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Pearl Izumi

EM Road N1

Shoe image placeholder
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Below average (64/100)

Shoe details

Release
2025

Ratings & Reviews

Below average (64/100)

Better than about 18% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates worse than 82% of shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Below average (64/100)

Overall ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (64/100)

Rank

Ranks above 18% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Above average (84/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (84/100)

Rank

Ranks above 73% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Above average (83/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (83/100)

Rank

Ranks above 65% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (74/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (74/100)

Rank

Ranks above 42% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Good (70/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (70/100)

Rank

Ranks above 33% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Below average (55/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (55/100)

Rank

Ranks above 4% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

50%

2/4

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Worse than 82% of 2,538 running shoes ranked.

Below average (64/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 79% of 1,816 daily trainers ranked.

21%

Pearl Izumi

Worse than 91% of 10 Pearl Izumi shoes ranked.

9%

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.

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
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 (18%)
Bottom tier (14%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (73%)
Good (74%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Above average (65%)
Average (47%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (4%)
Bottom tier (9%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (42%)
Below average (39%)
Excellent (96%) Best appearance
Value
Below average (33%)
Average (44%)
Very good (85%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

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82nd percentile

+64 percentile points vs this shoe
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81st percentile

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72nd percentile

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69th percentile

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Reader Ratings

7 reader ratings

Review a shoe

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