Shimano SH-GE900HS mountain bike shoe review

The new SH-GE900HS shoes from Shimano check all of the boxes for big mountain adventure.
By Greg Heil
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A black athletic shoe with a textured surface, featuring a velcro strap and a circular dial closure system, resting on dry grass alongside a small yellow leaf.
Photo: Greg Heil

“I know you’re generally pretty hard on shoes. :)” began Jeff’s email. “Would you be interested in trying these?”

During my previous tenure at Singletracks, I earned a reputation for tearing soles off test shoes on a regular basis — sometimes in as little as two weeks of riding. So when I got the opportunity to test the new SH-GE900HS shoes from Shimano, I read through the press release with great interest.

On paper, the shoes checked all the boxes: rugged outsole, reinforced toe box, a stiff midsole, and a rugged closure consisting of both a velcro strap and a BOA dial. Having recently snapped the sole clean through on a pair of my favorite mountain bike shoes, and then subsequently snapping the BOA cable on the shoes after that, I was eager to try Shimano’s latest to see how long they’d last.

A close-up view of the sole of a black cycling shoe featuring a multi-textured rubber outsole with a light brown tread pattern. The shoe has a clip mechanism visible in the center, along with a BOA dial for tightening. The background consists of dry grass and scattered leaves, providing a natural outdoor setting.
Close-up view of the sole of a shoe, featuring a tread pattern with hexagonal and rounded shapes, primarily in shades of brown and black. The sole has a logo engraved on the side, indicating the brand is Shimano. In the background, a blurred grassy surface is visible.
Photos: Greg Heil

Shimano SH-GE900HS mountain bike shoe key specs

  • SPD shoe with “extended landing strip” for easy pedal entry
  • Burly outsole with grippy lugs
  • Revised midsole construction with carbon-reinforced nylon
  • Velcro closure with micro-adjustable BOA dial
  • Ankle collar to keep trail debris out
  • Reinforced toebox to protect against strikes
  • Price: $275
  • Buy from Competitive Cyclist

Out of the box, the rugged outsole of the SH-GE900HS looked like just the ticket — it’s directly in line with the style of SPD shoe that I prefer for my big mountain adventures. The deep lugs looked perfect for digging into loam and finding traction on wet rocks. The reinforced toebox is also table stakes, and the stiffness of the last is about what I’d expect.

But there were two features that truly stood out.

Close-up of a black cycling shoe featuring a BOA lacing system. The shoe has a sleek design with perforations for ventilation and a Velcro strap for added security. The focus is on the BOA dial, which is used for quick adjustments to the fit. The background is blurred grass, emphasizing the shoe's details.
Photo: Greg Heil

First, the combination of a velcro strap for the main closure and a micro-adjustable BOA dial for the secondary closure around the mid-foot is a great choice. While testing previous shoes from other brands, I’ve found that using a BOA dial for the main closure can be hit or miss. Often, it’s difficult to create enough tightness with just a BOA, although exceptions do exist, depending on how the cable is routed. Choosing to go with a tried-and-true Velcro strap was a great decision. The micro-adjustable dial works great for fine-tuning the pressure around the mid-foot, and it’s much easier to adjust mid-ride than laces that are hidden below the strap.

Photo: Greg Heil

Secondly, the neoprene cuff around the ankle is a welcome feature that’s not seen on many MTB shoes. With most shoes, dirt and small rocks inevitably find their way down and into the shoe, especially during long hike-a-bikes in loose terrain. In trail running and backpacking, lightweight gaiters are becoming increasingly popular to solve this problem. Shimano’s integrated cuff solves the grit-in-the-shoe problem without the complexity of a separate gaiter.

A mountain biker navigating over rocky terrain in a forested area, with tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves. The biker is wearing a helmet and riding a modern mountain bike, demonstrating skill and focus on the trail.
Photo: Jeff Barber

Out on the trail with the Shimano SH-GE900HS mountain bike shoe

Over the last few months, I’ve put the SH-GE900HS shoes through their paces on the most brutal terrain imaginable. I’ve hiked for hours up the steep mountain sides and scree fields of the San Juan mountains. I’ve blasted downhill through endless chunder, with flying rocks glancing off my toes. I’ve slogged through mud and forded mountain rivers. I’ve even pedaled for hours and hours while actually staying on the bike.

In short, I’ve thrown everything I can think of at the SH-GE900HS over hundreds of miles of challenging mountain biking. And through it all, they’ve performed well.

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The only visible damage that I’ve been able to inflict on these shoes is extremely minor. A piece of rubber on one toe is beginning to peel away, as is a thin section of rubber where it stretches over the shank near the clipless cleat. I’d describe this as standard wear and tear, and frankly, minor wear at that.

A close-up view of a muddy outdoor shoe resting on green grass with small clover leaves. The shoe is slightly worn, featuring a gray surface with noticeable dirt marks and scuffing on the toe area.
Close-up view of a cycling shoe's sole, featuring a clip for attaching to a bike pedal. The sole is textured with a hexagonal pattern and shows signs of wear, with a brown and gray color scheme against a backdrop of green grass.
Photos: Greg Heil

The synthetic uppers have proven to be remarkably durable, shedding water and mud admirably. The neoprene sleeve has been impressive, keeping all of the dirt on the outside.

I was concerned about the heel of the outsole, where two different types of material are bonded together. However, I don’t see any indication of delamination on these soles, even at this bonding point.

Pros and cons of Shimano SH-GE900HS mountain bike shoe

Pros

  • High-quality construction
  • Thoughtful closure combination for both security and durability
  • Cuff to keep out grit
  • Impervious to abuse

Cons

  • None noted
A cyclist riding a mountain bike on a rocky trail, surrounded by shrubs and trees under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The cyclist is focused and wearing a helmet and sunglasses. The trail is dusty, showing signs of wear from biking activity.
Photo: Greg Heil

Bottom line

Yes, I’ve been known to destroy a pair of shoes or two. Even the last two pairs of shoes I spent my own money on failed spectacularly, albeit after substantial abuse.

After several months of punishment, Shimano’s latest enduro shoe offering has left me seriously impressed. From a rugged outsole to bombproof construction and a secure closure, the SH-GE900HS checks all the boxes I could possibly ask for.

Now I’m curious just how long I can push them…

 
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