Submitted by
hellfaucet
a Cross Country Rider
from Detroit, MI Date Reviewed: November 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Potawatomi
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Pearl Izumi Online S
Strengths:
Very comfortable for an SPD shoe. Provides excellent arch support, good grip, and stiff sole. Come with stretchy softshell gaiters. Awesome for when you need to hike a bike.
Weaknesses:
Wish they came in different colors.
Similar Products Used:
SIDI Dominator, Pearl Izumi PRO MTB
Bike Setup:
Evil Sovereign w/ XT/X9 drivetrain
Bottom Line:
THis review was for the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Mid GTXGreat for low-impact, muddy mountain biking. Significantly more comfortable than most plastic shoes and can pass of as just a technical sneaker when at the office or in public. All-around a joy to wear after wearing plastic shoes for the majority of my biking career.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mouricesimo
a Weekend Warrior
from mendon, vt usa Date Reviewed: July 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
cut through off the main road
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
NASHBAR
Strengths:
STYLE, WEIGHT, PRICE, AND PERFORMANCE
Weaknesses:
velcro is shortish, laces are kinda hidden by the strap, and they run small
Similar Products Used:
sidi dominator
Bike Setup:
mongoose zero-g sx single speed white industries eno eccentric hub strongarm cranks bomber suspension time atac alium pedal and a fizik pave seat
Bottom Line:
gonna put alot of miles on
try to keep dry and in good shape
looks like a real nice hiking boot
comfortable and breathable
the insole is thin and i think the idea of another (i put in a superfoot bed) and still have plenty of room
i am a size nine and the 43 8they say a 10 fits nicely
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Racer
from Castle Rock, CO Date Reviewed: January 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Rocks, roots, technical
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Pearl Izumi
Strengths:
Comfortable GoreTex - protection from snow and wetness Stiff for pedaling Easy to walk/hike Warm Gaiters are extremely effective in preventing snow or anything else from going down inside the shoes
Weaknesses:
Provision for toe spikes would be nice A little deeper tread would protect cleats more
Similar Products Used:
Various mtb shoes
Bike Setup:
Yeti 575
Bottom Line:
I own the GTX version with GoreTex. They are FANTASTIC!! They had just a bit too much volume when I purchased them, so I put some additional shoe liners from some running shoes in. Now they fit perfectly. They are incredibly comfortable. The only time I think about them is when I look at my feet -- and then it is "wow, what great shoes!" I wore them on a ride this past Saturday where I post-holed up to mid-thigh a few times. My feet were warm and dry for the entire ride. I had to hike-a-bike a few times across snow drifts and the shoes are very easy to walk/hike in. It is possible to run in them as well, though they are not running shoes.
They are so comfortable yet effective (stiff) for pedaling that I may use them to race in this summer. The Winter Park mtb race courses include water crossings and I hate getting my feet drenched. These may be the solution.
I really can't say enough positive about them. They seem to be extremely well made and just disappear when you start pedaling. Or hiking. The "weaknesses" are just nits -- toe spikes would have been nice in a couple places, but might detract from how easy it is to hike in them. The tread is deep enough to protect the cleats while new, so it's fine as long as it doesn't wear down.
Pearl is committed to customer satisfaction, too. I owned a pair of Vagabonds that I thought wore out much too quickly. They were an older model -- I bought them a couple years ago from a shop that was going out of business and had them sitting on their shelf for a few years. So I wore out the 2002 Vagabonds quickly, emailed Pearl, and they offered a new pair of shoes. What incredible customer service! I'm a committed Pearl customer for sure. Their stuff always seems to be at the right quality/price point for me. It is possible to pay a lot more and get stuff that is a little better, but the Pearl products fit well, work well, and are durable, all at a very reasonable price. Thanks, Pearl!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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