Last week we had a chance to check out some products from Pearl Izumi’s Fall 2015 line. Although if you have been a regular reader of our our Week In Reviews (and really, do you have an excuse not to be?) you probably noticed that there was one piece of gear we have been testing that didn’t make the cut – the P.R.O Aero Long Sleeve Jersey. While you might have thought it was forgotten because we didn’t think it made the grade, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The truth is, we just wanted one last excuse to wear it.
The P.R.O Aero Long Sleeve Jersey
The P.R.O Aero LS Jersey is designed to be your perfect Fall and Spring jersey. It is made with stretchable wind-resistant material on the front, breathable fabric on the back, and a form-fit cut and contoured shape for aero efficiency. Pearl Izumi states that this jersey is designed for riding in 50°F to 65°F, and that’s exactly the conditions we spent most of our time with it.
To keep out wind and water, PI used Softshell Lite fabric on key areas to provide protection. And to let moisture and odor out, they chose their own P.R.O. Transfer In-R-Cool fabric for optimal moisture transfer, dry time, and odor absorption.
The zipper is full length and is hidden under a top storm flap to keep it out of the elements. At the back are three pockets that, while roughly standard size, are a bit tighter than most (we suspect this is due to the jerseys aero optimizations). This can make getting some items in a bit of a tight squeeze. Finally, in keeping with PI’s ongoing quest for athlete safety, reflective elements for low-light visibility are found throughout the jersey.
Our Thoughts
We love when product descriptions are more than advertising hype, and the Aero with its wind-resistant front and breathable back is exactly as promised. We rode with the Aero in temperatures as high as 73°F and down to just about 50°F. The key to the Aero is what you wear underneath it. With temperatures above 65°F we went with a sleeveless base layer. Down to about 55°F we went short sleeved, and for anything cooler we went with a long sleeve option.
The Aero protected our body from the wind, and the base layer helped hold enough heat in to keep us warm. And thanks to the breathable fabric found at the rear of the Aero, we didn’t feel overheated.
Wrapping Up
One of the keys to a good ride is having a kit that keeps you out on the road, no matter what Mother Nature throws at you. The Aero is definitely a jersey we can turn to for those cool weather fall and spring rides. Now if only the cool temps would stick around South Florida a few more weeks to give us an excuse to keep on wearing the Aero for just a bit longer.