Best Cycling Shoes: Why I Chose Shimano RC5

Why I Chose Shimano RC5: Best Cycling Shoes for Fit

Finding the best cycling shoes isn’t just about style or brand hype. It’s about comfort, fit, and performance. I recently went on a personal mission to replace my old, worn-out cycling shoes. What I thought would be a simple shopping decision turned into hours of research, comparison, and reflection. And surprisingly, I didn’t end up with the white shoes I originally wanted.

Instead, I chose the Shimano RC5 in blue.

Old Shoes, New Problems

Let me back up. My old shoes had done their job. But recently, the soles began peeling off, the fit started feeling wrong, and the structure wasn’t holding up. They were EU44, with an insole length of 29.4 cm and a width of 9.4 cm. While I always felt comfortable in them, I knew I needed something newer, stiffer, and more supportive.

Searching for the Best Cycling Shoes

With no racing plans, but regular weekend rides (both indoors and outdoors), I needed shoes that were:

Mid-range
Stiff enough for good power transfer
Comfortable for wide feet
Durable for long-term use
Easy to wear with socks

I began comparing the best cycling shoes in the mid-tier range from several well-known brands:

Shimano RC5 / RC502

Reliable, known for wider fit, BOA dial + Velcro, carbon-reinforced sole. Strong balance of performance and comfort.

Giro Cadet

Comfortable upper and carbon-composite sole. Stylish, but Giro tends to run narrow – not ideal for wide feet like mine.

Fizik Tempo Powerstrap & R5

Clean design and stiff sole, but again, Fizik shoes are quite narrow. Fit was a concern.

Bontrager Circuit Road

Good construction and features. Slightly bulkier design, but well-reviewed. Less available locally for testing.

Santic Endless Carbon

Attractive full white design, BOA-style dial, carbon plate. Affordable and stylish, but sizing inconsistency and quality control worried me.

Best Cycling Shoes for Wide Feet

I wear Asics US11 and measured my bare foot at 28 cm long, 9 cm wide – definitely on the wide side. Most shoes I checked felt too tight in the toe box or across the ball of the foot.

Shimano stood out as the best cycling shoes for wide feet. The RC5 and RC502 both offer a slightly more relaxed fit, especially in the forefoot. This made a huge difference when comparing them to Giro and Fizik.

Even the RC502E (wide version) didn’t go past size 43 locally. Thankfully, I found a regular RC5 in EU45, which has a foot length rating of 28.5 cm. With socks, it should be just right.

Fit Over Fashion for the Best Cycling Shoes

Honestly, I wanted white shoes. I really did. The clean aesthetic, the sleek lines – it all looked great online. But most white models in my size were either out of stock or priced way higher.

What I had in front of me was a Shimano RC5 in blue, available in my size, and from a trusted seller.

Here’s what changed my mind:

Fit matters more than color. You don’t feel the color on long rides – but you definitely feel tight toes or pressure points.
Blue can be styled. I can match socks, jerseys, or even use white shoe covers if I want the white look temporarily.
This is my daily, reliable shoe. I can save the dream white pair for an upgrade later.

Comparing Comfort and Features

Here’s a quick breakdown of features between the brands I tested or considered, all within the best cycling shoes category for casual or weekend riders:

Brand	Model	Closure System	Sole Type	Fit (for wide feet)	Verdict
Shimano	RC5 / RC502	BOA + Velcro	Carbon-reinforced	✅ Best fit	🏆 Chosen shoe
Giro	Cadet	BOA + Strap	Carbon composite	❌ Narrow	Rejected
Fizik	Tempo / R5	Powerstrap	Nylon/carbon mix	❌ Too narrow	Rejected
Bontrager	Circuit Road	BOA + Velcro	Nylon-composite	⚠️ Decent	Hard to find
Santic	Endless Carbon	ATOP dial	Partial carbon plate	⚠️ Unpredictable fit	Close 2nd choice

I haven’t received the RC5 yet – it’s expected to arrive next week. Once I get some real miles in, I’ll be posting a follow-up review covering:

Actual fit during rides
Ventilation and comfort on hot days
How the BOA + Velcro system performs
Power transfer on climbs and flats
Styling options with blue shoes

Stay tuned for that – and if you’re looking for the best cycling shoes for wide feet or weekend riding, I’ll share everything honestly.

Final Thoughts

If you’re shopping for cycling shoes, don’t get distracted by the color or trend. Focus on comfort, fit, and proven performance. Your feet will thank you every kilometer of the way.

In my case, I chose the Shimano RC5 not because it looked best, but because it fit best. And that’s the difference between a painful ride and an enjoyable one.

Have questions about sizing, wide feet, or shoe choices? Drop them in the comments – happy to share more.