Shimano’s updated RC1 budget shoes

Shimano’s RC1 shoes are the brand’s most affordable cycling shoes and have just been refreshed with the latest SH-RC102 model. The SH-RC102 shoes are marketed as budget friendly cycling shoes that share DNA with Shimano’s top-of-the-line S-PHYRE road shoes. While the RC102 shoes share a similar wrap-around upper construction, the RC1 have a three-strap closure and fiberglass reinforced outsole. These simplifications allow the RC1 shoes to retail for an impressive $110 with men’s and women’s specific variations. Shimano has incorporated a synthetic leather upper with a subtle reflective printing for additional visibility.

The Shimano RC102 shoes combine a wrap-around upper and simple Velcro closure system with a budget friendly price.

Retail Price	$110
Rating	Design:   A Closures:  B Comfort:  A Value:  A
Measured Weight (in g)	563 (EUR 44)
Likes	+ Impressive retail price + Flexible nylon outsole offers comfort on trainers + Simple and easy to use Velcro straps
Dislikes	– Narrow and basic insoles – Hard to justify with RC3 shoes being only $20 more with a BOA dial
Where to Buy (US)	Shimano

UNBOXING

The Shimano SH-RC102 shoes come in a standard cardboard shoe box with Shimano branding  printed directly on it. Inside the box you’ll find:

• RC102 shoes
• Information pamphlets

Not surprisingly, Shimano does not include a carrying bag with the shoes as you have with their higher-end offerings.

FIT & FINISH

Visually, the SH-RC102 shoes combine Shimano’s wrap-around upper design with a simplified construction to achieve a budget friendly price. The shoes have a flexible synthetic leather upper construction with a perforated design for improved ventilation. There are perforations along the front and sides that help funnel air into the shoe along with a small knitted along the bottom strap. While the upper is flexible, the RC1 shoes have reinforcements on the toe and a stiffer heel surround. Shimano currently offers the men’s RC1 shoes in three simple colors: black, navy and white. There is also a women’s version with black and a unique violet color option.  We have men’s white variations which have a solid white color scheme with black accents along the sole and inner lining. Although the RC1 lacks the S-PHYRE’s iridescent finish, Shimano has added a subtle reflective printing along the ankle region.

With these white shoes the reflective finish blends in but has a subtle linear pattern if you look at it closely. Branding on the shoes is limited to RC1 on the heel and a small Shimano logo on the top strap. Compared to the previous RC1 shoes, these latest RC102 only have subtle tweaks in the design and closures. The shoes also share Shimano’s wider toe box profile that make them comfortable for a wider range of riders. One of the main reasons the RC1 shoes are so affordable is that Shimano has used a three strap closure system instead of BOA dials. The upper material has a wrap around design that slides over each other with the straps attached on reinforced plastic hooks on one side and the Velcro stitched onto the other.

As you tighten the straps the shoes wrap around your feet for a secure and comfortable fit. It’s a nice design that eliminates the need for traditional designs that use separate center tongue pieces. The straps have an ergonomic design with wide handles that are easy to grip and strong Velcro. While this setup is a downgrade from the RC3 or higher-end shoes that use a BOA dial setup, the straps are more convenient for indoor cycling, bike trainers or more recreational use. From the front, the straps have a unique zig-zag shape to them with precise stitching and carefully placed reinforcements.

The other reason the RC1 shoes are budget friendly is that they feature a fiberglass reinforced sole. While it lacks the stiffness of carbon soles, the outsole design looks similar to Shimano’s higher-end shoes with a partially hidden design. There is a single air inlet on the front and a thin rubber toe bumper to protect the shoe. On the rear there is a thicker heel bumper along with a textured center region. The RC1 shoes have a standard 3-bolt setup that works with Shimano SPD-SL or Look Keo cleats. There are subtle cleat markings to help with cleat positions along with forward and aft adjustment in the bolt positions. Inside the shoes is a simple foam insole with Shimano branding on it. While the insoles do not have perforations in them, what is interesting is that underneath the insoles there is a honeycomb construction. The vent on the outsole extends into the interior and is channeled through the shoes to help flow air.

ON THE ROAD

As far as fit, the RC1 shoes are surprisingly comfortable with wide opening and flexible upper construction. The EUR 44 shoes fit similarly to other Shimano shoes we’ve worn and have a wide toe box that’s comfortable even in the standard width for our wider feet. The wrap-around upper is a nice feature inherited from the S-PHYRE shoes and help distribute pressure for comfort for short or long rides. As far as the Velcro closure system we were honestly surprised that Shimano still offered a Velcro cycling shoe in 2025. Aside from the previous Bont Motion shoes, dial setups like BOA have become the default for cycling shoes due to their adjustability and compact designs. For road cycling, it’s hard to justify these RC102 shoes compared to the RC302 shoes which are only $20 more and have a BOA dial.

Where the RC1 shoes really shine is for indoor cycling as the Velcro adjustment has three separate zones and is easy to quickly put on and take off. The fiberglass reinforced outsole is soft and flexible which works well for rigid indoor bike setups. We’d highly recommend moving up to the RC5 or RC7 shoes for cyclists looking for performance and speed while the RC1 are best for gyms, spin classes, indoor cycling or short recreational rides. Our biggest complaint is that the simple foam insoles are a bit narrow and resulted in us feeling the outsole edges. This may be due to our wider feet but it isn’t an issue we’ve experienced with the RC302 shoes which have a more curve insole design.

THE VERDICT

Overall, we found the Shimano RC102 shoes to be well priced and comfortable. Shimano has done a great job transferring design details like the wrap-around upper construction and a flexible design into the entry-level RC1 shoes. With most products becoming more expensive, it’s nice to see a quality cycling shoe with a retail price of only $110. We found the simple design and reflective details to be a nice touch with nice ventilation from the extensive perforations. While the fiberglass reinforced outsole is a bit too flexible and the Velcro straps are cumbersome for road cycling, the design excels for indoor training or spin use where stiff shoes can be uncomfortable. As far as negatives, we found the insoles to be a bit narrow and were surprised the BOA dial RC3 shoes are only a $20 premium over the RC1. That said, the Shimano RC102 shoes offer quality construction with comfort that excels for indoor training use.

Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Shimano. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.