SHIMANO RC5 SPD-SL Shoes

Product Information

We were really impressed with the retro race shoe blend of laces and carbon sole, especially at the price point that these dhb Dorica road bike shoes come in at.

As with the fastening systems, there are various different types of soles that come on different cycling shoes, and of course the more you pay, the more you get. Overall, these are stylish, supportive and lightweight shoes that combine a stiff sole with all-day comfort. They’re comparatively good value, too, being cheaper than both the Giro Empire SLX and the DMT KRSL. The shoes lose some weight compared to the regular 7s and although they also lose a little bit of stiffness this is not noticeable.

Best cycling shoes in 2023, as rated and reviewed by our expert testers

On test we found the power transfer to be excellent, and on a par with other shoes found at three times the price. The heel cup wasn't as snug as more expensive options, but heel slip wasn't too noticeable when out of the saddle climbing. Carbon soles will be stiffer and increase pedalling efficiency, which is great unless you're expecting to walk in them, when a little more give will prove useful. Likewise, they don't have and sole grip. The Shimano RC7s are very easy to recommend, as they do everything you want for the price and arguably look even better. Slip them on, give them a twiddle and you're free to enjoy anything from an epic to a sprint to a race. Ideal. Verdict You also need to make sure that you have the correct cleat holes in the sole for your intended pedal system; either two or three (or sometimes four for Speedplay cleats). Cycling is a forefoot sport. Whilst the foot itself doesn’t generate any power, all of the watts produced elsewhere pass through your digits. So not only do poorly fitting shoes create pain, they can also limit performance.

Therefore, I’d class the RC7 as a three-season shoe suitable for the UK winter (provided you wear overshoes). Cycling shoes, even pricey ones, often come with fairly basic flat insoles. Since your feet are held in a static position, this can cause discomfort over time. It's worth considering an insole upgrade. Some aftermarket insoles will have an adjustable level of arch support, most will be made of more substantial material than the insoles that come with your shoes and often there will be other extra features like a less flat profile and a midfoot bump to help support your feet better. You can also buy bespoke insoles made to match your feet. The wraparound upper does away with any discernible tongue, and stretches on an elasticated internal strap to accommodate the foot and hold it firmly in position. It’s a moderate fiddle to get into the shoe, but once you’re in the fit is ultimately cosseting (helped greatly by a well padded collar at the heel). The relatively mild conditions will have contributed to that, but most of the water that entered the shoe also flowed out through the vents in the bottom and didn’t slosh about inside for too long. Laces are excellent for distributing pressure evenly for achieving a comfy fit for all day rides. Plus the shoes also benefit from the superb FACT Powerline carbon sole, which is one of the stiffest platforms on the market.Just whether the extreme breathability of these shoes counts as a good or a bad thing will, of course, depend on when and where you are riding. You may not have wide feet. It could be that your foot is collapsing, and therefore splaying. A lot of people think they have wide feet, but given an off-the-shelf corrective insole, the problem goes away because they have the support their foot needs.” The Boa dial is a popular closing mechanism for cycling shoes, alongside the more classic Velcro. David Caudery / Immediate Media I certainly felt experienced zero ‘hot spots’ in testing, after rides of around two hours. Add in the fact that they weigh in at a respectable 248g per shoe (in a Euro size 42), and this all combines to make the Shimano RC5 shoes an admirable attempt at combining comfort with performance. The sole is a pretty thin carbon reinforced nylon. The white finish is a bit of a pain to keep clean.