Positioned just below Shimano's top-level S-Phyre RC9 shoe, the RC7's are a competition-worthy road shoe with an impressively low 255g weight and an even more impressive price tag. With a stiff carbon sole and comfortable upper, these shoes strike a balance between race-day aggression and training utility at a cost that pales in comparison to many similarly spec'd options.

Shimano fashions the RC7s from perforated synthetic leather, chosen for both is lightweight comfort as well as its ability to usher cooling air throughout the shoe. Each shoe fastens with two micro-adjustable BOA L6 dials across the top, with wide anchor points evenly distributing pressure. Underfoot, a stiff carbon fiber composite sole facilitates efficient power transfer with a high stiffness rating of 10/12 on Shimano's scale, which means we don't have to worry about wasted watts or fatiguing sole flex.