Shimano hasn't chased gravel racing as aggressively as some brands, but the S-Phyre SH-RX910 changes that with a shoe built specifically around the demands of long, mixed-surface efforts. The centerpiece is Shimano's new Pontoon Cleat System — a pair of modular, replaceable TPU contact blocks that mount around the cleat itself and dramatically enlarge the pedal-to-shoe contact patch. The result is a two-bolt SPD interface that feels closer to a road pedal underfoot, without giving up the mud-shedding, easy-entry benefits that make SPD the default choice for gravel racing.

Underneath, the carbon composite midsole carries a 12/12 stiffness rating — the same index Shimano uses on its RC903 road shoe and two points stiffer than the previous RX801. That stiffness matters more on gravel than people give it credit for. Long tempo sections on chunky roads eat power the same way a road climb does, and a flexier shoe leaks watts you can't afford to lose on a 100-mile race day. Pair the stiffness with a seamless midsole-to-upper construction that lowers stack height, and the RX910 sits closer to the pedal spindle than the outgoing model.

Fit comes from dual low-profile BOA Li2 dials with rubberized grips that let you dial in tension on the fly, plus an anti-twist stabilizer heel cup that keeps the rear of the foot planted during out-of-saddle efforts. Sizes run from 38 to 48 with half sizes between 41.5 and 46.5, and wide options from 40 to 48 — worth noting if you've historically had to size up in Shimano shoes for volume rather than length.... Read More