Pearl Izumi Summit AmFIB Pants, Elevate Short, and Launch Jersey Review

Pearl Izumi’s Fall collection has some exciting new items that we reviewed including the comfortable and warm mountain biking Summit AmFIB Pants that are perfect for the chill of winter. Also, some of their dirt collection is the durable All Mountain Elevate short, and the warm weather Launch jersey.

For further information refer to pearlizumi.com

Summit AmFIB Pant

These are Pearl Izumi’s warmest mountain bike pants, and they’re ready to help winter riders push through the harshest conditions. They feature the AmFib softshell throughout for warmth, and wind and water resistance. They have thermal panels on the back of knees to add breathability and enhance pedaling performance, and PI Dry technology adds water-shedding functionality for inclement weather. Wear the Summit AmFIB Pants over your favorite liner shorts or, for added warmth, over full-length tights. It comes in Black, S, M, L, Xl, and XXL sizes, and retails for $185.

Impressions 

Once the temperatures drop below freezing these become one of my favorite pair of pants for mountain biking and commuting, plus you can wear them for other outdoor activities if desired or to the grocery store and not look like too much of a nerd. They’re incredibly comfortable and conformable with an excellent combination of stretchy materials and a soft brushed inside that offers a sweet plushness against the skin.

The front of the knees has a subtle crimp in the stitching for articulation purposes making them optimal for pedaling. The main body of the pants uses their ELITE AmFIB Softshell fabric which offers functional wind and water protection, helping during fast pedaling and brutal winter conditions. The DWR finish on the pants kept them dry during brief snowstorms and squalls, and they worked fine when plowing through deep snow. The lower back section below the knees utilizes a Thermal Fleece fabric with water-shedding PI Dry technology that provides a bit more stretch for extra breathability, comfort and more effective pedaling performance.

It has two hand zippered pockets and one zippered cargo pocket. The hand pockets utilize their Trail Access pockets design in which they point back towards the hips to keep things off the top of your thighs while pedaling. They feature a double snap front waist closure with a zippered fly, and the fly has an extra layer of material to prevent errant cold spots from occurring.

The ankle has a functional zippered closure, which makes the pants more manageable to take on and off, even when wearing shoes. The waist has only two short stretchy sections towards the back, while the rest of the waistband doesn’t have much give. I’d like to see a design with some additional stretch throughout waistband and for greater comfort and a better fit. Right next to the stretchy waist sections are two external Velcro adjustment systems that have 4 inches of alteration, which offers a good deal of fit.

Specs

• ELITE AmFIB Softshell fabric offers wind and water protection
• Thermal Fleece fabric with water-shedding PI Dry technology on the back of knees
• Snap front waist closure with zip fly
• External waist adjustment
• Two zippered security hand pockets and a zipped pocket on thigh
• Ankle zippers allow for easy on and off
• Tailored mountain bike specific fit
• BioViz reflective elements for low-light visibility
• Materials
  • Main: 41% nylon 41% polyester 13% lycra 5% polyurethane DWR finish
  • Back of Knee: 56% nylon 30% polyester 14% LYCRA PI DRY

Elevate Short

The Men’s Elevate Short is our best all-mountain shell short. Featuring our most extended inseam and most durable fabric, they are designed with extra room to slip smoothly over kneepads. A durable, water repellent finish sheds slop and ensures they clean up quickly, so they are ready to be worn again and again. No matter where you go, these shorts have you covered. They come in Black and Arctic/Black color schemes, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38-inch sizes and retails for $100.

Impressions

The four-way stretch shorts are quite comfortable with highlights to the broad and thickly padded back panel. Not only does that design make them plush but it provides cushioning when wearing a pack. To keep the shorts securely in place they have five sticky silicone grippers on the backband, and even though they were small, they did an adequate job of keeping the shorts from slipping. They had an optimal 15-inch inseam for general riding and pedaling, and the length offered great coverage when wearing knee armor.

The two hand pockets were quite deep and were useful for moderately sized items, and the zippered closures offered plenty of security. The small back pocket on the waistband worked without any issues, but I must admit I never used it for anything, so it seemed redundant to me. The DWR finish provides water and dirt resistance and significantly adds durability to the shorts, and they haven’t pilled and worn during some heavy use.

For fitting purposes, they have a functional internal waistband adjustment system with a Velcro closure on each side to alter the circumference. I liked the give of the elastic section that floated through the padded back panel since it offered improved comfort and conformability. The dual snap closure worked fine, and it never popped open on me accidentally, and the zippered fly worked fine during calls of nature, though it was easier to unsnap the front to take care of business.

The Elevate Short is one of my favorite pieces of apparel, and when I reach for something for a mountain bike ride, I almost always grab a pair of the Elevates, significantly due to their comfort, features, and durability.

Specs

• Water-resistant DWR treatment keeps the elements out
• 4-way stretch rip-stop main body fabric for pedaling mobility
• Snap front closure with zip fly
• Two zippered hand pockets plus one additional zippered security pocket on center back
• Snag-free internal waist adjustment
• Knee pad compatible
• Made without a chamois or liner short, wear alone or over your favorite liner
• 15″ inseam [size 32″]
• Material : 95% nylon 5% elastane

Launch Jersey

The Men’s Launch Jersey’s mesh construction is made to optimize airflow even under a pack, making it a go-to hot weather performance mountain bike top. This jersey features a more athletic fit for a more tailored look. It features crisp sublimated graphics that merge with a clean design that’s refreshingly absent of zippers, pockets, and other unnecessary features. Transfer fabric keeps you cool and comfortable by pulling sweat off your body where it can rapidly evaporate.

It comes in Port/Midnight Navy Wave, Arctic/Sea Moss Wave, Black/Smoked Pearl Mtn, Midnight Navy, /Arctic Mtn, Blue Mist/Eclipse Blue, and Citron Avocado color schemes, S, M, L, XL, and XXL sizes and retails for $65.00.

Impressions

This simple jersey is extremely comfortable and stretches in all the right places while out riding with and without a pack, though it does have a somewhat tailored and tighter fit, so it is not at all baggy. The back of the neck has an additional stiffening section of material that reduces chafing and keeps the jersey hanging correctly. The high-tech T-shirt is simple in design but offers a lot of great technical features including the stretchy material with its excellent wicking properties and breathability and comfort. Highlights to the open mesh lower section that offers exceptional venting and acts like air conditioning on even the hottest days. I haven’t seen any pilling as yet, especially in the common areas from wearing a pack, around the back, shoulder, and waist.

Specs

• Transfer fabric provides optimal moisture management
• The lower half of the jersey is made of mesh for optimal ventilation on hot days
• V-neck collar design
• Material: 100% polyester