After a long day of rocketing climbs, fast and flowy singletrack, and hair-raising descents, your feet will appreciate that you stepped into Pearl Izumi's X-Project Elite Men's Cycling Shoes before heading onto the trails. Light enough for the XC gram chasers and durable enough to handle whatever comes your way, these shoes boast a light, efficient sole and a comfortable seamless upper that lets you focus on the trail instead of wondering if your shoes will hold up.

Pearl Izumi shapes the upper from its 3-layer Seamless Composite synthetic with a flexible fit that conforms to a variety of foot shapes, making hot spots and pressure points unlikely. It also allows for ample air transfer, helping to pull moisture from your feet and socks. The pairing of an upper BOA IP1 dial and lower hook-and-loop strap give you extensive adjustability even on the fly for a secure fit that helps prevent numb feet in the middle of a trail.

The stiff, carbon-composite sole is complemented by an outsole with molded rubber tips on hollow TPU lugs that lend enough traction to dig through mud, gravel, sand, and any other challenging conditions you may encounter. An EVA foam heel takes a cue from cushioned running industry technology, helping to lessen the impact on your joints if you end up having to hike or run repeatedly throughout a long ride or race.