Pearl Izumi ELITE Escape Thermal Jersey Men's

Whether you're enjoying a reprieve from summer's heat with a backdrop of fall foliage or spinning through a landscape just awakening after a winter slumber, autumn and spring are arguably the two best times to be in the saddle. The only downfall is the chill, and that makes kit like Pearl Izumi's Elite Escape Thermal Jersey indispensable when the temperatures are hovering in that shoulder season range of 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The Elite Escape Thermal owes its seasonal temperament to Pearl's Thermal Fleece fabric, a material with a brushed, inner face to maintain a microclimate of warmth next to your skin or base layer. When the thermometer drops, staying dry is crucial to staying warm. Pearl bills the Thermal Fleece as having every bit as much wicking prowess as its summer weight Transfer materials, but we'd still recommend a lightweight base layer to help prevent a clammy chill after a mid winter's climb. The jersey's Escape fit is in line with what we've historically expected from Pearl Izumi. Escape is a more accommodating, less painted on fit that benefits cold weather gear by allowing for additional sub layering options. A roomier cut doesn't mean a sloppy drape, though, because the jersey is finished with an elastic, silicone grip hem to ensure coverage. An internally welted zipper protects base layers from snags and abrasion while offering additional protection from the elements. The usual three rear pockets are both deeper than usual and supplemented with two additional pockets, providing capacious storage space to hold things like headbands and gloves in the inevitable event that you have to shed or don additional layers as the temperatures rise and fall with the winter sun. The center rear pocket is further reinforced with a panel of Softshell Lite material, which provides a bit of water resistance to fend off the rooster tails of spring, and the jersey itself features reflective details to help you stay visible on damp, overcast days.