Pearl Izumi X-Project Shoes

Performance oriented shoes that are still comfortable to walk in; that’s the concept but is the X-Project design a success?

Based on appearance alone, you’d assume the new Pearl Izumi X-Project 1.0 to be a cross-country race shoe; areas of exposed plastic and carbon on the sole, not a whole lot of tread and they are very light. Our size 43 sample weighed 681g with the standard insole, which is only fractionally more than Shimano’s range toping XC90 race shoes. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find there’s quite a bit more to these shoes.

The key to the X-Project range lies in the multi-layered carbon, thermoplastic and polyurethane sole. Pearl Izumi says it is stiff under pedalling like an XC shoe whilst still providing tuned-in flex for comfortable walking. It’s not the first time we’ve heard claims such as these, but Pearl Izumi says they’ve done their homework and achieved just the right mix.

There are two X-Project models in the Pearl Izumi line and both share the same ‘stiff yet flexible’ sole design. We tested the range topping X-Project 1.0 which sells for $399. It uses two ‘Boa’ dials to pull the shoe closed and seamless construction in the uppers. At $329 the next-in-line X-Project 2.0 remains a high-end shoe. It has different uppers with a single Boa dial and a velcro strap closure system.

If you haven’t encountered the Boa system before, it uses a nylon cord that pulls the shoe closed. It’s not unlike shoelaces except you wind a dial to tighten the closure. In theory it provides a more even fit with fewer pressure points than a click-lock buckle.

BOA GRIP

I have used Boa equipped shoes previously and didn’t like the way they released completely as soon as the dial was popped open. It was annoying if you only wanted to loosen the closure a little and they sometimes opened inadvertently if the dial was bumped when riding. Thankfully the X-Project shoes use an updated Boa dial called ‘IP1’. Winding the dial one way tightens the shoe and winding it back loosens it incrementally, so fine-tuning the fit on the trail is far easier. Pull on the dial and it’ll release fully like the older system. Pearl Izumi choose to place the dials up high on the tongue and this makes them less prone to accidental bumps on the trail.

I’m a size 42 in most shoes but needed a 43 with the Pearl Izumi brand; as with any item of clothing, it’s always best to check the fit in-store before you part with your hard earned. Initially the fit wasn’t ideal and I had pressure points when the Boa dials were done up tight. Over time the shoes conformed to my feet and after a month or two they felt just right.

As for the claims of walkability and efficiency, well I’d suggest that these shoes offer a nice balance. While they may be as light as a serious carbon XC race shoe, they’re easier on your feet and there’s clearly more flex when walking. Hike-a-bikes were quite manageable and didn’t present any discomfort (once they’d conformed to my feet anyway). Of course there were limitations; with areas of exposed plastic and a reasonably narrow footprint, you still need to use caution when boulder hopping over creeks and the like.

When pedalling the X-Project sole doesn’t feel as rigid as a full-carbon race shoe, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Racers may put great emphasis on stiffness but there’s certainly a risk that race-oriented shoes can be too stiff. Overly rigid soles will give your feet a pounding, which can lead to numbness and general discomfort. When pedalling the X-Project sole is a good deal stiffer than your average recreational MTB shoe but falls short of most carbon soled racing kicks. I felt that they were ‘stiff enough’ to feel like a performance shoe and I doubt there’s any substantial efficiency loss when compared to shoes that run a truly rigid sole.

With its minimal weight, dial closures and racy looks, the X-Project 1.0 is well suited to someone who’s after a performance-oriented shoe but still wants some comfort and agility when they’re off the bike. After six months on the trail they’ve held up well and withstood plenty of extended hike-a-bikes. They certainly look like they’ve been through a war but all of the seams and dials remain intact; pretty good for such a lightweight shoe. And if one happened to fail, the Boa dials are replaceable too. They’re far from a cheap option but they successfully fill a niche for riders who want a shoe that blends walkability and XC performance.

Distributed by Shimano Australia (02) 9526 7799 www.shimano.com.au