If you didn't realize by now, I am a big big fan of the Shimano RX8 gravel shoes. Apart from the boring black colour, I probably have most of the other colours. They fit me so well, look so good and functions perfectly for my kind of rides.
In 2022, a new generation of RX8 shoes was released. This new generation is numbered RX801, while the older first generation is RX800. In this new generation, there are some improvements made, while new colours have also been released.
One of the new colour scheme really caught my eye, and you can see it below!
RX801 Tropical Leaves colour! This is a limited edition colour scheme.
I love this new colour scheme even more than the polarizing Cactus Berry RX8
RX8 logo can be found at the side of the heel for more visibility.
Bottom of the RX801 shoe, new and clean before usage!
Inside face of the shoe, love the design printed on the shoe.
Now that we have seen the new RX801 Tropical Leaves shoes, let's do a side by side comparison with the previous RX800 shoe.
Side by side comparison of the RX800 Bronze and the RX801 Tropical Leaves.
Can you spot the differences? What I noticed on the new RX801 is the printing of the Shimano logo on the top of the shoe, instead of RX8.
On the new RX801, there is a different Boa dial, a different side construction where the graphics cut off at the ankle area, and the RX8 logo is printed on the side instead of the Shimano logo.
RX801 (right side) uses a simpler straight seam at the back, instead of the curved seam used on the previous RX800.
I spotted 2 small differences here. On the new RX801 (right side), the fabric guides for the Boa wires are shorter, while the two sections of the tongue are not joined together with a piece of stretchy fabric.
Other than the seam design and location, this inside face of the shoe looks quite similar.
This is the only thing on the RX800 shoe that annoys me, the elastic band holding the inside of the tongue to the sole. It is supposed to hold the tongue snugly over the top of the foot, but it just gets in the way when I put on the shoe.
I'm glad to see that the annoying elastic band is gone on the new RX801! This elevates the RX8 from "awesome" to "perfect" for me.
Without the elastic band inside, the RX801 tongue can open much wider, making it much easier to put on the shoe without having to manually pull the elastic band out of the way.
The soles look the same, seems that nothing of significance was changed, which is good since there is nothing wrong with the design.
New insole on the right that is black instead of grey, and with the same shape.
Doesn't matter to me as I am using the Sidas insole.
New set of SH56 SPD cleats installed on the RX801! Following the cleat position that was optimized during the bike fit at LOUE Bicycles.
New cleats installed on both sides of the RX801 gravel shoes.
As fresh and clean as it is ever going to be.
One more RX8 gravel shoe added to the collection!
From this brief comparison, we can see that the new RX801 is a refinement of the first generation RX800, as there are not many changes at all. This is good as there is no point changing something that is working well. I was glad to see that the annoying elastic strap on the inside has been removed, and this new RX801 gravel shoe is just perfect.
Tropical Leaves design on the RX801 looks absolutely gorgeous in the sun!
Focus Paralane with Dura-Ace C36 wheelset as my all-weather commuting road bike.
thank you, nice comparison (in my eyes).
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