S-PHYRE XC903 or RX910 for gravel?

Shimano designs the XC903 for cross-country and cyclocross racing: carbon sole, ULTREAD XC rubber tread and two Li2 dials with a shielded lower dial. The RX910 is its S-PHYRE gravel racing shoe: a stiff TPU outsole with the Pontoon cleat system, a curved sole profile for walking and dual drain holes for wet days. For long gravel days with walking, the RX910; for racing on rough MTB terrain, the XC903.

Do Shimano shoes run small, and what does Wide mean?

Shimano's own advice: cycling shoes are meant to be form-fitting and on the snug side, so if you are between sizes, size up. Measure your foot length standing with your heel against a wall and use the chart in the size guide. Wide sizes keep the same length and sole but add roughly 9–10 mm of circumference around the ball of the foot — the answer if the length is right but the forefoot pinches.

SHIMANO Sphyre SH XC903

Black

€259,00

~~€399,99~~ €259,00

Tax Included
EU Destination Selected (Spain)

+3 units in stock

The essentials

Best for

XC racing
Cyclocross
Fast gravel

SHIMANO Sphyre SH XC903 - Black

Technologies

Specifications

Closure	2 × BOA Li2
Sole	Carbon
Cleat system	SPD
Sizes	EU 38–48 + Wide 41–47

Carbon sole

The sole plate is made of carbon fibre rather than nylon or carbon-reinforced nylon. Carbon is stiffer and lighter, so less of your effort is lost to flex; the brand’s stiffness index is in the spec table.

XC and cyclocross race upper

A lightweight upper tuned for cross-country and cyclocross racing, which Shimano says stays breathable in hard weather and terrain.

Anti-twist heel cup

A heel cup with anti-twist stabilisation that Shimano says holds the foot in its optimal position through hard accelerations and high-tempo cadence.

Dual BOA Li2, shielded lower dial

Two low-profile BOA Li2 dials for precise micro-adjustment; the lower one is a shielded Type F dial protected against accidental release from impacts.

Crossover lacing

A slim, low-profile crossover lacing pattern that secures the forefoot.

ULTREAD XC

Shimano's lightweight rubber outsole for off-road racing, with a technical tread pattern for grip even on slick terrain.

Removable talon-shaped spikes

Metal spikes are included: fit them for traction, leave them out to save weight.

Low-stack carbon midsole

A carbon midsole with a low stack height that keeps the foot stable and close to the pedal for efficient power transfer.

SHIMANO Sphyre SH XC903 - Black

Compare with

	SHIMANO Sphyre SH XC903 - BlackShimano's premier lightweight off-road shoe, designed for world-class cross-country and cyclocross racers.	SHIMANO Sphyre SHRX910 Gravel/MTB Cycling Shoes - White Choose it for gravel racing: Pontoon cleat system, walkable curved sole and drain holes.
Regular price	€259,00	€293,99
Safety rating	—	—
Closure	2 × BOA Li2	BOA
Sole	Carbon	TPU
Cleat system	SPD	SPD + Pontoon
Sizes	EU 38–48 + Wide 41–47	EU 38–48 + Wide 41–45

SHIMANO Sphyre SH XC903 - Black

Size guide

EU	US	Foot length (cm)	Foot length (in)
38	5–5.5	23.8	9.4
38.5	5.5–6	24.2	9.5
39	6	24.5	9.6
39.5	6.5	24.9	9.8
40	7	25.2	9.9
40.5	7.5	25.5	10.0
41	7–7.5	25.8	10.2
41.5	8	26.2	10.3
42	8.5	26.5	10.4
42.5	8.5–9	26.9	10.6
43	9	27.2	10.7
43.5	9.5	27.5	10.8
44	10	27.8	10.9
44.5	10–10.5	28.2	11.1
45	10.5	28.5	11.2
45.5	11	28.9	11.4
46	11–11.5	29.2	11.5
46.5	11.5	29.5	11.6
47	12	29.8	11.7
48	12.5	30.5	12.0

Shimano: cycling shoes are meant to be form-fitting and on the snug side — if between sizes, size up. Wide sizes keep the same length but add about 9–10 mm of circumference around the ball of the foot.

How to measure

Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, mark the tip of your longest toe and measure the distance in centimetres. Measure both feet and go by the longer one.

Find your size with a shoe you already own

Tell us a cycling shoe that fits you well and the size you wear in it. We compare the brands’ official foot-length charts.

Brand of the shoe you own Size you wear (EU)

An estimate from each brand’s official size chart. Width, volume and the last also change the fit — if in doubt, ask us.

Description

Shimano's premier lightweight off-road shoe, designed for world-class cross-country and cyclocross racers. A stiff carbon sole on a low stack, ULTREAD XC rubber for grip on slick ground, two low-profile BOA Li2 dials with the lower one shielded against impacts, and the anti-twist heel cup.

Stiff carbon sole and low stack height midsole for efficient pedalling
ULTREAD XC rubber outsole with technical tread for grip on slick terrain
Dual low-profile BOA Li2 dials; the lower dial is shielded against accidental release
Anti-twist heel cup; variable-size perforations for ventilation

Available sizes