Shimano RX8 SPD Shoe review

Shimano's dedicated gravel shoe is focussed on race like performance

(Image credit: James Bracey)
Cycling Weekly Verdict

The emphasis is certainly on going fast and providing outstanding pedalling efficiency with the RX8. It's a great looking shoe and incredibly comfortable for longer offroad excursions although there are better options if you plan to do lots of walking.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Plenty of stiffness for pedalling efficiency

  • +

    Upper fit

  • +

    Offroad grip

  • +

    That finish

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Perhaps a bit too stiff for routes with lots of hike-a-bike

  • -

    Toe rand could be taller

  • -

    That finish

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Shimano's RX8 is designated as the company's first gravel oriented performance cycling shoe. As such it shares as much influence from Shimano's top road race shoes as it does it's MTB XC shoe line-up. As Shimano intends, this is a shoe more for going flat out than pathway pootling.

The RX8 has a very slim profile that signals its intentions almost straight out of the box with a low toe box and pared down heel cup. A single BOA IP1 dial performs the majority of the retention alongside a fairly redundant velcro strap at the toe end of the shoe.

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