Shimano XC300 SPD MTB Shoes Black Size 43

I am relatively new to road cycling and recently purchased a Giant Contend AR 3 bike (used) with some SPD cleats/pedals. The bike also came with little used Giant Flux bike shoes in my size (bonus!). After 10 rides with these shoes, my feet (EE-EEE width) were aching and super red/swollen on the inside and outside of my foot...I thought, "Well, I guess this is what it is; my feet are just going to hurt". Fortunately, I have very supportive wife, who said I should get what I need to "Do this cycling thing right", encouraging me to purchase a pair of 'wide' bike shoes. Once I started researching wide bike shoes, I realized these can get quite expensive (compared to ‘regular’ width shoes) and was fortunate to come across Bikeshoes.com. I didn’t want to go too crazy, ... MoreI am relatively new to road cycling and recently purchased a Giant Contend AR 3 bike (used) with some SPD cleats/pedals. The bike also came with little used Giant Flux bike shoes in my size (bonus!). After 10 rides with these shoes, my feet (EE-EEE width) were aching and super red/swollen on the inside and outside of my foot...I thought, "Well, I guess this is what it is; my feet are just going to hurt". Fortunately, I have very supportive wife, who said I should get what I need to "Do this cycling thing right", encouraging me to purchase a pair of 'wide' bike shoes. Once I started researching wide bike shoes, I realized these can get quite expensive (compared to ‘regular’ width shoes) and was fortunate to come across Bikeshoes.com. I didn’t want to go too crazy, so, based on Bikeshoes.com generous return/exchange policy, I thought I’d start with the lowest price wide bike shoe and go from there. These Shimano SH-XC3 wide shoes are amazing! The were just as comfortable as my New Balance wide sneakers and I love quick closure system. Bottom line – great bike shoes for wide feet.

Shoe reviews can be a bit challenging, as what works for some will inevitably not work for others. That being said—with a few exceptions—these are some of the better quality entry/mid-level shoes available, and truly stand out in a pretty crowded market. The build quality is excellent, the materials feel great, and the inclusion of a BOA L6 dial on a shoe at this price makes them really shine. When paired with the clean, modern aesthetic, it makes the XC-300’s a very appealing pair of shoes. The styling was clearly borrowed from Shimano’s premium S-PHYRE collection, an elegant fabric “swoop” on which the BOA is mounted helps to provide tension across the foot.Which leads me into my only gripe with the XC-300’s, that is the uneven nature of getting them to ... MoreShoe reviews can be a bit challenging, as what works for some will inevitably not work for others. That being said—with a few exceptions—these are some of the better quality entry/mid-level shoes available, and truly stand out in a pretty crowded market. The build quality is excellent, the materials feel great, and the inclusion of a BOA L6 dial on a shoe at this price makes them really shine. When paired with the clean, modern aesthetic, it makes the XC-300’s a very appealing pair of shoes. The styling was clearly borrowed from Shimano’s premium S-PHYRE collection, an elegant fabric “swoop” on which the BOA is mounted helps to provide tension across the foot.Which leads me into my only gripe with the XC-300’s, that is the uneven nature of getting them to comfortable tension. Achieving even tension between the toe and top of the foot leaves a bit to be desired, and causes me to have a bit more pressure at the top of my foot than I would like. This likely wouldn’t be an issue for many riders, especially those who need less vertical space in their cycling shoes, for whom these could be perfect. For me, it will require some tweaking to be truly comfortable. A good pair of Sidi or Specialized BG insoles would dramatically improve the comfort of these shoes, and this is to be expected for virtually any shoe on the market.All the weight weenies and stiffness-to-compliance ratio nerds out there will be very happy to hear that these performed well in my (admittedly very unscientific) testing. These are surprisingly very lightweight shoes, and are on par with higher end models. The reasonably lightweight nylon sole provided enough stiffness to feel efficient on my local after-work gravel loop, even when pedaling out of the saddle. It seems as though the waffle pattern on the inside of the sole increases stiffness, but gives just enough flex for the inevitable sections where “hoofing it” is required. They also provide enough off the bike comfort for a post-ride stop at your local brewery (or so I’ve heard).The XC-300’s are a great option for those gravel, XC, cyclocross or casual riders looking for a reasonably priced, feature-heavy shoe that's ready to compete with the look and performance of higher end models.Pros:-Heel cup and inner textured surface is excellent, and the cup expertly cradles your heel to prevent even the hint of heel slip-The rubber outsole (even without the higher-end Michelin rubber) is quite grippy without feeling overbuilt or clunky-BOA dial is accurate and precise, in spite of slightly uneven tension it can provide at times-The insole is surprisingly comfortable for being stock-Sleek design is reminiscent of a much more expensive pair of shoes-Reinforcement on the heel and toe, in conjunction with the raised rubber toe cap, give the impression of excellent long term durability-Nylon sole is adequately stiff for those of us who don’t race bikes for a livingCons:-Temperamental adjustment through the BOA struggles to provide even tension across the entire foot-A bit too much vertical volume in the toebox for me, but others may find it perfect, especially with a thicker insole-Shimano's sizing chart can be tricky, it's best to pay close attention to it before ordering

This is my first pair of if Shimano shoes and my first pair with the Boa system. First ride was 8 miles of single track varying from sand to hardpack and exposed roots. Kept a high cadence - the show was firm enough for great power transfer and efficient pedaling. Finished the ride and had grab a snack and shoes were good for running a quick errand. The rubber made for a pretty quiet step compared to other shoes. The toe box felt a tad narrow (felt like wearing adidas gazelles) but broke in fairly quickly. Very happy with the shoes.