TESTED: Pearl iZUMi Women's Summit Jersey

Words and photos: Georgina von Marburg

Pearl iZUMi has recently burst into the mountain bike scene with refreshingly minimalist designs and an eco-conscious agenda. The Colarado-based brand has its historic roots in Japan where it began with high-performance road cycling apparel. In the current mountain biking market, Pearl iZUMi are contending with loud and established moto brands. So they’ve decided to distinguish themselves by providing a down-tempo aesthetic for riders wanting to perform – without being noticed. Much of Pearl iZUMi’s new product line could easily transition from trail to pub; this should successfully tap into a growing demographic of ‘lifestyle’ riders who tackle daily adventures, but don’t identify as your typical, rowdy dirt -surfer. 

Materials and Cut 

Like a growing number of Pearl iZUMi’s products, the Summit Women’s jersey is made of 100% recycled materials. The brand’s aim is to eventually be making all of their products from recycled materials; it’s an impressive goal and one which is leading the industry alongside the likes of Mons Royale. Picking up the jersey, the material feels as high-quality and silky as any jersey, proving that recycled materials are a very viable option. 

If you had read my recent glowing review on the Fox Flexair Women’s Jersey, you’d know one of my gripes with women’s mountain biking apparel is the cut. For some reason unbeknown to female riders, brands have traditionally trimmed sleeves far too short for women’s jerseys. But contrary to designers’ beliefs, female riders desire the same coverage and protection as anyone. 

Naturally, one of the first things I observed on the Summit jersey was the cut. I’ve tried many Pearl iZUMi mountain biker jerseys in the past and can confirm they were a serial offender in the women’s cut department. While the quality of fabric and stitch was always impressive, the cropped sleeves, questionable designs, and inconsistent sizing outweighed any positives.  

In recent times however, the long-standing brand has reinvented itself in fresh and bold ways. They’ve modernised their cuts and designs, prioritising performance alongside understated aesthetics. The Summit jersey is a perfect example of this new direction, with a perfect, casual fit to complement its mellow tones. The sleeves retained adequate length in aggressive riding positions thanks to shoulder seams which “roll forward” with the rider. And as you’d expect from any mountain bike jersey, the rear hem drops lower than the front to protect from mud and punter bib cracks. Pearl iZUMi’s vast experience in perfecting road jerseys has obviously aided them in this department. 

On the Trail 

The Summit jersey is designed as a light-weight summer or spring performance jersey. Obviously in the late autumn months, it was a little too light. In order to really put its claimed breathability to the test, I wore it on the indoor trainer for several sessions. It was as good – if not better – than no jersey at all. The Summit wicked away and evaporated copious sweat with ease – a promising sign for the warmer months. 

In real-life tail conditions, a tapered fit is always beneficial. Mountain bike jerseys should be comfortably baggy, but tight enough to avoid catching branches and the odd handlebar. The Summit meets this criterion to a tee (pun indented), and I barely noticed it riding all levels of tight and technical trails. Even with rear bib pockets full of snacks and spares, the rear hem was long enough to cover everything. 

I’m usually a size Medium but knowing Pearl iZUMi’s typically smaller fit, I sized up to a Large. While the Medium fit well, it lost its comfort with a base layer or full rear bib pockets. My recommendation would be to size up with the Summit range for a more casual fit. 

Conclusion 

The Summit jerseys is a great option for women searching for a minimalist design while retaining high-performance features. Its materials will appeal to those prioritising sustainability, without compromising fit and comfort on the bike. 

Want more Pearl iZUMi gear? Check out our Summit Pro Glove review.

RRP: $99.99
From: pearlizumi.com

Hits:

• Light and airy with a performance trail fit
• Excellent updated women’s cut
• Goes from trail to pub with ease!
• Recycled materials

Misses:

• Size up for a good fit with a base layer or cargo bibs