World travel, sassy podium girls, the Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Aero jacket. Three reasons to envy the life of a pro cyclist.
The first thing that strikes you about the Aero is the hand, the feel of the fabric. It’s surprisingly soft and supple like Giorgio Armani was moonlighting on technical wear. Yet there’s a smooth sheen that promises a strong barrier against wind and rain. No wonder Pearl calls it Softshell Lite.
In fact, well-designed deception is part of the Aero’s benefit package. The fabric looks tight and contoured yet stretches easily in all directions. Freaky cool. This is pro-level gear that vents quickly, breathes well and screams major R&D dollars.
Aero, no audio. Another advantage of the soft fabric and anatomical fit was the noise reduction. There’s almost zero flap on a fast descent — all you hear is rushing wind and drivetrain. You’re cutting wind, not causing a public disturbance.
We found the Aero hit that difficult sweet spot between heavier rain gear and flimsy wind breakers. Yet it’s so lightweight it stashes in a jersey pocket without a bulge.
Details, details. At the pro level, you see where Pearl Izumi spent the money. A full length draft flap and little zipper housing to seal in warmth. A tapered wrist and neck collar for that extra measure of coverage. As aero-light as the jacket is, the construction says long term integrity.
We worked out the Aero jacket with several combinations of base layer and was consistently impressed. Local conditions have been misty with light rain and coastal wind and we’ve enjoyed the rides.
The P.R.O. Aero is a wise choice for that one go-to jacket that handles wind and rain and scores major style points in the process. Podium girls appreciate that.
$125
More product plugs; although this time we are 'cutting wind' instead of passing wind. The big question is when are you going to start holding promotions so your loyal readers can score some swag for ourselves? As we all know, without throwing a few crumbs to caller number three, someone will start blogging their own product reviews and TS will be just one more bike site out there competing for the fickle cyclist's short attention span.
Fear not, baby. TS will NEVER become just another cycling news site. I control the content and therefore you have no worries. Matt
@TwistedSpoke, this review would be so much more worthy if there was a photo of you modeling this high tech cycling garment.
If I did that, I might kill sales. Have to lose 10 pounds up top first. Matt
What no image of a podium girl appreciating the jacket?? You can't taunt us with podium girls on a Friday afternoon and then not produce the images!!!!
Sorry Mike. My wife just doesn't do the whole pdoim girl routine anymore. She even forgot how to duck champagne. Matt
I just got mine and it is worth every dollar. Sleek. Only if I can ride fast enough to be worthy of my new jacket…That would make me even cooler.
Cat6, glad you liked the jacket. Faster, baby, faster. Matt