Best Shimano Brake Pads 2025: Complete Compatibility & Upgrade Guide

Photo: Ross Bell / Pinkbike

Find the Perfect Brake Pads for Your Shimano Brakes

Whether you're on XTR, XT, SLX, Deore, or an MT200, Shimano uses different pad shapes across their lineup. Here's how to figure out which pads fit your brakes and which compound makes sense for how you ride.

Shimano Brake Pad Shapes: Which One Do You Need?

Shimano uses different pad shapes across their brake lineup. Here's how to identify yours:

G-Type Pads (G03S, G04S, G05S)

These fit most modern Shimano mountain bike brakes including:

• XTR: BR-M9100, BR-M9120, BR-M9000, BR-M9020, BR-M987, BR-M985
• XT: BR-M8100, BR-M8120, BR-M8000, BR-M8020, BR-M785
• SLX: BR-M7100, BR-M7120, BR-M7000, BR-M675, BR-M666
• Deore: BR-M6100, BR-M6120, BR-M6000, BR-M615
• Gravel/Road: BR-RS785, BR-R785, BR-CX75

B-Type Pads (B01S, B03S, B05S)

These fit entry-level and older Shimano brakes:

• BR-MT500, BR-MT400, BR-MT200
• BR-M447, BR-M446, BR-M445, BR-M395, BR-M375
• BR-M515, BR-M525, BR-M486, BR-M485

N-Type Pads (Saint/Zee)

For Shimano's most powerful brakes:

• Saint: BR-M820, BR-M810
• Zee: BR-M640

Which Compound Is Right for You?

We make three compounds for Shimano brakes. Here is how to pick:

Gravity – Our most popular compound. Organic-based with high metal content. Aggressive bite in wet conditions, smooth modulation for technical terrain, and better heat management than sintered on long descents. Heat stays in the rotor rather than the caliper and brake fluid. Quieter than sintered. What most North Shore riders end up running year-round.

Trail – Organic compound with excellent modulation and the quietest operation. A genuine all-rounder for mixed trail conditions. Start here if you are unsure, and step up to Gravity if you find yourself riding in heavy rain or on sustained steep terrain.

Sintered – Maximum durability in deep mud and sustained wet. Best raw pad longevity. Worth knowing: sintered transfers heat into the caliper and brake fluid more than organic-based compounds, which can soften lever feel on very long descents.

Our Recommendation

For most riders in BC or the Pacific Northwest, Gravity compound is our first recommendation. It gives you the wet-weather confidence of sintered with better system heat management on long descents and quieter day-to-day operation. If you are doing sustained muddy riding and want pads that last as long as possible above all else, sintered is the call.

How Often Should You Replace Shimano Brake Pads?

Replace your pads when:

• Pad material is less than 1mm thick
• You hear metal-on-metal scraping
• Braking power has noticeably decreased
• Pads are contaminated with oil

Most riders replace pads every 3-6 months depending on riding frequency and conditions.

Pro Tips for Shimano Brake Pads

1. Bed in properly: Do 20-30 moderate stops from medium speed before riding hard
2. Keep them clean: Avoid touching pad surfaces with fingers
3. Check rotor compatibility: Sintered pads require rotors rated for metallic compounds
4. Buy in pairs: Always replace both front and rear at the same time for consistent braking

Shop Shimano Brake Pads

Ready to upgrade your stopping power? Use our Brake Finder tool to find the exact pads for your Shimano brakes, or browse our Shimano brake pad collection.