Quick Take Review
Springtime in Northern California can be a mixed bag of weather. Warm days easily turn into cold mornings. Wind, mist, fog and rain also creep into the picture. On those colder morning rides — and even some in the afternoons — I still find myself reaching for an extra layer in the form of a lightweight jacket. Perfect example, the Pearl Izumi Select Barrier WXB Jacket.
At roughly 14 ounces, the Pearl Izumi Select Barrier WXB is a light weight cycling jacket made from a combination of polyester and spandex. The soft, stretch exterior of the jacket feels and looks fantastic. Detailing is exceptional. The sleeves are just the right length and end in asymmetrical cuffs, leaving the palm open but providing just a touch more coverage over the back of the hand where you need it. And Pearl Izumi places highly reflective accents on the outer sleeve, chest and down the back for improved visibility and safety in low-light conditions. A rear storage pocket and two hand warmers are also provided.
Specs
Material: Polyester and Spandex
Weight: 14 oz
Storm coverage is good. The exterior fabric provides excellent water resistance as does the YKK zipper. In our tests, no water penetrated into the interior of the jacket. The Pearl Izumi Select Barrier WXB includes a helmet-compatible hood — which fit easily over my Giro lid. It’s removable, so you can leave it home when the conditions are less formidable. There’s a drop tail inside the jacket as well for those times when more coverage is needed. When not, it snaps unobtrusively away and out of sight.
Inside, you’ll find two mesh chest pockets. They’re nice and deep, large enough for cell phones, keys, gloves, etc. There’s also a drawstring waist and a nicely lined, standup collar. The interior is lined with a breathable membrane similar to what you find on a Marmot Oracle. It performed reasonably well in our tests, but can feel a bit clammy depending on the conditions.
A note about fit on the Pearl Izumi Select Barrier WXB. Like just about everything we’ve tried from the company — and despite the manufacturer’s suggestion that the jacket runs a little looser than is typical for the brand — the Pearl Izumi Select Barrier WXB still feels a bit small. I normally wear a men’s medium, and our sample in that size was quite trim.It worked for me, but if you don’t like that type of fit, go up one size.
The Pearl Izumi Select Barrier WXB Jacket carries and eye-popping MSRP of $165. I checked the price at Sierra Trading Post, which remains one of my favorite spots for gear bargains, and found it for less than $60 with a coupon. Wow! At that price, the Pearl Izumi Select Barrier WXB is a steal. Find it at Sierra Trading Post or visit the Sierra Trading Post Social Hub for more offers.