Shimano XC-7 (XC702) Ultread High Performance Mountain Bike Shoe Review

Introduction:  The RX-7 is a contest stage off highway racing shoe designed for cross nation mountain biking and cyclocross racing, that includes a twin BOA match system and a grippy Ultread outsole, with deep lugs and sticky rubber for these instances one must hike a motorcycle.  They’re light-weight and designed for optimum pedaling efficiency.

Professionals: 

light-weight, stiff/environment friendly, safe higher with twin BOA, high quality, sturdiness, traction, versatility, worth

Cons: 

t can be good to have twin path BOA dials (although that may be discovered on the S-Phyre XC-9 at practically double the worth).

Out there in Black/Silver/Pink

US Males’s Dimension 10(EU 44) 12.28 oz / 348g 

Sizes M 5-14 (EU 38-50)

Additionally out there in Huge model

Higher:  

The artificial leather-based higher with TPU breathable mesh is tender and supple and constructed for consolation.  

Breathability has confirmed to be excellent, even on scorching days (within the 90’s), my ft don’t really feel overly heat.  

On cooler mornings, I do discover the air flow extra and my ft can get a bit of chilly, which is an efficient signal they’re getting air, however when colder, I’ll must put money into shoe covers.  

The RX-7 has a “full encompass higher” that wraps the foot with a glove like match and options twin BOA dials to simply regulate rigidity over the midfoot and toe.  The BOA dials are the best possible selection on any biking shoe and do a outstanding job of making a customized like match, very safe, with no gaps or strain factors and are simple to regulate on the fly.  

The dials are single path although, so solely ratchet within the path of tightening  so if you wish to again off the strain, you must pop the dial out to totally launch after which press in and begin dialing once more.  I’ve not discovered this to not be an issue if I frivolously comfortable the shoe initially of a trip after which I can cinch them as wanted o the transfer.  

I want they have been twin path, however that may be a lot to anticipate at this value level (although twin path dials can be found on the S-Phyre RX-9 at practically double the worth).

I discover the match to be true to dimension the place I’m a US Males’s 10/EU 44 and so they match me completely with simply sufficient wiggle room to not really feel overly confined,  but I can actually crank the BOA dials to comfortable issues down excessive of the foot and the toe.  The heel may be very locked in and safe with no raise in any way, both when driving or strolling.

Midsole:  The midsole is carbon bolstered and  low stack top to assist stabilize the foot for a extra environment friendly pedal stroke.  On the Shimano shoe stiffness scale, the RX-7 is a 9/12 and strikes an excellent stability of not feeling excessively stiff when strolling, but is a lot stiff sufficient for optimum pedaling effectivity.  Having ridden in many various footwear by way of the years, a few of which have been excessively stiff for pure race efficiency, the RX-7 is a reduction, as they’re very snug, whereas not compromising efficiency.

Shimano’s description 

 “The high-density higher integrates seamlessly with the midsole, making a steady platform for launching highly effective sprints. Skilled DYNALAST match expertise conforms to the anatomical curves of your foot for a extra environment friendly pedaling efficiency. When the going will get robust, clip into SPD pedals to switch each ounce of power to the path.”

Outsole:  

The Ultread outsole was a giant draw for me, as I’ve been utilizing the Shimano RX-8 for gravel driving and mountain biking, however the RX-8 is just not adequately treaded for that a lot hike a motorcycle in rocky terrain.  

The RX-7 nevertheless may be very a lot designed for this with a sticky rubber overlaying the complete backside of the shoe (apart from the SPD cleat after all) with deep, sharp lugs which have some flex/give in order to adapt to the terrain and thus grip optimally, both on rock or in free terrain.  Sturdiness up to now is proving to be excellent.

Efficiency/Conclusions/Suggestions:

The RX-7 is a high performer for the $230 price ticket, or for any value actually, with prime quality supplies and rugged sturdiness, a really snug and safe wrapping higher with a twin BOA match system, a carbon bolstered midsole and and an Ultragrip outsole that gives confidence inspiring grip when off the bike and hike a motorcycle scenario.  I’d like to see twin path BOA dials and I believe it will be truthful to cost a bit extra for that, however that may be a minor quibble.

I’d extremely suggest the RX-7 as a devoted XC mountain bike shoe due to its general efficiency, affordable weight, stiff pedaling effectivity, twin BOA safety and grippy outsole. And  all of that carries over to gravel biking (grippy outsole much less vital and nonetheless will be tremendous useful) and even for extra informal highway driving, the place chances are you’ll be making stops and wish a shoe that may stroll fairly nicely.

Comparisons:

Shimano RX-8(801) (RTR Evaluation) – Each are nice footwear, however serve two completely different functions.  The RX-8 is lighter and stiffer, which is felt relating to tougher efforts and extra excessive efficiency oriented driving.  The RX-8 is geared extra in the direction of gravel driving, however works additionally as a mountain bike shoe, so long as you don’t hike your bike a lot on rocks.  For extra devoted mountain biking although, I discover the RX-7, regardless of the added weight, tare a a lot better selection, as they’re nonetheless fairly stiff and efficiency oriented, are extra relaxed general and I like having the twin BOA and Ultragrip outsole.  

RoadTrailRide Critiques HERE

Tester Profile

Jeff Valliere has been round bikes his total life, as a toddler following his dad to bike races and bike retailers, BMX racing as a child, working in bike retailers as a mechanic for 14+ years (10 at U-Bikes in Boulder the place he met John) and racing as knowledgeable highway bike owner for a number of years.  Jeff now not races, however nonetheless likes to trip as he introduces his daughters to the thrill of biking.  Along with being obsessive about biking, he runs mountains day by day and has been reviewing trainers/gear/tech for RoadTrailRun since 2015 and for different publications/corporations since 2005.