Shimano GE900 Review

Analysis and Test Results

The Shimano GE900 are rock-solid gravity/enduro shoes. While they may not be quite as versatile as their predecessor, they are still a decent choice for aggressive riders, particularly those with wider feet. The power transfer is reasonable, comfort levels are impressive given the spacious fit, traction and walkability are all great. There is no single metric that stood out as particularly impressive, but these shoes get the job done.

Power Transfer

Shimano uses a full-length nylon sole which is reinforced in key areas with carbon fiber to enhance stiffness. The TORBAL 2.0 Midsole is intended to be stiff for power transfer while retaining some torsional/side-to-side flex to allow for fluid movements on the bike.

On the bike, we found the GE900 to strike a pretty nice balance of stiffness and comfort. They are plenty powerful when it is time to stand up and hammer the pedals without feeling like a block of wood under your foot. At 532 grams per shoe (size 46), they aren't exactly the shoes to reach for when embarking on a pedal-fest or rides with epic climbs. That being said, the sole stiffness is more than sufficient for such endeavors.

Speaking of the sole, we tested these pedals with both Shimano PD-ED500 pedals and Crank Brother's Mallet Enduro pedals. They were obviously designed with the Shimano SPD cleat in mind, and the interface works beautifully. The cleat channel is very large, and it is super easy to guide your foot into the pedal. That being said, these shoes worked just fine with the Crank Brothers Mallet Enduro pedals. The interface wasn't quite as perfect, but it was a complete non-issue.

Comfort

The GE900 shoes offer a comfortable fit that will be appreciated by riders with slightly wider feet. The fit is relatively roomy in the east-west direction. The fit wasn't sloppy and the shoe didn't feel as if it was flopping around, but the foot wasn't exactly being hugged by the shoe. Riders with narrower feet should look elsewhere because this could be an issue. In terms of length, the GE900 fits true to size.

These shoes are definitely on the burly side. The synthetic leather upper shoe breathes reasonably well, given the inherent heft of these shoes. The dual-density EVA insole paired very well with the stiff insole to provide a comfortable ride. When charging over rocky, choppy, or burly trails, our feet were comfortable, and they felt reasonably isolated from the trail surface.

The most obvious aesthetic quality is the upper gaiter/collar. This neoprene collar is intended to keep pebbles, dust, and debris out of the shoe. In addition, it provides a little padding and armor to your ankle. On the bike, it was easy to forget about the gaiter. It remained comfortable and didn't cause any chaffing or irritation in the least.

The fit is adjusted by a BOA dial on the outside of the shoe approximately halfway down the tongue. The BOA dial is easy to work with, even with gloves on, and has audible clicks that allow you to gauge exactly how much you are tightening the cable system down. The shoes also have a velcro strap at the top of the tongue to cinch the upper portion of the shoe. We are a big fan of the BOA dial. In the past, the BOA system had a reputation for failure, and such concerns seem to have been alleviated in recent years.

Traction and Walkability

These shoes feature a Ultread outsole. The sole has a very large cleat channel and is covered with raised hexagonal traction blocks. The blocks are spaced out approximately five millimeters from one another and protrude about 3mm from the sole. The Ultread sole isn't quite as soft and grippy as some of the other shoes we have tested in this review. It feels a little harder and rugged. This may sound like a negative attribute, but it should be beneficial in terms of longevity and durability.

When pushing up a loose or slippery chute, these shoes offer loads of grip. The larger spacing between the traction blocks seems to allow the shoes to bite into the trail surface effectively.

The middle-of-the-road stiffness pays off when you are walking or hiking around in these shoes. They offer just enough flex near the ball of the foot to offer a reasonably natural walking motion.

Weight

At 532 grams per shoe (size 46), these shoes are among the heaviest in our test class. The marketing copy on Shimano's website calls the GE900 a “flagship high-end SPD-compatible gravity shoe, the GE9 is the ideal choice for aggressive enduro and downhill racing and riding”. With words like “gravity”, "enduro", and “downhill racing” flying around, it isn't surprising that these shoes are on the heavier side of the spectrum. Riders engaging in enduro or gravity riding are usually more concerned with downhill performance as opposed to weight. As a result, it's not surprising that these shoes are robust.

On the trail, they don't feel particularly heavy or clumsy. While they aren't the best choice for logging huge miles, they aren't going to hold you back much if you are going to embark on the occasional all-day epic ride.

Should You Buy the Shimano GE900?

If you are a gravity/enduro rider with wide feet, the GE900 is a viable option. They are spacious and comfortable and offer a nice balance of power transfer and walkability. If you have wide feet and like going down hills, these are an excellent choice.

What Other Mountain Bike Shoes Should You Consider?

The FiveTen Hellcat Pro shoes are an excellent choice for gravity and enduro enthusiasts. This shoe has been the gold standard gravity shoe for quite some time. They offer a fit that is more friendly to the average foot while retaining a high comfort level and solid power transfer.