Pearl Izumi is one of the most trusted brands for sports gears, having more than 60 years of experience in the business. It also claims that it was the first to include a BOA dial among other excellent features. But does the Pearl Izumi PRO Leader V4 Shoes live up to its promise of great performance and looks versus others from the brand?
It has nice weight, comfort, price and stack height. This model also is also lighter and offers more breathability than other cycling shoes do. On the downside, it might feel stiff and has a poor fit. In the following, let us take a look at the Pearl Izumi PRO V4 Shoes and find out if it is worth your dollar or not.
Design and construction 8.7
It has an electroplating that provides users with a poppy side on the cycling shoes. And then, there is also a surprising sole stack, which is minimal at five millimeters. It is also black, which can make you feel as if it is connected to the pedals, can be a good or bad thing based on how you see it. This feature will make you feel as if you’re wearing plimsoles you’re using in high school.
The PRO V4 can be compared to other shoes that seem to have the same height as it does. It also means that you can alter or change the saddle. The thin sole, however, does not affect the overall comfort and fit. You will feel no pinching, uncomfortable edges or hot spots when wearing it. The shoes won’t also make your feet feeling numb. In fact, you can even forget you’re wearing it. That’s an advantage considered when choosing sports shoes.
Feet positioning 6.5
It might not be the best in the category, as it seems not to hold the feet in place all the time. One thing is that the BOA closure system isn’t well positioned, not being able to provide total feet security. What might help in securing the toe box could probably be by moving the system a bit further apart for better heel support as well. The maker could also consider making the heel cup a bit supportive than it already is.
Boa dial placement 5.5
It does not help the Pearl Izumi PRO Leader V4 look minimal and it feels annoying when worn with overshoes. If you would stick them on booties, they will pop up, and at the same time, it is quite hard to tighten them up back when you already have the overshoe on. But then, the Boa dial is quite a good system with its useful quick release function.
Stiffness 5.0
The Pearl Izumi PRO Leader V4 does not give you that feeling of stiffness as other sports performance shoes do. And with the thin sole, you will feel as if you are stepping right on the pedal with nothing on especially when you’re pressing hard.
Verdict
The Pearl Izumi PRO Leader V4 shoes are a decent choice for cycling shoes. They serve their purpose well in performance sports. However, other high-end models might be better if stiffness is factored in. Check it out today!
