4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Apr 5, 2015
35 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 3
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Pearl Izumi EM Road N1
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Pearl Izumi EM Road N2 replaced it
How it ranks
The Pearl Izumi EM Road N1’s rating is an early estimate. We’ve collected 7 runner reviews so far, with brand history also informing the score.
Below average
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
70 Moderate
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
- Brand rating
- Our ratings
- External ratings
What runners say
“These shoes have zero traction on the entirety of the sole.”
“Great ground feel but plenty of protection for a full marathon.”
“Comfortable seams and great amount of cushion that keeps them soft but responsive.”
“A little low in heel rise when standing and walking in.”
“With the rockered midsole, it's super easy to find that sweet spot in my foot strike.”
“Extremely durable and works well with orthotics.”
“Very durable for lightweight trainer.”
“Light shoe that uses tapered design to facilitate smooth fast running.”
“Great for dry paved streets but I rarely stay on dry paved streets.”
“This is the one I wear for faster than everyday runs but not true workouts.”
“With mid to forefoot loading, EVA mid sole is elevated under the mid foot and transitions well to forefoot loading.”
“Seamless upper is like butter.”
“I've gotten a few blisters on my left foot.”
“I feel uncomfortable/unsafe in these shoes.”
“It makes me feel fast.”
Prefer this shoe over another
25% 1/4
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Pros
- Comfort averages 4.6 out of 5 and value 4.4 across seven reviews.
- Two reviewers describe smooth transitions off the rockered midsole, one of them calling the seamless upper like butter.
Cons
- Durability averages 3.6 out of 5, the lowest of its dimensions.
- One reviewer finds it slips on grass, gravel and wet ground.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Pearl Izumi EM Road
Each dot is one version of the EM Road, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
-
2016 · 2 reviews
72 Decent
73 Confidence
-
2014 · 12 reviews
61 Below average
83 Confidence
-
EM Road N1 This shoe
2014 · 7 reviews
63 Below average
70 Confidence
-
2014 · 3 reviews
72 Decent
59 Confidence
-
2014 · 2 reviews
68 Below average
33 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Release
- 2014
Runner reviews
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Mar 23, 2015
89 mpw came from the Nike Air Pegasus+ 30
- Comfort
- 3/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
5/5
Overall
RDaley · Sep 19, 2014
60 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 5/5
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Sep 10, 2014
30 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 29, 2014
15 mpw
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 2/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Pearl Izumi EM Road N1 In Context
More on the Pearl Izumi EM Road
- Pearl Izumi EM Road H3
- Pearl Izumi EM Road N2 next version
- Pearl Izumi EM Road M2 previous version
- Pearl Izumi EM Road M3
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Saucony Kinvara 3 1 runner
- Nike Air Pegasus+ 30 1 runner