If you're looking for a cycling short sleeve jersey without gaudy pro-team logos or wafer thin fabrics your choice can be quite limited these days, which is why we were delighted when this high quality offering from Pearl Izumi turned up.
We find the muted colours and simple colour band design timeless and very classy either on the bike or floating around stylish coffee shops after a short buzz into town. That simple fact alone makes it ideal for touring trips where it doesn't shout 'CYCLIST' too loud when we're off the bike. A poppered neck rather than the more usual zip perhaps isn't as practical as it might be, but in this case, form wins over function and we like it all the more for it. The elasticated drop tail is also a winner for more practical reasons, as the silicon grippers keep it firmly in place when riding and the three pockets across the base of the back are as generously sized as they could be.
The relaxed airy fit and wind permeable fabric very much restricts this jersey to the warmest summer months, as you would expect of a short sleeve jersey, but it still sports a smattering of low key dark reflectives across the centre pocket that might just get you seen after a late-night pub excursion.
All in all, a great alternative to trade tops, highly suited to relaxed touring or hipster cafe crawling.
