PEARL IZUMI PRO AIR

£199.99 (jersey); £249.99 ★★★★☆ Space-age jersey and bib set

The PRO Air range from Pearl Izumi was designed to be the lightest and most breathable kit yet, with seasons of research into the construction, utilising cutting-edge bonding and taping methods to make ultra-light clothing with no stitching.

On the jersey that means all of the main panels and sleeves are completely bonded, making for one of the best-fitting jerseys we’ve ever tried. The front panel uses a highstretch weave and the rear features an ultralightweight PRO Transfer fabric for fast wicking. The jersey is also treated with an INRCOOL coating that helps to regulate body temperature when working hard. The front conforms to your shape and feels supportive, while the back stayed dry and comfortable even when riding hard in hot weather.

The jersey is incredibly light at 119g (size XL). Super-light jerseys normally have little in the way of features to keep the weight down, but the PRO Air has the traditional three rear pockets, plus a zipped security pocket. You also get a full-length, lock-down zip, silicone-print grippers around the waist line and hi-vis details.

The bibs follow similar construction traits with every panel bonded and taped on the inside. It makes for a short with potentially no irritating seams at all. The ultra-light shorts when worn have an impressively compressive feel. They are lined with Pearl’s top of the range Escape 1:1 chamois with its multidensity core padding featuring a top layer that floats freely above the padding. Both the braces and the legs are laser-cut, which keeps things minimal. The leg cuffs are retained by a three-inch h deep silicone print. The he bibs have reflective print detailing and at 176.2g (XL) they are super-light.