Shimano’s S-PHYRE lineup of shoes are well known for their top-of-the-line technology and high performance design. The new S-PHYRE RX910 shoes are the latest S-PHYRE product that blends features from the Shimano RC9 road cycling shoes and the S-PHYRE XC9 cross-country together. The shoes are specifically for the challenges of gravel racing which require road-level power transfer for efficiency and off-road traction off the bike. Retail price for the RX910 shoes is the same $480 as the S-PHYRE RC9 and XC9 shoes along with the same BOA Fit System with dual BOA Li2 Dials. For extra traction the RX910 shoes add TPU lugged outsole with Shimano’s new SPD Cleat Pontoon system. Two rubber pads move with the SPD cleats to increase the contact area with pedals and improve pedaling stability.
The Shimano S-PHYRE RX910 gravel shoes combine the stiff and high performance features of the RC9 with a more rugged upper and outsole.
| Retail Price | $480 |
| Rating | Design: A Closures: A Comfort: A Value: A– |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 638 (EUR 44) |
| Likes | + Dual BOA Li2 dials make it easy to adjust fit on the fly + Durable upper finish and good traction for walking + SPD Pontoon system improves stability and feel closer to SPD-SL road cleats |
| Dislikes | – Premium price point as with all of the S-PHYRE shoes – SPD Pontoons make clipping in slightly more difficult |
| Where to Buy (US) | Shimano |
UNBOXING
The Shimano S-PHYRE RX910 shoes come in a simple cardboard box with S-PHYRE branding printed directly on it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- RX910 shoes w/ medium arch insole attachment
- High arch insole attachment
- Safety pamphlet
- BOA tag
The shoes share the same Velcro arch attachments as other S-PHYRE shoes which lets you customize the fit.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Shimano S-PHYRE RX910 blends the wrap-around upper design from the S-PHYRE RC9 road shoes with the rugged outsole of the XC9 shoes. The shoes have Shimano’s signature surround upper wrapping construction that wraps the upper material together at the closures and blends into the sole. As gravel racing shoes, Shimano has made these shoes tough enough to handle short walks on rough terrain by adding extra traction on the sole, a more durable textured lower surface treatment and thicker upper material. Shimano currently offers the shoes in four solid color options: black, white, blue, and deep sea.
For this review we have the blue color which has the iconic blue color that Shimano is known for. Unlike the S-PHYRE RC9 road shoes which have iridescent or pearl finish that change colors with the light, the RX9 shoes have more of a glossy finish. The rear heel cup is black on every color except the white shoes with color matched S-PHYRE branding. From the top it would be easy to mistake the shoes for the S-PHYRE RC9 road shoes as they have the same strap design, venting and cable routing.
The closure system on the RX910 uses the same BOA Fit System as the other S-PHYRE shoes with dual BOA Li2 dials. These are BOA’s top dials with a sleek dial and micro tightening and loosening for easy adjustments while riding. The top strap controls the ankle fit with a top strap and a loop on the side. Fit around the toe box is controlled with a three row cable routing and the bottom BOA dial. With Shimano’s surround upper the dials pull both sides of the upper together instead of having a traditional tongue.
For the outsole of the shoes Shimano has used their stiffest carbon fiber which is rated at the maximum stiffness index of 12 out of 12 on Shimano’s stiffness rating system. Unlike the sleek road cycling shoes, these have rubber lugs for walkability off road along with two-bolt SPD compatibility. There are five lugs on the front and an extended heel pad. Shimano has retained the vents on the front and rear of the shoe and actually calls them water drain holes for these shoes, but they double as vents.
One of the notable features of these shoes are what Shimano calls the SPD Cleat Pontoons. This replaces the built-in rubber lugs on the side of SPD attachments that the S-PHYRE XC-903 has with lugs attached to a receiver plate. That allows the so-called pontoons to move with your cleat and improve contact surface area between the pedals and shoes. The retail price on the SPD Cleat Pontoons is $20 which means you can easily replace them if they become damaged or worn out over time. Note, the RX910 does not have removable lugs like the XC903 has which helps slightly reduce the weight.
Inside the shoes you’ll find Shimano’s S-PHYRE insoles which have a thick foam construction with built in vents. LIke the other S-PHYRE shoe variations, there are removable arch attachments which let you switch between low, medium and high arch without the need for custom insoles. It’s a nice touch that lets you get a customized fit without having to purchase fully custom insoles like the Bont Cycling Cobra9 insoles.
ON THE ROAD
While we’ve been lucky enough to review a number of S-PHYRE shoes from the RC9 and RC9 PWR variations, the Shimano RX910 is the first gravel variation we’ve tested. With so many similarities between the shoes, it’s no surprise that the EUR 44 shoe had a similar fit with a roomy toe box and secure fit for our wider feet. Even with the more rugged design, the upper material is still flexible with the wrap-around upper eliminating any pressure points. The dual BOA dial system is also one of the best on the market with micro tightening and loosening for quick adjustments on the trail.
While we always are careful walking with the road S-PHYRE RC9 shoes to avoid scratching them, the RX910’s rugged outsole is actually designed for walking. Even in loose gravel, the shoes provided good traction for walking over obstacles or climbing up hills when we misjudged the steepness. The SPD Pontoon system also moves the pads closer to the cleats compared to standard shoes which pays off with a more secure and stable feel. We felt like the downside of the SPD Pontoons was that clipping in was a bit more difficult as we had to be more careful with the alignment. It’s likely that the closer spacing of the pads on the Pontoons was getting hung up on the cleats with the way we were clipping in. Once we were clipped in the shoes felt nearly as good as SPD-SL road setups even while sprinting and climbing.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Shimano S-PHYRE RX910 gravel racing shoes to be well designed and comfortable shoes. Shimano has taken all the best features of the S-PHYRE RC9 shoes and toughened them up for gravel use and walking. The more rugged exterior retains the same wrap-around upper and integrated outsole which provides a comfortable and stable fit. We appreciated the SPD Pontoon system which helps give the shoes a more road-like fit by increasing the contact with pedals. The outsole also provides nice traction for walking without being overly bulky. As far as negatives, the shoes are expensive like the other S-PHYRE models and we did feel like the SPD Pontoon system required more precision when clipping in. That said, the Shimano S-PHYRE RX910 offers all the technology and performance of S-PHYRE shoes in a more rugged form for gravel riding.
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.