Review on 🚴 X-Alp Gravel Cycling Shoe by PEARL iZUMi by Eric Cooper

After a decade of mountain biking, gravel and cyclocross, my old Pearl Izumi Elite MTB II shoes were torn and didn't fit my feet well. So bad that during my last 200km ride I tore the sesamoid bone on the underside of my right leg. Pleased with the fit of the Pearl Izumi shoes (still using 2 pairs of Elite Road II shoes), I checked out the improved and updated version of the Elite MTB II shoes. I knew I didn't want hard carbon soles as the bones in my right foot were in need of healing and I'd probably need to put softer insoles in the shoes I bought. I found these X-Alps suited my needs and price point. I love the fact that they have a BOA dial to help cinch your shoes, and even though they're white (magic erasers!), I didn't mind the brightness. White is euro, right? Haha! I feel very comfortable in these shoes! Whilst my road bike boots are performance oriented Elite Road II carbon soles they are a good alternative for really long rides like gravel or certification rides where you might need to get off the bike and walk or do some grocery shopping etc. I read a review on a bike site from a rider who threw away these shoes. complained about only one BOA dial, complained about the too soft and flexible sole, complained about the spacious tip of the shoe. Has anyone told this rider that they're testing $150 cycling shoes, not $300 shoes, because all that stuff they're whining about is only available on shoes that cost twice as much as those X-Alp shoes? These are well made shoes for $150. shoes and you get the quality and features you normally get for $50 shoes! And they're not leather, which I prefer. Pearl Izumi always makes good cycling shoes.