Are the type of mountain bike rider that favors hours of pedaling on XC trails? Or perhaps you head to the nearest XC race every weekend? No? So assuming you are considering Shimano's prime SPD-compatible shoe for serious use, we would have to guess you are cyclocross or gravel rider? Whatever the reason, the primary objective of the SH-XC9 S-Phyre Mountain Shoe is maximum performance. The S-Phyre concept now graces the top-line road and mountain shoes from Shimano, and while the road and off-road version share many construction features, the XC9 must meet the requirements of offroad cycling, so some special features and technologies have been focused on the outsole, with zero compromise for pedaling power transmission, fit, and comfort.

Are you overly focused on light weight? The XC9 is not the lightest shoe on the market. Shimano never prioritizes the lowest market weight. Now forget that and focus on what is important: fit, comfort, breathability, power transfer, and overall performance. The design of the shoe follows Shimano's system integration principles, meaning every component is designed with and for the rest in service of the whole. Start with the ultra-stiff, lightweight Dynalast carbon fiber sole, which was redesigned for optimal foot support, with a refined toe lift position (called toe-spring) that increases leveraged power with less strain forward of the metatarsal zone. Shimano was able to develop a new seamless mid-sole construction process that eliminated the board last, which reduced weight and lowered the overall stack height of the sole, while hitting the highest point ever for a mountain shoe on Shimano's 12 scale stiffness measure, coming out at 11/12. With a definitive graphic cleat set-up system, and reinforced construction for available longer (18mm) front spikes, the XC9 is user friendly and can easily be adapted to the requirements of soft, wet or muddy terrain.

With S-Phyre a one-piece molded external heel cup wraps around and over the carbon sole and up the back of the shoe. This system cradles the back of the heel, locking it in place, eliminating side to side twisting and rolling instability, while in conjunction with the upper and gripping fabric inside maximize power transfer throughout the whole of the pedal stroke, whether powering down, or pulling up while accelerating or attacking on an incline. For the over-wrapping outer sole Shimano turned to Michelin for a proprietary rubber that is used from the main lugs outside the cleat mount, and carry all the way back through th heel lugs. the intermediate midfoot area has a traction imprint and pattern that offers two advantages- grip on hard, uneven terrain when off the bike, or the ability to safely pedal without the fear of slipping off when not clipped in. The front lug that sits before the included low profile resin spikes, is also made with the Michelin rubber. The formula itself is sticky and offers grip, but won't wear out quickly- the perfect combination.

For the XC9 S-Phyre Shimano developed a new single piece upper shape and refined their licensed Teijin Avail synthetic material to be more supple, with better moisture resistance, and larger, more effective dimple vent perforations for both oncoming air infiltration and heat and moisture release. This system combines the outsole-based inflow with the insole and upper. The upper is amazing, and combined with the micro adjustable, dual independent, extended length Boa IP1 dial/wire closures, delivers incredible fit, so much so that Shimano did not build the XC9 with the Custom Fit heat/vacuum system we have come to expect on the high-end shoes. With the Boa design, and the strategically placed asymmetric Powerzone wire anchor locations, there has never been a Shimano mountain shoe that out of the box fits so many people and foot shapes so well. The way the upper's sides are guided together in the Surround (no tongue) method, and coordinated with the heel zone, this is a shoe that doesn't have to feel overly tight for optimal performance and comfort.

"S-PHYRE has one goal: to maximize power transmission by delivering more performance per gram, minimizing aerodynamic drag and refining efficiencies between the bike, footwear and rider." That is Shimano's statement about this design. For us, and to the attention of all gram counters out there, the key phrase is delivering more performance per gram, and that, as well as durability, is ultimately what drives the Shimano engineering process, even at the highest expected performance level. At 330g per shoe (size 42), the XC9 S-Phyre is actually competitively light, but it absolutely maximizes it's performance potential, and means you have the opportunity to do the same. As with all shoes, fit is pre-eminent, but in our experience so far, so other shoes has fit such a broad range of foot shapes and preferences. Anyone who rides offroad who favors pedaling efficiency over flexibility can worship at the altar of the XC9, and can still feel comfortable when dismounted, thanks to incredibly smart design and the proprietary contribution of Michelin to offer grip, protection and durability. Now, who's ready to ride?