Reviews You Can Rely On

Shimano SH-GF600 Review

A flat pedal trail riding shoe with subtle styling and solid grip
gearlab tested logo
Shimano SH-GF600 Review
Credit: Shimano
Price:  $160 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Shimano
By Pat Donahue ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 26, 2024
75
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#10 of 14
  • Grip - 30% 8.0
  • Fit and Comfort - 25% 7.0
  • Rigidity and Power Transfer - 20% 7.0
  • Breathability - 10% 8.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0
  • Weight - 5% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Shimano GF600 is a trail/all-mountain flat pedal shoe that is an interesting and compelling option for the right rider. The fit and comfort level are both excellent, the power transfer is decent, and the traction/walkability is impressive. The subtle styling is also welcome. In a world of flashy colors and crazy designs, the GF600 is an effective shoe with a stealthy/under-the-radar design. Given the solid performance and middle-of-the-road price tag, they can be a viable option for the right rider. That being said, it is hard to recommend them over some less expensive shoes that deliver better performance.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Decent grip
Excellent walking motion
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Very wide toe box
More expensive than some compelling options

Compare to Similar Products

 
shimano sh-gf600
This Product
Shimano SH-GF600
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Mountain Bike Flat Pedal Shoes
Editors' Choice Award
A Close Second
Top Pick Award
Best for Gravity Riders
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Price $160 List
$160.00 at Amazon
$111.95 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers
$149.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
$160 List
$150.00 at Backcountry
$110 List
$110.00 at Backcountry
Overall Score Sort Icon
75
90
88
86
79
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line A highly functional and comfortable trail shoe with solid grip and power transferThe flat pedal shoe by which all others are judgedThis light and comfortable shoe has top-shelf grip to rival the best on the marketComfortable, beefy, and protective, these are a great option for gravity ridingAn affordable shoe that delivers impressive grip, comfort, and protection
Rating Categories Shimano SH-GF600 Five Ten Freerider Pro Giro Latch Ride Concepts Power... Ride Concepts Livewire
Grip (30%)
8.0
10.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
Fit and Comfort (25%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
10.0
9.0
Rigidity and Power Transfer (20%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Breathability (10%)
8.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Durability (10%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
Weight (5%)
6.0
8.0
10.0
4.0
5.0
Specs Shimano SH-GF600 Five Ten Freerider Pro Giro Latch Ride Concepts Power... Ride Concepts Livewire
Rubber Type ULTREAD GF rubber Stealth S1 Tack Rubber DST 4.0 MAX GRIP Kinetics DST6.0 High Grip
Tread Pattern Partial Hexagonal Dot Full Dot Gamma tread design Full Hexagon Dot Full Hexagon Dot
Weight per Shoe (ounces) 17.7 (size 46) 14.11 (size 11) 12.5 (size 10) 16.97 (size 11) 16.15 (size 11)
Weight per Shoe (grams) 504 (size 46) 399 (size 11) 358 (size 10) 467 (size 11) 458 (size 11)
Closure Laces Laces Laces Laces Laces
Lace Keeper N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes
Volume Medium Medium Low-medium Medium Medium
Upper Materials Synthenic Leather Synthetic Leather Microfiber with Rockprint reinforced toe Welded microfiber Synthetic/mesh
Midsole Torbal 2.0 EVA Mute Foam 3D and HD polyethylene power plate
Insole Ultread GF AM/MT insole 3D molded

Our Analysis and Test Results

shimano sh-gf600 - these shoes are simple and utilitarian. sure, there may be options...
These shoes are simple and utilitarian. Sure, there may be options with more grip, but they work well.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Analysis and Test Results


Our testers were impressed with the GF600 shoe. They are an excellent choice for the average trail rider and the subtle styling might be appealing to many. Power transfer was adequate, the shoes were quite comfortable, and they have a great off-the-bike feel. While the rubber compound might not be quite as sticky as some prominent brands in this review class, they still a great shoe that should be widely available for many riders.

shimano sh-gf600 - these slippers are stealthy and highly functional.
These slippers are stealthy and highly functional.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Grip


The GF600 offers adequate levels of grip. Shimano uses their Ultread GF outsole. This rubber compound is supposed to have slower rebound properties compared to prior Shimano flat pedal shoe models. The sole is covered with raised hexagonal patches that protrude approximately 2mm from the sole. These raised traction blocks are tightly compacted where the pedal contacts the shoe and are more widely spaced at the toe and heel.

When perched upon our Crank Brothers pedals, we could feel the pins engage the rubber sole. The metal pins are locked in nicely between some of the traction blocks on the shoe. The rubber compound felt significantly harder compared to some of our favorite flat shoes. That being said, the grip is sufficient and is worth a try for riders who have traditionally stuck with a few major brands. When plowing through chop and rough trails, it was easy to stay connected to the pedals. Repositioning your foot on the pedals was intuitive, and these shoes don't feel too grippy.

shimano sh-gf600 - these shoes should fit a wide range of feet. the lack of heavy...
These shoes should fit a wide range of feet. The lack of heavy padding makes them very comfortable.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Fit and Comfort


The GF600 have an interesting fit profile. Shimano calls this their Volume Trail Last where the fit is snug through the midfoot to the ball of the foot. Despite this somewhat narrower fit, the toe box is quite spacious. We found the fit to be excellent even if the toebox was a bit roomier than we would have liked. The snug fit in the mid-foot aided bike control and precision.

The cushioned synthetic leather upper shoe feels great against the foot. We didn't experience any hotspots or pressure points throughout testing. The average, slightly thin tongue felt pleasant against the top of the foot. The quality is flat, and the laces were a nice touch. The full-length EVA Midsole felt plush and pleasant under our feet. Even on rough and jagged trails, our feet felt protected and comfortable.

shimano sh-gf600 - when its time to put the power down, these shoes offer...
When its time to put the power down, these shoes offer middle-of-the-road power transfer
Credit: Pat Donahue

Rigidity and Power Transfer


These shoes offer solid power transfer. You will never mistake them for some ultra-stiff XC or DH shoes, but they are more than suitable for average trail-riding duties.

The full-length nylon sole strikes a nice balance between rigidity and flexibility. As a do-it-all trail shoe, the GF600 has a bit of a goldilocks attitude. It is neither too stiff nor too flimsy. When you get up out of the saddle to hammer, you can feel the portion of the sole that hangs off the pedal start to flex a bit. It's not crippling, but there is some energy loss. On the other hand, when you are standing around the parking lot before and after your ride, the shoe has an excellent walking motion. There is a nice amount of flex built into the ball of the foot.

shimano sh-gf600
Credit: Pat Donahue

Breathability


The Shimano GF600 isn't as visually bulky or padded as some of the other flat shoes in this test class. Their silhouette is definitely on the trimmer side of the spectrum. As a result, they don't feel quite as toasty when the mercury rises.

There are some perforations on the outside of the midshoe section that extend towards the heel. There are also perforations on the top of the toe box. It is always difficult to tell exactly how well these features work. What we can say is these shoes posted a slightly above-average score in terms of ventilation and breathability. We rode these shoes in temperatures climbing into the 80s, and while they aren't the most breathable, they are far from the least breathable.

shimano sh-gf600 - the lack of fancy features paired with robust outsole should allow...
The lack of fancy features paired with robust outsole should allow these shoes to live a long, healthy life.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Durability


We tested these shoes for a few months in the early-mid spring in Washington State. This particularly damp time of year was a good test to see how these shoes held up. They logged big miles, got caked in mud, soaked in sweat, and worn in below-freezing temperatures. We observed no signs of premature breakdown of materials. The stitching remains tight and clean and the seams haven't started to lift or separate. The sole doesn't show any significant signs of wear.

Weight


At 504 grams per shoe, the GF600 is on the heavier end of the spectrum. They don't feel particularly heavy on the trail, but the numbers don't lie. The trail rider who might be interested in purchasing these shoes may or may not be weight-conscious.

shimano sh-gf600 - there is a whole lot to like about the gf600 shoes, even if they...
There is a whole lot to like about the GF600 shoes, even if they aren't the grippiest or lightest.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Should You Buy the Shimano SH-GF600?


We liked the GF600 as an alternative to some major players like FiveTen and Giro that dominate these the mountain bike segment. While Shimano is a giant in the industry, their shoes fly a bit under the radar. We liked these shoes and they fit quite well. Unfortunately, it is too hard to ignore some of the top performers in this test class that cost significantly less.

What Other Mountain Bike Flat Shoes Should You Consider?


The FiveTen Freerider Pro is the gold standard of trail shoes. The unrivaled grip provided by FiveTen's dialed rubber compound really helps this shoe stand out as the best of the best. Oh yeah, all of this goodness comes at an attractive price. The Giro Latch is another super dialed flat pedal shoe for those seeking maximum grip. On a budget? The Ride Concepts Livewire delivers excellent performance at a low price. There is a lot to love about these reasonably priced shoes.

Pat Donahue