Pearl Izumi EM Road N2

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.9 oz · 8mm drop · 27/19mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Pearl Izumi EM Road N3 replaced it

How it ranks

The Pearl Izumi EM Road N2 rates in the 31st percentile overall among daily trainers. Its strongest dimension is cushioning (72nd percentile); its weakest is value (3rd).

Based on 12 runner reviews.

Pearl Izumi EM Road N2

/ 1

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 (69/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 31% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

69/100
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 (69/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 31% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

69
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 (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 72% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

86
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 (77/100)

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.

77
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 (77/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 55% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

77
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

Average (68/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 26% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

68
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

Below average (53/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 3% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

53

What runners say

“Simple outsole that is not too firm, yet not too soft. Smooth ride.”
jacobrydman 4/5 Full review
“Doesn't offer a lot of support for high arches even though I have insert.”
3/5 Full review
“It is a bit thin in the forefoot, and can get very hot.”
5/5 Full review
“Simple shoe that doesn't interfere with your mechanics.”
jacobrydman 4/5 Full review
“Extremely durable shoe.”
jacobrydman 4/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

67% 2/3

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.

Cons

  • Rated below average overall.
  • Rated below average on comfort.
  • Rated below average on cushioning.
  • Rated below average on durability.

Reader Ratings

12 reader ratings
5/5
5
4/5
6
3/5
1
2/5
0
1/5
0

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 6–10 of 12 written reviews

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Sep 19, 2014

5/5

Overall

Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

jwl617 · Sep 18, 2014

4/5

Overall

Comfort
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Sep 14, 2014

5/5

Overall

Overall, this is a great shoe. It is a bit thin in the forefoot, and can get very hot, but it is a great shoe.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Sep 10, 2014

4/5

Overall

Bought it with a view to 'progressing' onto the N1 once my legs got stronger but apparently the N1 feels like a huge jump and it is was not advised by the running store staff.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Sep 9, 2014

4/5

Overall

Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
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 N2
Shoe image placeholder
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
EM Road N2
EM Road N1
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Choose a model
Reference shoe
Newest
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9.9 oz M
—
—
Stack
27/19mm
—
—
Drop
8mm
—
7mm
Release
2014
2025 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$120 Lower MSRP
—
$200
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Below average (31%)
Bottom tier (19%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Average (57%)
Good (74%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (72%)
Above average (65%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (26%)
Bottom tier (4%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (55%)
Average (44%)
Exceptional (97%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (3%)
Below average (37%)
Very good (87%) Best value
Specific shoe

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Where the Pearl Izumi EM Road N2 sits

The EM Road line

Compare every EM Road version

Reviewers came to it from

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