Let’s go: the Pearl Izumi men’s thermal bib shorts keep you warm whatever the temperature indicated by the thermometer. For a pair of winter tights, this is a prerequisite that the Japanese brand passes with top marks.
When the rain falls or the splashes of a puddle of water find their way onto the tights, the water never penetrates the fabric, while on top of that, the tights are made from recycled materials.
However, as warm and eco-friendly as Pearl Izumi’s tights are, they lack in other areas, especially in the sizing department.
An inaccurate sizing guide could be compensated by good breathability and elasticity, but unfortunately a high rating cannot be rated in these areas either. Devoting only a small area to a strip of dotted reflectors was also a disappointment.
For the price, it’s a good buy, but there are better options on the market that won’t cost you much more.
Pearl Izumi men’s thermal bib shorts: construction
(Image credit: future)
Pear Izumi opted for strong fabrics to form the base of these bib tights, with nylon making up 56% of the material and polyester 30%, leaving Lycra to take up the remaining 14%. This basically means that you get a set of tights that will be very hard to rip or puncture.
The entire leg is supported by thermal fleece which definitely warms the rider and keeps them at a comfortable temperature. The water-repellent PI Dry technology, meanwhile, repels light rain.
Towards the ankles, the fabric becomes noticeably less stretchy, with the tights removing the need for zippers. This at least adds comfort as there is no zipper protruding awkwardly into the skin, but the lack of maneuverability in this area was a stress when putting the tights on.
An Elite Escape 1:1 chamois with, what Pearl Izumi describes as, a “friction-reducing floating topsheet design,” provides comfort between the body and the bike, and it’s a good level of comfort. thickness that prevents the appearance of chills from the saddle.
The mesh of the bib is made of 80% polyester and 20% spandex which provides a good degree of stretch.
Pearl Izumi Men’s Thermal Bib Tights: The Ride
(Image credit: future)
At 63kg and 174cm, a size small is what the Pearl Izumi website recommended I opt for. But from day one, these tights felt far too small, and while I hoped they would stretch over time, they never did. From reading other reviews, this problem is not limited to me.
Simply put, I never felt comfortable. I had to constantly pull the tights up as high as possible because the chamois never quite sat in its intended position, and the weak straps made me worry they might break as I dragged them over my shoulders.
It was possible to ride a little in ill-fitting suspender tights, but after a while it became an uncomfortable inconvenience with pieces of tights digging into me in awkward positions, which bothered me. forced to change position forever. As a result, I often felt trapped by the lack of breathability.
Apart from being a little too loose, the chamois is strong, does its job as you would expect, and so does the water repellency and thermal fabric inside the tights. I’m confident these tights would keep the cold at bay if I ever had to ride below freezing.
But the really poor sizing and heavy feel of the ankle straps meant that too much of my ride was spent moving around to get a better fit. And for me, that ultimately limits what would otherwise be reasonably priced, well-constructed winter tights.
Value and conclusion
Ok so the sizing issues really made my experience with these tights less than entirely positive, but get the right size – take a size up, that would be my best advice – and you’ll have a great pair of tights that will do the job. does the job for most runners.
They’ll keep you warm in a British winter and they’re in the budget for riders who’ll be riding all winter. Don’t forget: size above.
Characteristics
Sizes: S-XXL
Black color
Price: £139.99
Website: www.pearlizumi.co.uk