If the shoe fits it's the best shoe. Shimano S-Phyre shoes have been the most comfortable shoes I've worn. It was Giro and before that Soecialized. But hands down s-phyres are my favorites.
That said each generation from SC-9 to 902 to now 903 has become more minimalist and a little less cush. The 903's are very spartan. The uppers feel very light weight and lack the softness of the prior generations. There is a break in / get to know you period with the 903's that I never had with the sc-9's.
But after a few weeks of tweaks they are starting to feel like the high performance kit additions they were designed for.
One 903 highlight is the heel stability. You feel locked in more than other versions. Boas are good. Toe box is ample but I have low volume feet anyway.
If you're looking for the out of the box slipper comfort of the sc-9's it's gone. If you're looking for the next iteration of the best shoe on the market 903's will be great.
Awesome shoe. Got the white version and it looks sharp. The entire upper is of a smooth synthetic material and lightly padded. The both BOA dial assembly are in the perfect location. The upper cinches the upper portion of my feet really well and the lower one cinches the entire lower portion of my feet very securely. Just loved the way this shoe provides secure wrap around feel once BOAs are secured. For my size, the heel cup is very secure and comfortable. I love the rubberized heel padding and it is very comfortable.
The sole is very stiff. I have the RX8s and it was already stiff enough at the index of 10, this one is at 11. This is all out a racing shoe, very similar to the RX8s, but provides much better comfort for me.
I wear size 9.5 shoes with normal width and 42.5 fits me perfectly. With normal cycling socks, my big toe is just touching the front edge of the shoe. The width of my feet, especially near the ball of my feet fills out the side of the shoe.
I bought these shoes to wear on gravel and road touring. The shoes are comfortable and I purchased the wide width due to my wide ball of foot and high arch. The shoe has plenty of room for my "Fred Flintstone" feet. The BOA fasteners work very well, and the shoes are easy to take on and off. Great shoe for the money.
The only change I would make is a replaceable heel striker plate, as if you walk around off the bike a lot, as I do, you could just replace the plate when the heel wears down.
Avid cyclist here. I've worn Sidi shoes for years. I put up with fussy fasteners because of their comfort, quality, and replaceable parts. Then I broke my wrist in a crash and could not get my shoes because the fasteners took two hands. BOA fasteners on the Shimano 703 solves that problem. However, the the heel pads are not replaceable so replacing the pads is replacing the shoes. My Sidi pads wear out before the shoes. I will have to see how long they last. Otherwise, they look good and fit well, narrow like Sidi. I like BOA. The heels are vented, though I've never thought of vents, even on hot summer rides. I had to drill upgraded insoles to take advantage of the heel vents.
