Wide feet and performance cycling shoes have never gotten along particularly well. Most riders with broader forefeet end up sizing up to avoid numbness and hot spots, which leaves them with extra length they don't need and a sloppy heel fit that kills power transfer. Shimano's SH-RC703E Wide addresses this with the Dynalast Wide last, which adds approximately 9 to 10mm of circumference around the ball of the foot without changing the sole width or length. The bottom of the shoe stays the same dimension as the standard RC703, so you get full pedaling efficiency and cleat positioning without the compromise of a stretched-out platform.

Everything else carries over from the standard RC703. The hollow carbon midsole hits a stiffness index of 10 out of 12, with drainage ports at the toe and heel that vent air and clear water. The surround-wrapping synthetic leather upper eliminates the traditional tongue design, distributing pressure more evenly across your foot when you cinch the BOA dials. Perforations run from the toe box along the sides of the shoe for ventilation, and the material wraps down over the carbon sole edges for a cleaner profile and added protection against cleat scrapes.

Dual L6Z BOA dials control the closure system, with the top dial handling the main instep strap and the bottom dial running through Power Zone lace guides that adjust toe box tension independently. The dials micro-tighten in 1mm increments but only release fully when pulled up, so you'll need to pull and re-tighten if you overshoot your ideal tension. The extra volume in the wide last gives the BOA system more room to work with, letting you dial in a secure fit without the pressure points that come from cranking down on a shoe that's fundamentally too narrow for your foot.... Read More