SHIMANO RX8 SHOES
Stripped-down shoes for gravel riders
Up until now, Shimano’s offerings for the off-road roadie have come direct from its cross-country mountain bike stable, topped by the brilliant but expensive S-Phyre XC-9 (£319.99). Those are light at 754g (size 45) but the RX8s better that by some margin at 628g (size 45). Just how has Shimano shaved over 100g from its premium off-road shoe and given it a price of £100 less?
First, it has stripped down the elements of an off-road shoe and combined it with the lightweight PU upper of a road shoe. The upper is constructed in one piece, perforated for breathability and finished in a multi-coloured silver camo finish with reflectivity built in for the multi-day adventure rider. The closure is from a single BOA IP1 dial and a short Velcro strap across the forefoot. The fit is road-shoe close, and the Silvardur insole is antibacterially treated and comes with standard and high instep inserts to tune the fit.
The sole is where most of the weight has been trimmed. The carbon sole is rated 10 out of 12 (compared to 12 on S-Phyres) for a little more give. The sole has TPU rubber grip sections on the heel and around the cleat plate. Instead of the usual stud mounts up on the toe the RX8s have a substantial rubber bumper around the toe, with a thicker centre section designed to enable you to put your toe down at traffic lights without scuffing the front of your shoes.
On the bike the RX8s are quite simply superb. The lightness makes them feel like a road shoe, and the sole is stiff without being unforgiving. For the sections where you may have to walk or run, the flex in the sole is forward of the cleat plate (just behind your toes) so even running in the RX8s feels more natural than a standard MTB XC shoe. The upper is close-fitting and breathable and the amount of adjustment afforded by the BOA is spot-on. The toe strap is well placed and doesn’t create a crease with this tester’s feet, though it might if you have a narrower foot shape. The bonded rubber grips on the outsole work well and provide purchase, even in the mud. The downside is that the soft durometer of the rubber that makes it so grippy shows signs of wear after a few hundred miles. As these are non-replaceable, that’s a concern.