Shimano RP9 road shoes

Built for general road riding and endurance events, the new Shimano RP range is a little different from Shimano’s other road shoes – or most road shoes in general.

Previously, if you wanted a high-end shoe, it was assumed you wanted a race shoe. It seems those days may soon be a thing of the past, with Shimano recognising the mass majority of riders that appreciate high performance product, but have no intention of racing against the clock.

For this, Shimano’s new RP (Road Performance) range places greater emphasis on comfort for the long haul. Put simply, the fit and feel is more relaxed, but with plenty of high-end features, a stiff platform and lower weight. It’s worth noting that Shimano is not alone in this space, with Specialized also recently making an entrance into premium, endurance focused road shoes with its Audax model.