I think I am safe in claiming that mountain biking can be a gear intensive sport. There are a myriad of avenues in which to easily spend a gazillion dollars but, in the end, the bike/rider interface really boils down to three points of contact: hands, seat, and feet. The grip and seat are important, but all of the power that a rider generates must come through their feet – that is why a shoe like the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Elevate ($180) is a great piece of gear that delivers some of the most economical performance gains.
Some days I feel as if Emelda Marcos might actually be jealous of the number of shoes in my closet. It seems that no matter the activity there are dozens, if not hundreds, of options available for niche, sport specific footwear. Now, I will be honest and admit that I was a bit skeptical about shoes that were specific to mountain biking. My usual choice for burning up the single track was just a solid, trail shoe. I reasoned that, since I ride flat pedals then anyway, I would probably not benefit from the extra features. Pearl Izumi has proven to me that my logic was flawed. The X-Alp Elevate has been an excellent addition to my arsenal. They really can make a difference.
What I Liked
Very Cool Technology
Anyone who mountain bikes regularly knows that the sport has been evolving rapidly. When the first, true mountain-specific bike emerged is arguable, but over the last few decades, the tech has advanced radically. The technologies employed by the engineers and designers of the various companies often look like they came straight from a spaceship. That is because much of it does. New tech makes its way into the biking industry so quickly that a bike produced more that a few years back is darn near looked upon as vintage. Shoes have been around a bit longer – like a few thousand years longer. Still, Pearl Izumi has packed the X-Alp Elevate with some very cool tech.
Sizing
For me, Pearl Izumi shoes fit perfectly at my usual size. I have heard whispers that they can be a little off but, having tried on about a dozen models, I did not find that to be the case. Or maybe my feet are just in some weird kind of sweet spot. This is definitely one area where a few millimeters can make a big difference.
Three-layer Bonded Seamless Upper
Starting from the top, the X-Alp Elevate has a three-layer, bonded, seamless upper. Seamless uppers have been a pretty hot buzzword in the shoe over the last decade – with good reason. The absence of stitching/knitting lines and the associated doubled up material means the shoe has fewer friction and pressure points making it more comfortable. It also improves water resistance since are no needle holes or permeable seam lines for water ingress on rainy, muddy days (note: the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Elevate is not waterproof). The bonding process improves longevity because all the layers respond to stresses in unison. There should be no single weak point of failure.
Boa IP1 Closure
My absolute favorite feature of the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Elevate is the Boa IP1 system. My first encounter with the Boa system was on my snowboarding boots. I was concerned about its longevity at first, but once I learned that Boa warranties their products for the lifetime of the product on which they are integrated. It brings a fast, precise degree of fine adjustment (1mm increments) for what feels like dang near a custom fit. The system is nothing short of awesome and I am definitely not going back to laces. I set the hook-and-loop strap on the front of the shoe, twist the knob a couple of times, and I am off. Fast, easy, and precise are rarely words that can be used in unison. This is a solid justification for spending a few more dollars.
Midsole
An Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam midsole – the part sandwiched between the upper and out soles, provides an excellent balance of flexibility, rebound, and cushioning. After the first few times wearing them, the shoe develops a memory and fits better. EVA is a lightweight, co-polymer of ethylene (C2H4) and vinyl acetate (CH3CO2CHCH2). It is a tough, crack, water and UV resistant foam that has excellent properties for use in shoes. You would be hard pressed to find a running shoe that did not use any. As a material it is reasonably eco-friendly. It is 100% recyclable (though it rarely is) and does not contain chlorides, heavy metals, phenols, latex, or other unsafe compounds. There were some concerns raised about formamide but, unless your infant makes a habit of chewing on your shoes, there is really no need to worry about it. The only criticism of EVA is that it tends to wear out quicker than some of its counterparts. That can usually be remedied with a new insole. (Now if I could just keep the dang babies away from them…)
Nylon/carbon Composite Shank
The nylon/carbon composite ¾ shank is really the heart of the shoe. If you have ever seen someone in road-biking shoes walking like a wounded penguin can likely identify that stiffness and walking are not fast friends. (Seriously, how did the Dutch ever deal with clogs?) That funny gait is a definite non-starter while I am on a single-track trail. If I ever need to walk out, I need a comfy shoe. This is where the X-Alp Elevate really impressed me. It pairs the rigidity and stiffness needed for efficient pedaling with the compliance for walking comfortably. On a recent ride I never hesitated to scout what was ahead without a concern.
Vibram Megagrip Outsole
Pearl Izumi turned to Vibram’s Megagrip sole to provide traction. The tread pattern is very aggressive and works very well on varied terrain. The shoes really dig in and grip – especially on loose ground. Compared to most clipless style shoes, they did really well.
Mates Quickly and Cleanly with SPD-style Pedals
The X-Alp Elevate mates quickly and cleanly with SPD style pedals, and disengages correctly. This will obviously be different for each pedal manufacturer. An often asked question is whether going clipless is appropriate for this sport. This is a complicated, nuanced topic on which I can only offer an opinion – except I will not. I have dear friends who swear by their clipless pedals, and others that only swear about clipless. My only advice here is that every rider needs to work out what works for their situation. One undeniable fact is that the system automatically gives you a performance increase and keeps your feet mated to the bike regardless of the terrain. Going clipless is awesome – right up until it is not. Say I was headed off to ride a hardcore, downhill, super-jump, Red Bull course…well, I would have some decisions to make. (Life insurance?)
SPD vs. Mud
Clipless shoes come equipped for pretty much any pedal that accepts that style. Like any trail shoe, the X-Alp Elevate will pick up mud and dirt and that can make it difficult to get the shoe and the pedal mated together. Any experienced rider will advise checking them before hopping on. It should be noted that the choice of pedal has an equal – if not greater impact on getting things all Barry White’d up. (Uh-huh.)
Weight
At slightly over 400 grams (sans cleats), I think the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Elevate are very light for the amount of capability they bring. While they do not exactly disappear onto my feet, but they are definitely not heavy. Once I start riding they fall to the background. There are lighter shoes out there, but I do not consider that an important topic. If I want to pull 50 fewer grams up a climb, I just skip the ice cream the night before a ride. (Ok, I probably will just pull the weight…)
(Note: It cannot actually do that)
Comfort
This is a pair of shoes that I will not hesitate to wear during an all-out, day-long ride. I recently wore them on a five hour, blisteringly fast run at a fairly technical single track. They kept my feet protected and reasonably cool. On a different ride in colder weather, my feet were equally comfortable. They are not waterproof, but the upper keeps my feet dry enough unless I am biking underwater. Honestly, I really do not care about that since sweat is a far more relevant concern.
Corporate Responsibility
While this is not technically a feature of this specific shoe, it is a topic I care about deeply. I am pleased to say that Pearl Izumi is of the most responsible cycling apparel companies out there. They are firmly committed to social responsibility and sustainable manufacturing, and aggressively looking to improve. I could probably write a novel around this topic, but I will leave one highlight: By 2022, Pearl Izumi plans to have 90% of the apparel they manufacture made from recycled, renewable or organic materials. That is a goal (and a company) that I can get behind.
What I Did Not Like / What Could Be Better
Price
I wracked my brain and the only criticism I could come up with is that these shoes are not cheap. In fact, the cost is high enough that I used to think that they were a luxury that I would probably avoid. What I have learned is that, no, I do not need them but, after finally breaking down and getting some, I definitely want them.
They are certainly not a cheap pair of shoes, but a lower price would mean giving up features like the Boa IP1 system. That is not a trade off I would be willing to make. With the price of even an entry level, but capable bike easily running into the thousands of dollars, I would argue that the value proposition here is pretty obvious. It would cost a heck of a lot more to get a performance increase by cutting weight off my bike than the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Elevate MSRP. When compared to other mountain biking shoes, the X-Alp Elevate has a price that is about average and reasonable for the features it delivers.
Bottom Line
Shoes like these are not a matter of need. I rode just fine in a pair of trail shoes – if a bit slower than my carbon frame equipped, clipped-in friends. There is no one to compete with in that scenario save myself. For racing, or if I just want to go a little faster and get less winded, the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Elevate is a no brainer. Even with flat pedals, the stiffness and hike-a-bike capability are hard to beat. On a modern bike (especially clipped in) I would challenge anyone to offer up a piece of kit that delivers the same performance bump for the same cost. When the conversation comes down to bang-for-the-buck, it is hard to argue against them.
