Pearl Izumi Select Road III cycling shoes review

With ‘1:1 Anatomic closing’ and a ‘Select 1:1 Power plate’, the Pearl Izumi Select Road IIIs are certainly laden with plenty of marketing spiel to raise both eyebrows and expectations. But thankfully my high expectations were met out on the road as these shoes offered both performance and comfort.

>>> Cycling shoes: a buyer's guide

On my first ride, I over-tightened the three Velcro straps and suffered discomfort. Having learned my lesson, I found the Pearl Izumi Select Road IIIs nice and comfortable. Having three straps allows for greater adjustment to accommodate different foot shapes, while also keeping a secure fit for when you really want to open the throttle.

The secure fit is complemented by the decent nylon composite sole. Of course, this doesn’t offer as much stiffness as the carbon soles on the similarly priced dhb R2.0Cs or the Bont Riots, but power transfer is still efficient thanks to the low stack height, and the little bit of flex aids comfort.

These are also extremely practical shoes; the synthetic leather upper is easy to clean, the logos on the heels are reflective for after-dark riding, and the sole is SPD-compatible.

For more details visit the Madison website.