Shimano has long made some of the best shoes for road racing. Heck, you’ve probably seen some of the cyclists in Rio rock their shoes during the games. This time around, the outfit is turning their attention to off-road riding and cyclocross competitions with the Shimano S-Phyre XC9.
Billed as “road-shoe fast” and “mountain-shoe rugged,” the shoes sport the same fit and height as a badass pair of road shoes to enable maximum power transmission, all while meeting the unique performance demands of off-road riding. Whether you’re riding on muddy trails, pushing your bike up a hill, or rampaging down mountain roads, this thing will help you maximize speed while staying in full control.
The Shimano S-Phyre XC9 has a one-piece upper that’s cut in Teijin Avail microfiber synthetic leather, with a surround wrap fit that accommodates a wide range of foot shapes and dimpled vents to keep your feet breathing all throughout a long race. That upper is paired to an outsole designed specifically for cyclocross and cross-country races, boasting mud-shedding tread patterns, a three-section construction with dual-compound rubber, and an anti-slip arch pattern for the ultimate grip.
It comes with pair of independent Boa IP1 dials with Powerzone wire lacing for quick and precise micro-adjustments on the fly, as well as an external heel cup that keeps your feet from twisting and rolling, ensuring you can maximize your power output. Features include optional 18mm toe spikes with a reinforced mount, a low stack height, and three colorways (blue, yellow, and black).
Slated to come out this Fall, the Shimano S-Phyre XC9 is priced at $400.