Pearl Izumi Fuel XC—($110)
Pearl Izumi Fuel XC ($110) — Cousin: Mizuno Wave Ascend 4—pearlizumi.com
The close fit of the midfoot helped to lock our testers in for confidence on the trail, giving a feeling of enhanced support in the fore- and rearfoot alike. The Fuel XC was deemed almost bouncy, a sensation that was amplified by the lightweight feel. The heel crash pad offset the snug heel cup in much the way the supportive arch and forefoot flex grooves balanced the firm midsole.
