The Shimano RX8 gravel shoes are the premium gravel-specific offering from the Japanese giant, incorporating their tried-and-tested shoe tech into a range of rather snazzily patterned kicks.
The wrap-around closure shoes weigh in impressively light, though this doesn’t mean that you’ll suffer in terms of comfort or power transfer. Truly, if you’re in the market for a pair of new gravel shoes, these ought to be on your list.
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Shimano RX8 gravel shoes: Design and features
Katherine Moore
The jazzy Shimano RX8 gravel shoes are unusually designed with an inkjet printed finish, but there’s much more to their design than aesthetics. Just like the lower-priced RX6 model, the foot is secured with a single Boa dial and Velcro toe strap, though the RX8 uses the premium, bi-directional Li2 Boa dial.
The sole incorporates carbon fibre to give a stiffness rating of ten – on Shimano’s own scale – with angular TPU lugs bonded across the heel and forefoot.
The upper is highly perforated and features a mesh toe panel for ventilation, while the high heel cup is lined with a rubberised material to give better foot retention.
They come in sizes EU 40-48, plus 36-42 in the women’s model (RX8W). My EU 40 pair weighs in at 518g.
Shimano RX8 gravel shoes: Performance
Katherine Moore
From the very first fitting, it’s clear that the Shimano RX8 gravel shoes are stripped back and lightweight – and at 518g per pair, the lightest shoes on test among a group of ten options.
Setup was straightforward too, with the cleat bolts taking to the threads immediately, which wasn’t the case for all other shoes tested, such as the titanium cleat plates of the Rapha Explore Powerweave shoes, which were more tricky to thread.
There may only be one Boa dial to secure the fit of these shoes, but I didn’t feel that this held them back in terms of fit and comfort, wrapping right the way across the foot in a secure, snug way without feeling restrictive. This made for a good fit for hike-a-bike sections, with no slipping at the back of the heel.
It is noticeable that the shoes are a little wider than some, which may indeed suit riders with wider feet. However, unlike some other Shimano models, these only come in a single width, rather than regular and wide sizes.
I did experience a little numbness across the ball of my feet when testing the shoes with the original insoles, though after I switched these for my own custom insoles that was alleviated completely. It’s worth noting here that the insoles provided also have varying levels of arch support, a perk that you see among a few other premium shoe models.
On the ride, the shoes did feel stiff, and as I danced on the pedals I could really feel a direct and consistent output through the bike, which is not always noticeable with more flexibly-designed gravel shoes.
After a few mucky rides, even in July, the Shimano RX8 shoes proved easy to clean, with the smooth upper coming up good with a simple wipe with a wet cloth.
At £229, they’re certainly not cheap, yet still a chunk less than premium options from the likes of Rapha, Fizik and Sidi. There’s also nothing stopping you considering the Shimano S-Phyre XC9 shoes either, which are positioned as cross-country rather than gravel-specific shoes, though they’ll set you back more at £349.99.
Shimano RX8 gravel shoes review verdict
It’s been hard to fault the Shimano RX8 gravel shoe: genuinely lightweight and sporty feeling without having to compromise on all-day comfort. Granted, the disco ball silver might not be to everyone’s taste, but they do also do a black colour for riders looking for something a bit more subtle.
Source link : https://www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/shimano-rx8-gravel-cycling-shoes-review
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Publish date : 2024-07-26 17:31:40
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