Darryl’s Rule #1 of Cycling – “Thou Shall Not Skimp On
Riding Clothes.”
Now that summer is in full-swing, if the subject of
comfortable riding gear is not on your mind, it should be. As the weather here in Southern
California has swayed between warm, humid, hot, and finally the
setting for London Broil, I have been managing on my rides with the help of the
latest Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Series of riding clothes. Courtesy of Glendora,
California based Tweaked Sports, I have been
cruisng around the valleys in the 2012 Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Aero Gloves, P.R.O.
In-R-Cool Jersey and P.R.O. In-R-Cool bib
shorts. And, the gear’s performance has
been nothing less than impressive.
P.R.O. Aero Glove -
$35.00
As some of you have noticed and inquired about, these are
some pretty neat gloves. They are the
new for 2012 Aero Gloves, A.K.A., Time Trial (TT) gloves. When I first spied them in the Pearl Izumi
catalog, I knew I had to try a pair.
And, I am glad I did. Not only
are they pretty darn stylish, but they are pretty darn functional, too. They stay snug on your hands, with no
bunching or hot spots, provide excellent grip on the bars, and should hold up
well in a spill. There is, by the way,
no padding, or gel inserts of sorts, but combined with good, padded bar tape,
you will not miss them. If you try
these, I suggest going snug, versus loose.
I wear a size large, however, a size medium fits like, well, a glove. These have become my new “Go To” glove, and I
have even noticed quite a few Pro Riders wearing them all the time, as well. Available colors are Red and Black, sizes S,
M, L, XL, XXL.
•New 1:1 Glove Fit minimizes palm bunching for superior grip
comfort and handlebar feel
•Pittards® WR 100X Natural Carbon Leather palm provides superior softness and durability
•Extended cuff for aerodynamic performance
•Simple pull–on design
•Pittards® WR 100X Natural Carbon Leather palm provides superior softness and durability
•Extended cuff for aerodynamic performance
•Simple pull–on design
P.R.O. In-R-Cool Jersey - $150.00
The also new for 2012 P.R.O. In-R-Cool jersey is made for
the heat. With the new In-R-Cool and
fast-drying Transfer Minerale fabric technology, sweat and heat are comfortably
wicked away from the body (even without a summer base layer). I have used this jersey in extremely high
heat and high humidity environments, and I never had that hot, soakin’, soggy
feel lesser jersey’s deliver. The front
zipper is full-length, and the pull is sized just right to locate on the run,
as the need to ventilate on climbs and zip-up on descents is a good thing to
do. There are also numerous mesh panels
throughout the garment, which not only provides excellent ventilation, but a
snugger, better, form fit, too. There
are also the standard three back pockets, plus a fourth, sweat-proof, zippered
compartment. Available colors are Red,
Black, White and White/Orange, sizes S, M. L. XL. XXL.
• P.R.O. Transfer fabric with In-R-Cool® and Minerale™
technology provides optimal cooling and
reflective sun protection
• Full length zipper for venting
• Elasticized gripper on back to keep hem in place
• Three back pockets plus zippered sweat-proof pocket
• Sublimated graphics
• Reflective elements for low-light visibility
• Full length zipper for venting
• Elasticized gripper on back to keep hem in place
• Three back pockets plus zippered sweat-proof pocket
• Sublimated graphics
• Reflective elements for low-light visibility
P.R.O. In-R-Cool Bib
Short - $175.00
The 2012 P.R.O. bib shorts are the best I have tried yet. And, while I have not tried every brand out
there, they are the most comfortable of the multiple brands I have worn, thus
far. The chamois is the new “4D,” is
well placed, and it actually disappears under this mild-mannered evaluator’s
tail. It is seamless, breathable, antimicrobial,
with a four-way stretch to wick away moisture.
Up to this point you could get a smooth pad, or a comfortable pad, but it
was difficult to get both. Well, this
bib gives you both. Not too many
manufactures can make that claim. The
multiple panel fabric of the shorts has a smooth, comfortable, compression fit
and feel, UPF-50 protection, with the front of the bib not too high for those
times when a “Natural Break” is necessary.
The straps are smooth and comfy, thus no digging-in or the feel that you
are actually wearing something over your shoulders. The legs come with silicone grippers, thus
they stay put and do not ride up your leg.
Available colors Black, Black/Red, Black/Orange, Black/White, sizes S,
M, L, XL, XXL.
•P.R.O. Transfer fabric with In-R-Cool® and Minerale™
technology provides optimal cooling and reflective sun protection
•P.R.O. Transfer with Minerale™ Direct-Vent Bib
•Anatomic multi-panel design
•Silicone leg gripper with welded construction
•Anatomic P.R.O. Seamless 4D Chamois®, 3-layer, variable density
•Reflective elements for low-light visibility
•P.R.O. Transfer with Minerale™ Direct-Vent Bib
•Anatomic multi-panel design
•Silicone leg gripper with welded construction
•Anatomic P.R.O. Seamless 4D Chamois®, 3-layer, variable density
•Reflective elements for low-light visibility
I have been using these garments for about four months now,
and they are holding up pretty well. I hand
wash them with a mild “Delicate Fabric” detergent after every ride and hang dry
them. There have been no rips, tears or
frayed seams to speak of, unlike some other brands I have tried which seem to
start unraveling after one ride n’ wash.
While there are a plethora of clothing choices out there, I
say you owe it to yourself to give the latest Pearl Izumi gear a try. Cycling is all about enjoyment and fitness,
and if you wearing uncomfortable riding clothes, then you will not have fun,
and you will not get fit.
All prices listed in this review are retail. However, fear not - Tweaked Sports can get
them to you for a whole lot less.
Tweaked Sports: www.tweakedsports.com
Pearl Izumi: www.pearlizumi.com
