PI Instinct Jacket Review

Just got myself a PI Instinct jacket with my REI rebate and 20% discount. This is the best designed cycling jacket I've ever seen. I wore it to work this morning (30F, wind up to 20 mph) and am VERY impressed. See http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17244 for photo and features. It's very visible (screaming yellow with reflective dots), waterproof, breathable, pit zips, rear pocket. Nicest and most unusual feature: a collar drawstring (comfy fleece inside collar) to totally eliminate wind entering through the neck. I was perfectly comfortable this morning in a wool jersey, fleece vest, and the Instinct. With this jacket I'll be willing to commute by bike on days with a chance of rain.

Fit: I can wear a women's medium in many things, but not this. The medium was almost too snug to zip. The large was OK except too tight in the shoulders (and that doesn't work on a bike). The men's small was perfect except that the sleeves are too long - but they have velcro cuffs so it's not really a problem.

Breathability: Good. I expected to have lots of condensation inside a waterproof jacket after my morning commute, but I didn't. The jacket felt 100% windproof, and I started to warm up after 20 minutes on the bike. So I stopped, open the pit zips, unzipped my fleece vest under the jacket, switched to lighter gloves, and continued. At this point I was warm but not too overheated, and rode with the zipper a couple inches below the top. The jacket does have rear vents which allowed air to circulate through. When I got to work I check the inside of the jacket - mostly dry. A small amount of condensation under the black fabric on the sides and shoulders (which may be stretchy and has a different coating than the yellow fabric).

Thanks for the review Deb.

Last year I bought the PI Whisper Jacket (screaming yellow also) and just wore it for the first time the other day. It worked well in fifty degree weather and with just a long sleeve (heavier weight) jersey under it.

As I did want something water-proof and with pockets in the back I would have bought the Instinct jacket if it was available. Since I really don't ride in the rain, I guess the whisper jacket will be just fine.

For colder weather I have a Sugoi which is great.

~ JoAnn