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Shimano GE900 Review

A gravity shoe that offers a generous fit and beautifully balances power transfer and walkability
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Shimano GE900 Review
Credit: Shimano
Price:  $225 List
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Manufacturer:   Shimano
By Pat Donahue ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 26, 2024
77
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#17 of 20
  • Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Traction and Walkability - 25% 8.0
  • Power Transfer - 20% 8.0
  • Weight - 15% 7.0
  • Durability - 15% 7.0

Our Verdict

The Shimano GE900 shoes are a brand-new addition to the brand's lineup. These shoes are aimed squarely at the gravity/enduro crowd rather than the casual trail rider. They certainly have an aggressive look and feature a nice level of stiffness paired with quality construction. The fit is roomy, particularly in the forefoot, making this a great option for riders with wider feet. Also, the fit is only available in euro sizing, meaning it can be difficult for people to nail down the appropriate size if they are more comfortable with US sizing. On the trail, the performance was solid. These shoes were quite comfortable, appropriately stiff, had great traction and walkability, and worked well with both Shimano and Crank Brothers cleats. These shoes are pretty expensive, and we feel there are better options in terms of “premium” shoes.
REASONS TO BUY
Great for riders with wider feet
Great traction
Excellent balance of walkability and stiffness
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the best choice for long rides or heavy climbs
Not suited for riders with narrower-than-average feet

Compare to Similar Products

 
shimano ge900
This Product
Shimano GE900
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Trail Riding Shoe
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Cross Country Shoe
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck Cross Country Shoe
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck All-Mountain/Trail Shoe
Price $225.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$220 List
$220.00 at Amazon
$152.83 at Amazon
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$170 List$130 List
Check Price at Backcountry
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Bottom Line A wide shoe that focuses primarily on gravity-fed endeavorsA unique design and a great blend of on and off-the-bike performance make this a versatile trail and all-mountain shoeLightweight, stiff, and comfortable, this shoe is one of our favoritesAn XC/trail riding shoe that combines high performance with affordabilityLightweight with good power transfer and walkability, these are a reasonably priced trail riding shoe with casual styling
Rating Categories Shimano GE900 Shimano ME7 Giro Empire VR90 Scott MTB Team Boa Specialized 2FO Roo...
Comfort (25%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
Traction and Walkability (25%)
8.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
9.0
Power Transfer (20%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
Weight (15%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
10.0
Durability (15%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
Specs Shimano GE900 Shimano ME7 Giro Empire VR90 Scott MTB Team Boa Specialized 2FO Roo...
Closure BOA, Velcro Speed lacing system with cover and ratchting upper bucckle Laces Boa iP-1 dial, plus velcro strap Laces
Measured Weight (per shoe) 532 grams 415 grams 388 grams 359 grams 375 grams
Size Tested 46 44 45 44 43.5
Width Options Regular Regular and Wide Regular and High Volume(HV) Regular Regular
Upper Material Synthetic Leather Synthetic Leather Microfiber Synthetic Polyurethane, 3D Airmesh Synthetic Leather and Textile
Footbed EVA Shimano Pedaling Dynamics insole molded EVA footbed ErgoLogic Specialized Body Geometry
Midsole Nylon Carbon Fiber composite "TORBAL" midsole Easton EC90 Carbon Fiber Nylon/Glass Fiber Composite Stiff Lollipop nylon composite plate
Outsole Ultread GE Michelin OCX3 dual-density Vibram Mont Molded Rubber High Traction Lugged Outsole, Mid-Foot Scuff Guard, Accomodates Steel Toe Spikes StickiRubber SlipNot FG

Our Analysis and Test Results

shimano ge900 - the shimano ge900 are solid enduro and gravity shoes.
The Shimano GE900 are solid enduro and gravity shoes.
Credit: Pat Donahue

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.

shimano ge900 - these shoes offer plenty of power transfer
These shoes offer plenty of power transfer
Credit: Pat Donahue

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.

shimano ge900 - these wide shoes have all-day comfort. folks with high-volume feet...
These wide shoes have all-day comfort. Folks with high-volume feet will really appreciate this.
Credit: Pat Donahue

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.

shimano ge900 - the long cleat channel is mated with some serious lugs that come in...
The long cleat channel is mated with some serious lugs that come in handy when hiking your bike.
Credit: Pat Donahue

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.

shimano ge900 - the boa dial is a nice feature. it makes micro adjustment easy.
The BOA dial is a nice feature. It makes micro adjustment easy.
Credit: Pat Donahue

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.

shimano ge900 - the green and black colorway is stealthy and earthy.
The green and black colorway is stealthy and earthy.
Credit: Pat Donahue

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.

Do terms like gravity, downhill, and enduro stress you out? Are you more into light and fast bikes? The Editor's Choice Giro Empire VR90 is a ripping shoe for riders who want to log miles, climb big hills, and spend long hours on the bike. They are stiff and light while boasting a high level of comfort and a killer fit.

Pat Donahue