Verdict from 5 experts and 22 user reviews
6 reasons to buy
- The Pearl Izumi Tour Road yields satisfactory comfort, according to the majority of reviewers.
- Several consumers adore the pair’s minimal, retro design.
- A handful of buyers find this road bike shoe to be quite budget-friendly.
- Some users appreciate that the lace closure provides a secure fit with no pressure.
- The Tour Road has excellent ventilation, say a number of wearers.
- This Pearl Izumi footwear is made of materials of premium quality, say a couple of testers.
3 reasons not to buy
- Some users gripe about how the rubber pads are not replaceable.
- A few SPD users wish that the cleat area is recessed for a better off-bike experience.
- An expert says the edge of the tongue felt uncomfortable during the first few rides.
Bottom line
The Pearl Izumi Tour Road bike shoes belong to the brand’s affordable road shoe section. This model is revered for its comfort and retro looks. It is also SPD and Look pedal-compatible, making it an all-around choice.
Despite some minor complaints, its good attributes outweigh them. If you love a lace-up bike shoe that ticks most of the essential features, this pair could be a worthwhile try.
Tip: see the best cycling shoes.
Good to know
Who is it good for? The Pearl Izumi men’s Tour Road is a bike shoe with sizes available exclusively for the guys. Ladies who fancy this model can avail of its women’s version called the Pearl Izumi Sugar.
Other than this, cyclists who fall under the following criteria might benefit from this shoe:
- On a budget
- Casual or leisure riders who don’t need uber stiff soles
- Loves a retro bike shoe
- On the hunt for shoes that are SPD and Look pedal compatible
Rigidity and flex. The Pearl Izumi Tour Road features the brand’s 1:1 Composite Power Plate with a carbon fiber plate insert. This plate is placed in the cleat area for rigidity, while the rest of the sole is crafted from nylon composite for flex. It has a stiffness rating of 8 out of 13 in the brand’s index chart.
Ventilation. This pair also utilizes the brand’s Direct-Vent technology, which is basically pockets placed in the soles for cooling and drainage.
The Pearl Izumi Tour Road shoes employ both 2-bolt SPD and 3-bolt SPD-SL cleat design. This gives the user the option to ride their preferred pedal system and interchange between the two.
If you choose to ride using 2-bolt cleats, here are pedals you can use: Crank Brothers Mallet Enduro, HT T1 Enduro Race, and Shimano XTR M9100 Race. For three-bolt systems, try it with Shimano PD-R7000, Look Keo Blade, and Time Xpresso 15 pedals.
Comfort. The Pearl Izumi Tour Road bike shoes are crafted with seamless perforated upper material designed to provide optimal comfort. The material used is synthetic and easy to clean.
Retro styling and lockdown fit. This road cycling shoe employs the traditional lace-up system. It offers a tried and tested secure fit and old school aesthetic.
The lace-up system’s asymmetrical design is meant to provide most snug fit sans pressure points. An elastic lace loop is also provided to help keep the laces from getting caught in the bike.
- The Pearl Izumi Tour Road shoe comes with an extra set of laces.
- In 2019, this shoe was heralded as Cycling Weekly’s Editor’s choice.