Pearl Izumi Tour Road Shoe

Good looking and very comfortable, the Pearl Izumi Tour Road shoes are also stiff and light. The classic lace look and the 'Tour' bit of the name might suggest a touring shoe, but the non-recessed cleat plate (which will take a three or two-bolt cleat) doesn't really allow for easy walking.

• Pros: Comfortable, affordable, light for lace-ups
• Cons: One upper developed a small crease during testing; the insole is a bit basic; no recess for easy walking if using 2-bolt cleats

Since the dawn of civilisation, ever since our ancestors first learned to tie animal skins around their feet, the humble shoelace has been one of our most enduring technologies. Post-enlightenment, of course, we think there must be better ways to do simple tasks like stopping your shoes falling off. Hence, many semi-automated ways of doing the same job have emerged. Think, though – where will you be in the conker season with Velcro fastenings?

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If that's not enough to convince you, these lace-ups from Pearl Izumi might. It's a two-minute job micro-adjusting the laces when you first put them on; after that it's tie-em-up and go. Of course, unlike Velcro and Boa and the like, you can't really adjust them on the fly but chances are you'll have clocked that already and may already have moved on. For the likes of me, grinding out day-rides over bleak Pennine passes, vainly hoping that any Personal Best isn't long behind me, these are a welcome grain of comfort in a life of chaff.

They turned up in the middle of the February 'heat-wave' and I was so struck by their looks, I had to get those cleats fitted and get out on a ride straight away. The white-with-red-laces thing actually appealed to me, but if you don't like to make a statement, Pearl Izumi thoughtfully include a second pair of laces in black. The shoe itself is also available in black, with the same lace choices.

I like the lace system. It's easy to get an even fit around the foot, far less crude than Velcro straps and there was less tendency to overtighten them, which I do every time with ratchets. The loops can tuck away under an elastic retainer.

There doesn't seem to be anything technical or innovative about the great fit and comfort of these shoes – it's down to the simple, one-piece construction of the upper, which moulds itself around your instep to give your foot a lovely hug. These size 45s seem spot on for length on me. Volume is more generous than some, so I had no problems wearing winter merino socks, and when switching to thinner ones there was still plenty of adjustment available.

Unfortunately, after a few rides I noticed the right shoe developing a bit of a crease in the upper. Since this is quite thin I'm a little concerned this might result in a split, in time, perhaps through one of the perforations. If so, this would most certainly be covered by Pearl Izumi's straightforward warranty. Be sure to follow the care instructions to keep that valid. The uppers wipe clean with a damp cloth and come up surprisingly fresh, given that white is a nightmare to look after, darling.

The tongue is a separate piece, very lightly padded and, with the flat laces, that was plenty to ensure no pressure or pain on the instep. Around the ankle, just a few millimetres of foam make the shoes rub-free and secure.

The insole is a fairly basic foam piece – though it is well perforated for ventilation. It didn't give my fallen arches much assistance, but to be fair they weren't uncomfortable and there was no sign of hot-spots underfoot. I slipped in some orthotic soles I use, which have been heat-moulded, and got an even better fit without crowding my foot out of the shoe.

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Pearl Izumi has bonded the upper to a nylon composite sole (with a bonus carbon insert at the cleat area). It scores 8 on PI's scale of stiffness, which goes all the way up to 13. They seemed plenty stiff enough for me, just a tiny bit of spring to give a little shock absorption while every pedal stroke seemed to transfer directly into uphill progress.

Judging ventilation in a summer shoe is tricky in February or March, heatwave or not. I did manage a couple of rides without overshoes (it was even warm enough for shorts). The air inlets in the sole are simply holes with mesh, rather than scoops; the perforations in the upper are only half-replicated in the lining. I always have cold feet anyway so don't like them too ventilated. Overshoes slipped on over the Tours' smooth profile very easily and with no Velcro to snag on.

Price-wise, they're £10 more than the Lake CX 1, a close competitor on performance but rather heavier at 769g for a pair of size 44s, but both are beaten on price and weight by dhb's Dorica Road shoes.

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As I said at the start, the classic lace look and the name suggest a touring shoe, perhaps like the Quoc Pham Fixed pair Mike Stead reviewed, but if you fit a two-bolt mountain bike cleat it isn't recessed for easy strolling off the bike. Actually, walking in them wasn't too bad, thanks to the rubber heel bumpers, provided your cleats aren't worn to a shine. However, if PI produced these with a touring-friendly sole, I'd certainly give them a look too.

Verdict

Shoes you can wear all day – if you're in any way lace-curious these will be a good place to start