Pearl Izumi Peak XC Trail Shoe Review

Pearl Izumi Peak XC Trail Running Shoe

The Peak XC doesn't have a big lugs on the outsole like you might find in other trail running shoes. This makes it more versatile if you run on the pavement. The shoes are very light, but have a stiff sole for stability on the trail. I got my actual size in this shoe and at first they were tight. It took a few runs to break them in. They fit the best with a thin sock.

Peak XC Top

The Peak XC features a well ventilated seamless upper. Without seams the shoe fits to the contour of your foot like a sock.

Peak XC Rear

Here you can see Pearl Izumi's SKYDEX heel crash pad. For such a lightweight shoe, this system offers a lot of cushion and support. The SKYDEX system is pretty stiff, it rebounds well on the downhills. The crash pad is located on the outside of the heel, not on the entire heel. I found this helps me keep my balance better on the downhill because only part of the heel is affected by the impact and it keeps the rest of the outsole more stable.

Peak XC Tread

Most trail running shoes have much large lugs than the ones found on the Peak XC. I was skeptical at first, but after a few miles I realized, the difference. The lugs are smaller, but there are more of them. The shoe actually follows the contour of the ground better so you don't slip on rocks or catch the bottom on roots.

Peak XC In Action

This is an attempt at and an action shot. The idea behind these two pictures was to show the tread of the shoe. I had just jumped up off a wet trail on to a log. Notice there's not much dirt on the shoe and the grip of the tread on the log.

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