Words: Hayden Wright Photos: Mike Blewitt
The Shimano GE5 serves as the basis for Shimano's all new line of Gravity Enduro (GE) shoes. While the GE9 is adorned with BOA dials and the GE7 is synthetic
leather, the GE5 takes a simple approach to deliver a flawless shoe that promises all-day wear
comfort both on and off the bike. I recently set up a pair to see how they perform on the trail, how comfortable they are to get in and if they are worth your hard earned dollars.
Out of the box
Anyone who knows me will agree to the fact that I love black bike kit. Shoes, sweaters, hats – make it dark. So, I was surprised to see that Shimano had sent me the GE5 in black. While the Light Green and Sand Beige variants look great, there's something about a black shoe that really does it for me. These kicks are available in sizes 38-48, and the 45 I had on test came in at 452 grams – very competitive considering the price point. The sole is made of Shimano's ULTREAD GE rubber, patterned with deep channels for both pedaling and hiking. The midsole is also Shimano's proprietary system called TORBAL 2.0, which prioritizes the shoe's compatibility without sacrificing tread stability. On a scale of 1-10, Shimano rated this shoe a 5 for durability. All of this is wrapped around a long and deep channel that is clear, which allowed me to get my SPD cleats where I wanted them – between the ball and between my foot and the cleat aimed at my big toe. Pulling the shoe up, we see the upper fabric similar to the Vans Classic skate shoe, and the one-sided laces. As with the entire GE line, the upper also features a raised ankle collar for a touch of added protection.
On the road
The first impression on the GE5 was that it is soft and soft on the upper part of the shoes. Once I had the laces on, I went for a jaunt around the house to see how comfortable they were on the bike. I can say without a doubt that they are the most comfortable clipless shoes I have ever walked, or hiked in. The compliant sole and ULTREAD rubber really give you comfort all day, and the clear channel is deep enough that you don't need to listen to your clicks and clicks against the floor before and after riding. While cycling, I also noticed shoe compliance – although it wasn't all roses. I usually ride with a set of Fizik Gravita Tensor shoes, which I prefer for their durability above all else. These GE5s are very soft and flexible in comparison, and as a channel there is a lot of feedback though the contact point of the pedal and your feet. Similarly, when I ran I could feel the shoe flexing and flexing under me – meaning some of that energy wasn't being transferred to the bike. This isn't all bad though, as riders who don't choose their shoes primarily for their level of power dissipation and power transmission will appreciate the comfort and response the GE5 provides.
The decision
The Shimano GE5 is a great no-nonsense shoe for someone who wants to be able to do more than just chase Strava segment times on their weekend rides. If you tend to walk or walk before, on post or during your trip – these are for you. The soft sole, comfortable construction and grippy rubber make these shoes great for more than just feet and should leave you comfortable no matter how many times you push your child back up the hill with the other leg.
Price: $189.95
From: bike.shimano.com
Hits and gauges
Hits
– Everyday comfort
– Modest style
– A clean channel that is wide and long
You miss it
– Sole will not be strong enough for some
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