I was looking for shoes that could be used for commuting, gravel, mountain and road. I was also looking for a shoe with the BOA system since I am too lazy to tie my shoelaces.
I bought this pair of Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit shoes, and man I am not disappointed! These have been my go to shoes for basically everything that I ride. I really like the style, the sole has great traction on the dirt, they are very comfortable on and off the bike and the BOA system is just killer.
But these shoes are not perfect; they are not as breathable so your feet will get hot on a long hot day on the bike. The sole of the shoe does flex a little when putting down the power but I am not sprinting for first place so it is acceptable.
The shoes have been very durable; I bought my pair over a year ago and they have seen over 1,000 miles of mixed terrain and they still look good and the BOA system still functions great.
At $150, I think these are on the pricier side BUT I think they are totally worth the price for such a versatile shoe.
