sections, or scaling rugged mountainsides to get the perfect angle for our latest Instagram post, our mountainbike shoes take a lot of abuse. And let’s not forget the moments when self- preservation overtakes the daredevil in us, and we find ourselves walking a rough section of trail – often it’s these very sections that are littered with sharp rocks, willing to eat any footwear that dares take them on.

MICHELIN MAN

It’s in situations like these that Shimano’s secondtier XC7 shoe thrives. Sporting a Michelin outsole, with dualdensity rubber, the XC7s are bloody marvellous when it comes to grip – not just when you’re walking over rocks, roots and dirt, but also in those instances when you just can’t seem to clip in. The XC7s make you feel safer. During our test period, the upper’s highdensity synthetic leather really did stand up to the abuse – after many scraps with rocks, the only lasting scratch was on the inner side of the right shoe. Full marks in this department.

FIT AND FASTENING

In terms of fit and fastening, Shimano’s relatively broad last is great for wider feet, with the single BAO IP1 dial delivering the hassle- free performance we’ve become accustomed to – two BOAs would be better, but at this price- point, the XC7 is on par with the competition.

WELL BALANCED

Bicycling found that compared to the heel cup in Shimano’s rangetopping S- Phyre XC9 (which is lighter, stiffer and more expensive), the XC7’s is rather flimsy. If you’re an elite racer that’s not ideal, but – and it’s an important ‘ but’ – if you’re 98% of mountain bikers, you’ll welcome the suppleness, as the shoe is more forgiving. With a stiffness index of 9 (the S- Phyre XC9s are 11), the carbon- injected midsole is well balanced in terms of stiffness versus compliance – and as with the heel cup, we believe the XC7’s midsole provides ample stiffness for the majority of riders out there.

VERDICT

With its durable, grippy outsole, supple but hard- wearing upper, and BOA retention system, Shimano’s ‘ red rocket’ XC7 handled whatever we threw at it.