northwave v. pearl izumi



hard to go past pearl izumis. i own a pair of the original blue/purple fade and they are fantastic. i would have liked to get a pair of the red flame version before they stopped selling them, but unfortunately none in my size available. Pearl izumis are extremely comfortable (quite narrow but with plenty of toe room) and are the stiffest shoes i have ever owned. very happy with them but have also never had a pair of northwaves.
 
Here is South Africa we do not get pearl izumis. But i bought a pair of Northwave Centurions. The are quite cheap and VERY comforatble. I tried a pair of Sidi Energy's and Adidas TT's for a week each but none was as comfortable as the Northwaves.
 
Cipo rides Northwaves, so there's definitely nothing wrong with them. I ride Sidi's - won't ever change for another brand, my 1995 Sidi MTB Technos are still going strong, and my road Sidis are as comfortable, and not as expensive as Northwave.