Ride Hard (But Look Casual) in the Pearl Izumi Women’s Versa Softshell Hoodie
Style: Casual, technical hoodie
Price: $175 (currently on sale for $131.25)
The right jacket for: Casual commutes around town and-yes, and-technical rides on the mountain
Buy Men's Buy Women's
Pearl Izumi is not going to tell you where to wear this hoodie-or anything else in its Versa line, says global brand manager Andrew Hammond. That’s the whole point of Versa, which came out last fall: “It’s gear for people who want a piece they can wear in life or on the bike.” The obvious use for this softshell hoodie is for commuting or otherwise getting around town, but it’s technical enough that it also makes a great cold-weather jacket for mountain biking or even gravel riding.
The jacket has a feminine cut that’s still roomy enough to wear over long-sleeved layers. A subtle drop tail provides full coverage in the riding position, but doesn’t scream THIS IS A BIKE JACKET! in the bar. And it doesn’t peek out noticeably when this hoodie is layered under a puffy or a vest. The softshell material provides some windproofing, and a layer of foam material between the softshell layers repels water while promoting breathability. Reflective hits on the sleeves, back, and logos give you extra visibility at night, and wrist gussets help to keep cold wind from blowing up the sleeves when you’re on the bike. A roomy zippered pocket extends all the way across the back panel, allowing you to fit in bulky items like a pair of winter gloves or leg warmers. The hood is generous, but doesn’t fit over a bike helmet.
For such a casual-looking piece, the Versa Softshell offers an impressive combination of warmth, breathability, and versatility. I wore this piece with a long-sleeve thermal jersey and short-sleeve base layer to do a legitimate road ride, with efforts, when temperatures were in the low 40s. I’ve worn it mountain biking in the 30s and 40s and grunted up 20-minute long climbs in it without feeling like I was drastically overheating. I’ve even worn it running in the snow, with a long-sleeved layer, in the high 20s. In all situations, it performed like a high-performance softshell jacket should-it kept me warm while keeping sweating and clamminess to a manageable level so that I was comfortable as long as I was moving. It’s a great piece for layering when you’re riding the road or more exposed trails, where cold temperatures are often accompanied by windchill: The soft, brushed lining provides more insulation than a shell, and the jacket still blocks the bite of a freezing breeze.
The big zippered back pocket was awesome for holding lots of items securely, and the longer cut, which came to my hips, and longer sleeves with generous cuffs combined to seal in more body heat and be a cozier outer layer than a traditional road jacket. Finally, I love the casual look it brings to my mountain bike kit-this hoodie jibes with overshorts or riding pants better than more fitted cycling jackets, and when the ride is over (or honestly, even if you’re not riding at all), it looks at home out in the rest of the world too. As advertised, the Versa Softshell has become a staple for my on- and off-bike life.
('You Might Also Like',)
