Shimano S-Phyre RC9 shoe review

We take a closer look at one of the most popular shoes in the WorldTour peloton - the Shimano S-Phyre RC9

Shimano S-Phyre RC9 shoe
(Image: © Josh Croxton)

Cyclingnews Verdict

Shimano's RC9 shoes have proven instantly comfortable, offering great power transfer and an easy-to-keep clean aesthetic - it's no surprise they're so well revered in the WorldTour

Pros

  • +

    Adjustable arch support

  • +

    Huge cleat position adjustability and guidelines

  • +

    Weight: 282g (EU46)

Cons

  • -

    That white outsole isn't staying white

  • -

    Cleat fitment can be a fiddly affair

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Step into the paddocks of a WorldTour road race and look at the feet of the riders, and chances are you'll see some Shimano S-Phyre RC9 shoes. The S-Phyre RC9 shoes are Shimano's range-topping road offering, and are well-revered by pro and amateur riders the world over. They're one of the most clicked-on models in our guide to the best cycling shoes, and they're worn by Mathieu van der Poel, Michael Matthews, and the entire Jumbo Visma team. 

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Josh Croxton
Associate Editor (Tech)

Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton.

Josh has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews. On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years.

He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. 

These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.