Pearl Izumi Elite Road II shoes

Pearl Izumi's Elite Road II is a decent road shoe, its best feature a unidirectional carbon fibre sole.

The sole is fairly slim, with a stack height of 7mm above the pedal. It's also stiff; you can occasionally feel a small amount of torsional flex when you get out of the saddle and jump on the pedals, but very little. As well as being efficient, that means you feel no particular pressure under the ball of your foot when you put the power in.

The shoe has a longitudinal arch support - so, if it fits right, the outsole scoops up into the arch of your foot to provide extra stability - while little moulded-in bumpers at the heel and toe provide some protection for the outsole when you're walking. There's a small vent up front, just underneath your toes, and the area where your cleat attaches is textured to provide a bit of grip.

The upper looks like leather but it's actually a synthetic fabric in disguise. Most shoes these days have large mesh areas that let plenty of air in and moisture out. These are just perforated so they're not quite as breathable as some. Your feet still stay fairly cool when you put the hammer down, but I've used shoes with more air conditioning.

Closure is via two lower Velcro straps and a broad ratchet-buckled upper strap. The ratchet tightens really well, although there's no way of loosening the strap just one notch if it's a touch too tight, something you can do with, say, Sidi or a Boa dial system. It's easy enough to use all the same, and a padded tongue provides extra comfort.

The heel cup isn't the most rigid design ever. The nylon 'Power Band' strip keeps your heel fairly still but, personally, I like something that holds it rock-solid in place. I guess that's a matter of preference. It's well padded inside, and the dual-density insole comes with more comfy cushioning.

As for the fit, I found this pair of size 46s just a smidge shorter than usual. The toe box is a pretty generous width. They're not ridiculously broad - I could adjust them in easily with the lower strap - but if you need a bit of forefoot space, you might consider giving these a go. And I'd always advise you to try before you buy when it comes to shoes because the fit is vital.

The test pair (size 46, don't forget, which Pearl Izumi list as equivalent to UK 10.5) weighed in at 721g, which isn't especially light. Don't get me wrong: it's not mega-lardy either, but the lack of mesh areas and a generous amount of padding does have a small effect on the weight - if such things keep you up at night.

All round, these are good, solid shoes that are going to prove very durable. If you love the looks or fit, they'll serve you well; it's just that, if I'm being critical, they strike me as workmanlike rather than particularly inspiring.

They're available in red/silver too.

Verdict

Sound, comfy shoes with a stiff carbon sole, but a little heavy and lacking in breathability