Verdict from 5 experts and 14 user reviews
6 reasons to buy
- The Shimano GR901 MTB shoe is impressively comfortable, says most testers.
- According to plenty of users, this model offers decent traction and rigidity.
- The GR901’s speed lacing system makes putting on and taking off the footwear easy, a handful of reviewers say.
- This shoe feels relatively lighter than other mountain cycling models, according to some purchasers.
- A few riders attest to this pair’s durable construct.
- The GR901’s asymmetrical ankle design protects the wearer from ankle injuries, affirms a number of users.
2 reasons not to buy
- Based on a few GR901 users, this footgear’s insoles don’t aid in keeping the foot in place.
- An expert claims that not everyone will like the unique design of this shoe.
Bottom line
Shimano has built the GR901 entirely based on feedback from the AM7’s users. The result is a lighter shoe that absorbs less water, dries quicker, and has more grip.
When it comes to comfort, this shoe hits a straight bull’s eye. It is not waterproof, but a Velcro flap covering the quick laces provides decent protection against the elements. In all, the GR901 is considered to be an adequately performing gravity shoe.
Tip: see the best mountain cycling shoes.
Good to know
The Shimano GR901 is the brand’s top-tier flat gravity/enduro/downhill shoe. From the toe protection to the outsole tread design and asymmetrical collar design, every design element was incorporated to assist in aggressive downhill riding.
Although it’s not waterproof, it is designed for colder and wetter conditions as it’s quite toasty, dries quickly, and isn’t too absorbent. The shoe’s protective Velcro flap helps keep the elements from entering the footwear.
Superb grip on pedal and ground. The Shimano GR901 employs a Michelin-designed sole, which equates to world-renowned grip. Apart from this, a special tread design has been placed in the toe and heel areas for hiking-like traction.
More focus on molding after the foot. This pair has a rating of 3 out of 12 in the brand’s stiffness index. Since it is a downhill-oriented pair, stiffness isn’t much of a necessity. Instead, it puts more importance on assisting the wearer with protection and grip.
The GR901 is a flat MTB shoe. It provides wearers, especially beginners, with the confidence to focus on honing their skills instead of worrying about falling due to not clipping out in time.
The shoe works well with the following pedal types: Acros A-Flat MD, Crank Brothers Stamp 7, and Nukeproof Horizon Pro.
Better water management. Learning from its predecessor’s weakness, the GR901 uses less absorbent materials that also dry quickly.
Toe protection. Reinforced molded toecaps play a big part in protecting the foot, especially in the descending nature of downhill cycling.
Safety from bike impacts. Due to the aggressive quality of mountain trails, occasional bumping of the foot against the bike is natural. However, bruises and injuries are not. Shimano created a solution for this via the asymmetrically raised and padded internal collar for protection.
Fast and secure retention system. This footwear employs the speed lacing system with an armored lace shield. This combination offers a locked-down fit with easier use and enhanced protection against the elements.
The Shimano GR901 comes with standard insole models. They are replaceable, so if your foot needs more support, just interchange with a special orthotic footbed.
Coming from the same brand and category, it is a no-brainer that the GR901 and GR701 MTB shoes would get compared. Aesthetic-wise, the two models’ only similarity is that they are both flat cycling shoes. Based on reviews, both also seem to have the same rigidity rate and dry quickly.
If you want more protection from debris and faster closure, the GR901 is for you. However, the GR701 is more breathable and looks more like a sneaker.