The Gear: Shimano XC5 Shoes
Posted By Gravel Union
On the 2nd March 2019
Release Date:
Available Now
Brand:
Shimano
Website Link:
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/apparel-accessories/shimano-series-lsg-2019/SH-XC500.html
Real World Review:
Cyril Chermin is presently bike-packing around the backroads of New Zealand. He is a few weeks into his three-month trip and has been putting Shimano’s XC5 shoes to the test on his bike, around campsites, and in towns.
Bike shoes make a huge difference to your comfort and the efficiency of your pedalling when you are cycling. On the road, you want them to be stiff, tight and light, but offroad or when you are riding over different surfaces you need something a little different—especially when you’re a long way from home and travelling for a longer time. That’s why my three-month trip through New Zealand seemed to be a good opportunity to try out Shimano’s XC5 SPD cycling shoes.
They don’t quite fit into any existing category. They are SPD shoes with laces and soles that are quite flexible. So they’re not MTB shoes, and they’re not cyclocross shoes, and they’re definitely not road shoes. What are they then? They are a pretty smart pair of gravel/travel shoes with a few important features.
First up: looks. One great thing about them is the fact that they don’t look like cycling shoes. They have no BOA dials or velcro straps that scream, ‘I am a cyclist’ from a mile away. When I am out exploring a city, I really appreciate that. Their overall look is quite understated (for cycling shoes). The uppers are either black or grey and are not adorned with big logos. Overall, the XC5s look very civilised. The laces come in bright orange or grey, so you can decide how much attention you want your shoes to attract.
The laces are actually the smartest parts of the shoes. Besides making them look pretty normal, they also ensure that the shoes fit snugly in a simple way. You don’t want a finicky closure when you’re bombing down some remote gravel trail. Laces just work and are easily replaceable. On a long trip, that means you have one less thing to worry about. And because of the little straps Shimano has added next to the normal holes for the laces, the shoes fit really comfortably.
The material that the shoes are made out of is also really nice. It is easy to clean, quite breathable and offers that stealth look. I would guess these shoes are good for at least three seasons of cycling. My feet have never been too hot or too cold. In the rain, I put on some shoe covers to stay dry for a little longer. One thing that makes these shoes so suitable for bikepacking/touring is the fact that they have large reflective panels on the heels. Because your feet are always in motion, they are likely to be seen a lot quicker than the rest of your body in the dark if they have reflectors.
Last but not least: the soles. Apparently they are made by French tyre giant Michelin. I reckon they know a thing or two about rubber and grip, and my XC5s have more than enough grip, even on wet surfaces. I have walked trails, wet metal steps in a wet cave, and plenty of city surfaces, and I have never slipped. What I also like is the ‘feel’ of the whole sole. It’s comfortable and efficient at the same time. When pedalling, you never have any of the discomfort that full carbon soles often cause, though the XC5s do have pieces of carbon around the SPD cleat area of each shoe, which is exactly where you want them. For me, that means they offer the perfect compromise for the kind of riding that I am doing.
After a few hundred kilometres of riding on very different kinds of surfaces, I can say I really like the XC5s. They inconspicuous when you want them to be and safe, comfortable and efficient when you need them to be. Those are all very good boxes to tick when you’re carrying just one pair of shoes for your whole trip, as I am. If you’re planning your own gravel-travel trip, these might be the perfect pair for you too.