Review on Cycling Monument Unveiled: Introducing the Pearl IZUMi Launch by Brian Whitmore

Bought to replace my 5.10 Freerider contacts. I also have a pair of original Specialized 2FO shoes. I think the feel and traction of this shoe is better than the Specialized 2FO. However, there is nothing more persistent than 5.10. Now for the comparison with 5.10. The shoes are very comfortable and I have a narrow size 12 feet. When walking around, the 5.10 feels more like a comfortable running shoe. The Pearl shoes are slightly more rigid in the sole and with fabric in the upper part of the shoe. It doesn't flex as freely as the 5.10. However, it's not as stiff as the Specialized 2FO. Once you start riding you don't notice any stiffness at all. Maybe the stiffness will go away as I continue to break in my shoes. The Pearl's Vibram outsole has enough traction for my local trails. I use Spike Spank flat pedals and have no problem changing foot position as needed. They don't feel as sticky/tacky as the 5.10, making it difficult to reposition the foot at times. So far the outsole is holding up *VERY* well. I'm missing parts of the 2FO sole and my 5.10 soles are split and blistering badly. I don't know how well these shoes hold up in wet conditions and when crossing streams. I also want them to have a soft tongue. I have narrow feet so the laces have to be tightened a little more than I would like, but that doesn't bother me. Also, the lack of a padded tongue might keep my feet cool in the summer. While they are not perfect, if I had to buy another pair of shoes tomorrow, I would buy these. UPDATED. pretty badly broken. They always felt a bit stiff and never developed the grip I was used to from the 5.10. After my feet slipped off the pedals a few times, I got frustrated and bought a pair of Freeride 5.10 Contact Pros. Day and night difference in grip. I like that the 5.10 is much more comfortable, has a little more flex and has much better grip. It was an expensive experiment. These shoes aren't bad, but there are way better things out there.