Shimano EX7 Gore-Tex Shoes

The Shimano EX7 Gore-Tex Shoes are designed to hit that sweet spot between comfort and performance when on bike adventures. They’ve really impressed me: the soles feel stiff enough for confident pedalling but are still grippy and comfortable when you’re off the bike. The added Gore-Tex waterproofing also makes them a solid choice for dealing with the UK’s unpredictable weather.

With touring shoes, I always feel I need two pairs in one: a pair for riding and a pair for walking. Shoes like this aren’t easy to find, but the EX7 Gore-Tex shoes are discreet and functional off the bike yet work brilliantly on it. I’ve loved testing them, even though they aren’t the perfect touring shoe for me.

The EX7 GTX’s come from Shimano’s Explorer Series, a range launched in 2023, focused on providing, “reliable grip, soft walking cushioning and comfortable pedaling at cruising speeds.”

The range starts at the entry level EX3, followed by the EX5, EX7 and, finally, the beefy EX9. I have been using the EX7 GTX primarily for the purpose of touring (on road, trails and towpaths), with just the odd foray into off-road MTB riding thrown in. There’s lots to talk about with these shoes, which shouldn’t be confused with the standard EX7 shoes, which don’t feature the collar and Gore-Tex liner.

Getting the EX7s on isn’t easy. The heel loop is undersized, so is not as useful as it could be – certainly not for gloved hands. The collar inevitably adds resistance too. It’s easier to plant the shoe on the ground and wriggle the foot in, rather than prise it on in mid-air.

Once on, I found them wonderfully comfortable on the bike. I had to tighten the Boa dial a few times at the start of each ride. With one dial controlling three straps, it takes a while for the tension to even out after micro-adjustments. This didn’t bother me. I’m never in a rush when touring. The 20 per cent recycled mesh upper has plenty of give, helping the shoe hug the foot and thick winter socks posed no issues.

By touring and commuting standards, the sole is stiff enough for efficient, comfortable pedalling. For my occasional MTB rides, they felt perfectly adequate, but an experienced mountain biker may want something stiffer. To give an idea, Shimano rates the shoes 5 on their stiffness scale, which, rather unconventionally, goes from 2 to 12. I’d say they are spot on for mixed use.

Off the bike, comfort underfoot is boosted by EVA foam to soften heel impacts and a high-grip ULTREAD EX® rubber outsole.

The wide forefoot increases contact area and stability – and adds to the weight. The 42s I tested weigh over 800g.

They’re grippy enough for rocky hike-a-bike sections. I never lacked traction. The chunky sole could cause crank or chainstay rub though, depending on cleat setup – though I didn’t experience it myself.

For longer walks and hikes without the bike, I found the heel cup of the EX7s on the edge of being too stiff. I developed hot spots on both sides of the heel after about 40 minutes of walking. The EX5s or EX3s might suit my foot shape better for walk-heavy trips, or the EX7s may simply need a slower break-in period, much like a hiking boot.

Shimano claims the, “midfoot SPD placement improves casual-pedalling comfort…” but this is something that didn’t ring true for me. (Bear in mind I’m a seasoned roadie.) I wanted the cleat further forward, but there was no scope for this. Muscle memory had me struggling to clip in with this unfamiliar position, and my knees weren’t thrilled with the rearward cleat position.

If you are immune to niggles that come from changing cleat positions, this shouldn’t be an issue, but I’d personally love to see Shimano extend the position range further forward.

The Gore-Tex membrane and collar worked superbly. My feet stayed dry on rainy rides, and no grit or sand made it into the shoe – an impressive result after a day of muddy towpaths and trails. As a tourer and someone who has commuted in non-waterproof shoes, the EX7 GTXs feel like a genuine luxury.

Despite the waterproof membrane, overheating wasn’t an issue up to about 14°C and possibly beyond – I’ve not had the opportunity to test in warmer conditions. They were warm enough for frosty starts and ideal on days when the temperatures lifted. A cold snap when the mercury didn’t ever rise pushed them to their limit though. Even with thick merino socks, my feet began to chill after an hour of icy MTB riding. They’re waterproof, not insulated, which is something to bear in mind.

Value

With an RRP of £199, these aren’t cheap. Having said that, you can pay more for something that’s directly comparable. For example, Fizik’s Terra Nanuq GTX shoes are £279.99

Cheaper options include Endura’s £85 MT500 Burner Clipless Waterproof Shoes.

I feel like the EX7 GTXs are really well made and their versatility justifies the investment.

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Overall, I would recommend these if you are looking for a quality, multi-purpose shoe that offers extra protection when the weather turns. Just be sure you are happy with the mid-foot cleat positioning and don’t intend to walk for prolonged periods in them.