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 6–7 of 7 written reviews

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 28, 2014

2/5

Overall

This shoe is great for dry paved streets but, I rarely stay on dry paved streets. I often run on grass, dirt trails, gravel and if any of these surfaces are a bit damp I feel uncomfortable/unsafe in these shoes. Frankly, these shoes have zero traction on the entirety of the sole. I don't think it's too far out of line to believe runners will always be running on grass, gravel, and trails and not exclusively be on dry pavement so, therefore I am baffled by how specificity of surface that these shoes require. The shoe is great beyond the danger of slipping on trails. I have never had this problem with any other shoe, in fact I have been running trails (the full-bench single track variety) in 'street' running shoes my entire career with no issue until the Pearl Izumi N1. I won't be purchasing this shoe again.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Six88 · Aug 27, 2014

5/5

Overall

I have been very satisfied with all my PI shoes. They fit great with comfortable seems and have a great amount of cushion that keeps them soft but responsive.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

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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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