Reviews

Pearl Izumi Pro Escape jersey – review

Well designed jersey for warm summer rides

The Pro Escape jersey sits at the top of the Pearl Izumi range, using fabric technology designed to keep you cool in hot weather and it’s certainly worked well in warmer temperatures this summer.

Generally speaking, the jersey has a close fit comfortable for long rides, though it could be a little more fitted around the shoulders and on the arms. Still, it’s well cut for use on the bike; higher at the front and with a dropped tail.

Pearl Izumi have used three main fabrics across the jersey: a fairly standard lycra for the bottom two thirds, mesh underarm panels to improve ventilation (with the same fabric also used all the way down the spine), and on the top third (the black area on the tested jersey) there’s a fabric dubbed P.R.O. Transfer, which uses Coldblack technology in order to offer, in Pearl Izumi’s words, ‘optimal cooling and reflective sun protection’.

The Pearl Izumi Pro Escape Jersey features cooling fabrics and is ideal for warm, summer rides

Specification
Price: £89.99
Sizes: S-XXL
Size tested: M
Website: Pearl Izumi
UK distributor: Madison

In use, the mesh fabric, with its wide perforations, probably helps the most in keeping things cool. Coldblack is said to reduce the heat build-up in any treated fabric, and especially when it comes to dark colours, and is also claimed to guarantee a minimum of UPF 30 sun protection. That may be the case, though the full-length mesh back panel could leave you prone to sunburn as it’s pretty see through, so slap some sunscreen on if required. Regardless of how effective Coldblack truly is, on the whole this lightweight jersey does an excellent job at keeping you cool. The full-length zip is also ideal on the hottest days when you need to really cool off and get air flowing.

Speaking of the zip, however, it’s a little awkward to thread as it’s comparatively small, though otherwise it works well with a smooth action. I did find the neck a little restrictive with the zip fully closed, but the fit here will vary from rider to rider and it’s not something which became a significant problem when riding.

On the back of the jersey you’ll find the standard arrangement of three pockets, but there’s also two additional pockets, one on either side, bringing it up to five in total. That’s useful for long days in the saddle when you need to store extra food, gels and so forth, and these pockets are easy to access when you want to grab something quickly.

I also like the fact the jersey, when sensibly loaded across all the pockets, still sits well and everything stays put. The pockets have enough stretch in them to make them easy to access with one hand, but everything still stays planted. The rear hem helps with that, with a series of sticky silicone logos to hold things in place, and help prevents the rear of the jersey and pockets moving too much when things are stashed away.

The jersey features five pockets in all – useful for long days in the saddle

Conclusion
The Pearl Izumi Pro Escape is a well designed jersey for warm summer rides. The additional pockets are useful and the overall fit is good, but a couple of slight improvements would make it an excellent piece.

Pros
– Cooling fabrics
– Lots of storage
– Coldblack fabric offers sun protection, however…

Cons
– Centre back panel is exposed to the sun
– Fit could be improved on the shoulders and arms