Our verdict
RX800 is Shimano’s first cycling shoe made specifically for gravel racing which really knocks it out of the park. It feels a lot like the brand’s high-end road racing shoes but with the added lugs and ruggedness of an MTB shoe. Unbelievably lightweight and fairly stiff, the RX800 can keep you going on the longest off-road adventures.
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight
- Impressive power transfer
- Perfect blend of power transfer and walkability from the Shimano RX800
- Secure foothold
- Easily adjustable BOA
- Tuneable arch support
- Don’t soak up the sweat
- Excellent grip on dry surfaces
- Reasonably-priced
Cons
- Not the most durable treads
- Forget about heel slippage with the RX800
Who should buy the Shimano RX800
With the gravel-oriented RX800, Shimano managed to hit the sweet spot between road and MTB, cross-country, and cyclocross shoes. Based on the extensive feedback from the riders, this shoe is highly recommended if you are after the following:
- a stiff sole with lots of pedaling efficiency for racing on gravel
- a featherweight shoe to help you feel nimble
- a road-like shoe with enough ruggedness to deal with gravel trails, mixed roads, and smooth trails
Who should not buy this bike shoe
If you are planning to do long walks and hike-a-bikes, you would need a more aggressive shoe with thicker lugs. Consider the Giro Sector or the Giro Code Techlace instead.
Fits perfect but check with the size chart
Cycling shoes can be tricky, especially when you are transitioning from the US to EU sizing scheme. Based on most buyers’ feedback, the RX800 runs true to size. You just have to get Top 1% in and check with the brand’s size chart.
The majority of reviewers also find the shoe’s “burrito-wrap upper” conforming to the foot quite nicely. They like how it “cradles the foot,” giving an even pressure across the instep instead of compressing it from all sides. A rider with wider feet appreciated the offset cut on top of the toebox which eliminates the bunching and pinching. Only a few people experienced pressure points coming from the edge of the upper, near the tongue.
The toebox also seems to be giving enough wiggle room for long days in the saddle. As one reviewer shares, it’s not as pointy as his Italian-made bike shoes.
Even those with slightly wide feet describe the fit as snug but not too tight. Meanwhile, wide footers have the option of getting a Wide “for a bit of extra breathing space”.
The only major gripe is that the “clam-shell style” requires extra time to put the shoe on and take it off
Forget about heel slippage with the RX800
The majority of cyclists report that the heel stays planted thanks to the snug and supportive heel cup as well as the padding therein. “Not a whiff of undue movement,” says one of them. This design prevents unwanted heel lift and blistering even “when pedaling hard on the upstroke.”
Two options for arch support!
The IP1 variation of the BOA closure has become a revelation for many as it allows to turn the knob in both directions, as opposed to the traditional BOA. It helps you to fine-tune the fit quickly in 1-mm increments, even on the go.
Perfect blend of power transfer and walkability from the Shimano RX800
With a carbon composite sole and stiffness of 10 out of 12 on the Shimano index, the RX8 is often compared to a road racing shoe. An avid cyclist says that it’s like the S-Phyre RC9 (score 12) but with “just a little bit more give.”
Many reviewers are impressed with the power transfer provided by the shoe, especially given that it’s an MTB hybrid. As one of them puts it, there is “no discernable flex during pedaling, and just enough give to go on walk-a-bout.”
However, it is still not the type of shoe to take on routes with lots of hike-a-biking. “Just enough give to make walking feel a bit less like you have a 2×4 strapped to the bottom,” in the words of a cyclist.
Two options for arch support
A really nice touch, according to the buyers, is the inclusion of interchangeable arch support inserts for the insole. You can choose Medium or High, depending on your needs. One of the bikers shares that he “found the shape of the sole to be very supportive.”
Same brand only
The reviewers are satisfied with the generous toe bumper, which appears to be tough and protective. Some also took note of the wear-resistant upper that’s immune to rubbing and scratches.
On the downside, those who have put the shoe through a good deal of walking report that the treading is noticeably frail compared to MTB shoes. They say that it has chipped, peeled off, and separated from the outsole.
In addition, the exposed pieces of carbon are too vulnerable to scratching and scuffing when you walk a lot on gravel. However, based on the comments, this appears to be a cosmetic issue only. It “reduces the stunning looks out of the box but I can live with it,” says a cyclist.
Perfect blend of power transfer and walkability from the Shimano RX800!
Tipping the scales at 9.3 oz (265 g), the RX800 is nowhere near the bulkiness of the mountain bike shoes (14.2 oz / 403 g on average). In fact, it is even lighter than the average across road shoes (9.7 oz / 276 g)!
Cyclists rave about how unbelievably light the RX800 is:
- “I can't believe how light they are for how robust they look and feel”
- “Perfect blend of power transfer and walkability from the Shimano RX800”
- “Easily adjustable BOA”
Add a product
Opinions split regarding the shoe’s breathability. About half of the riders think that the RX800 offers enough or even plenty of ventilation thanks to the perforations all throughout the upper. They also took note of the anti-microbial insole which contributes to keeping the foot refreshed. Some mentioned that the shoe doesn’t soak up the sweat either.
On the other hand, some riders complain that the shoe gets “a bit toasty” and doesn’t do a “great job of keeping sweat at bay.” They say that some venting is still present but it’s not enough for slow grinding on a summer’s day, hot days in Kansas, or in the Queensland heat. That is because of the one-piece synthetic leather upper and no sole-based ventilation.
But if you look at it from a different perspective, the lack of ventilation actually makes the shoe a bit more weatherproof. Users say that it does a good job “fending off the worst of the mud and water” and that “it would take a hell of a lot of rain to soak your feet.”
Grips the gravel just fine but avoid mud
Rooty and rocky singletrack is not going to be a problem for the Shimano RX800. Of course, the riders agree that the shoe can’t compete with Shimano’s proper MTB shoes when it comes to loose and slick surfaces. The lugs simply aren’t that deep and grippy. “The narrow tread made me feel quite nervous walking,” says one of the reviewers.
a stiff sole with lots of pedaling efficiency for racing on gravel.
RX800 is a steal for the price
All testers are more than happy with the pricing of this Shimano gravel shoe. They call it “very reasonable,” “fair,” and a “great price to value ratio,” compared to similar shoes with features like carbon plate, BOA, adjustable arch support, feather-like weight, etc.
One reviewer claims that he couldn’t tell the difference in the weight and stiffness of the RX8 and the S-Phyre ($400) at the store.
Another cyclist perfectly sums it up by saying: “at $260, it’s really really hard to argue anything against the RX8.” The shoe definitely has the fit and feel of the more expensive shoes.
