Pearl Izumi Race MTB mountain bike shoes review
Cross-country race/trail riding footwear
GBP £109.99 RRP | USD $140.00 Skip to view deals
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Cleat placement was easy to get right on Pearl Izumi’s Race MTB shoes, thanks to the lengthy slots and clearance around the treads, which in turn then helped shed mud quickly when we were out on the trails.
The wide cut will suit anyone with feet of larger proportions and there are no awkward tight spots that would make them feel uncomfortable. The sole is stiff enough when you’re looking to put the power down but still offers a bit of give off the bike when walking. Tread carefully over rocks and roots though, because grip isn’t great.
The heel cup offers a fairly decent clasp and helps avoid any unnecessary movement on and off the bike. The meshed front panels over the toes help to keep the temperature down but aren’t ideal for winter wetness – they tend to let moisture in.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine.
Authors
Rob Weaver is BikeRadar's technical editor-in-chief. Rob manages all of the testing here at BikeRadar and across our magazines, Mountain Biking UK and Cycling Plus. Rob first graced the pages of MBUK back in 2001 when working as a freelance writer and went on to start testing bikes for the title in 2007. In 2010 he joined the team full-time and has been keeping a close eye on all things test-related ever since. Rob’s expansive knowledge of bikes comes courtesy of his passion for racing. He cut his teeth racing cross-country mountain bikes in the early 90s before finding his feet in downhill. After many years competing on the UK national circuit (including a year attempting to race UCI DH World Cups), Rob realised his know-how and passion for bike setup, tech and writing clearly outweighed his racing ability. A degree in sports technology and decades of riding experience all help to give Rob a thorough understanding of what’s needed to create a great bike or product. While Rob’s a mountain biker at heart and never happier than when he’s sliding down a Welsh hillside, he’s more than happy to put the miles in on the road or gravel bike, too.
