Shimano RC5 Road Shoe review

Comfort and style from the big S

Our rating

4

130.00

David Caudery / Immediate Media

Published: July 17, 2020 at 10:00 am

Our review
Great quality carbon-soled shoe with clean, elegant lines and low weight

Pros:

Stiff soles and a smart-looking wraparound upper

Cons:

A little more expensive than some competitors but that’s about it

Shimano’s new RC5s have inherited a lot of their technology from Shimano’s professional-level S-Phyre racing shoes.

The most notable feature is the new seamless midsole, which reduces weight, shrinks the distance between the sole of your foot and the pedal by 3.3mm and is claimed to “elevate the levels of fit and stability”.

The carbon fibre-reinforced Shimano Dynalast soles are rated eight on its 12-point stiffness scale, and they certainly feel stiff and efficient when you’re pedalling, with enough comfort for day-long rides.

The soles have large toe vents and, unusually, there’s a centimetre of fore-and-aft adjustment on the cleat fittings, for the perfect set-up.

The RC5’s wraparound construction means that there’s no separate tongue – the outer side of the shoe with the single Boa dial tucks underneath the inner side of the upper, and the Boa dial is helped out by a front Velcro strap. The result is a secure, reasonably adjustable fit and very good comfort.

The wraparound design also makes these shoes very easy to get on and off. Their mesh, polyurethane and synthetic leather uppers are designed to be breathable and there are numerous perforations on both sides for air to circulate.

Shimano’s latest RC5s continue the Japanese giant’s reputation for making high-quality cycling shoes. The wraparound design helps to make them some of the most comfortable pairs around, plus they’re well-vented, stiff-soled and highly adjustable. They’re good-looking and lightweight too.

Product

Brandshimano
Price130.00 GBP
Weight504.0000, GRAM (42) - as tested

Features

Closuredial
br_cleatFitting3_bolt_look_type
FeaturesColours: Navy Blue, White (women’s), Black (men’s)
Sole: Light carbon fibre reinforced nylon Upper: Mesh/TPU/Synthetic leather composite