Pearl Izumi Elite RD IV Shoes - Women's White/Pink Punch, 40.0
If you've spent any amount of time cramming your feet into sport-specific shoes, you probably don't have pretty feet. Bumps, bony protrusions, and any amount of imperfect toes are your evidence of staying active. We can't speak for the other shoes and boots you use, but fortunately, the cycling industry continues to unveil lighter, more flexible options every year. Pearl Izumi's 2016 line is evidence of that trend, and its Elite RD IV Women's Shoes sit in the upper echelon of its road shoe offerings, with a carbon sole and an upper that will embrace, rather than constrict, those hard-earned contours of your feet. The Elite RD IVs' sleek shape comes courtesy of its synthetic upper, which Pearl constructs using fully bonded seaming, resulting in a shoe that accommodates a variety of foot shapes. With the absence of overlays and excess material, the top of the shoe manages to remain incredibly light, allowing air to move freely in and out of the shoe so that your feet stay dry and comfortable, with less likelihood of chafing on hot days. The position of the BOA dial on the top allows for bi-directional closure, pulling the fabric evenly from each side for a customizable fit that won't leave you with pressure points or a numb instep, with the single hook-and-loop strap achieving a secure fit around your toes. Pearl clearly spend some time dialing in the fit of the Elite RD IV, and it ensured its efforts weren't wasted by including a full carbon sole, with all of the rigidity and efficient power transfer you'll need for racing and hard training efforts. Vents along the sole allow it to drain water and maintain airflow, without compromising stiffness, and along the inside of the shoe, Pearl added its Longitudinal Arch Support to help your foot move as efficiently as possible and get the most power transfer out of the shoe.