Flagship downhill/enduro SPD shoes with next-level grip and bike control.

Features

• Enduro-optimized Shimano ULTREAD GE® rubber compound and tread pattern deliver reliable pedalling and hiking traction
• TORBAL® 2.0 torsional midsole improves outer edge flexibility for excellent control on aggressive descents and corners
• BOA® Fit System featuring a shielded L6 dial prevents accidental release when colliding with rocks and other trail hazards
• Stiff, carbon-reinforced midsole supports efficient pedalling on liaison and climbing stages
• Updated Pedal Channel has an expanded toe-to-heel design for next-level SPD stability when unclipped
• Spongy, layered EVA foam absorbs impacts and works with TORBAL® 2.0 to enhance bike control
• Midfoot SPD placement improves stability and bike control
• Stretchy neoprene ankle collar offers additional protection from dirt and debris
• Reinforced toe cap for additional toe protection
• Weight: 430g (size 42)
• Stiffness rating: 7

Do cycling shoes run true to size?

When deciding what size cycling shoes to get, go with your normal shoe size, as bike shoes run true to size. However, if you’re normally between sizes, for example sometimes you go with a 9 and sometimes a 9.5, it’s recommended that you size up. “Always size up if you have to decide between two sizes because your foot can swell throughout the day and your foot size changes,” says Jessie Gascon, Shimano’s lifestyle gear product manager. “We recommend trying on shoes and doing shoe fittings in the afternoon for this exact reason.” Even hydration throughout the day can affect the size of your feet. Plus, unless you’re planning on racing, having a little extra room in your shoe won’t affect your riding.

Should cycling shoes fit snug?

While it’s suggested to size up if you’re between sizes, cycling shoes are intended to wrap snuggly around the foot. Similar to how running or walking shoes are created to help you excel at said activities, cycling shoes were also designed with a specific purpose in mind—pedaling. “Cycling shoes are made to be used 99.9 percent of the time solely for pedaling—you’re not out and about walking or running around in them,” explains Gascon. Unlike high impact running, when you pedal, you’re applying pressure to the ball of the foot versus the toe area, so it’s low impact, and it doesn’t cause the foot to move around. “Therefore they are designed to fit very close to the foot, almost like a second sock,” says Gascon.” This helps to minimize foot movement and create more stability.

Shimano has taken over a million impressions of different foot shapes and has a good idea as to where the mass population fall, which has allowed them to build 12 foot-shaped lasts that they use to create their shoes. Most other cycling brands use only three or four lasts for all their shoes.