Within a funded research project (reference number 0325244C, BMWi – Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany), the load-carrying capacity of alternative involute gears was investigated. To find qualified variations for use in gear drives, increased pressure angles (αn > 20°) and/or asymmetric tooth shapes (αn 20°) have been examined experimentally. Optimization goals were the power to weight ratio of the transmission and the power density in the drive train. In this report gears with reference tooth shape (αn = 20°) as well as gears with modified tooth shape (αn = 28°) are discussed with focus on the load carrying capacity of the tooth flank with special regard to the damage mechanisms pitting, micro-pitting and scuffing. The results of experimental and test accompanying studies are shown. They allow a direct comparison between standard and special gears as well as a classification in context of the actual state of knowledge.