
Shimano ME5 and XC7 review
shiMANO a shiMANO (spd shoes)
As a general rule, obituaries paint a rosy picture of the departed; flaws are omitted and only the highlights are recorded in print for posterity. This is for the best when it comes to everyday obituaries, but we do ourselves a disservice to apply this method to royalty. The faults and foibles of kings should be shouted from the rooftops as a warning to successors. With this in mind, I'd like to add a couple notes about the ME7s Mike eulogized here recently: they were heavy, the flap was bad and flappy, despite the flap the shoe still got soaked, if it wasn't raining they had no ventilation, and in either case the shoe dried poorly. And not that it matters, but they were ugly. Also, they were heavy.
But enough about that, lets talk about two other better Shimano shoes; the ME5 and XC7.

XC7 on the left, ME5 on the right. As you'd expect, the ME5 is significantly more comfortable to walk in, and provides more grip on slippery hard surfaces. I'd recommend riding over walking in either, though.
In the interest of full disclosure, I like a lighter, stiffer shoe; I feel the need to get my biases out of the way upfront. You won't find me in some big skate-shoe look alike, and something branded for "enduro" or "DH" is unlikely as well. I pick lower weight over impact protection, and the vast majority of my rides are non-motor assisted so better power transfer is important to me as well. The only real exceptions to this are 1) bike park days where I'll swap to flat pedals, and 2) alpine days that will involve unknown (likely lots) of hike-a-bike. I've been accused of wearing tap-dancing shoes, and I'm not surprised or offended by the observation.

Let the tap-dancing begin. (Yes, this photo was also in my Maxxis Forekaster review, but I like it.) Photo: Deniz Merdano

The new Trek Slash is in for review - the ME5s spend a lot of time attached to this bike. Photo: Deniz Merdano
After you've put on both shoes, it's clear that the ME5 is geared more for comfort than its race-bred sibling. They share similar construction profiles, venting, and sole stiffness but the ME5 is a much roomier shoe built with thicker, softer materials. It's also heavier with heel and toe protection, as well as a chunkier sole made from softer rubber.
For the past few months, I've been reaching for one or the other of these, depending on which bike I'm grabbing. If I'm reaching for my Rocky Mountain Element for XC (or, god help us, "downcountry") rides I'm likely in the XC7, and if I'm on a big bike like my We Are One 170 Arrival or new Trek Slash I'll slip on the ME5. Both pairs have held up to abuse admirably, and I have no durability or long term wear concerns.

The ME5 is definitely more comfort oriented; a boxier and roomier profile, higher cuff, and thicker, softer materials feel significantly different than the stripped down XC7.

Identical sizing numerically, however the XC7 is a much narrower fit than the ME5. I'm comfortable in both, but I'm also accustomed to race-fit ski boots.

The ME5 swaps a second BOA out for velcro, and adds a measure of toe-box protection.
Conclusions
I'm not sure how many people are cross shopping these two shoes - they fall in separate categories; in some ways trying to pick some kind of winner between these two would be akin to trying to pick a winner between the bikes I've been riding each shoe on. It's an exercise in futility, as they're not meant to compete. No one is cross shopping a Rocky Mountain Element and a Trek Slash.
With that in mind, if you're a consumer looking for a stiff, light BOA shoe to cover your pedal-heavy riding, the XC7 should be on your shortlist; just make sure you try them on if you've got wider feet. They look fast, feel fast, dry fast, vent well, and come in red if that's your jam.

The XC7 is designed to pedal, and pedal it does. Also, if you don't have a HMPL tote, you should, and not just because they come with this handy mat to change on. (IF ANYONE IS HOLDING SRIRACHA HOLLER AT YOUR BOY.) Photo: Deniz Merdano
But to drag the bike analogy farther, the ME5 is the Kona Process 134 of shoes; its boring. The ME5 isn't incredibly fantastic at any one thing and certainly isn't flashy or sexy, but its solidly capable at a very wide range of riding, and should be suitable to a very wide range of customers. I'd have zero qualms about recommending the ME5 to anyone, assuming their foot shape agrees with the interior. If I were limited to one pair of riding shoes, I'd be hard pressed to name a better, more versatile shoe for my preferences and needs.
All that said, in the span of this review, Shimano launched the GE line of shoes which supersedes the ME; these look like shoes I'm going to like significantly less for a myriad of reasons. The ME5 has been discontinued. The King is dead.

I'm very, very glad the days of dust like this are gone, and we can ride in the deep fog again. Photo: Deniz Merdano
Comments
Perry Schebel
2 months ago
sad they killed the ME5 - it's my favorite do everything shoe that's the perfect (for me) balance between xc & gravity designs. huh.
Reply
Cooper Quinn
2 months ago
Yep. Spectacular all-rounder.
Reply
Cr4w
2 months ago
I'm enjoying this kind of content: tell me your favourites and why. It seems even mundane preferences and their justifications make for great reading. Also back in my day we called them disco boots and we liked it.
Reply
Cooper Quinn
2 months ago
Disco boots or disco slippers are also acceptable terms.
Reply
Grant Blankenship
2 months ago
Just please point me to whatever cycling shoe works with my EEE Flintstone feet.
Reply
Fat_Tony_NJ
2 months ago
I could not agree more. Sidi Megas almost fit, but they are useless the minute your foot hits the ground....
Reply
Glenn Bergevin
2 months ago
Shimano was a great resource for us bigfoots... But seems like their new lineup stops at 48, at least for all the shoes I've looked at. I'm a 50... It sucks.
Reply
Niels van Kampenhout
2 months ago
My favourite in this category was the original Specialized Rime. I wore through two pairs before Specialized downgraded the Rime to a sort of budget shoe.
They were nicely light and minimalistic but with a surprisingly good Vibram sole. They walked a lot better than the ME7s.
One of my biggest ongoing frustrations in life is when a brand changes a favourite item of mine.
Reply
Cooper Quinn
2 months ago
Yes, the Rime was a good shoe too! I had some circa 2016/2017
Reply
Niels van Kampenhout
2 months ago
I had a look at the Specialized website and the current "Rime 2.0" actually doesn't look too bad - I might try them.
Reply
Matt Cusanelli
2 months ago
Six years ago I bought a pair of Rime Experts after seeing Cooper was on them (coolest guy in the shop). Time for me to get some ME5's now...
Reply
Cooper Quinn
2 months ago
I think I went through two pairs of those!
Reply
Pete Roggeman
2 months ago
I generally think you have good taste, Cooper. But the Sriracha shortage is a nothing burger. That is a highly overrated condiment.
Reply
Cooper Quinn
2 months ago
I'm not actually one of those Sriracha freaks - the shortage just happens to be poorly timed with when my bottle ran out. They last me a long time.
The socks were just a random gift from Mom.
Reply
Pete Roggeman
2 months ago
The socks are sweet - no shade there. Try Sambal Oelek - it's a slightly different flavour profile, but I highly recommend. Bonus for the texture of the chili flakes.
Reply
Niels van Kampenhout
2 months ago
+1 for Sambal Oelek :)
Reply
Perry Schebel
2 months ago
+2
Reply
Cooper Quinn
2 months ago
Oh, don't worry, I have some of that in the fridge, too. :)
Reply
Cr4w
2 months ago
You really should have a bottle of Matouk's on hand. Hotter and fruitier than Sriracha. Obviously horses for courses but sufficiently distinct that it's worth having around.
Reply
Cooper Quinn
2 months ago
This is why I like the comments section.
Reply
Perry Schebel
2 months ago
*this* specific comments section. instead of vitriol, we get good hotsauce recommendations & deeeep nerding.
(i do make a great home made habanero sauce, btw)
Reply
DanL
2 months ago
Jumping Johnnies Hot Sauce has been a mainstay for me here, I was suspicious of the labelling etc but it was recommended to me by the butcher I buy from.
If you're in the USA (or don't mind the postage costs) , I highly recommend Chipotle Garlic and the Cayenne Habanero Sauces from AllspiceCafe .
Pete Roggeman
2 months ago
I made a home batch a few years ago after a bumper pepper season. It delivered. Gonna put that on the books for 2024. But I still want to try yours, Perry. Bottle swap!
Cooper Quinn
2 months ago
Jumpin' Johnny's is always in the fridge, for sure. Its very "all purpose" and not actually hot. Good stuff, and based right here in North Vancouver.
We should probably do some kind of collab.
Pete Roggeman
2 months ago
Been awhile since I went down that path - going to have to try it again.
Reply
Andy Eunson
2 months ago
I’m pretty similar. I swap between my XC7 and ME7. But my ME7 is showing some wear after a few seasons and I need to wear thick socks with them, which is fine now but not in the summer. The LBS has some of the AM903 in my size so I may give those a shot. Might be a good replacement for the ME7?
Reply
AndrewR
2 months ago
You might be disappointed. I went this route as I couldn’t get the ME7 in my size (having torn yet another sole off at the clear pocket due to Chilcotin hike a bike). They fit well but they are heavier, don’t breathe as well, don’t dry as fast and they are the first pair of cycling shoes I have ever had that got stinky.
Companies have a habit of discontinuing their best sellers/ most highly reviewed shoes for some reason. Pearl Izumi discontinued the X-Alp Elevate this year which was the best back country guide shoe ever.
Reply
earle.b
2 months ago
Does anyone make a proper disco slipper upper with a decent tread sole? No toe spikes needed, just a decent toe to heel rubber tread.
Reply
Cooper Quinn
2 months ago
Kestrel BOA, maybe?
Reply
DMVancouver
1 month, 4 weeks ago
Specialized Recon 3.0 is worth a look. Happy with mine.
Reply
Pete Roggeman
1 month, 4 weeks ago
I did a brief write up on the Five Ten Kestrel BOA, Brian. Those fit your bill exactly. Really like em.
https://nsmb.com/articles/gear-shots-august-2023/
Reply
McT
1 month, 4 weeks ago
Any thoughts on the Leatt 7.0 HydraDri flat shoe or the Endura MT500 Burner Flat Waterproof MTB Shoes?
Both seem a bit more boot than shoe.
Reply
Cooper Quinn
1 month, 4 weeks ago
Ryan reviewed the Endura here: https://nsmb.com/articles/endura-mt500-burner-flat-shoe/
Pete covered the Leatt here: https://nsmb.com/articles/leatt-70-hydradri-waterproof-flat-pedal-shoes/
Reply
Pete Roggeman
1 month, 4 weeks ago
Waterproof shoes are always going to be more boot than shoe. The Leatts do not feel bulky, though.
Reply
Please log in to leave a comment.