Shimano’s RC7 shoes have been a popular option for cyclists looking for high-performance cycling shoes at a relatively affordable price point. The new RC703 shoes are the latest iteration of the RC7 shoes and features improved fit and breathability. Shimano has incorporated many of the unique design features of the S-PHYRE RC9 shoes in the RC7 without inheriting the S-PHYRE’s price tag. That means the RC703 shoes retail for an affordable $250 with available women’s and wide fit options available. The RC7 shoes have a dual BOA L6Z dial fit system and a wrap-around upper design for stability and comfort. Shimano has incorporated a power zone lace guide system as well as low stack height to optimize power transfer.
The Shimano RC703 carbon cycling shoes offer S-PHYRE level stiffness and stability at an affordable price point.
| Retail Price | $250 |
| Rating | Design: A Closures: A Comfort: A Value: A |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 535 (EUR 44) |
| Likes | + Affordable price while retaining S-PHYRE like features + Stiff and stable on short or long rides + Dual BOA fit system with wraparound upper design |
| Dislikes | – BOA L6Z dials lack micro-loosening |
| Where to Buy (US) | Shimano |
UNBOXING
The Shimano RC703 shoes are shipped in a simple cardboard shoe box with blue Shimano logos printed directly on it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- RC7 shoes
- Information pamphlets
Shimano does not include a carrying bag with the shoes like they do with the RC9 shoes which isn’t a surprise at this price point.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Shimano RC7 shoes have always mimicked the S-PHYRE RC9 design with a surround wrapping synthetic leather upper and dual BOA Fit system. Where the Shimano S-PHYRE shoes have flashy color shifting finishes, the RC7 have solid color schemes and a more traditional heel cup. Shimano currently offers the RC703 shoes in three colors: white, black and sage green which we have in this review. It’s a great looking color option that uses three shades of dark green with a subtle geometric overlay that goes from dark to light to darker in the rear. The finish is also semi-glossy which give the shoes an almost metallic appearance in the sunlight. There are black diagonal lines along the rear portion of the shoes which add some additional detailing and a reflective strip along the back seam. Branding on the RC7 shoes is limited to RC7 on the side and Shimano printed on the top strap.
Ventilation on the RC703 shoes has been improved compared to the RC702 with the variable sized perforations along the toe box which extend nearly half way down the sides of the shoes. One of the main reasons the RC7 can achieve a mid-range price is that Shimano has utilized dual BOA L6Z dials. These are one of the newest variations of the BOA L6 dials and have a sleek flat design that mimics the top-of-the-line Li2 dials. There is a non-slip rubber coating along the sides of the dials which make it easy to grip the dials. While they look very similar to the Li2 dials, the L6Z dials only have micro tightening and have to be pulled up to release the tension. It’s a minor inconvenience compared to the micro loosening feature of the Li2 dials but common at this price point.
The RC703 shoes also use an updated BOA Fit System and utilize Power Zone Lace Guides with updated routing. The top dial still controls the main strap while the bottom strap has a three row lace routing to adjust the toe box fit. It is an interesting design and features reinforcements on the upper material to ensure there is even pressure as the dials are tightened. As with the S-PHYRE shoes, these should have a surround design which wraps around your feet for a secure and stable fit. As a race-ready cycling shoe, the RC703 has a full carbon outsole with a claimed stiffness index of 10 out of 12 on Shimano’s scale. Most of the carbon sole is concealed under rubber coating and a glossy border around the cleat mounting region.
The RC7 shoes are designed to work with 3-bolt cleat setups like Shimano SPD-SL or LOOK Keo and feature fore-aft adjustment to fine tune the cleat placement. Shimano has also printed helpful white graphics and lines along the edges of the cleat locations to help position the cleat. The red plastic inserts on the front bolt can be removed or re-arranged to accommodate different cleat locations and help eliminate any rattling. There are also vents on the front and heel bumper that help funnel air through the shoe for additional cooling. The vents match up to an inner plastic channel inside the shoes that help air circulate inside the shoes. Unlike the S-PHYRE shoes which have removable arch pads, the RC7 uses a more traditional one piece design. That means riders with tall arches may want to swap in their own custom insoles for additional support.
ON THE ROAD
While the RC7 shoes aren’t as flashy as the S-PHYRE RC9 shoes, the fit and feel is very similar. Our EUR 44 shoes fit nearly identically to the S-PHYRE shoes and have a nice roomy toe box that fit our wide feet almost as well as the RC9 EUR 44 wide variation. The shared wraparound design results in excellent stability while riding, but makes it difficult to put the shoe on and take them off. It’s a minor but noticeable downside to the design compared to the “slide and ride” design of the Bont Cycling Riot 24 or other shoes with traditional tongue designs. On the road, the RC7 shoes shine with a stiff carbon sole and comfortable upper material. It’s one of our favorite shoes that feels at home sprinting, climbing or just cruising around. The integrated ventilation also works great to keep feet cool in warmer weather with well placed vents.
The dual BOA dial fit system also offers easy adjustability as the toe box and ankle can be adjusted separately. We missed the micro-loosening feature of the more expensive BOA Li2 dials, something we’ve only seen on the Trek Velocis shoes at a mid-range price point, as the BOA L6Z dials only have micro-tightening. Otherwise, the shoes have a comfortable fit with no pressure points or hot spots. We suspect most cyclists will be more than content with the RC7 shoes performance as they offer 90% of the performance of the S-PHYRE shoes at almost half the price.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Shimano RC703 shoes offer an excellent combination of stiffness and affordability. The RC7 shoes inherit many of the design features of the S-PHYRE RC9 which includes a wraparound upper material, dual BOA dial fit system and stiff heel cup. While the RC7 shoes don’t have the flashy iridescent finish of the S-PHYRE shoes, the RC7 shoes have attractive color options and a reflective rear strap for additional visibility. We were impressed with the stiffness of comfort of the RC7 shoes. The only downside of the RC7 shoes is that the BOA L6Z dials lack micro loosening of higher-end Li2 dials. That said, the Shimano RC7 shoes offer the performance and fit of Shimano S-PHYRE shoes without the high price tag.
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.