Great XC Race Shoe at a Staggering Price

One of the things that helped make the Shimano ME7 our favorite all around shoe in addition to our top enduro shoe was its versatility. The Shimano S-Phyre XC9 lies at the extreme opposite end of the spectrum. With a price tag of $400, less than top-notch durability, and an ultra-stiff sole, the S-Phyre XC9 is absolutely not for everyone. However, for hardcore cross country racers willing to pay for fractional gains that could be the difference between the top of the podium and the middle of the pack, the XC9 delivers the goods.

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Rigidity and Power Transfer

The Shimano S-Phyre XC9 has top-notch rigidity and power transfer, delivered by a stiff carbon sole. The carbon sole has virtually no flex in it whatsoever, on or off of the bike. This makes it a poor choice for hike-a-bikes, but a great one for minimizing wasted power output that can add up over the course of an hours long cross country race.

Additionally, the XC9 includes a nylon heel cup, which extends to the arch of the shoe. The heel cup works in tandem with the XC9‘s dual Boa closure system to fit your foot like a second skin, meaning that it also maximizes power transfer when pulling up during climbs.

In short, the Shimano S-Phyre XC9 delivers the uncompromising rigidity and power output that we would expect from a dedicated, high-end XC race shoe. Its power transfer is only matched by the Giro Empire VR90.

Traction and “Hike-a-Bike-Ability”

A shoe’s performance off of the bike typically has an inverse relationship with its ability to maximize power transfer on the bike, and that is certainly the case with the Shimano S-Phyre XC9. The ultra-stiff carbon sole and no wiggle room fit of the XC9 makes for a shoe that is just as uncompromisingly stiff off of the bike as it is on the bike. If frequent hike-a-bikes, or any type of off the bike use, is important to you then you would be better served by looking toward the Shimano XC7 or ME7, both of which provide better off the bike performance.

On the plus side, Shimano’s recent partnership with Michelin has been a boon for shoes across their lineup, and the Michelin made rubber outsole of the XC9 does provide a fairly sticky grip. However, the XC9’s tread is decidedly minimalist, so there will not be too much of it contacting the ground at any one time.

Comfort and Fit

The Shimano S-Phyre XC9 is a comfortable shoe for what it is. Well ventilated, rubberized one-piece synthetic uppers wrap your foot like a glove, thanks to a nylon heel cup and the X9’s dual Boa closure system. For those who have never used Boa closures, they provide unmatched ease of adjustment and a tight fit. However, that fit is not quite as consistent nor customizable as the traditional laces found on the Giro Empire VR90.

The XC9 also comes with two different insoles, one of which is stiffer and thicker than the other. This helps riders to further dial in the fit and feel of the XC9.

As for fit, the XC9 is about average, and definitely more narrow than Shimano’s all mountain offerings. This makes sense for a shoe that prioritizes a glove like fit. However, the Shimano S-Phyre XC9 is also available in a wide variant, so XC racers with higher volume feet will not be left out in the cold.

Durability

The Durability of the XC9 is something of a mixed bag. This is not terribly surprising given that the S-Phyre XC9 prioritizes stiffness and lightweight at the expense of just about everything else.

The upper of the XC9 is softer than that of the XC7, and it will begin to show after many miles of abuse. The Michelin soles hold up quite well to abuse, but the X9’s exposed carbon areas on the sole hold up decidedly less well.

Finally, the dual Boa closure system adds a number of moving parts to the XC9 not found on other shoes. The Boa system can fail after taking a big impact or after improper use. However, unlike some ratchet systems found on clipless mountain bike shoes, the Boa closures are easily replaced.

Weight

Contrary to Shimano’s claims, we found that the S-Phyre XC9 is actually slightly heavier than the cheaper XC7, with the XC9 weighing 390g in a size 45 and the XC7 weighing only 365g in that same size. Meanwhile, neither can match the lace-up weight-savings of the Giro Empire VR90. Still, the Shimano S-Phyre XC9 is an extremely light XC oriented race shoe by any standard.

The Bottom Line

The Shimano S-Phyre XC9 is a one trick pony, but it does its one trick extremely well. It is ultra stiff and ultralightweight, and for XC racers looking for a clipless mountain bike shoe to give them every advantage possible, the premium $400 price tag might be justified.

However, durability concerns and lack of walkability off the bike make us recommend saving the XC9 for races and serious training rides unless you want to frequently replace a $400 shoe.

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