Shimano GE900 GTX shoes

Shimano reckons that its GE900 GTX shoe is primed for all-season riding, despite coming with a bunch of weather-resistant features. That said, they encourage a surprising level of breathability for a waterproof kick, and the torsionally flexy sole brings heightened control when paired with the right pedals. However, they’re not totally capable of keeping the elements out, getting into them is a bit of a challenge, and they’re far from cheap.

Shimano GE900 GTX – Technical details

Over the past few years, Shimano has put in a heap of effort to modernise its shoe range, and the GE900 GTX is the weather-resistant clipless shoe. It gets a bunch of interesting features, too, with the Torbal 2.0 midsole being something that makes the shoe stand out from the crowd. It’s a carbon reinforced unit that’s built to remain stiff in the fore and aft planes to keep pedalling efficient, but it’s combined with a squishy EVA foam that flexes laterally and torsionally. Shimano says that this boosts control on the descents and in the corners.

These shoes sit at a seven on Shimano’s one to 12 stiffness index.

Buy the Shimano GE900 GTX shoes from Alpinetrek for £161.21

As I’m already on the sole, the shoes benefit from an Ultread GE outsole and a tread pattern that’s shaped to cut through mud, making the shoes pleasant to walk in. That outsole also receives an Expanded Pedal Channel, which is cut to hold onto a pedal’s mechanism when not clipped in.

Moving to the shoe’s upper, inside is a Gore-Tex sock liner to bring the waterproofing, and the Boa L6 dial comes with a neat little shield for a touch of protection, and to prevent it from being adjusted when knocked. As well as a single Boa dial, there’s a hook and loop strap for an extra bit of security.

The GE900 GTX shoes are available in two colourways, black or oak brown and can fit foot sizes from EU38 up to EU48, but note, there are no half sizes.

Shimano GE900 GTX – Performance

Shimano’s GE900 GTX comes with all the right features, but the interesting claim is that it’s built for performance in any weather. While they’re not the shoes I would pick for summer riding, they’re surprisingly versatile. But let’s address a bit of an elephant in the room – the collar, or cuff, or whatever you would like to call it.

It’s fairly low cut, which is no real problem, but it’s elasticated and fairly snug. Thus, shoving a foot into the shoe is a bit of a challenge, to say the least. It is easier to pull on than the GF8 I tested in 2024, and with that, it’s much more durable, but when getting these shoes on, you’ll still want something to hold onto. It’s a fun balance that needs to be struck, though. Clearly, Shimano hasn’t gone the zipped route of Leatt’s HydraDri shoes, so understandably, a super tall cuff would make for an even trickier time. That said, again, I’ve had no issue with the height of the cuffs. There could be a little adjustment in the velcro strap, however, as I don’t have much of the strap to play with when the shoe’s on.

Once the shoe’s on, it’s a rather pleasant place to be. The shoes have roomy toe boxes, and the midfoot is plenty snug enough. I tested an EU44, and I was really happy with the sizing here, especially with the heft of adjustment found in the Boa dial and the velcro strap.

As I said above, the Torbal 2.0 midsole is an interesting feature as it makes the shoe feel unlike any other while riding. It allows the shoe to bend around the sides of a pedal, which makes it pair better with larger platformed clipless pedals, rather than lightweight, cross-country types. Though if you’re looking for more pedal feel with those kinds of pedals, these shoes will deliver.

While remaining stiff in all of the right places for pedalling efficiency, when engaged with pedals like the Crankbrothers Mallet E, or DMR’s VMAX, it brings a huge level of pedal feel, which can also make for a more comfortable time when cornering. That’s because the midsole allows for torsional flex, and that really does heighten the overall experience with the shoe, bringing an increase in control and communication with the pedals.

Equipped with a Gore-Tex sock liner, the GE900 comes with decent waterproofing, but it’s not completely perfect. The main bulk of the shoe does an excellent job of fending off water ingress and keeping feet dry, but when smashing through deeper puddles, the cuff and tongue, for lack of a better term, don’t quite stack up, even when paired with waterproof trousers. Yes, it can withstand spray, but it can flood, leaving damp ankles and upper feet for the most part. In the very worst weather, and with consistent contact with lots of water, moisture can travel through to the rest of the shoe, on rare occasions.

What’s fairly surprising to see on a waterproof shoe is perforations. Found underneath the Boa and above the toe, these little holes do encourage a smidgeon of airflow, which provides ample cooling for a shoe of this type. Thanks to the shoe’s waterproof sock construction, they don’t allow water to soak through.

Off the bike, the GE900 GTX’s deep cut tread provides just enough grip to keep you on your feet, and I’m a fan of the extended cleat channels. Not only do they help when locating a pedal’s mechanism, but they also provide just a bit of extra security when standing on a pedal but not clipped in.

Shimano GE900 GTX – Verdict

With an asking price of £240, the Shimano GE900 GTX shoes sit towards the pricier end of the spectrum, which, given their foibles, holds them back a touch. Especially when Leatt’s Clip 7.0 HydraDri shoes exist. Granted, these don’t get a boa dial, but if they’re anything like the flat-pedal going version, their waterproofing is much better, and they’re much easier to put on and take off. The 7.0 HydraDri shoes will set you back £200, but if you’re after a Boa dial, the HydraDri PriClip 8.0 Boa grants you exactly that for £239. Again, if they’re like the flat pedal version, waterproofing and general life with the shoes will be that bit easier.

Another option that’s well worth considering is the Fox Union Boa All Weather shoes. These get a Boa dial, but they’re a little pricier at £244.99. With their super tall cuffs, they’re a task to get on, but the waterproofing is spot on, and they come with an adjustable sole, says our Jimmer, with a review coming soon.

With their breathability and ability to fend off most of the weather, Shimano’s GE900 GTX shoes do have their appeal, especially if you’re looking for one pair of shoes for the bulk of the wetter seasons. Their pedal feel is unmatched, and performance as a clipless shoe is excellent. They’re not totally waterproof; however, they’re pricy, and they can be trickier to get on.