PEARL iZUMi: Sneak Peek at their New 2021 Dirt Shoes
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PEARL iZUMi: Sneak Peek at their New 2021 Dirt Shoes

PEARL iZUMi has been putting out some phenomenal products over the years, yet over the past few seasons, they’ve turned up their designs a notch or two. Evidence in this can be found with their new footwear, launching in August. Now, these images are a teaser, if you will, of what’s to come. Let’s look at some of these new models below.

X-Alp Launch SPD

For mountain bikers who ride clipless pedals and want a sleek, street-inspired look, we offer the Launch SPD. This first thing you’ll notice about this revamped shoe is the use of a BOA® Fit System, rather than laces. The switch to a BOA Fit System gives riders the ability to easily adjust the fit while riding, and you’ll never have to worry about snagging a shoelace in your drivetrain. We used Cordura® fabric made from recycled content to construct a brand new upper that is both lightweight and durable. The Launch SPD is built around a ¾ length composite shank that adds stiffness under the cleat for pedaling efficiency while allowing enough flex at the toes for hike-a-bike moments. 

-BOA® Fit System with L6 dial lets riders fine-tune fit while they ride
-Vibram ECOSTEP® outsole delivers the perfect blend of grip, traction, and durability
-Seamless, perforated upper is breathable and quick-drying
-Recycled Cordura® fabric is durable and eco-friendly
-Reinforced toe box for added protection
-EVA foam midsole cushions impacts
-2-bolt SPD cleat compatible

Launch Mid WRX Flat Pedal

If you find yourself digging dirt jumps or railing loose and loamy trails, a bit of extra ankle protection can be a great thing. That’s why we made the Launch Mid WRX. This mid-top flat pedal shoe is constructed on the same platform as the Launch Flat, with added ankle and heel protection and a gusseted tongue to keep out dirt and debris. Because trail conditions can be highly variable, the Launch Mid WRX uses a water-repellent membrane to keep the elements at bay. Laces can be a hassle when covered in mud and grime so the Launch Mid WRX relies on a BOA® Fit System to make fit adjustments a breeze. We partnered with the rubber experts at Goodyear® to develop a tread compound that’s both sticky and long-wearing for our PinLoc Outsole™, which is wider for more surface contact and uses a chevron tread design to capture pedal pins, keeping your feet planted and in control.

-BOA® Fit System with L6C dial lets riders fine-tune fit while they ride
-PinLoc Outsole™ with premium Goodyear® rubber provides outstanding grip to keep you in control
-Mid-top design with ankle strap and gusseted tongue provides extra support and keeps debris out
-WRX treatment sheds water
-Water-resistant Cordura® fabric is durable and helps shed moisture 
-Reinforced toe box for added protection
-EVA foam midsole cushions impacts
-Designed specifically for flat pedals, not clipless compatible

Gravel X SPD

There’s also have a high-end gravel shoe that takes some elements from their new PRO Road v5 shoe, with a knit upper and full carbon sole. Stiff and resilient!

The Gravel X shoe blends the lightweight and stiffness of a road shoe with the durability of a mountain bike shoe. The Gravel X is ready for your fast gravel adventures with a full carbon sole to maximize power transfer. The glove-like fit of the 3D knit upper combined with the micro-adjustable BOA® Fit System gives the Gravel X unrivaled comfort on day-long rides. This knit construction and perforated tongue are breathable, lightweight and quick-drying. We know that gravel grinding can be dirty work, so we wrapped the toe and edges of the Gravel X in a scuff-resistant TPU layer and incorporated a mud-shedding open tread sole design. 

-3D knit upper for a glove-like fit
-Micro-adjustable BOA® Fit System with IP1 dial makes on the bike adjustments a breeze
-Full carbon sole maximizes power transfer 
-Scuff-resistant TPU layer around toe and sides enhance durability
-Wide-spaced tread provides grip and sheds mud
-2-bolt SPD cleat compatible

Women’s X-Alp Summit

Fully redesigned from the ground-up, the X-Alp Summit shoe receives trickle-down technology from our flagship X- Alp Elevate trail shoe that makes it a great partner on all-day mountain bike adventures. 

The X-Alp Summit is a great shoe for all-day mountain bike adventures. Fully redesigned from the ground-up, the X-Alp Summit shoe receives trickle-down technology from our flagship X- Elevate trail shoe, including a nylon composite sole that balances pedaling efficiency with walkability and a grippy Vibram ECOSTEP rubber outsole that will help you navigate the gnarliest hike-a-bike sections. An L6 BOA® Fit System works alongside the Velcro toe strap to provide a comfortable, secure fit. The synthetic leather upper features a plethora of perforations to improve ventilation and allow your feet to dry out after creek crossings. Mountain biking can be rough work, so we reinforced the toe box to ward off rock strikes. 

-BOA® Fit System with L6 dial for a secure, comfortable fit
-Seamless, perforated synthetic upper for comfort and breathability
-Reinforced toe box provides impact protection
-Grippy Vibram ECOSTEP rubber outsole
-EVA heel cushioning increases comfort and walkability 
-2-bolt SPD cleat compatible