SQUIRREL_13188988
Shimano’s GF8 Gore-Tex shoes are excellently grippy, very comfortable and waterproof, making them excellent all-conditions flat-pedal shoes.
Shimano’s Ultread GF rubber outsole uses a special low-temperature formula to retain grip and is claimed to be soft and durable with slow-rebounding tread.
That tread has the popular hexagonal lug pattern that’s different at the heel and toe to boost walking grip.
Fitted with a Gore-Tex liner – that extends up to the highest seam on the ankle cuff – the GF8 Gore-Tex shoes are fully waterproof.
Around the ankle is a sock-like elastic opening designed to create a mud- and water-tight seal. This climbs up the ankle to create a mid-height design.
A single Boa dial is used to lace up the GF8s. The dial has a plastic guard to help reduce the chances of it getting damaged or opening during riding.
An ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) mid-sole is there to absorb impacts and improve flexibility. This combines with ‘Torbal 2.0’, a torsional plate that means the shoe is stiff in the middle but can flex on the heel and edges.
The upper is made from synthetic leather, with textured print on the toe to improve durability.
They’re available in sizes EU38 to EU48, and my EU43 pair weighed 813g.
Shimano GF8 Gore-Tex performance
Size and fit
Feeling snug at the heel, there’s plenty of support and foot-stabilising compression to stop your feet moving about.
This isn’t at the expense of comfort, however, because there’s plenty of space in the toe box, ensuring you don’t feel squashed or cramped. There are no discernible hot spots and the comfort is spot-on.
Along with their fit being well-balanced, the single Boa dial tightens them evenly across the top of your feet. Pressure can be increased in small increments up to your desired setting quickly and easily.
However, they size up slightly smaller than other mountain bike shoes I've tested. I’m usually an EU42 or EU42.5 and had to wear the EU43 after finding the smaller sizes were too snug. As always, try before you buy.
The sock-like upper is snug-fitting but flexible enough to remain totally unrestrictive. It seals around your ankle well.
This can make the GF8 hard to put on initially, but over time, the sock becomes baggier. This lessens the seal around your ankle, but makes the shoes easier to fit.
Feel and grip
Fortunately, the soft and malleable upper, which is relatively unpadded, doesn’t create unwanted foot flexibility and instability. Instead, comfort is brilliant and wearing the GF8s all day didn’t result in any sore or hot spots.
Similarly, the sole is softer and flexier than most other flat-pedal shoes. Initially, I was concerned this could lead to premature foot fatigue or cramps, but on the trail, it upped feedback and control.
Foot clawing and discomfort, despite the flexibility, aren’t an issue, and stiffness seems to be balanced perfectly with feel; there’s no excess bulk to give clumpy or numb sensations.
Grip is excellent, and true to Shimano’s cold-weather tread claims, doesn’t drop off once the trails freeze.
The pedal’s pins penetrate into the shoe’s tread, getting stuck into the rubber. Try to twist your foot and they chew their way deeper, providing an even more secure connection.
Like other soft-compound shoes, twisting your foot feels ‘sprung’, where the shoe’s sole wants to rebound back into its original shape. Instead of the shoes sliding or moving on top of the pedal’s surface, their soles remain put.
Pointing your toes and twisting your ankles to control the bike’s direction doesn’t cause the shoes to slide or slip across the pedals, boosting confidence and control.
The Gore-Tex membrane extends up to the highest seam, just below the opening. Along with the snug-fitting cuff that extends up the leg to create a solid overlap with your trousers, they’re excellent at protecting against the elements.
The shoes need to be fully submerged to just above the ankle before water ingress starts, making these much better at keeping your feet dry than the Five Ten Trailcross GTX I've also tested. They’re grippier too.
How we tested | MTB shoes
Alex tested these three pairs of shoes back-to-back on the same trails in the same conditions, using the same pedals; Deity's TMac, Crankbrothers’ Stamp 7 and Renthal’s Revo-F. Alex was looking for durability, comfort and, most importantly, grip.
Also tested
- Fox Union BOA Flat
- Ride Concepts Tallac BOA ' 24
- Shimano GF8 Gore-Tex
Shimano GF800 GFX bottom line
One of the grippiest flat-pedal shoes on the market, the GF8 Gore-Tex ups the ante with impressive waterproofing, a comfortable feel and excellent fit adjustment from the Boa dial.
The price is very expensive, and the Gore-Tex membrane and the upper could extend further up your leg to improve weather protection, but these are still excellent shoes.
SQUIRREL_13188988
Product
| Brand | Shimano |
| Price | £220.00 |
| Weight | 813g |
Features
| Shoe closure | dial |
| Features | Sizes: 38-48 Colours: Black; Khaki Outsole: ULTREAD |
