Pearl Izumi stuff

[Owlie]

Both. I'm getting the Elite Barrier convertible jacket for sure, but I'm on the fence about the soft-shell winter jacket.

How is the sizing on the tops? I theoretically should be in a large. Do they run reasonably true-to-size?

[Becky]

My experience is that I'm a medium in PI tops, which is consistent with my street clothes and brands like Voler, Primal, etc.

I really liked my Gavia winter jacket from a performance standpoint, but ultimately wanted something brighter than blue. I ended up with a neon Gore Phantom that I love (and needed a large in). I don't have any first-hand experience with the newer PI winter jackets. The Pro 3x1 strikes me as too warm for my conditions, so I'd probably look at the Elite WXB or the Pro 180. The Convertible looks very much like my beloved Phantom, but is almost all black on the back

[Owlie]

Tried on a jacket. Definitely a large, on account of my ribcage+boobs.

Last question, since I need to send my order to the coworker who's placing it. Barrier baselayer (the one with the wind-blocking front): worth it? I'm thinking of the short-sleeve one.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Totally worth getting a wind blocking base layer- you can even wear it with summer short sleeves when it's windy, or with armwarmers.

[amb]

I might be too late but I also have 90% PI bc I know someone who works there. My favorites are as follows:

Drop tail bibs (LOVE bibs!)
Symphony knickers (great for in between weather, with orange elite chamois)
barrier jacket (AWESOME wind proof light layer)

I also have a heavier, fleecy jacket for cold riding that I cannot find on their website - it's #11231012.

Everything I have is size M which I find true to size at 5-7, 135#. Hope you get some sweet stuff. 50%+ off is so nice!

[SheFly]

Also late, but my FAVORITE base layer is the PI windblock - I have 2, and wear them a lot.

However, depending on how cold it gets, and your tolerance, I find that with that base layer, and one of the Symphony jackets (that does NOT have windblock), I can comfortably ride in temps right around the freezing point - even a bit below (yes, on the road and in the woods). I have become accustomed, however, to under-dressing so that I don't overheat on a ride.

Have just recently purchased the Elite and the Pro bibs. Wore the Elites to race in a VERY HOT MTB race on Sunday (think 90 degrees and 91% humidity) and these were very comfy. The leg grippers are a bit snug on me, but not uncomfortably so. The Pros I ended up with are drop bibs - the good is that there is quick access for nature breaks - the bad is that I have a long torso, and it rides up on me, negating a bib short.

Have been away from PI for quite awhile, and just now returning due to the same program you are talking about . Pretty impressed in the advances they have made.

SheFly

[Owlie]

The box arrived!

I think I'm going to like the shorts. I haven't ridden in them yet--that happens tomorrow morning. I won't be able to test out the jackets or tights for another few months, because I really don't want to even try them on when it's about 85 in my apartment. The big surprise was the Gel-Vent gloves. Mine are three or four years old. Wow, they've changed! (My current gloves don't have the velcro.) I also realized just how much mine have stretched--the new ones are quite snug in the fingers.

Amb, it's funny--I'm about your height and weight, but I wear a large in tops and a small/medium in shorts.