MIDSOLE TECHNOLOGY
MIDSOLE TECHNOLOGY
Designing a midsole that also connects to the leather upper helps keep riders’ feet closer to the sole.
This minimizes stack height, improves fit, and keeps the foot securely in place while pedaling.
It also reduces power loss and prevents fault-induced failure.
SEAMLESS MIDSOLE STRUCTURE
Conventional Structure Seamless Midsole Structure Lasting board Lower stack
height Insole
LOWER STACK HEIGHT STABILIZES PEDALING STROKES AND MAXIMIZES EFFICIENCY.
ROAD
SHIMANO engineers and researchers discovered reducing stack height, the distance between the sole and pedal axis, stabilizes pedaling strokes and increases power transmission efficiency. A lower stack height is especially important when applying high levels of downward force on the pedals.
Our mid to high-end RC shoes and TR501 Triathlon shoes now share the same S-PHYRE seamless midsole structure first introduced in our pro-level RC9 series shoes.
Midsole Structure
1.ADJUST
TIGHTNESS 2.MIDSOLE LIFTS UP 2. 3.FOOT MAINTAINS CLOSE
CONTACT WITH MIDSOLE
On-road shoes: Stack height
Shoes | Sole thickness (mm) |
Midsole Structure | |
---|---|---|---|
Sole bottom to Upper inside |
|||
SPD-SL | RC903S | 4.9 | X |
RC903 | 4.9 | X | |
RC902T | 4.9 | X | |
RC702 | 5.5 | X | |
RC502 | 6.5 | X | |
RC300 | 6.5 | X | |
RC100 | 10.0 | ||
TR901 | 6.6 | ||
TR501 | 6.5 | X |
MTB
MTB shoes with a lower stack height also benefit from improved pedaling efficiency and bike control.
All of our MTB racing shoes have an original midsole structure that provides more stable and efficient pedaling to riders of all levels.
Midsole Structure
Off-road shoes: Stack height
Shoes | Sole thickness (mm) |
Midsole Structure | |
---|---|---|---|
Sole bottom to Upper inside |
|||
SPD | XC902 | 4.7 | X |
XC702 | 5.9 | X | |
XC502 | 5.9 | X | |
XC300 | 5.9 | X | |
XC100 | 5.9 | X | |
RX801 | 9.1 | ||
RX600 | 9.5 | ||
MW702 | 6.9 | X |
ROAD RACING MIDSOLE
Our RC702 competitive road racing shoes feature a newly optimized midsole structure that further enhances stability and comfort. It has a flattened area under the ball of the foot that more comfortably and efficiently transfers pedaling power. Small, strategically-placed ventilation and drainage ducts keep feet drier for more comfortable performance, rain or shine.
COOLER, DRYER FEET
TRI-FLOW VENTINGVenting in front of the cleat mount funnels air
through the midsole's open structures to keep
feet drier throughout your ride.RAPID DRYING
WATER DRAINAGE PORTSDrainage ports in both the front and rear of the
shoe eliminate uncomfortable sloshing and help
feet dry faster.MORE STABLE PEDALING
PEDALING POWER PADThe flat forefoot point of contact distributes
pedaling force more equally for stable pedaling
and acceleration.
TRAIL RIDING MIDSOLE

Human feet have the right balance of flexibility and resilience to conquer all sorts of terrain. So why don't off-road cycling shoes? Shimano understands that aggressive trail riding and racing demands the right mix of protection, stability, and surprisingly, flex when the going gets really tough.
TORBAL (Torsional Balance) improves balance and bike control by letting the heel section accommodate some lateral movement, while optimizing pedaling efficiency at the sole/cleat interface. Flexibility better-connects the rider and pedal with what the bicycle is doing underfoot, while maintaining comfort and flexibility through all ranges of rider motion.

Torsional sole allows natural rider “flow” motion and provides sideways flex in the back section of the sole.