Pearl Izumi EM Road N1

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Pearl Izumi EM Road N1 rates in the 19th percentile overall among daily trainers. It rates highest on comfort.

Based on 7 runner reviews.

Average

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

Average (65/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 19% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

65/100
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

Average (65/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 19% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

65
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

Very good (84/100)

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.

84
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 (83/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 65% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

83
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 (74/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 44% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

74
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

Good (71/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 37% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

71
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

Below average (56/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 4% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

56

What runners say

“These shoes have zero traction on the entirety of the sole.”
2/5 Full review
“Great ground feel but plenty of protection for a full marathon.”
4/5 Full review
“With the rockered midsole, it's super easy to find that sweet spot in my foot strike.”
4/5 Full review
“Great for dry paved streets but I rarely stay on dry paved streets.”
2/5 Full review
“Very durable for lightweight trainer.”
4/5 Full review
“Seamless upper is like butter.”
4/5 Full review
“Comfortable seams and great amount of cushion that keeps them soft but responsive.”
Six88 5/5 Full review
“Extremely durable and works well with orthotics.”
RDaley 5/5 Full review
“I feel uncomfortable/unsafe in these shoes.”
2/5 Full review
“This is the one I wear for faster than everyday runs but not true workouts.”
4/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

50% 2/4

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated above average on comfort.

Cons

  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes overall.
  • Rated below average on cushioning.
  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on durability.

Reader Ratings

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

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–5 of 7 written reviews

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Apr 5, 2015

4/5

Overall

Replaced the kinvara, brooks flow and NB 890 (Zante?) in my quiver. Great ground feel but plenty of protection for a full marathon. Very durable for lightweight trainer. Seamless upper is like butter and with the rockered midsole of Pearl Izumi, it's super easy to find that sweet spot in my foot strike. SMOOTH.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Mar 23, 2015

4/5

Overall

I actually run in many shoes but this is the one that I wear for faster than everyday runs but not true workouts. It makes me feel fast.
Comfort
3/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

RDaley · Sep 19, 2014

5/5

Overall

Great fit and design. Extremely durable and works well with orthotics. A little low in heel rise when standing and walking in but with mid to forefoot loading with running EVA mid sole is elevated under the mid foot and transitions well to forefoot loading.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Sep 10, 2014

4/5

Overall

Light shoe that uses tapered design to facilitate smooth fast running.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 29, 2014

4/5

Overall

I've had the shoe for only two weeks so far and I love it. I normally wear a size 10, but was fitted for a 10.5 because me left foot is a 10 and my right is an 11. I've gotten a few blisters on my left foot. If I had more time/money I'd like to try going back and trying a size 10 for a while, but for now I just need to make sure I tie my left shoe tighter than my right.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Where to buy

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Shoe image placeholder
Shoe image placeholder
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
EM Road N1
EM Road H3
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Choose a model
Newest
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
—
—
—
Stack
—
—
—
Drop
—
—
7mm
Release
2025 Newest
2016
2024 Q2
MSRP
—
—
$200
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (19%)
Bottom tier (14%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (74%)
Good (73%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Above average (65%)
Average (48%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (4%)
Bottom tier (10%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (44%)
Average (41%)
Exceptional (97%) Best appearance
Value
Below average (37%)
Average (48%)
Very good (87%) Best value
Specific shoe

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Where the Pearl Izumi EM Road N1 sits

The EM Road line

Compare every EM Road version

Reviewers came to it from

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