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review

Shimano R315 shoes

8
£269.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Comfortable custom-fit race shoes with a supple upper and a rigid carbon sole
Weight: 
632g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk

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Shimano's new top-end R315 road shoes come with a super-rigid carbon sole and feature Custom-Fit technology that ensures they're big on comfort.

The R315 takes over from the R310 as Shimano's flagship model, but unlike its predecessor it gets an upper that's made from Rovenica. This is an ultra-fine synthetic material - very supple stuff. It's strong and doesn't stretch to any noticeable degree, but it's very thin.

The straps are made of the same material, the two lower ones being simple hook and loop (Velcro-esque) fastenings with the broader upper strap using a clicky buckle. Shimano reckon that the low profile buckle design results in less drag than usual but, come on, it's not going to be a deal breaker, is it? More significant, all the straps are easy to adjust on the fly and you can replace that top one if you whack it in a crash.

You get lots of ventilation here including two cutaways in the sole and mesh above the toes, so sweaty vapour can escape easily enough to keep your toes all fresh and lovely. You might have trouble keeping your feet warm in these during the off-season due to all that air conditioning, but they're designed as race shoes - you can't have everything.

The sole is unidirectional carbon fibre in what Shimano call their Hollow Channel design. Essentially, that means it has a scooped out section to keep the weight down. It's absolutely solid despite its lack of weight; there's no flex whatsoever. Unlike some, the reinforced areas at the heel and toe are non-replaceable, but there's sufficient material here that you'll never wear through it as you waddle to and from your bike.

The carbon extends slightly around the sides at the heel to provide extra support and the heel cup itself holds your foot firmly in place. Shimano use a metal fibre in the heel lining too that stops your foot from lifting. It feels weird to the touch but it does work.

The soles are drilled for three-bolt cleats, by the way, which means they're compatible with Shimano's SPD-SL, Look Keo, Time road, Mavic...

As I said, the shoes feature shimano's Custom-Fit technology? Both the upper and the insole are mouldable. When you buy the shoes from one of the Custom-Fit stores //http://www.madison.co.uk/customfit///, the guys in the shop will heat them up and mould them to your feet. The uppers are moulded with the pressure of a vacuum bag - you bung your foot in there, the air is sucked out, and the shoe shapes around it. Once it cools down it stays that shape to provide a snug fit.

Shimano reckon the closer fit improves power transfer. Does it, though, if you have a decent fit to start with and your feet aren't moving around all over the place? Maybe, but if it does, it's marginal. It can make a difference to your comfort, though, by evening out pressure.

Speaking of comfort, these have felt great over the past few weeks. Stable, supportive and supple, they've been excellent for both quick blasts and all-dayers. It's worth bearing in mind, though, that these are quite wide across the toe box. That's great if you have a broad forefoot. If not, doing the Custom-Fit thing can draw them in a bit, as can tightening the lower closure strap... but only so much. If you're narrow across the toes, the R315 isn't the best choice for you.

Ah, the weight; I've not told you that yet. These are size 46s and they come in at 632g the pair (without cleats). That's pretty light, especially for something with a ratchet buckle. You can find lighter, but these are far from heavy.

Verdict

Comfortable custom-fit race shoes with a supple upper and a rigid carbon sole

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Shimano R315 shoes

Size tested: 46

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Shimano say, "No compromise pro racing shoe, with super stiff carbon sole and Custom-Fit technology".

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Both the upper and the insole are mouldable using Shimano's Custom Fit technology.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

They're well made. There's a bit of adhesive visible in a couple of areas which I found a little surprising on shoes this expensive, but that's just an appearance thing. The materials are excellent.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Mega stiff sole, super-comfy and easy to adjust. Can't argue with any of that.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

They look pretty good so far. Although pared down, the materials seem set to last.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

Not the lightest - but certainly towards that end of the spectrum.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

The mouldable upper and insole means you can get a really good fit.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

£270 on a pair of shoes is plainly a hell of a lot of cash. There's a lot of technology contained in these but they're still pricey.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Really well. Super-stiff, very comfy... that's exactly what you want

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The stiffness of the sole.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing stands out.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? They'd comfortably be on the short list.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? As above

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 190cm  Weight: 74kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding,

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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