Pearl Izumi ELITE Road IV Shoe Women's

If you've spent any amount of time cramming your feet into sport specific shoes, you probably don't have happy feet. Bumps, bony protrusions, lost nails, and any amount of imperfect toes are your evidence of staying active. We can't speak for the other shoes and boots you use, but fortunately, the cycling industry continues to unveil lighter, more flexible options every year. Pearl Izumi's 2016 line is evidence of that trend, and its Elite Road IV Women's Shoe sits in the upper echelon of its road shoe offerings, with a carbon sole and an upper that will embrace, rather than constrict, your feet. The Elite Road IVs' sleek shape comes courtesy of its synthetic upper, which Pearl constructs using fully bonded seaming to accommodate a variety of foot shapes. With the absence of overlays and excess material, the top of the shoe manages to remain incredibly light, allowing air to move freely so that your feet stay dry and comfortable with less likelihood of chafing on hot days. The position of the BOA dial on the top allows for bi directional closure, pulling the fabric evenly from each side for a customizable fit that reduces the risk of pressure points or a numb instep, and the single hook and loop strap achieves a customized fit around your toes. Pearl clearly spent some time dialing in the fit of the Elite Road IV, and it ensured its efforts weren't wasted by including a full carbon sole with all of the rigidity and efficient power transfer you'll need for racing and hard training efforts. Vents along the sole allow it to drain water and maintain airflow without compromising stiffness, and Pearl's Longitudinal Arch Support helps your foot move as efficiently as possible and get the most power transfer out of the shoe.