Shimano SH-RP9 Cycling Shoe - Men's for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

6.8
out of 10
3 Positive, 1 Mixed & 1 Negative
from 5 Reviews
Retail Price:
$199.95
Used Value:
$119.97
Sale Value:
$179.96

It's with a not-so heavy heart that you have to part with your classic cycling shoes. Though they've carried you through the miles of building your foundation on the bike, the soft flex and blown out stitching aren't things you'll miss, though, as you reach toward a new pair of shoes to get you through the miles that lie ahead of you. Choose support, stiffness, and lightweight construction you can count on as you progress further down the road with the Shimano SH-RP9 Cycling Shoe for men, whose lightweight carbon soles and ventilated uppers empower your drive to ascend treacherous alpine roads as much as casual seaside byways.

The RP9 is Shimano's classic flagship model, covering the spot of a mid-pro-tier shoe that's race-ready but also happy to spend weekends on the scenic path rolling through vineyards and towering Cyprus trees. This year the shoe received a major face lift, cleaning up bulky hook-and-loop straps and buckles in favor of a minimalist and elegant aesthetic. Sleek synthetic leather with perforations wrap your foot snugly, allowing airflow while supporting your foot with a firm hug. One hook-and-loop strap remains over the forefoot and toe, but the previously used extra strap and buckle are replaced by a Boa system that works to cinch your foot in to the perfect micro adjustment for your own personal needs.

The carbon sole of the redesigned SH-RP9 receives a rating of 11 out of 12 on Shimano's stiffness scale, offering rigidity that lends to maximum power output from every pedal stroke. A shaped heel cup on the outside of the shoe holds you in securely, minimizing potential heel slip when you're hammering up intense sections of your local climbs. Underfoot you'll be supported by a heat-moldable EVA foam insole and two levels of arch support so you can dial in a fit that corresponds to your foot shape.

Specifications

Brand:
Cleat Compatibility:
3-bolt road
Closure:
Boa, hook-and-loop strap
Manufacturer Warranty:
2 years
Recommended Use:
road cycling
Sole:
carbon fiber
Upper Material:
microfiber synthetic leather

Full Reviews

10
I love these shoes, primarily because they fit my foot perfectly. I have a narrow heel and wide toes and find nearly every road shoe to be too narrow in the toes, or if I get a wide fit, too wide in the heel. As others have mentioned I would not imagine these would work as well for someone with a narrow foot. Otherwise the shoes are light and incredibly stiff, yet comfortable, even from the first time wearing them. For reference I got these in a 43 and they fit perfect. I wear a US 9 in Five Ten, and a US 9.5 in Nike and New Balance
John, backcountry.com
December 15, 2020
8
The addition of a carbon insole helped the comfort level for me. Ive done a few centuries and 4+ day riding trips in these with pretty much zero pain and once I found my sweat spot for tightness almost zero numbness on long rides except The ONLY issue I have is my big toe really jams into the top corner on certain climbs.
William Bater, backcountry.com
November 5, 2020
10
I've been wearing these shoes for every road ride I've done for the past 22 months. I've had no problems with fit whatsoever, I have normal width (D/M) feet and a moderate arch. I wear 11.5 U.S. size running shoes. I have found them to be comfortable, light weight with good ventilation. It's actually been in a crash during a downhill descent where the side of the shoe had been through road rash. Some of the upper material and carbon sole are rashed but the shoe is still in functional condition and has held up very well.
Chik Takahashi, backcountry.com
September 14, 2019
2
These shoes have an air vent on the bottom. Furthermore, the padded insole has small holes directly inline with the air vent. The problem I have with the shoes is that over time . . . such as on a ride that is more than 40 miles . . . my middle toe begins to extrude through the vent hole causing a great deal of pain. My big toes are also numb after riding with these shoes.
bjt105989389-0, backcountry.com
November 23, 2018
4
I actually purchased these with the cheaper model RP7. The RP9 is supposedly stiffer than the RP7, but in my hands they felt equally stiff. The outsole looked identical as far as I could see, surprising considering the price gap of almost $100. The upper is marginally thicker, but really only a little. The BOA dial is a major improvement over the ratchets used in Shimano's older shoes. However, the fit of the upper leaves much to be desired. There's a lot of wiggle room in the midfoot, unless one really cranks on the dial. There's a bit of cushioning in the tongue, which creates hotspots on the top of the foot. For more aggressive styles of riding, this would not be acceptable, not for the money anyways. Cranking on the RP7 equally hard doesn't create the same creases in the tongue that leads to hotspots. I ended up keeping the RP7's, sad since I preferred the navy color on the RP9. Definitely look into the RP7's if your feet are on the slimmer side, much better value...
David L., backcountry.com
December 5, 2017