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review
Jerseys - short sleeve
Pearl Izumi Elite Ltd Jersey Pearl Izumi Elite Ltd Jersey Pearl Izumi Elite Ltd Jersey Pearl Izumi Elite Ltd Jersey Pearl Izumi Elite Ltd Jersey
Pearl Izumi Elite Ltd Women's jersey

Pearl Izumi Elite Ltd Jersey

6
by Lara Dunn
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jun 15, 2012

2
£69.99

VERDICT:

6
10
A pretty and effective road jersey, but costing a pretty packet too, with few features
Weight: 
1g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk
How we test

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From Pearl Izumi's mid-range Elite collection (rather than the high end P.R.O and the more entry level Select), the Ltd Jersey aims to be a combination of high performance features with an eyecatching design for the dedicated road rider.

Visually, it's very strong, with a bold design that girly girls will love, but thankfully it is tempered by a distinct lack of pink or pale blue. The fabric is an ultra lightweight summer orientated polyester fabric, designed to give maximum moisture wicking and ventilation in hot weather, and the jersey features mesh panels at the sides for even more breathability. It has a full length zip, again catering to hot weather wear, and three pouch pockets at the rear with a reflective trim. The rear features a hem gripper.

It's a good looking jersey alright, if the design is something that floats your particular personal boat, but did the performance match up? Well, not entirely, to be honest. £69.99 is definitely pushing towards quite a lot for a jersey, particularly one with limited features.

The fabric was excellent, and did its job well, even in really warm conditions, keeping my skin cool and dry. But other than the fabric and design, this jersey isn't anything particularly out of the ordinary. The fit is distinctly neat all over, with a size medium nearer a UK10 than the usual 12 (unlike most of P.I's products) and especially snug around the arms. Taller women may also find it on the short side in the body. If you are borderline in Pearl Izumi's sizing recommendations then definitely consider going up a size.

The hem gripper worked well- thankfully, considering the relative shortness of the top! I'd also liked to have seen some sort of zipped security pocket for a door key etc, rather than just the simple pouch pockets, despite their obvious weight savings.

Verdict

A pretty and effective road jersey, but costing a pretty packet too, with few features.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Pearl Izumi Elite Ltd Jersey

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Aimed at female road riders looking for a hot weather jersey with strong design

Does just what it aims to

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

100% polyester

3 pouch pockets at rear- with reflective trim

Full length zip

Mesh side panels

Washable at 30

Available in sizes XS-XXL

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Well made from good quality fabric. Cut on the small side for its size though.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Kept me cool and dry even on a long hot ride.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Fabric only washable at 30 and being synthetic and a hot weather garment it will start to smell quite quickly.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

Very lightweight.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Very comfortable both in terms of the jersey itself and the fabric.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Looking expensive for a lightweight jersey with minimal features.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performed very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Design, fabric, shape.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Sizing, short body, price.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly. Probably in the sale.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

An eyecatching jersey with good hot weather performance but expensive and the fit was neat for the size.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

 

Womens jersey
Summer jersey
jersey
Lara Dunn

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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2 comments

Avatar
notfastenough | 12 years ago
0 likes

With the increase in cycling's popularity, i think a mainstream brand will pick up on this at some point and make a killing. About time really.

Avatar
thereandbackagain | 12 years ago
0 likes

I know plenty of female riders, some who are reasonably "girly-girls"

Not a single one wants to wear anything swirly, or pink, or that features hearts. In fact, they bemoan the designs of most "female-specific" clothing.

Seriously, who designs and markets this stuff? They don't seem to understand their audience very well. Do they actually ever talk to them?

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