by Stan Purdum
Pearl iZUMi (PI) offers a plethora of shoes for bicycling this year. They come engineered for specific kinds of cycling, at a variety of price points and some in a choice of colors.
Here are a couple things to know when reading the descriptions:
- Each model uses one of three closures systems (or in a few cases some combination of two). The are 1) shoestring laces, 2) Velcro straps and 3) the BOA lacing system. The latter is a technology migrated from snowboard boots that uses integrated cables and one or more reels to tighten (or “dial in”) the shoe to your foot.
- EVA midsoles are a cushioning material commonly used in modern sports shoes. EVA is a lightweight foam that forms easily and resists compression set.
Although shoes are specified for road, gravel, mountain or other specialized cycling activities, most of the shoes will work beyond their designated category. For example, some road cyclists prefer MTB shoes because they generally offer better walkability while still offering pedaling power. The new gravel shoes might well fit this preference as well.
The models shown here are the men’s versions. PI offers a similar selection for women.
Road Shoes
Pro Air
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $400
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
The Pro Air is an ultralight top-of-the-line road shoe featuring a carbon sole design that’s 20-percent lighter than PIs Pro Road V5 sole without, says PI, sacrificing stiffness or compromising durability or comfort. Uses a mesh laminate upper with zonal construction to reinforce critical areas while shedding weight from regions where it isn’t needed. Has a replaceable insole and a lace keeper to keep the laces securely in place.
Pro Road v5
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $400
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
While not quite as feathery as the Pro Air, the Pro Road v5 is still a lightweight shoe with a full carbon-fiber sole. Most of its seams are bonded to create a shoe that offers greater comfort due to less bulk. The footbed is ergonomically designed to provide optimal support, pedaling efficiency and comfort. The dual BOA closure reels allow 1-mm micro-adjustability. PI notes that this shoe runs small, so they suggest ordering half size up.
Men’s Attack Road
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $160
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
This road shoe is made with mesh that’s bonded to a heavily perforated upper in a seamless construction to give the shoe a more comfortable fit. A single BOA closure is intended to provide equal pressure across the instep. EVA foam and rubber heel bumper gives stability and walking comfort. The composite sole will accept a two-bolt or a three-bolt cleat. Shoe has reflective elements for low-light visibility.
Tour Road
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $130
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
The Tour Road shoe combines the classic look of a lace-up bike shoe with modern sole technology. PI’s lace lock provides a place to stash your lace ends to keep them out of your drivetrain. Constructed with a nylon composite sole that integrates a stiff carbon plate at the ball of the foot to maximize power transfer. Will accept two-bolt SPD and three-bolt SPD-SL cleats. A fully bonded seamless upper construction creates a slipper like fit.
X-Road Fuel v5
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $110
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
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Looking less like a traditional bike shoe and more like a running shoe, the X-Road Fuel v5 looks at home on the bike, at the gym or around town, delivering both pedaling performance and easy off-the-bike walkability. Made of a quick-drying, highly breathable mesh/synthetic upper on a nylon plate for pedaling stability. The rubber lugged outsole with a flexible forefoot and a running shoe beveled heel offers traction and durability and is SPD compatible.
Quest Road
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $100
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
This road cycling shoe has a stiff full nylon sole to reduce foot fatigue while pedaling. The heavily perforated film upper is bonded to a highly breathable mesh for ventilation. Three supple straps offer a strong closure with easy on-the-fly adjustability. A 1cm rubber heel bumper makes this shoe an easy walker. Will accept either two-bolt or three-bolt cleats.
All-Road v5
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $90
Find them at Pearl Izumi
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PI says this shoe is “at home in the studio or out on the open road.” It features an easy-to-adjust three strap closure for customizable comfort. The sole integrates a stiff composite plate for pedaling performance, finished with a durable rubber sole for off-the-bike traction and comfort. Two-bolt SPD cleat compatible
Gravel Shoes
Gravel X
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $250
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
This is PI’s premium gravel shoe, blending the light weight and stiffness of a road shoe with the durability of a mountain bike shoe. Features a full carbon sole to maximize power transfer and a “glove-like” fit of the 3D knit upper combined with the micro-adjustable BOA Fit System. The knit construction and perforated tongue are breathable, lightweight and quick drying. The toe and edges of the Gravel X are wrapped in a scuff-resistant layer and have a mud-shedding open tread sole design. Compatible with two-bolt SPD cleat. PI notes that the fit runs small and suggests you order a half size up.
X-Alp Gravel
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $150
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
Described as being “equally at home on gravel, XC trails or all-day adventures,” this shoe features technology borrowed from PI’s X-Project, a development of a sole that offers both pedaling stiffness and off-the-bike walkability. The upper is cut from one-piece synthetic leather with added perforations to let feet breathe. A single dial BOA system provides equal pressure across the instep and even closure. Extra toe protection helps with errant stones and extended or uphill hikes, and a short EVA insert at the heel provides vibration damping to reduce fatigue on longer rides over rough roads. The sole is lugged for secure footing and is two-bolt SPD cleat compatible.
Mountain bike shoes
X-Alp Elevate
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $200
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
The X-Alp Elevate is PI’s top mountain bike shoe. It’s designed for comfort and efficiency, using a synthetic leather tongue and upper mounted on a Vibram ECOSTEP outsole with EVA cushioning for ease of walking. Has a two-dial BOA fit system so you can fine tune the closure. Two-bolt SPD cleat compatible
X-Alp Launch SPD
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $160
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
The X-Alp Launch SPD would look good with casual street clothes, and has a sleek appearance thanks to its BOA fit system, but it accepts a two-bolt SPD cleat making it fully a bicycle shoe. Eco-friendly Cordura fabric made from recycled content is used to construct a brand-new upper that is both lightweight and durable. The sole has a three-quarter length composite shank for stiffness under the cleat while allowing enough flex at the toes for hike-a-bike moments. Has a reinforced toe box for added protection.
X-Alp Summit
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $150
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
PI says the X-Alp Summit receives “trickle-down technology” from its flagship X-Elevate trail shoe, including a Nylon composite sole that balances pedaling efficiency with walkability. Features a grippy Vibram rubber outsole and a reinforced toe box “that will help you navigate the gnarliest hike-a-bike sections.” The shoe employs a BOA closure alongside a Velcro toe strap to provide a comfortable, secure fit. The seamless synthetic leather upper has perforations to improve ventilation. Two-bolt SPD cleat compatible
X-ALP Canyon
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $110
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
This is a lace-up cycling shoe that features a mesh upper for ventilation and a composite shank through the midsole that connects directly to SPD pedal systems and provides necessary stiffness to prevent foot fatigue while pedaling. Constructed with and EVA midsole for off-the-bike cushioning and has a carbon rubber lugged outsole for traction and durability. A recessed cleat design allows for natural walking in these shoes.
General purpose shoes
X-ALP DIVIDE
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $95
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
PI calls this shoe its “most versatile” since it “combines road stiffness with mountain off-bike confidence.” The X-Alp Divide is an update PI’s All-Road v4 cycling shoes, and they’re ready for all-terrain adventure. Has a bonded seamless upper, a full length nylon plate to prevent foot fatigue and an aggressive outsole pattern for traction and durability. Uses a two-strap closure system and offers two-bolt SPD cleat compatibility.
X-Alp Flow
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $100
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
If you ride flat pedals, consider the X-Alp Flow. Because it does not support cleats to keep your feet on the pedals, it instead employs a grippy rubber compound sole combined with a chevron-shaped PinLoc tread pattern. Wide-set lacing allows an adjustable fit and a lace lock keeps your shoestrings away from your drivetrain. (PI also offers some other flat pedal shoes not included in this roundup. See the PI website.)
Special application shoes
Quest Studio
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $110
Find them at Pearl Izumi
Find them at Competitive Cyclist
Find them at Amazon
You may have never considered having a pair of shoes just for use on your trainer, but the folks at PI have. They say, “We took the clean, modern aesthetic of our best-selling road shoes and amplified the materials and construction to endure the challenging environment of indoor cycling.” Thus, the Quest Studio is specifically engineered to perform in hot, humid conditions. It’s constructed with an anti-microbial upper mesh to help resist odor causing bacteria and fungus, a synthetic leather collar lining and closed cell foam padding to helps shed sweat and water, and a sockliner with Silvadur anti-microbial top sheet material for added durability and bacterial resistance. The shoes also have added ventilation holes. Compatible with three-bolt SPD-SL, Delta, and two-bolt SPD cleats
Tri Fly SELECT v6
Manufacturer pricing suggested at around $100
Find them at Pearl Izumi.
Find them at Competitive Cyclist.
Find them at Amazon.
The Men’s Tri Fly SELECT v6 is designed as all-around triathlon bike shoe. A composite power plate with a carbon fiber forefoot insert provides lightweight stiffness and durability. The power plate features a direct-vent technology for both cooling and drainage, but also includes an EVA foam and rubber heel bumper to give stability and walking comfort. Has a bonded seamless upper that closes by means of two straps. Three-bolt road cleat and SPD compatible.
Stan Purdum has ridden several long-distance bike trips, including an across-America ride recounted in his book Roll Around Heaven All Day, and a trek on U.S. 62, from Niagara Falls, New York, to El Paso, Texas, the subject of his book Playing in Traffic. Stan, a freelance writer and editor, lives in Ohio. See more at www.StanPurdum.com.
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