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Pearl Izumi EM Road N0

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Pearl Izumi EM Road N0 v2 Review}}The EM Road N0 v2 is a lightweight, simple shoe that works well. It's not as good as the very best shoes, but it has no real flaws and I enjoy running in it. ~~The weight to cushioning ratio needs~~ While the N0 is a little ~~improvement~~heavier than I'd like given its cushioning, ~~but~~ some of the additional weight comes from having more padding in the upper, which may be worthwhile. The N0 is a remarkably natural shoe to run in, and could be compared to running barefoot on a cushioned track. It doesn't get in the way of your natural stride, and makes an excellent every day training shoe. I've rated it as "Highly Recommended". {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}

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=Characteristics=

[[File:Pearl-Izumi-EM-Road-N0-Wear-Pattern-bottom.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Pearl Izumi EM Road N0 showing the outsole more clearly where it has attracted more dirt.(This is the original version, but the update is identical.)]]

* {{H:WhyBuy}}. While it's not the best, the EM Road N0 is a worthy contender for your money. It's a little more padded in the upper than most lightweight shoes, and a better toe box than many.

* {{H:cushioning}}. The N0 is reasonably well cushioned, but it's not as good as it could be. For instance, the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] is both lighter and better cushioned.

* {{H:drop}}. I measure the EM Road N0 at a 5mm drop unloaded, and ~~strangely the drop increases to 6mm~~ 4mm when there's a person's weight in the shoe. I ~~didn't~~ find that this level of drop doesn't impact my stride compared with a ~~problem~~zero drop shoe, ~~but it's more than~~ though regular readers will know that I~~'d like~~believe the less drop the better.

* {{H:structure}}. The EM Road N0 uses a single density of foam with no problematic "arch support". The sole has no gaps that could act as stone traps.

* {{H:flexibility}}. The N0 is pleasantly flexible, and it flexes remarkably evenly, unlike many shoes that tend to flex in just one place.

* {{H:outsole}}. The EM Road N0 has a few patches of firmer outsole that are well placed. Some of the outsole is obvious by the different color, but there are also patches that are color matched to the midsole, making them harder to spot. When I first got the N0 I thought it was nearly all expose midsole, but that's not the case. Once you've run in the N0 a bit you can see the outsole as it picks up more dirt.

* {{H:shape}}. While N0 does not match the shape of the human foot, it's much better than many shoes. There is more room in the toe box and [[Shoe Modifications| cutting open the toe box is recommended rather than required]]. {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}

* {{H:upper}}. The upper is moderately thin, inflexible and mostly seamless. There is a ~~tiny bit~~ reasonable amount of padding around the rear of the foot, plus more around the ankle opening. For such a light weight shoe, it's better padded than you'd expect.

* {{H:tongue}}. The EM Road N0 has a traditional tongue that is has a tab to attach it to the laces. The tongue is extremely well padded for such a lightweight shoe .The tongue is nearly as well padded as the much heavier [[Asics GT 2000]].

* {{H:lacing}}. The laces on the N0 are one of the few annoyances. While the N0 has traditional flat laces ~~that stayed tied nicely~~, they are slick and come untied easily. I've had more problems with the N0 laces coming undone than any other shoe I can remember. (This is the only negative change from the original to the v2.)* {{H:heelcounter}}. The N0 has only ~~a slight heel counter that is only really noticeable at~~ the ~~extreme back~~ slightest of ~~the shoe. There is~~ heel counters, and certainly nothing that would dig into your foot. {{FastBlr|pearl-izumi/em-road-n-0-1092|1092|Pearl Izumi EM Road ~~N 0~~N0 v2}}

=Comparisons=

Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.

==Pearl Izumi EM Road N0 Original and ~~Asics Gel Hyper Speed~~v2==The ~~[[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]]~~ v2 update is ~~one of my favorite shoes~~relatively minor, ~~and it shows up the weaknesses in~~ but the N0improvements are worthwhile. ~~While the N0 is~~ The shoe has become a ~~good shoe~~little lighter while getting more cushioning, ~~it's not as light or as well cushioned as the Hyper Speed~~a nice achievement. ~~The N0 is better padded, but~~ I've ~~never felt~~ enjoyed the v2 even more than the original shoe, with the notable exception of the ~~difference in comfort~~ laces that seem to delight in ~~practice~~coming undone me to run.

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==Pearl Izumi EM Road N0 and Asics Gel Hyper Speed==

The [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] is one of my favorite shoes, and it shows up the weaknesses in the N0. While the N0 is a good shoe, it's not as light or as well cushioned as the Hyper Speed. The N0 is better padded, but I've never felt the difference in comfort in practice.

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{{FastBlr|asics/gel-hyperspeed-6-192|192|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6}}

==Pearl Izumi EM Road N0 and New Balance RC5000==

The N0 is reasonably light weight, but the [[New Balance RC5000]] is quite stunningly light. The RC5000 is less than half the weight of the N0, but nearly as well cushioned. Of course, the bare bones RC5000 is not for everyone as it provides just enough cushioning to improve [[Running Economy]], but no more. This makes it the most efficient shoe I've found, but the minimal cushioning my not be sufficient for you. However, if that's a problem for you, then the N0 may not provide the cushioning you want either. (Note that the updated [[New Balance RC5000v2]] is slightly heavier than the original, but much better cushioned.)

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