Details
Brand
Pearl Izumi
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
7.5/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• They provide you with great stability• They have firm midsole and outsole, that way they will protect your feet from any sharp objects that could be found on trails that you run on• Breathability, they allow your feet to bread, to say cool and dry• Durability, they will last you for miles and miles on• Reflective surface, it will help you to be more visible in the dark• They are the quality product made of top-notch materials
Upper
The upper of the Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 has not changed much from the initial model. It is made of overlays that are put over the mesh to help you feet bread and to help drain any water or sweat that is inside your shoe. Upper will also provide good stability, it will grasp your feet firmly enough so they don`t slip on the shoe. Also upper has a reflective surface that will reflect the light. This is a great feature because it will make you much more visible in the dark.
Midsole
The midsole of the Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 is firm, it will provide you with enough comfort without sacrificing the hardness and sturdiness of the shoes. We all know that the quality midsole is very important for the running shoes, especially for trail running shoes. That is because the midsole is the part which is in the contact with your feet, and also it absorbs the shock created while running. Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 will absorb created shock, but not as good as some other running shoes.
Outsole
The outsole of the Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 is semi-firm but not uncomfortable. This will allow you to run on the hard surface without the chance that the outsole will tear down if you jump on some rock or root while running. Also, the outsole is not too sturdy, so you will have enough comfort while running in them. Also, the Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 outsole has a nice texture that will allow you to run even on some softer surfaces because the texture on the shoes gives you a better grip while running. This will be especially helpful if you run on muddy terrain.
Breathability
Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 are made with breathability in mind. The upper is made of mesh that allows the air to go out and inside the shoe. This will allow your feet to breath and to stay cool and dry.
Comfort
The comfort that Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 is passable, it’s nothing amazing, but it will do the job. Outsole won`t provide any discomfort while running on the softer surface. But you could feel some if you step on some stones on the roots while running on the trail. On the other hand, upper provides you with great comfort, the upper is designed to grasp your feet just enough to keep them in place.
Style
Style of the Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 is nothing special. They look like any regular running shoe. There are some variations that look good, like for example green/yellow with red laces. If you buy Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 in that coloration then you have a good and stylish running shoe. And another redeeming quality is the reflective surface on the upper of the shoes, this is one unique part of this shoe, but it will be only visible in the dark. But just be sure that you are buying them in some bright colors because in other colorations they look like generic running shoes.
Durability
Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 are very durable. They will definitely last you a long time. The reason why they are so durable is that of the choice of materials that they are made of. They will last even if you run on the terrain that is full of obstructions such as fallen branches, rocks, roots and etc.
Protection
Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 provides good protection for your feet. As outsole is semi-firm, there are not many things that would be capable of piercing the outsole. The midsole is also pretty firm and taught which give you one more layer of the protection for your feet. The upper will provide you with the usual protection that you get from the running shoes. It will protect you from scratches and weak impacts, but nothing more.
Responsiveness
Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 will provide you with good responsiveness. They are not most responsive running shoes on the market, but they will do the job. The reason is that of its firm midsole and outsole. Midsole won`t grasp the whole surface of your feet, that will delay response of the shoe for milliseconds, but it is not noticeable really. This can be the only problem for the people who are used to very responsive running shoes. For other, they should work just fine.
Support
Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 will give good support to your feet. They will keep your feet in place while running. They grasp your feet just enough to keep them in the place without providing any discomfort. This is very important, especially when you running on trails because there are a lot of changes on the structure of the terrain, from hard surfaces to wet and soft surfaces. Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 will give you support that you need while running and they will keep your feet and ankles in place.
Terrain
Name of the Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 says itself, they are meant for running on trails. For people who love to run through nature, If you are one of those people then they are perfect for you. Because of their great protection, you don’t need to worry about your feet being injured while out there.
Price
The price of the Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 is not too steep, they fall in mid-range prices. But with the quality that they provide, they could easily cost even more. The price is reasonable for the beginner runner, and for advanced runner. Remember, you get what you pay for. With the N2 V3 that is certainly true. It is not the best trail shoe out there, but it is a great shoe.
Drop
The drop of the Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 is 8mm, which is not standard, but it won’t create any discomfort or „strange“ feeling while you use them.
Stability
Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 provide you with great stability. There is a small chance that you would lose your footing. They are just wide enough to keep you stable while running on all kind surfaces that you could encounter while running on trails.
Flexibility
Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 is not really flexible, but they were never meant to be flexible. The most important thing is that they provide you with enough comfort and stability while you are running on trails.
Traction
This is a very important feature that every running shoe should have done right. And that is traction. Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 provide great traction while running. There is little to no chance that you would slip on the dry trail. Of course, there is always the chance that it could happen, but if you run careful and not recklessly, then the chance is almost non-existent. The traction that they provide is really great and for that, they need to be complimented, you will rarely find this kind of traction on the other running shoes.
Bottom Line
Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 are great running shoes. They do pretty much everything right, there are some small gripes that could turn some people away, for example, they could be too firm for some people, or not flexible enough. That comes to personal preference. But Pearl Izumi Trail EM N2 V3 that don`t risk the quality over quantity, they offer simple, but yet functional features that every runner aficionado will appreciate.;They will last you for a very long time, they are not expensive, and they are not too flashy. The biggest gripe is that the Pearl discontinued this model, because of that it will be hard to find a pair. I really do recommend them to everyone that runs on trails, and to everyone that loves firm and durable running shoes. But if you have delicate feet they could create some problems for you. All in all, they are great running shoes and I highly recommend them.
