By Brandon Bilyeu
Cost:
PRO Thermal Jersey $220
Attack Hybrid Jacket $155
How obtained: review sample from company
Available: online, retail
Colors:
PRO Thermal Jersey – Twilight Blue, Castlerock Gray, Black, Red Dahlia
Attack Hybrid Jacket – Castlerock Gray, Black, Goji Berry Red
Website: PRO Thermal Jersey , Attack Hybrid Jacket
RBR Sponsor: No
Tested: 15+ hours
Sizing: S-XXL
Reviewer Measurements and Fit Comments: 5’10” (178cm), 150 lbs (68 kgs), 34″ (86cm) waist, 38” (96.5cm) hips, 33″ (84cm) inseam, 38″ (95cm) chest. Based on the size chart I am a size Medium and the fit was good. Both pieces are ‘form fit’. The Thermal Jersey fits very snug but has a good amount of stretch and the sleeves are a little on the long side. The Hybrid Jacket fits slightly looser to allow layers underneath.
PRO Thermal Jersey – A Versatile Jersey for Different Efforts and Temperatures
Hot!
- Snug, stretchy fit that is soft on the skin
- Full zip in front
- Mid-weight fleece lining for warmth and breathability
- Three pockets in the back + zippered pocket
- UPF 50+ rating
- Men and Women versions available
Not!
- Pricey
The PRO Thermal Jersey is a long sleeve design that incorporates a mid-weight brushed fleece lining for warmth in moderate to cold temperatures. I found the construction to be exceptionally breathable, to the extent that I could feel the wind gently coming into the jersey. In temperatures from 50-60 F (10-16 C) the jersey alone was comfortable and the breathability was appreciated in the warmer weather. Down to 40 F (5 C), depending on ride intensity I would add a Gilet or a shell like the Attack Hybrid Jacket. The addition of a long sleeve base layer underneath kept things comfortable down to roughly freezing.
As a heavy sweater, cold weather is always a battle for me to minimize sweat so I don’t freeze. Layering and front zipper venting plays a big part, but I was really impressed with the PRO Thermal Jersey’s ability to keep me at a comfortable temperature. If I went too hard and sweated the jersey’s super breathability dried the fabric quickly. Adding a wind blocking layer on top of the jersey increases its heat retention while still keeping moisture at bay.
Out back three pockets and a fourth zippered pocket made with the jersey fleece material stretch to hold all your ride goodies and add a little extra insulation for your kidneys. A small Pearl Izumi logo and tab at the bottom rear are reflective accents for added visibility.
On the bike the PRO Thermal Jersey fits snug against the skin and is thick enough that there is never any fabric flapping in the wind. The brushed fleece feels great on the skin if you are not using a base layer. The wrist cuffs are an elastic band that seals out the wind and are low profile for a good fit under gloves.
Bottom line – The PRO Thermal Jersey is a great layering piece. It balances warmth and breathability to provide comfort in a wide range of temperatures when paired with appropriate layering. The quality and fit are top notch.
Attack Hybrid Jacket – Full Featured and Packable
Hot!
- Mid-weight shell that can fit into a jersey pocket
- Full zip in front
- Breathable side panels
- PI Dry water repellant treated
- Three pockets in the back
- Over 50% recycled content
- Men and Women versions available
Not!
- Tight fit to store it in a jersey pocket
The Attack Hybrid Jacket holds the middle ground between a thermal jersey and a rain jacket, and is an excellent layering option with the PRO Thermal Jersey. It is not waterproof, but has decent water resistance thanks to its PI Dry treatment that is PFAS-free. Stretchy, wind blocking polyester fabric provides wind protection and a snug fit with just enough room for layers underneath. Thin, woven fabric inserts at the sides and waist add breathability (dark red fabric in pictures below), with a full zip front that allows you to dump heat fast. Out back are three pockets and reflective elements.
As is hinted at by the ‘Hybrid’ in the jacket name, this shell is very versatile. With a snug fit and rear pockets, it can be used as a windproof ‘jersey’. I wore the Hybrid Jacket several times with only a base layer underneath and it kept me very comfortable down to about 40 F (5 C). You could wear it without a base layer, but the PI Dry treatment causes any sweat to trickle down and puddle at the waist, so best to wear a base layer for better wicking and evaporation.
The Hybrid Jacket also works well as a jacket. It blocks the wind, breathes well thanks to the woven inserts, and can be stuffed into a jersey pocket (just don’t expect to get anything else in that pocket). In preparation for a cycling holiday with lots of climbing (and warmer weather!) I went outside to do hill repeats on a lovely day with full cloud cover, fog, and the temperature stuck right at 40 F (5 C). I wore the PRO Thermal Jersey under the Attack Hybrid jacket for my warm-up and cool-down, put the jacket in my rear jersey pocket for the climbs, and put the jacket back on for the descents. For the whole three-hour ride I was able to stay at a comfortable temperature and with minimal sweating.
Like the PRO Thermal Jersey, the wrist cuffs are an elastic band that seals out the wind and are low profile for a good fit under gloves. I appreciate that the jacket material is not tissue paper thin. While it may not pack down into a thimble, this jacket is very robust and can take a lot of abuse, including the PI Dry treatment that is permanent and doesn’t need to refreshed like most DWR coatings.
Bottom Line
The Attack Hybrid Jacket is a versatile piece of kit for cool and cold weather. It performs well alone or as an outer layer, and is just svelte enough to pack into a jersey pocket.
Brandon Bilyeu is an avid recreational roadie who lives in Regensburg, Germany. He’s a year-round bike commuter and is a mechanical design engineer by trade. Click to read Brandon’s full bio.
Without a double zipper, the hybrid jacket isn’t full-featured, or else isn’t a cycling jacket, a sport with rear pockets in the cycling jersey that we need access to without stopping and unzipping the full zipper. You have to stop, because while unzipping is easy to do while riding, aligning the zipper sides to rezip the zipper isn’t a safe thing to do while moving.
Aside from that it seems to be a very nice jacket.