Has anyone taken these from out of the box to retirement? How long did they last? How did the support hold up? Did you wear them regularly? or strictly runners?

Hey Mike, Here is the latest update on my Peral Izumi's.... My third pair of Peak XC developed the same tear where my big toe rubs against the side of my shoe. I have taken all 3 pairs back to Pearl Izumi and they have replaced all 3 without hesitation. I talked with the sales people about what might be causing the issue and we came to the conclusion it might be the way my foot fits this particular shoe. They suggested that I try the synco seek III, it is a heavier shoe, but it feels just as comfortable as the peak XC. I am looking forward to taking them out on a test run tomorrow...

Hey Mike, I have retired two pair of Pearl Izumi Peak XC Trail Running Shoes. I'm averaging around 350 miles per pair. I spend alot of my time running on the AT, so I am pretty rough on them. Both pairs have developed a tear in the fabric where my big toe rubs against the side of my shoe. Pearl Izumi replaced my first pair no questions asked, stating that they had not seen this issue before. I have yet to show them my second pair, but I wouldn't hesitate to, and already have, buy another pair..!! hope this helps...

I wore these from when they were brand new to the point where they more closely resembled sandals than tennis shoes, quite literally, my toes were poking out. I received the shoes in May, 2009, and put consistent 20-50 mile weeks in on them through out the summer (except for July - I was out of the country and didn't take these shoes), then certainly less after September, as running season was winding down (probably about 10-15 a week). I used them only as runners during this time, and I have no complaints with the support or other functionality, but they were a spectacular shoe both for training and racing. If you average 30 mile weeks for half of May, June, August, and September, 14wks x 30mi ~ 420 miles in the summer, plus a few weeks of fall running puts you at around 450-475 for when the shoe had the most amount of life. Towards the end of the fall I could feel that the skydex material in the heel was beginning to lose its pop, but the durability is equal to that of any other trail shoe I have used. In December, I purchased a new pair of shoes (With slightly more cushioning for increased miles on pavement) and retired the Peaks to kickaround status, where they served valiantly until about two months ago.

My local gear guy uses these and has been super happy about their performance. The support holds up throughout the life, only because the life isn't that long. He said he used them strictly for trail running through Cherokee Park, which is mild terrain at best, and after two purchases averaged them to have a 450 mile lifetime.