ABOUT THE SHIMANO GE900HS
SPD SHOE FOR GRAVITY RACING | Shimano’s new GE900HS, nicknamed the ”Hot Seat”, is their flagship gravity clipless shoe designed for downhill and enduro riders and racers. Every detail in these SPD shoes is tuned for speed, control, and durability.
BOA LI2 FIT SYSTEM WITH STRAP | The Shimano GE900HS shoe features the BOA Li2 dial system, with hidden textile lace guides for a secure, micro-adjustable fit. The slimmed-down design sheds bulk, while the shielded dial resists impacts.
FORCE CONTROL MIDSOLE | At the core of the GE900HS is Shimano’s new Force Control midsole. This sees a 25% increase in hardness with its carbon-reinforced nylon construction. Thanks to this, Shimano’s premium gravity shoe delivers a stiffer, more stable pedaling platform with increased support fr big compressions.
ULTREAD GE OUTSOLE | Shimano’s Ultread GE outsole brings hike-a-bike grip. Lugs at the front and rear with their GRIPD design give traction off the bike. An extended SPD landing strip makes pedal engagement smoother and quicker, making it easier to clip back in when things get sketchy.
OUTER DESIGNED FOR PROTECTION AND DURABILITY | A reinforced synthetic leather upper shrugs off rocks and roost, while perforations help keep feet cool on hot days. The raised ankle collar keeps trail debris out and offers extra stability around the foot..
SHIMANO GE900HS SPECS | At 436 grams (size 43) with a stiffness rating of 8/10, the Shimano GE900HS strikes the balance between race day confidence and rugged durability. They are available in black or white, with sizes 38–48, and retail for $275.
THE DIRT
Over the past 5 months I have wholeheartedly enjoyed riding in the Shimano GE900HS clipless shoes. When I knew there was going to be a long day out filming or in the saddle, this is the shoe I wanted to be in. Outside of a few projects where we had other footwear sponsors, I exclusively wore them, and they’re still begging for more.
Even though the GE900HS has slightly less padding than the GE900, they are still very comfortable. From the beginning the fit and feel was 10 out of 10. There was no notable break in period, and I never suffered with foot cramps or hot spots. There was a slightly different feel compared to the GE9’s, with the GE900HS having a narrower toe box, somewhere in the 5% region I’d suggest. The HS’s reduced padding gives more of a secure feel, where the GE9’s can move around slightly due to their thicker padding.
The stiffness increase in the shoe’s midsole was the most notable update, improving the performance for my preferences. This gave me a more connected feel to the bike, with less flex under heavy landings. They have remained stiff over the past 5 months of constant use, whereas my outgoing favorite shoe – the Crank Brothers Mallet – had a significant reduction in stiffness after around 3 months of heavy use. If you are looking for a more compliant shoe, the CB shoe is still a great option.
The increase in stiffness of the GE900HS didn’t impact walking comfort. They were better for hike-a-bike sections due to the reduced padding allowing my heel to stay more locked in. While there was less overall padding, there was more padding just over your toes, which felt strange the first time slipping them on, but quickly faded into the background.
The BOA Li2 system performed flawlessly. I loved the ability to micro adjust the shoes looser when you want just a little less pressure for long climbs, and cinch them down hard for a secure fit on descents. I have done this multiple times while pedaling, and it is a feature that will be hard to live without. There were no hot spots created by the laces, and the overall cinch feeling was confidence inspiring. The only real critique I have with the shoes is that the Velcro strap is a bit long, with some excess material that dangled when I had them cinched up. This was not a deal breaker, but something I would have liked to see be a bit shorter for my fit.
While the White colorway may not be for everyone, I absolutely love it. Keeping them clean was not a huge chore over the spring and summer months. Once a month I would give them a good scrub, and they returned to a very acceptable white every time.
My rides have been across the entire spectrum of terrain from XC , DH and wild BC backcountry E-Bike rides. I never once have wished for something different or raced to get out of them even after back-to-back 10+ hour days in Whistler. The durability has proved to be stellar, and the performance is right up there at the top of my clipless mountain bike shoe list.
The Wolf’s Last Word
As the subtitle says, the Shimano GE900HS is my new favorite clipless gravity mountain bike shoe. The locked in and stiff feel has remained consistent, and there have been no foot cramps or uncomfortable moments. It’s the shoe I reach for no matter the type of riding I am setting off to do. 
Price: $275
Website: Shimano.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Cole’s den is in Spokane WA, where he relocated a few years back. Growing up in the lush, loamy playgrounds of the PNW, his soul is forever tied to steep, rooty descents and that unmistakable squish of perfect dirt. After 19 years of shredding, Cole’s been on every kind of rig out there. Once a die-hard fan of big travel bikes, he’s now on a quest for the mythical short-travel do-it-all machine. And yes, skids may be for kids, but this middle-aged manchild is here to prove they’re also for anyone who loves having a damn good time.
Rank: Professional Amateur
Size: 6’1” / 185cm | 170lbs / 77kg
Social: @adventuresbycole
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