Pearl Izumi EM Road N 2 v3

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Pearl Izumi EM Road N 2 v3 rates in the 74th percentile overall among daily trainers. It rates highest on value.

Based on 3 runner reviews.

Pearl Izumi EM Road N 2 v3

/ 2

Very good

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (85/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 74% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

85/100
Overall

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (85/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 74% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

85
Value

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (89/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 83% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

89
Cushioning

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (88/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 79% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

88
Durability

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (84/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 70% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

84
Comfort

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (78/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 57% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

78
Appearance

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (72/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 33% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

72

What runners say

“Middle-of-the-road shoe in terms of weight, cushion but I would rate this as highly durable”
4/5 Full review
“After 500 miles they are in great shape”
4/5 Full review
“Since I started wearing these I've only had one injury take me out for more than a day”
runnersimon 5/5 Full review
“4mm heel drop, so a good shoe for those looking for minimal heel drop but still a little bit”
runnersimon 5/5 Full review
“Lasts as ridiculously long as the Road N2”
5/5 Full review
“It's definitely not a clunker and when I first got them I could feel the difference”
runnersimon 5/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

75% 3/4

Reader Ratings

3 reader ratings
5/5
2
4/5
1
3/5
0
2/5
0
1/5
0

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

Best Shoe Ever

Anonymous runner · Jul 15, 2019

5/5

Overall

After trying dozens of different shoes over many years, I discovered the Pearl Izumi Road N2. Unfortunately they discontinued this shoe. I made a trek to the local Outlet Mall to hoard all the remaining shoes in my size a couple of years ago. I'm down to my last pair now and in search of something that feels as good and lasts as ridiculously long as the Road N2.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
5/5

My Favorite Road Shoes

Anonymous runner · Jan 22, 2019

4/5

Overall

The Pearl Izumi EM Road N 2 v3 is one of my all-time favorite road shoes. It's a middle-of-the-road shoe in terms of weight, cushion but I would rate this as highly durable. After 500 miles they are in great shape. I am very sad that Pearl Izumi pulled pulled out of the running market, because I truly love these shoes and would definitely get a new pair for daily, easy-going training.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Good Lightweight Trainer

runnersimon · Feb 6, 2018

5/5

Overall

Have ran exclusively in this shoe for close to two years now. Was injured quite frequently before I got it, since I started wearing these I've only had one injury take me out for more than a day. Shoe is pretty nice, it's definitely not a clunker and when I first got them I could feel the difference. 4mm heel drop, so a good shoe for those looking for minimal heel drop but still a little bit. Sadly Pearl Izumi no longer makes them, and the last pair I bought where the only new pair in my size I could find online so not sure helpful this review will be. But if you do see these I would recommend.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5

Where to buy

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Pearl Izumi EM Road N 2 v3
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
HOKA Clifton 9
EM Road N 2 v3
SUPERBLAST 2
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Choose a model
Reference shoe
Newest / Best overall / Best durability
Lowest price / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
—
—
8.5 oz M
Stack
—
—
40/35mm
Drop
—
7mm
5mm
Release
2016
2024 Q2 Newest
2023 Q1
MSRP
$120
$200
$165
Best price
—
$149.99
$131.97 Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Good (74%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Exceptional (>99%)
Comfort
Average (57%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (79%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Good (70%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Good (80%)
Appearance
Below average (33%)
Exceptional (97%) Best appearance
Very good (84%)
Value
Very good (83%)
Very good (87%) Best value
Good (77%)
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