Women’s Attack Short Sleeve Jersey
HOT
- 4 great colors/designs to pick from
- Front darting provides a feminine flattering silhouette
- 3 rear pockets for plenty of storage
- Rear silicon gripper hem keeps jersey in place even when in drops
- Very soft, wicking fabric made from 100% recycled water bottles
- Full zip for ventilation and easy on/off
- Reasonable price
- Fits true to size
- Reflective elements front and back
NOT
- No zipper garage at neckline for added comfort
Unisex – PRO Gel Full-Finger Gloves
HOT
- Premium Ax Suede Laredo palm provides comfort and secure bar grip
- Full-finger protection
- Easy slip-on fit, no closures to deal with
- Soft fabric on thumb area runny nose
- Reflective elements for low light visibility
NOT
- Touchscreen sensitive index finger didn’t consistently work
Women’s Interval Cargo Bib Short
HOT
- Two thigh cargo pockets fit phone and nutrition
- Items in pockets don’t shift around while pedaling
- ELITE Escape chamois provides a comfortable ride
- Drop bottom design for fast bathroom breaks
- Mesh panels for added ventilation on hot days
- Silicon printed leg grippers keep shorts from riding up
- Reflective elements for low light visibility
NOT
- Drop bottom design with bib straps attaching at the sides, doesn’t fully support back waistband
Price: $85.00 (jersey); $55 (full finger gloves); $165 (bibs)
Fit: Form Fit (jersey)
Sizes: XS – 2XL (jersey, gloves, bibs)
Colors: 4 colors/patterns (jersey); 2 colors (full-finger gloves); Black (Bibs)
Source: Company website, Online, Retail
How obtained: Samples from company
RBR Sponsor: No
Summer Gear with a Social Conscience
Pearl Izumi has figured out a way to incorporate recycled plastics into packaging, as well as fabrics used in their Spring/Summer collection. When I received the shipment from PI, the jerseys and bibs were packaged in a bag made from 100% recycled plastic. As you’ll read in my review, some of the fabrics used are made from recycled water bottles. This is a trend not only for PI, but many other manufacturers to be more environmentally conscious and moving toward sustainability. If you recall a couple of years ago, OORR was my first encounter with cycling gear made from recycled water bottles. I was impressed not just at the quality of the fabric, but performance as well.
Recycled Water Bottles are Stylish and Comfy
PI shipped me their new Women’s Attack jersey in two of the four colorways, yellow/turbulence origami and virtual pink. Love both designs and even though they are the same model, each version looks very different. If you like the fit, there’s no reason at a $85 price point, you couldn’t buy multiples.
The fabric is silky soft and it’s hard to believe it’s made from recycled plastic water bottles. Besides being soft, the fabric does a really nice job of wicking moisture. The full zipper helps with ventilation and controlling body temperature. I did have an issue with the lack of a zipper garage at the neckline to provide protection against the rough zipper end. My solution was simply to unzip just a half inch.
Besides the great designs, the form fit of the Attack jersey was enhanced by front darts. It gives that flattering hourglass shape many bike jerseys lack. Since the Attack jersey is listed as Form Fit and ran true to size, if you wish a looser fit, size up. The jersey comes in sizes XS-2XL.
The three rear pockets provide plenty of storage for a phone, flat kit or nutrition. The rear hem has silicon grippers to keep it from riding up even when you’re in the drops. (Note the sleeve hems do not have silicone grippers). The PI logo on the front right chest and the company name along the lower back are reflective elements to help with being seen in low light.
MTB or Road – These Full Finger Gloves are Versatile
Pearl Izumi’s PRO Gel full finger gloves are unisex and available in XS-2XL. I originally was going to use them exclusively for MTB, but on a cool morning I decided to try them road biking. I found these gloves comfortable both on MTB flat bars and road drop bars. I really liked the feel of the Premium AX Suede Laredo palms and stretch of the nylon uppers. The padding kept my hands comfortable with no numbing and the suede fabric provided secure gripping of the handlebars.
The easy slip-on design and no closures was also a plus for me. The added tab by the wrist made it easy to grab and pull the glove on. The index finger is touchscreen sensitive, but I had problems with it working consistently when accessing my phone.
The full finger gloves provide added protection when mountain biking and warmth on a cool road ride. PI rates the gloves for 60-100 degrees, but I was comfortable down to 50 degrees F. As always, temperature ratings are just a guide and vary by individual.
The gloves come in two colors, navy or black with reflective elements on top for additional visibility in low light. A soft fabric covers the thumb for when your nose runs.
At $55 these gloves are a good value since I can use them for MTB, gravel or road, as well as in a wide range of temperatures.
Bibs with Cargo Pockets!!!
To be honest, I was skeptical at first when I heard about PI’s new Interval Cargo Bib Shorts. I thought they’d be designed for one gel pack like many of the triathlon shorts. But WOW, these are truly cargo shorts. There are two side pockets that fit close to the leg which I can fit my cell phone in one and nutrition in the other. Even when the pockets are loaded you don’t feel the items against your thigh, and nothing moves around. On my first test ride I honestly kept feeling for my phone in the right pocket. I just couldn’t feel it while pedaling and I was fearful it might fall out. But once in the pocket it stayed put and never shifted around.
Another great use for these bibs is on the trainer. If you are like me, it’s too hot to wear a jersey when indoors and opt just for a sports bra and bibs. I used these cargo bibs to store my phone, but you could even store a TV remote, too.
Some of the bib panels are made from recycled plastic and like the Attack jersey the fabric is next to skin soft. The side panels and lower leg are a mesh fabric that provide added ventilation on warm rides. The leg hem is folded over with silicon grippers to keep the shorts in place. For riders preferring less compression, these bibs are ideal since the use of mesh panels provide minimal compression.
I found the back waist a bit too loose due to the drop bottom design and with the bib straps attaching at the sides instead of the back. While the drop bottom allows for easier bathroom breaks since the bib straps don’t need to be removed, there are some design improvements still to be made. I do prefer PI’s V shape design drop bottom better like the ones used on their P.R.O. Escape bib shorts. The bib straps attach at the back in a V-strap still allowing you to pull down the shorts without removing the straps.
The cargo bibs use PI’s ELITE Escape chamois which I found very comfortable. My longest test ride was 45 miles and absolutely no discomfort.
For added visibility in low light, there’s a reflective PI logo on the back and Pearl Izumi logo down the leg.
Bottom Line
Pearl Izumi’s Spring/Summer line offers a bit of everything. From stylish, high performing jerseys to cargo bibs shorts. You’re bound to find something to add to your cycling wardrobe. Many of the fabrics in the line are now made from recycled water bottles, which is great for the environment and the move to sustainability.
Please give us an article about some R E A L. summer shirts and bibs, made of light material with UV block , with long sleeves, long leg sleevs and long finger gloves. To protect us from the sun with no need to smear our skin with various chrmicals.