Can bike specialist Pearl Izumi really make a top-quality running shoe? In a word, yes. The Pace is the Syncro line’s first lightweight stability shoe, designed for a slightly overpronating woman. The Pace sports a firm thermoplastic polyurethane frame, a cushy TPU heel, and a bouncy, injection-molded EVA midsole. Translation: Runners get a comfy, springy ride that still offers plenty of support. The women’s last is narrower in both the heel and instep, which helps lock feet in. 10.7 oz; www.pearlizumi.com
Bonus: Pearl’s signature seamless-mesh upper eliminates chafe.
Bummer: The upper’s cushioning feels like a marshmallow—soft but bulky.