Shimano announces 18 new shoe models

IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) — Shimano this week announced details on 18 new bike shoes, across six different shoe categories.

The new shoes — which will be available this fall — include new gravity mountain biking models, seven new women's models, a new top-range triathlon shoe, a redesigned winter shoe, and the North American introduction of Shimano's "Cross Mountain" shoes for offroad explorers. The company now offers a bike shoe line with 71 models.

Here's a quick overview:

Cross Mountain

Shimano has offered shoes in its Cross Mountain category in other markets previously, but this will mark the first season the category has been offered in the U.S., and the two XM shoes that will be offered in the U.S. are brand new models.

The XM9 hightop and the XM7 lowtop each have hiking shoe styling, Vibram outsoles, Gore-tex liners and half-length shank plates designed to provide pedaling efficiency as well as walking flexibility.

Each model has a screw-in plastic cap covering SPD cleat holes. The caps are shaped similar to an SPD cleat, allowing riders to get used to clipping in and out, or use with flat pedals. The caps can be removed to install a regular SPD cleats. The Cross Mountain models will be available in October.

Gravity

Shimano's new Gravity line of shoes is for Downhill, Enduro or BMX racing and was developed with the Atherton siblings, who are multiple world and British champions in several gravity disciplines.

The SPD-compatible AM9 model is designed for competitive downhill with a durable downhill-specific tread pattern and rubber compound, as well as a new outsole channel designed to allow quicker re-engagement with an SPD pedal. The shoe also has reinforced high side walls for foot protection. It has a wider range of adjustment for the SPD cleats than usual, for riders who prefer their cleats mounted behind the ball of the foot.

The AM7 model has a Vibram sold for use with flat pedals. It has a similar upper to the AM9, with a Velcro strap combined with laces that are covered with a padded flap that protects the foot and keeps the laces confined.

The AM5 is more of a street-style SPD-compatible shoe. It also has laces and a strap, but forgoes the laces covering on the other two models.

The AM9 and AM5 will be available in October, the AM7 in November.

Winter offroad

The new hightop MW7 offroad winter shoe can be used by winter mountain bikers or winter commuters. It has a Gore-tex liner, fleece insulation, and a high traction outersole.

It has a protective toe cap and padded lace covering for aggressive mountain biking, as well as reflective trim and a discrete appearance making it suitable for commutes.

It will be available in September.

Performance Road

Shimano has four new road shoes designed to bridge the gap between performance road racing shoes and touring shoes.

The top-end RP9 has a carbon sole that is 11/12 on Shimano's stiffness scale. It has a heat-moldable upper and is available in black or white, with an understated, simple appearance.

The RP5 has a glass-fiber sole with a carbon plate, and is aimed at recreational road riders and indoor cyclists, with SPD and SPD-SL cleat options.

The RP3 and RP2 are also aimed at recreational and indoor riders. They each have glass-fiber soles. The RP3 has one buckle strap combined with hook-and-loop straps.

The WR84 is a new high-end women's road shoe, with a full carbon sole and an adaptable buckle closure system.

The RP models will be available in October; the WR84 will come out in September.

Triathlon

The new TR9 is Shimano's top of the line triathlon shoe, available in the company's trademark blue, or in a white women's model.

Its carbon sole is 10/12 on the stiffness scale, and has a ventilated synthetic leather upper and a hook-and-loop Quick Strap and Quick Loop for quick transitions. The inside of the shoe is designed for comfort when used without socks and with damp feet.

It will be available in September.

Women's offroad

Besides the WR84 road shoe and TR9 women's tri shoe mentioned above, Shimano will offer two new offroad racing models, the WM-53 and WM-64.

They both have Shimano's women's specific Dynalast fit, like the previously available top-of-the-line women's cross-country racing model, the WM84. The WM-53 has three hook-and-loop straps while the WM-64 combines one buckled strap with two hook-and-loops.

They will be available in September.