The Pearl Izumi Expedition Pro off-road shoe aims to offer off-road comfort with road-shoe stiffness and light weight.
The Pearl Izumi Expedition Pro clipless shoes are designed for gravel and cross-country riding, but can be used for cyclocross, bikepacking, and road cycling too. My size 45 shoe without cleats weighs 345g on my scale, and with cleats and some dirt added, they weigh 373g. These are very versatile shoes and, for $260 USD, they set out to give riders every bit of performance to finish that upcoming race.
Pearl Izumi Expedition Pro highlights
- 1:1® EX PRO Carbon sole
- BOA® Fit System with L6C dials
- Mud-shedding open tread design
- Four colorways and sizes ranging from 39.0 to 49.0
- Weight: 345g (size 45)
- Price: $260
- Buy from Backcountry
The Pearl iZumi Expedition Pro features a stiff heel to toe 1:1 EX Pro Carbon sole for pedal efficiency. The stiff carbon sole makes every pedal stroke feel precise while the bottom tread layer has a minimal but effective open tread design to help shed mud. The abrasion-resistant TPU tread lugs are about 4/16th of an inch tall to help dig into the dirt and give traction when off the bike. When hiking my bike around, the decently deep treads provided great traction even on steep, fine dirt roads. I have no complaints about walking comfort when it comes to quick hike-a-bike scenarios in these shoes.
Pearl Izumi Expedition Pro fit
The Expedition Pro is wrapped in a sleek bonded, perforated synthetic leather upper that breathes decently well. The upper wraps well around the foot without losing its shape over time. I typically wear a regular width size 10.5 shoe, and the large open toe box was a highlight for me compared to shoes with a narrow toe box that hurt my feet not long into the ride.
To create a more custom fit, the BOA L6C allow independent adjustments along the mid and forefoot, making for a snug and comfortable fit. The dual offset BOA system offers lots of clicks for adjustability, although they only turn to tighten and not loosen, requiring you to release them to readjust. It seems these BOA laces aren’t made out of stainless steel wires like they typically are; they appear to be made out of a fabric-like lace material that is less stiff and therefore more comfortable.
I’ve also tested the Specialized Recon 2.0 gravel shoe, and while I would say the Recon 2.0 shoe is a bit more comfortable, the Pearl Izumi Expedition Pros were surprisingly comfortable from the beginning. My usual size 45 fit like a glove and stayed comfortable during and after the break-in period. The back of the shoe cups my heel comfortably while the front of the shoe provides a nice bed for toes to rest on. The shoe does a nice job keeping feet in a good position while on and off the bike with no pressure points.
On the Trail
I ride flat pedals on my mountain bike and clipless shoes on my gravel/road bike, so I tested the Expedition Pro’s on gravel and road rides only.
Throwing the shoes on and locking in fit is quick and easy. Every clip in and clip out was precise thanks to a well-designed TPU cleat channel. And while the on-the-bike performance was noticeably good, the off-the-bike performance was subpar. I think that is to be expected of a stiff “Pro” race shoe.
On the bike, the power transfer is notably efficient thanks to the carbon sole. One can argue that performance is all in the rider, but “Pro” equipment can definitely help take your riding to the next level whether you are racing or not.
Walking on pavement is no issue, but when walking on loose gravel, I could hear the tiny rocks crunching and hitting the carbon sole. To me, it sounded like nails on a chalkboard. I did try to avoid bigger rocks when walking, something I was not used to doing when walking in my Recon 2.0’s, since those have more treads on the sole.
The scratches on the carbon sole appear to be purely aesthetic, though I found that rocks also scratched and peeled some of that TPU layer within the first couple of casual gravel rides. Sure, that is what gravel and dirt will do to any shoe, but I would like these shoes to last a good while. Perhaps Pearl iZumi could add a thin layer of TPU over the carbon to protect it even if it adds a few more grams. There is enough TPU tread to walk around in, but these aren’t all day walking around shoes.
The Pearl Izumi Expedition Pro shoes proved to be comfortable for long rides. Breathability is OK; my feet tend to run hot on rides, so I would like to see more breathable mesh materials and or maybe air channels to help keep things cool. The sturdy toe cap and heel protector do a nice job shielding against bumps and bruises.
Pros and cons of the Pearl Izumi Expedition Pro off-road bike shoes
Pros
- Stiff and comfortable
- Lightweight
- Race/ performance characteristics
- Quick BOA lacing system
Cons
- Outsole gets scuffed from larger, sharper rocks
- Hot feet after long hours of riding
Bottom line
Overall, the Pearl iZumi Expedition Pro off-road shoes are a great choice for long-day training rides and race-ready performance. If you’re looking to just get out an casually explore on your gravel bike, these might not be the best choice; for that, I will grab my Recon 2.0 shoes.
