Shimano SH-XC7L Wide – testing cycling shoes for wide feet
14/12/2023
Translation: Eva Francis
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
If you want gravel biking to be fun, everything has to be right – from the right position on the bike to the right clothing and shoes. So far, my wide forefeet always gave me a hard time. Shimano’s SH-XC7L Wide cycling shoes have solved this problem.
No more pain on cycling trips – finally! Since I switched from jogging to gravel biking three years ago, I’ve always felt pain somewhere. Sometimes in my back, other times in my neck. In addition, my left hand and right foot regularly went numb on the bike.
Last summer, I had enough. The solution? Adjusting my position on the bike to my physique and riding style. Thanks to the professional bike fitting at Crossklinik in Basel, all symptoms have disappeared – except for one.
Numb feet won’t take me anywhere – I need new cycling shoes
The numbness in my right foot didn’t go away. Cycling shoes are often equipped with a lightweight, usually very stiff carbon fibre composite sole. Why? The harder the sole, the better the power transfer. The bike fitter at Crossklinik had already pointed out to me during my visit in the summer that the problem with my feet probably had to do with my shoes or insoles. Indeed, my feet are slightly too wide for the Shimano shoes I wear. When cycling, the right side of my sole, just beneath the little toe, presses against the edge of the carbon plate. This is likely what’s been causing the numbness.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
The bike fitter recommended using insoles by Specialized or, as a last resort, getting new shoes. I never tried insoles, but got new shoes – Shimano’s SH-XC7L for wide feet.
Shimano SH-XC7L Wide: wide and stiff
The carbon sole of these shoes is slightly softer than in my previous ones – level nine vs. level ten. That’s still very rigid. Manufacturers all have their own stiffness scale, which makes it difficult to compare brands. Shimano’s stiffness levels range from 2 (very soft) to 12 (extremely hard).
Source: Patrick Bardelli
Unlike the SH-RX800 with one Boa dial and one Velcro fastener, the SH-XC7L’s equipped with two Boa fasteners. This means it can be fitted even more precisely, increasing the support for your foot. That’s a significant improvement. In size 42, the SH-XC7L Wide weighs 320 grammes – about 60 grammes more per shoe than the SH-RX800.
More specs
- Area of use: gravel and mountain bike
- Boa L6 dial on the instep for quick and precise fitting to any foot shape
- Integrated seamless midsole and upper shoe construction for good fit, stability and lightness
- Ultread XC rubber outsole with technical racing profile for low weight, good traction, reliable stability and durable pedal grip
- Upper covered with mesh fabric/TPU and synthetic leather for a comfortable fit and low weight
- Enveloping, slightly overlapping upper shoe ensures a snug fit
- Carbon fibre-reinforced nylon midsole and flat midsole that stabilises the foot to ensure the best possible power transfer
- Cleats mounting: for 2-hole cleat sole
Conclusion: problem (almost) solved
I’ve cycled about 170 kilometres with Shimano’s SH-XC7L Wide on my feet. The numbness in my right front foot has disappeared. However, I can feel the pressure of the pedal through the sole of the right shoe. As this is only the case on the right side, the shoes don’t seem to be the problem.
Might it have something to do with my cycling style? After all, every time I’ve had a sports medicine examination, the result’s been that I have a severe imbalance between my right and left leg. This suggests I’m putting more pressure on the right pedal than on the left. This would explain why only my right foot goes numb.
By the way, the bike fitting expert at Crossklinik mentioned there’ll soon be a new system to measure the pressure distribution in cycling shoes. Just like today’s saddle pressure mapping. I’ll keep that in mind.
But back to the shoes. The SH-XC7L Wide by Shimano is a much better choice for me than the previous SH-RX800 model. Why? Because of the two Boa fasteners and because the shoes are wider, offering my forefoot more space. Looks like all I need to do is learn to live a more balanced life (on the bike).
Check out all Shimano cycling shoes at Galaxus.
Header image: Patrick Bardelli
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
