Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit Review

The X-Alp Summit shoes were fairly easy to pin down due to their clear appetite for adventure over outright speed. No, they aren't the stiffest, lightest, or most protective shoes in our test class. Instead, they posted respectable scores in most performance metrics. They are a functional and comfortable set of shoes that deliver solid performance on the trail in a range of situations. Because of this versatility and middle-of-the-road design, they earned our Top Pick for Best for Adventure Riding. Exploration missions or multi-day bikepacking trips are two areas where these comfortable and versatile shoes will perform best.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The X-Alp Summit shoes offered very nice levels of comfort. Our size 46 test shoes fit true-to-size, and they are a viable option for riders whose feet trend slightly wider. They aren't super wide shoes, but if your feet trend slightly wider than average, they could work well for you.

These shoes aren't heavily padded or cushioned. Instead, they are a little bit slimmer and have a much lighter feel on the feet. The EVA insole is pleasant against the foot, and the reinforced toe box is plenty spacious. Upon cinching down the BOA dial, the shoe tightens up evenly, and it is quite easy to a suitable tension level. It is easy to make incremental adjustments with the dial, and a velcro strap on the forefoot is simple and effective.

On long rides, these shoes remain comfortable. The low weight, paired with the lack of excessive padding, provides a cool, quick-drying feel. On rides where our shoes got saturated with water, they dried noticeably quicker than some of the heavily padded shoes we have tested. We would have no issues wearing these shoes on full-day, or multi-day, adventure rides. They are also viable options for riders in hot climates where ventilation is key.

Traction and Walkability

The X-Alp Summit shoes offer fantastic off-the-bike performance. Whether you are carrying your bike up a brutal hike-a-bike, exploring a beautiful discovery along your bikepacking route, or simply hanging out at the trailhead, the traction and walkability are fantastic.

As we noted previously, the soles aren't all that stiff. While this might be detrimental to outright power transfer on the pedals, it allows for a more natural walking motion. The flex of the shoe feels significantly more natural, trending more towards feeling a hiking shoe rather than other shoes in our test class. In addition, the sole has a nice amount of rocker to it to aid the walking motion.

Traction is excellent thanks to the fairly aggressive tread pattern on the sole. Sizeable traction lugs are placed around the sole of the shoe, and they vary in shape. The spacing of the traction blocks are the real story, as the wider spacing allows them to engage the soil more effectively compared to tightly spaced lugs. When hiking up a slippery, root-infested slope, the additional traction was noticeable. The sole is built with Vibram rubber, a rubber compound found on many hiking, climbing, and backcountry ski boots. This quality rubber is viewed as one of the premier rubbers for high-grip applications.

Power Transfer

The X-Alp Summit shoes offer decent power transfer into the pedals. There is no mistaking these shoes for some ultra-stiff set of cross-country shoes, but they offer plenty of rigidity for most riders.

These shoes feature a nylon composite carbon fiber shank under the cleat channel. Not all carbon fiber is created equal, and they aren't quite as stiff as the term “nylon composite carbon shank” might sound. They are noticeably less rigid than other shoes in our test class. It is even quite apparent when flexing the shoe in your hands. While you might think this criticism is a “bad thing,” it isn't quite that simple. The more forgiving sole lends itself to the fantastic off-the-bike performance that we loved so much and made these shoes unique.

On the bike trail, these shoes don't feel flimsy or super flexible; they simply have a little bit more give than other shoes. When standing up and smashing the pedals, you can just feel more flex in the sole. It was also noticeable on the descent. When bouncing down some rougher trails, our feet were feeling significantly more of the trail surface compared to stiffer shoes that deaden impacts more effectively.

Weight

Our size 46 shoes hit the scales at 435 grams per shoe. That figure places them on the lighter end of our test class. Sure, there are lighter cross-country shoes in our test class, but they are significantly lighter than a good amount of our “trail riding” shoes.

On the bike, they definitely felt lighter and airier than many of the shoes we have ridden. This reasonably low weight, paired with the excellent off-the-bike performance and high comfort levels, makes these a wonderful choice for bikepacking and adventure rides.

Durability

Throughout testing, we observed no sign of premature breakdown of materials or any significant cause for concern. These shoes feel well-built and ready to log some serious miles.

One noteworthy item is the fact that these shoes use a BOA system. BOA closure systems have a bit of a checkered past in terms of reliability, and if the dial seizes or the cable snaps, it renders your shoes useless. A traditional lace system is simply more reliable and much easier to repair. It should be noted that in recent years, BOA systems have seen significantly improved reliability.

Should You Buy the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit?

If your ideal bike ride involves exploring forgotten trails or hauling bikepacking gear, the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit are worth considering. These shoes deliver well-rounded performance that includes decent power transfer and excellent off-the-bike performance. Sure, the gravity crowd may be looking for a more robust pair of shoes, and the cross-country riders might want something stiffer and sleeker. That said, a huge number of riders between those two ends of the riding spectrum will find solid performance and a comfortable fit.

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