The Complete Shimano Brake Pad Compatibility Guide (2025)

Shimano Brake Pad Shapes Explained

Shimano has been making disc brakes longer than almost anyone in the bike industry, which means there are a lot of different pad shapes floating around. The good news: Shimano uses a letter-based system that makes it fairly straightforward once you know what you're looking for.

There are four main pad shapes for Shimano mountain bike and road disc brakes:

• D-type / N-type (4-piston) – The largest Shimano pad shape. Fits XTR M9120, XT M8120, SLX M7120, Deore M6120, and Saint M820 4-piston calipers. If your caliper has four pistons, this is your pad.
• G-type / J-type (2-piston, post-2019) – Fits the newer 2-piston brakes: XT M8100, SLX M7100, Deore M6100, and MT series. This replaced the B-type for newer generation brakes.
• B-type (2-piston, pre-2019) – The older 2-piston shape. Fits XT M8000, SLX M7000, Deore M6000, M615, M445, M395, and many others from this era. Still extremely common on the trail.
• K-type (road / flat-mount) – For Shimano's road and gravel flat-mount calipers. Fits Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, GRX, and the XTR M9100 2-piston trail brake.

The reference table below covers every Shimano pad shape.

Confused about which Shimano brake pads fit? This guide covers every Shimano disc brake pad type.

Quick Compatibility Chart

Pad Image	Pad Type	Compatible Brakes	Pistons
	D-Type / N-Type	XTR M9100/M9120, XT M8100/M8120, SLX M7100/M7120, Deore M6100/M6120, Saint M820, Zee M640	4-Piston
	G-Type / J-Type	XTR M9000, XT M8000, SLX M7000, Deore M6000	2-Piston
	B-Type / M0-Type	MT200, MT400, MT500, Deore M6100 2-piston	2-Piston
	K-Type / L-Type	GRX, Ultegra, 105, Dura-Ace road	2-Piston Road

4-Piston Brakes: D-Type and N-Type

For XTR M9100/M9120, XT M8100/M8120, SLX M7100/M7120, Deore M6100/M6120, Saint M820, Zee M640.

Which Compound Should You Run?

We make three compounds for Shimano brakes:

Gravity – Our most popular compound. Organic-based with high metal content. Aggressive wet-weather bite close to sintered, with better system heat management on long descents. Heat stays in the rotor rather than the caliper and fluid. Quieter than sintered. What most North Shore Shimano riders end up running year-round.

Trail – Organic compound with excellent modulation and the quietest operation. A genuine all-rounder for mixed conditions. Best starting point if you are unsure what to run.

Sintered – Maximum durability in deep mud and sustained wet. Best raw pad longevity. Does transfer more heat into the hydraulic system on long descents than organic-based compounds.

How to Identify Your Model

1. Check caliper body for model number (e.g., BR-M8100)
2. Count pistons: 2 or 4?
3. Check old pad backing plate

FAQ

Mix compounds? Yes. A common setup is Gravity or sintered up front for maximum stopping power, Trail compound in the rear for smoother modulation.

Void warranty? No.

Bed-in required? Yes, 20-30 gradual stops.

Compound by Brake Model

Here is what we recommend for each Shimano brake type:

• XTR / XT / Saint (4-piston, D-type / N-type) – Gravity compound is our pick for most riders. Strong bite in wet conditions, smooth modulation for technical terrain, and better heat management on long descents than sintered. Sintered if you are doing sustained muddy riding and want the longest pad life possible.
• XT / SLX / Deore (2-piston, G-type or B-type) – Trail compound is the right starting point for most trail riders: quiet, great modulation, handles mixed conditions well. Step up to Gravity if you ride the North Shore or anywhere that sees real rain for months at a time.
• Road / GRX (K-type) – Trail compound for most road and gravel use. Quiet, excellent modulation at speed. Gravity if you are doing sustained alpine descents or riding in consistently wet gravel conditions.

Shimano Pad Shape Quick Reference

Pad Shape	Shimano Brakes
D-type / N-type (4-piston)	XTR M9120, XT M8120, SLX M7120, Deore M6120, Saint M820
G-type / J-type (2-piston new)	XT M8100, SLX M7100, Deore M6100, MT series
B-type (2-piston old)	XT M8000, SLX M7000, Deore M6000, M615, M445, M395
K-type (road/flat-mount)	Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, GRX, XTR M9100 2-piston

Loam Goat carries every Shimano pad shape and compound. Shop Shimano brake pads here.