Shimano’s RC3 shoes are the brand’s mid-tier cycling shoes and have just been refreshed with the latest SH-RC302 model. The SH-RC302 shoes are marketed as value-packed shoes with modern features and a BOA closure system. Retail price on the RC302 shoes is an affordable $130 which includes a single BOA L6E dial closure system. The shoes feature a fiberglass reinforced outsole that has a 3-bolt compatible design that works with SPD-SL and Look Keo cleats. Shimano offers the shoes in both men’s and women’s variations along with a wide range of size options. The shoes also have a synthetic leather upper with a reflective stripe for additional low light visibility.
The Shimano RC302 shoes combine a wrap-around upper construction and budget friendly single BOA L6E dial closure system.
| Retail Price | $130 |
| Rating | Design: A Closures: A- Comfort: A Value: A |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 559 (EUR 44) |
| Likes | + Affordable price while retaining S-PHYRE like features + Flexible nylon outsole offers more comfort on long rides or recreational use + Single BOA dial fit system with wraparound upper design |
| Dislikes | – Nylon outsole lacks stiffness of RC7 and higher models for high effort sprints |
| Where to Buy (US) | Shimano |
UNBOXING
The Shimano SH-RC302 shoes come in a standard cardboard shoe box with Shimano branding printed directly on it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- RC302 shoes
- Information pamphlets
Not surprisingly, Shimano does not include a fabric carrying bag with the shoes as you have with their high-end offerings.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the SH-RC302 shoes combine Shimano’s wrap-around upper design with a more affordable single BOA closure system. One of the most obvious differences between the previous RC3 and these latest RC302 shoes is that Shimano has moved the dial further back and designed the wraparound upper to match the rest of the RC lineup’s design. The shoes are constructed with a flexible synthetic leather upper construction with a perforated design for improved ventilation. There are perforations that extend along the front and sides all the way to the ankles that help funnel air into the shoe along with a small knitted along the bottom strap. Vertical cutouts in the upper material around the outer edge also help the material stretch.
While most of the upper material is soft and flexible, there are strategically placed reinforcements along the toe and heel to optimize stability. Shimano currently offers the men’s RC3 shoes in three solid colors: black, navy and white. There is also a women’s version with black and an exclusive sage green color option. We have men’s navy variation which have a dark blue color scheme with black accents along the sole and inner lining. The main portion of the shoes have a nearly matte finish along the front and a leather-like glossy rear portion that provides an interesting contrast. There is also an angled reflective stripe along the rear for additional visibility in low light conditions. Branding on the shoes is limited to RC3 on the heel and a small Shimano logo on the top strap. The shoes also share Shimano’s wider toe box profile that make them comfortable for a wider range of riders.
As far as closure systems, the RC3 shoes are the most affordable BOA dial equipped road shoe Shimano currently offers. The RC3 has a single BOA L6E dial which is one of BOA’s updated designs that has a slim plastic dial with BOA logo on the dial. Unlike higher-end BOA Li2 dials, the L6E only has micro tightening and does nothing when you rotate it in the other direction. Instead you have to pull the dial up to release all the tension if you want to make the shoes looser. Shimano has also updated the cable routing on these RC302 shoes to use a three row setup with reinforced fabric loops to route them between the straps. It’s an attractive design that pulls both sides of the shoe together as you tighten the dial. Note, this is also a single zone design which means you cannot fine tune the ankle and toe box fit.
The other reason the RC3 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 RC3 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. There are small perforations along the front to help with insulation and a very interesting honeycomb design underneath the insole. The vent on the outsole extends into the interior and is channeled through the shoes to help with ventilation.
ON THE ROAD
The EUR 44 size we chose for this review had a consistent fit and feel as other EUR 44 Shimano shoes we’ve worn and have a nice wide toe box that’s comfortable even in the standard width for our rider’s wider feet. The combination of the flexible upper and single dial make it easy to put the shoe on and take it off. Even with the wrap-around upper, the shoes open up wide making it easy to slide your feet in which can be difficult on Shimano’s dual dial shoes. Although the shoes lack the RC9 S-PHYRE shoes flashy design and dual dial setup we were impressed with the quality and comfort of the wrap around upper construction and integrated outsole. Shimano has done an impressive job creating a $130 shoe that looks and feels more expensive than it actually is.
The nylon outsole of the RC3 shoe can be viewed as both a positive and negative as they are quite flexible. You can feel the outsole flex even as you walk on the shoes as the nylon construction lacks the rigidity of Shimano’s higher-end carbon fiber designs. On one hand, the flexibility make the shoes more beginner friendly and comfortable on the bike or longer rides. The downside of the flexibility is that is is counter-productive to high-effort sprints or out-of-the-saddle climbing. Where carbon soles like the Shimano RC7 allow you to efficiently transfer power to the bike and hold your feet firmly in place, the RC3 feel more sloppy. We’d highly recommend upgrading to the RC5 or RC7 shoes for riders looking to prioritize speed and efficiency while the RC3 is more beginner friendly and comfortable for indoor training.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Shimano RC302 shoes to be well designed and built budget cycling shoes. Shimano has taken design features of their S-PHYRE shoes like the wrap-around upper construction and integrated outsole and incorporated them into budget friendly price point. The single BOA dial offers an easy way to adjust the fit of the shoes while the flexible synthetic upper material is comfortable and well ventilated. We liked the contrast of the matte and glossy upper design and minimal branding that give the shoes a premium appearance. The nylon outsole is comfortable but flexible which make the RC3 shoes great for indoor riding or recreational cyclists. As far as negatives, the only downside is that the nylon sole is too flexible for higher-effort sprints or out-of-saddle climbing. That said, the Shimano RC302 offer nice upgrades from the previous version while maintaining an impressive low retail price.
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.