Shimano’s mid-level carbon fiber cycling shoes

Shimano’s RC range of road cycling shoes range from the flexible and budget friendly RC1 all the way to the sprinter-focused S-PHYRE RC9 PWR shoes. The updated Shimano RC503 shoes are the latest version of the mid-level RC5 shoes which are the most affordable carbon fiber shoes Shimano offers. With a retail price of $190, the RC503 offers a carbon reinforced midsole with a stiffness index of 8 as well as a single BOA L6C dial. The shoes retain the distinctive warp-around design of the other Shimano shoes along with TPU mesh ventilation for breathability. Shimano has designed the shoes to be compatible with 3-bolt cleats like the Shimano SPD-SL or Look KEO with fore and aft position adjustment.

The Shimano SH-RC503 shoes are the most affordable carbon reinforced sole with a BOA dial in Shimano’s lineup.

Retail Price	$190
Rating	Design:   A Closures:  A Comfort:  A Value:  A
Measured Weight (in g)	536 (EUR 44 Wide)
Likes	+ Competitive pricing + Carbon infused midsole provides good stiffness + Secure fit with wrap-around upper and easy to adjust BOA dial
Dislikes	– N/A
Where to Buy (US)	Shimano

UNBOXING

The Shimano SH-RC503 shoes come in a simple cardboard box with Shimano branding printed directly on it. Inside the box you’ll find:

• RC5 shoes
• Safety pamphlet
• BOA tag

Unlike the higher-end S-PHYRE shoes, there are no additional arch attachments as the insole is a one piece design.

FIT & FINISH

Visually, the Shimano RC503 shoes share the same wrap-around upper design that is shared across the shoe line up. It’s a clever design that uses a one piece upper that wraps underneath itself to eliminate pressure points and hold you securely in place instead of a separate tongue piece. As a mid-level shoe, the RC5 has a single BOA dial with three rows of cable routing. The upper material is a synthetic leather combined with TPU mesh for ventilation along the front of the toe box and on the sides. Diagonal cutouts along the upper material help give the shoe a unique look and allow the upper material to stretch. Shimano offers the RC5 in three colors for the men’s variation: white, cyber blue and black. The cyber blue one is the most iconic as it uses Shimano’s blue with darker highlights along the edge while the white and black versions have a more subtle design.

We have the black version which has a semi-gloss finish with a dimpled appearance along the front toe guard. Branding on the shoes is limited to reflective RC5 on the outside and Shimano printed on the top strap. There is also a nice reflective strip on the heel for better nighttime visibility which is important if you choose a color like black. These shoes have a subtle heel guard that extends from the outsole instead of the large heel cup you’ll find on the RC9 shoes. The Shimano RC503 shoes use a single BOA L6C dial placed near the ankle. This is a mid-level BOA dial that offers micro tightening only and requires pulling up on the dial to release all the tension.

Shimano uses their wrap-around design plus three rows of cable routing to help distribute pressure as you tighten the dial and hold feet securely in place. As with other RC shoes, this design works well but makes putting them on a little more difficult. There are nice details like a padded edge at the ankle to avoid any discomfort and additional padding along the heel. One of the big benefits of the RC5 shoes over the RC3 models is the use of a carbon reinforced midsole. This replaces the flexible nylon midsole of the lower-end shoes with a much stiffer design that is rated with a stiffness index of 8 within Shimano’s scale. That’s 2 less than the stiffness index of 10 found on the RC7 model and four less than the maximum stiffness index of 12 for the RC9 models.

There is no exposed carbon fiber on the bottom of the shoe, instead you have a rubber and nylon design with an outer cover that conceals most of the actual outsole. The shoes are designed to work with 3-bolt cleats like Shimano SPD-SL or LOOK Keo and have forward and rearward adjustment along with markings to help align cleats. There is a large front vent which helps with cooling and subtle toe and heel bumpers. Unlike the higher-end models, the heel bumper is not replaceable and seems a bit thin.

Inside the shoe you’ll find a nice wrap-around foam insole with integrated ventilation. It is designed to fit perfectly in the shoe and around the edges of the shoe to eliminate any chafing at any exposed edges. With the insole out of the shoe, you can also see the honey comb-like construction of the midsole which is a carbon and nylon blend that provides stiffness without bulk. There is also a large opening above the bottom vent which allows air to flow through the interior of the shoe.

ON THE ROAD

We were excited to review these RC5 shoes as we’ve already reviewed every other RC shoe in the Shimano RC lineup from the budget RC1 to the impressive S-PHYRE RC9 PWR shoes. The EUR 44 wide shoes we chose fit perfectly with an extra spacious toe box and supportive fit. Despite the mid-level pricing, the RC5 shares a lot of design details with the higher-end RC shoes such as the wrap-around upper and integrated sole. The carbon reinforced sole is a substantial upgrade from the RC1 and RC3 shoes which have a noticeable flex on the bike and even walking. While the RC5 shoes don’t match the stiffness of the RC7 or RC9 shoes they perform well while climbing or sprinting and give you a connected feel with the bike.

If we had to estimate it, we’d say the RC5 shoes feel like they give you about 80% of the performance of the RC7 shoes which is impressive given the $80 price difference between the shoes (i.e. the RC7 retail for $270 currently). The only signs of cost cutting is the single BOA dial which works well but lacks the adjustability of a dual BOA dial setup. It’s a solid option for cyclists looking for performance without the high cost of full carbon cycling shoes. We were also happy with the ventilation of the shoe and felt a nice flow of air through the shoes. It’s not as airy as more open shoes like the Giro Imperial but they have well placed air vents and perforations.

THE VERDICT

Overall, we found the Shimano RC503 to be a well made and compelling option from Shimano. The shoes retain many of the design details of the higher-end Shimano RC shoes while still maintaining an accessible price point. We found the shoes to be comfortable and surprisingly stiff with the carbon reinforced midsole and single BOA dial. It’s a substantial upgrade from the RC1 or RC3 shoes and something we’d recommend for more performance oriented cyclists. It’s also an attractive design with subtle branding and reflective detailing we’re always happy to see. As far as downsides, there really aren’t any we’d highlight as Shimano has found a nice balance between performance and pricing. The RC5 shoes are a great option for cyclists looking for performance road cycling shoes without the high price associated with full carbon cycling shoes.

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.