PI Vagabound II Review

I have to let you guys know how pleased I am with my new PI Vagabound II. Susan even did a special order for me so I could get it in screaming yellow for visiblity. What I love about this jacket is:

1. Fit. It has a trim fit so its not ballooning in the wind, yet its still very comfortable. I like the front coverage (some styles are short in front, to avoid bunching at the middle on the bike, but this is long in both the front and back yet doesn't bunch on the bike due to the trim cut, so gives good off bike protection too).

2. Jacket to Vest conversion. This is perfect for where I live.

3. High ratings for both water-resistance and wind-resistance. Haven't been caught in a downpour yet, but will let you know how it does. Again for me this is great since I don't intentionally ride in the rain, but sometimes it starts when you are out there. Lots of wind where I live, and I do ride in that!!!

4. Light and compact, so easy to stow.

5. Loads of pockets, breast, 2 side, and roomy rear.

I'll post an update after riding in it for a while, but for now I just wanted to let folks know what a stylish and performance filled jacket/vest this is.

Out of curiosity, what size did you end up with, compared to what size you usually wear?

I'm generally a small in jackets, and I wear a small in PI shorts and jerseys, but I have two PI jackets (Instinct -- a waterproof jacket from last year -- and the Optik wind jacket) and both are size medium -- I needed the extra width through the shoulders. I like a slim cut, and the mediums are still slim on me. Other than needing to size up I find they're cut very well and function well on the bike.

I ended up with a medium, and for me that was key. I recently lost a lot of weight, and am between a small and medium depending on brand and cut. But, the problem I was having with other brands is the smalls fit me in width but not length. For example the showers pass elite jacket fit nice in a small in the bust and hips, but was too short in the arms and torso. The shebeest windpro jacket was too loose in the bust and hips in a medium, but too short in the torso in a small. But with PI, the medium is just right in width and length both, and that includes both the torso length and arm length. SO, I think I do better in items that are slim cut such that the medium works better than the small. I am also noticing some items advertised as a 'trim cut', so again hopeful that means the mediums will work since small jerseys in general seem to be too short on me.

p.s. I should add that I tend to be a small in shorts (sugoi, PI), but between a small and medium on top. My shoulders and back are broad, while my waist and hips are slim. In street clothes, it really depends on the store: at the Loft or Gap I am a 4/small, at American Eagle a 6 and at Victoria's Secret an 8/M in slim cut styles.

I decided to update the review. While I still love the jacket for the reasons stated above, some of the 'flaws' that have showed up over time:

1) In vest mode, the zippers hit my skin unless I war a short sleeve jersey w no underarm venting (and longish short sleeves that don't ride up).

2) It does get really wet in a downpour.

So, I just ordered PI instinct jacket based on Deb W's review for wet days.