Shimano XC90 Shoe Review
Durability
The XC90’s clean up remarkably easily with a sponge and water, rather like a pair of Wellington boots. Rovenica seems to shed dirt and water better than most other shoe uppers, which are typically filled with voids and pockets that absorb water. Also Rovenica consistently returns to its original shape and size after being soaked and stretched.
Straps are offset for added comfort
The nylon running studs are quite soft, but can easily be replaced, and the shoes come with optional metal studs. The polyurethane heel tread has a groove design that clears mud quickly; it is however very soft and quick wearing, so I would like to have seen an option the make them replaceable.
Running Performance
The sole design is less aggressive than most mountain bike shoes, as might reasonably be expected for a race-specific XC shoe, but the grip of the three low-profile replaceable running studs on mud and loose surfaces is still really very good. This seems to be due to the fact that the smallish studs and heel treads have an excellent mud shedding design.
The slight downside to the running performance is the stiffness of the sole, meaning that there is very little range of foot flexion at the toes. This is only really noticeable when walking on a hard surface (i.e. heel-striking) which involves significant dorsiflexion of the foot. In the more common situation of a cyclocross type run-up, the stiff sole seems to actually assist the foot in plantar flexion.
Pedalling Performance
This is really where the XC90’s shine, being as close as you can currently get to road shoe levels of performance, whilst still being able to run through mud. The stiffness rating of 11 make this the second most rigid Shimano sole, after the R320 road shoe.
XC90’s sole offers increased stiffness and yet is thinner than the previous model
The toe box wraps up at the front and offers some foot protection, mid-foot under sole is covered with a transparent non-slip bumpy-surfaced polyurethane moulding. This is designed to prevent foot slips when you flat foot the pedal during fast re-mounts, and the previously mentioned, anti-slip heal-cup lining of one-way-grip fabric provides optimum heel stabilisation.
Value for Money?
Value for money is really the most subjective measure here, you can of course buy some perfectly acceptable mountain bike shoes for about a third of the price of the Shimano SH-XC90’s but, as can been seen from the number of top-level cyclocross and cross-country mountain bikers racing in these shoes week-in and week-out, there really is no better option than this.
Well at least until they bring out a pair in orange…
For the technical details see my Preview article
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- XC90 is predominantly black from overhead, though an all blue version is available
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- Straps are offset for added comfort
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- XC90’s sole offers increased stiffness and yet is thinner than the previous model
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- The carbon on the mid-sole is covered with a transparent, non-slip, bumpy-surfaced polyurethane moulding
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- Lightweight, good looking and plenty of pro-cross riders using them to good effect
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- Arch supports simply slide in and out
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- XC90 insole has a tuneable high, mid or low arch
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- The Shimano XC90 Cross Shoe is also available in black/blue
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- Shimano XC90’s heat mouldable insole
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- Shimano XC90’s heat mouldable insole and arch supports
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- Shimano XC90’s very smooth overall design catches the light nicely
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- Shimano XC90 shoes
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- Shimano’s heat mouldable custom-fit technology
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- The cleat area of the Shimano XC90’s sole is beautiful naked carbon-composite weave.
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