The Shimano GF8 (SH-GF800) GTX is a winter-weather flat pedal shoe that combines a weatherproof Gore-Tex membrane with an uber-sticky Ultread outsole. For the most part, the brand's efforts to create such a shoe are very successful as it offers good grip on the pedals and when off of the bike. However, while they deter ingress effectively, they’re not entirely waterproof and they’re a bit pricey.
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Shimano GF8 GTX shoes - Technical details
Shimano touts the GF8 GTX as a gravity-focused shoe that’s been put together specifically to cope with the harsh rigours of the UK’s winter and it gets a heap of features to do so.
Taking up weatherproofing duties is a Gore-Tex sock liner that coats the entirety of the shoe’s interior and runs just above the ankle. At the ankle, the sock hugs close to the skin to keep water and other stuff from seeping its way through to the inside of the shoe.
There’s a Torbal 2.0 torsional plate inside the sole that’s been included to provide flex towards the outer of the shoe to help with control when cornering. There’s also a spongy EVA foam for impact absorption and further flexibility.
For pedal grip, Shimano has used an Ultread rubber outsole: the same that we’ve seen on the brand’s shoes prior but the GF8 uses a special cold-weather formula. It’s claimed that this rubber should stay sticky even in cold temperatures. The tread pattern is right in line with Ultread soles we’ve seen before but this one gets water drainage channels to increase grip on the pedal and when walking.
There’s a top cap for a bit of protection and a Boa L6 dial, complete with a little plastic guard, to protect it from unlocking under impact. There's then the brand's Volume Trail Last which means that the upper is tighter around the ball of the foot which is said to improve control and efficiency, and there's also increased volume in the toe box and heel for walking comfort.
The shoe comes in sizes spanning EU40 up to 48. The size EU44 pictured here weighs 436g per shoe.
Shimano GF8 GTX shoes - Performance
Because there are no zips on the shoe’s upper sock, it takes a bit of effort to slide into the GF8s but, once in, they’re a very pleasant place. The upper portions of that Gore-Tex sock hug the ankle and the upper foot while the toe box opens up, leaving a good amount of room for some free toe movement, both of which combine to offer a snug fit around the ankle and midfoot. While the fit elsewhere is slim, it’s more than comfortable and results in an overall slim shoe with absolutely no unnecessary bulk which is absolutely to be appreciated on a winter-specific shoe.
With that snug fit, the Boa L6 dial almost becomes redundant because the shoe feels secure immediately. However, the dial is a useful addition that boosts security further by cinching the fit down a touch around the top of the foot. There’s also plenty of space for thicker, merino socks should the need arise.
On the foot, regardless of the weather-resistant engineering that’s present, the GF8 feels like any other shoe. It’s super comfortable and that comfort is translated excellently when in contact with a pedal, where the torsional and general flex results in impressive engagement with a pedal’s shape.
Throughout my time with the GF8, I paired it with the Race Face Aeffect R, Pembree D2A, and Funn Python pedals, and with each, the grip was superb and even class-leading. The Ultread rubber on this shoe is tacky to the touch which was impressive out of the box but given that I have had poor experiences with other versions of Shimano’s compound, I was blown away with the sheer grip that this shoe has to offer.
Combined with the tread pattern on the sole, the pedal’s pins engage and mesh with the shoe which supplies loads of security. So much in fact that when using pedals with completely threaded pins, I could pull up on the pedals.
Both grip and comfort are boosted because of Shimano’s work in sculpting the GF800’s flex profile. In terms of pedalling performance, it's not the stiffest but it's far from the bendiest which offers a good middle ground where the flex offers great feel on the pedals and a boost in grip as the shoe conforms to the pedal platform. The lack of stiffness does affect efficiency though. The feel and feedback that the shoe offers is second to none, especially when compared to other winter-specific shoes and this is yet another area where the GF8 excels.
Other winter shoes are bulky, as are their soles and that reduces communication and feel on the pedal. The GF8’s interaction with a pedal is excellent for a winter shoe. I’ve been able to tell exactly where my feet are on the pedals at all times while taking full advantage of its support
The grip is rather good off of the bike, too. I've been able to comfortably scale wet and otherwise slippery ascents without so much as a slight slip. These shoes are more than capable of hike-a-bike efforts and sessioning trails.
Even though there’s a lot to love about the GF8s, there’s one thing it does lack slightly compared to other shoes of this kind and that’s weatherproofing. To call these weatherproof is a bit of a stretch as they’re more water resistant. The fabric cuff that runs from the ankle to the top of the foot can quickly saturate at which point water ingresses. The perforations at the toe also allow moisture to work its way in but, even then, the GF8s are far more effective at keeping weather out than regular riding kicks.
But it's well worth mentioning that, while these shoes are weatherproof, the protection they offer is still very good. Water might make its way in but when it does, it's not much and the shoe remains warm and comfortable. The main body of the shoe does an excellent job of keeping water out. However, when riding through very serious downpours with non-waterproof trousers that don’t go too far over the cuff, the shoes have flooded but given this particular scenario, I’ll let Shimano off here, especially given their exceptional performance elsewhere.
Shimano GF8 GTX shoes - Verdict
At £220, the Shimano GF8 GTXs are a reasonable investment, especially for a set of shoes that you’ll only ride in for half the year. They've become my go-to option, usurping the £190 Leatt 7.0 HydraDri flat pedal shoe. They're not quite as good in the grip and pedal-feel department. It does a good job of waterproofing, however.
The Five Ten Trailcross GTX is the biggest contender at £160 as its grip is better and it’s a similar kind of shoe comfort-wise. However, the thin laces aren’t as comfortable as the Boa closure on the GF8. That said, the Trailcross is easier to get on thanks to the Velcro cuff.
Shimano’s GF8 GTX is a seriously impressive winter shoe. It combines awesome comfort with a stunning grip on the pedal as well as a communicative and complete pedal feel, in a package that provides enough weather protection for the worst of the UK’s winter. Downsides are incredibly few but they are pricey compared to other options in the best mountain bike shoe space and they don’t provide 100 per cent protection against water ingress.
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