The carbon-reinforced midsole is the most important of these layers since it places the XC702 near the top of Shimano's stiffness hierarchy. This places the XC702 firmly into race-ready territory, with highly efficient power transfer and just a hint of forgiveness for increased utility when running over barriers or climbing steep embankments. Though it's not as stiff as the S-Phyre, the XC702 does feature a more robust complement of lugs, so it's better suited for navigating sloppy run-ups or trails on foot. The rubberized outsole also includes toe spike mounts for days when not even the lugs are enough. The upper is secured with 2 BOA L6 dials, letting you quickly dial in the fit.