Pearl Izumi Project Emotion - Dynamic Offset

The new Pearl Izumi Project Emotion line of shoes have made use of a new fancy label...

Dynamic Offset

In looking at the new lineup, it seems that there is no stated heel or toe stack height, only a range of drops based on this idea of the dynamic offset.  I asked Pearl Izumi if they have a measured stack height for the new line of shoes, but haven't heard back as of yet.

In the mean time, one reviewer, Sam, has posted stack heights for the new shoes HERE which he states are from Pearl Izumi.  I can't say they're verified numbers, but according to him, here are the stack heights.  THANK YOU SAM!!!

• EM N1 Road/Tri - 19mm heel, 18mm toe = 1mm drop with 4.5mm dynamic offset
• EM N2 Road/Tri - 23mm heel, 19mm toe = 4mm drop with 7.5mm dynamic offset
• EM M3/H3 Road - 25mm heel, 21mm toe = 4mm drop with 7.5mm dynamic offset
• EM N1 Trail - 19.7 heel, 18.7mm toe = 1mm drop with 4.5mm dynamic offset
• EM N2/M3 Trail - 24.5mm heel, 20.5mm toe = 4mm drop with 7.5mm dynamic offset

What is "Dynamic Offset"?
I wasn't too sure myself even after reading Pearl's explanation of it.  After some thinking, I believe it is a concept that applies to ALL shoes unless of course you wear something that does not have cushion - like wooden clogs.  Dynamic Offset, as illustrated HERE by Pearl Izumi, is the changing (hence "dynamic") heel and toe stack height of a shoe.  As your foot strikes the ground whether it be the heel, midfoot, or toe first, the cushion of the shoe compresses, causing the initial stack height to decrease as the material absorbs the impact.  As you progress through the motion of your foot strike to the eventual toe off, the difference in height off the ground of your toe versus your heel changes as demonstrated by the image taken from the above mentioned video.

Isn't that the same for other shoes?
In my opinion, yes.  On the grand scale (aka, ignoring any technical details that Pearl might throw at me), the height off the ground of the ball of your foot compared to that of your heel changes throughout the progression of your foot strike no matter what shoes you wear.  Again, ignoring wooden clogs.  It's a natural characteristic of the materials we use for the soles of our shoes.  They simply compress to absorb impact; some more than others. 

So how do the new Pearl Izumi shoes differ from any other shoe?
To be honest, I'm not sure.  We can obviously assume that these shoes will differ in all of the typical ways - the fit, the material, the feel, etc.  However, as far as the dynamic offset, I do not see how the new shoes differ from the general idea of any other shoe design.  I am certainly not privy to any insider information, but I see the new label "Dynamic Offset" as a marketing ploy as opposed to a purely design characteristic. 

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Update on the Release Date:

Outside PR, a marketing group that Pearl Izumi uses, told me via Facebook that I should look for the new shoes on Feb. 15th.

My local Fleet Feet store expects to have delivery of the shoes by next week.  My number is on their list to call when the shoes come in!

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Questions
1.  When shopping for anything, do you critique the labels and/or product descriptions?
I find a lot of product descriptions, commercials, and labels to be misleading.  They all say "the best" or use fancy terms that really mean nothing at all, but make you think "Ooooh, that's fancy!"

2.  Have you ever worn wooden clogs?  
I'm Scandinavian and those things are not comfortable!

3.  Do you know what the offset or stack heights of your shoes are?
I'm curious how our favorite brands and models compare.

Dream.  Believe.  Achieve. 

Pearl Izumi Project EMotion - Store Info & Stack Heights

After last weekend's Bikram Yoga class, I swung by the local Fleet Feet store to see what they might know about the new Pearl Izumi Project E:Motion line.  Remember my panic post? 

They knew it all!

Ok, not everything, but more than I did.  Here's what I found out.

• The shoes will be released this month, but there is no set date.  
• The previous line's stock is simply at a "what's left" status; production has ceased.
• Due to the dynamic offset in the midsole, the company has not stated how thick the toe and heel stack are because they claim it changes depending on the position of your foot.  
• This didn't make sense to me and the guys at the shop agreed.  They thought it was a fancy way for the company to come across as "cool" and "technological."
• In order to compare the drop to other shoes, these guys told me to look at the stated drop at the mid-stride position. 
• The N1 will most closely resemble the Streak II in stack height and feel.
• The N1 has a 4.5mm drop which is much smaller than the 9-10mm drop of the Streak IIs.  I like that.

Then this morning, I went to the same Fleet Feet for a speed workout and while doing our warmup, I noticed one of the guys running in the N2 Road shoes.  Obviously, I caught up to him and struck up a conversation.  He liked them, but had no comparison to the Streak IIs.  Luckily, the speed workout is run by the store's shoe guru, so we asked him for his opinion.  Here's what he had to say...

• Expected release this coming week
• RunningWarehouse and reviewers have mentioned that the release was pushed to March/April.
• RunningShoes.com has the shoes on pre-order with an expected shipping date of March 1st.
• No drain holes in the EM Road
• EM Tri should have drain holes. 
• Increased stack height for the entire line.  This will make them stiffer. 
• The N1 will be the closest resemblance to the Streak IIs. 
• The N2 will have thicker soles than the N1 and be a much stiffer shoe. 
• All of the shoes are based on the same sole and body style, so even though they will only be carrying select shoes in the line, if you fit one, you will fit the others.  The only difference will be the sole thickness and small changes in the uppers construction (but using the same materials). 

I have also found a reviewer who happened to be able to find the stack heights of the N1/2 Road and Trail shoes.  You can find his post HERE.   I can't say they're verified numbers, but according to him, here are the stack heights. 

• EM N1 Road/Tri - 19mm heel, 18mm toe = 1mm drop with 4.5mm dynamic offset
• EM N2 Road/Tri - 23mm heel, 19mm toe = 4mm drop with 7.5mm dynamic offset
• EM M3/H3 Road - 25mm heel, 21mm toe = 4mm drop with 7.5mm dynamic offset
• EM N1 Trail - 19.7 heel, 18.7mm toe = 1mm drop with 4.5mm dynamic offset
• EM N2/M3 Trail - 24.5mm heel, 20.5mm toe = 4mm drop with 7.5mm dynamic offset
  

I attempted to contact the Pearl Izumi customer service department for more detailed information, but haven't heard anything back.  I was also contacted by a Dealer Service Representative after writing the previous post thanking me for writing about my experience with their shoes.  I responded asking if they had certain information, but I have not heard back as of yet.

I will let you know if I find out any more information.

At this point, here are my questions, thoughts, and opinion for Pearl Izumi

•  When is the release date?
• If it's February, I should have enough time to test them out and still possibly snag a pair of Streak IIs if needed.  
• If it's going to be later, I need to snag a pair of Streak IIs ASAP.
• Are the stack heights above correct?
• At this point, I know they're thicker, but how much?

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Questions
1.  How many different models of shoes have you been through over the years?
The Pearls are my 5th model.  The triathlon versions are my 6th if we count that as a difference.

2.  What are you up to this weekend?  Anything fun?
I had my first speed workout this morning and loved it!  Great way to stay motivated and up my intensity at the same time. 

3.  Have you been to the grocery store today?
They are PACKED!!  Good thing I didn't need any chips, soda, wings, or pizza!  It was fighting room only.  Thankfully the produce section was not on everyone's Superbowl priority list.


Dream.  Believe.  Achieve.