Shimano has launched a new gravel shoe, the RX710, which it claims offers premium race technology to a wider range of gravel riders.
The new shoe trickles down features from Shimano’s premium S-Phyre RX910 gravel race shoe, launched last year, but Shimano claims it's equally at home on gravel adventure rides and multi-day bikepacking adventures, offering a versatile option and all-day comfort for gravel riders.
Shimano rates the new shoe’s stiffness at 9 out of 12 on its scale, while the RX910 is rated at 12. It uses a carbon-reinforced midsole that Shimano says has a low stack height.
It includes the brand’s pontoon cleat system, introduced with the RX910, where the cleat sits on a floating sole plate that includes rubber blocks on each side, which it claims increases foot stability as well as 'walkability' off the bike and ensures a more secure pedal-to-cleat connection.
The pontoon cleats also have the advantage of being user-replaceable, so you can swap them out if they become worn and your feet are rocking on your gravel pedals.
Up top, the RX710 is made of synthetic leather and the upper is secured by two Boa L6Z dial closures. Unlike the Li2 used on the RX910, these don’t offer a turn-to-loosen function, but require the dial to be pulled up to release the cable then retightening if you want to loosen the fit.
Shimano quotes a 315g per shoe weight in size 43, versus 304g for the RX910, so there’s not much weight penalty for switching to the lower-priced gravel bike shoe.
As usual, Shimano offers a wide range of sizes, and there are standard, wide and narrow fits available in three colours: black, navy, and 'sand white' for those who enjoy shoe cleaning.
Standard-width shoes come in sizes 38 to 50, with half sizes from 39.5 to 46.5.
Wide shoe sizes are 38 to 48, with the same 39.5 to 46.5 half sizes.
Narrow sizes are 36 to 44, in whole sizes only.
The new Shimano RX710 is priced at £269.99 / €254.95. That compares to £369.99 / €419.95 for the RX910.
