The Pearl Izumi Women’s Rove Long Sleeve Jersey ($80) is a “bike style” jersey with a take on the classic flannel plaid shirt so loved by hipsters, lumberjacks and Nirvana fans.
What I Liked
Style
Form-flattering and soft and supple to the touch, the polyester twill blend fabric has the look and feel of flannel with some moisture wicking properties. I like the vibe it emits when I pull up to a rest stop or trail junction on the singletrack and I’m the only one not dolled up in a matching kit.
That feeling of empowerment can’t be rivaled or created in a lab.
Warm and Comfortable
When the temperatures plunge to the high-40’s, all I wore under it was the short-sleeved Pearl Izumi Merino baselayer and I was very comfortable.
Breathability and Moisture Transfer
It isn’t the best but it has some. My testing period extended from mid-September to mid-October in Minnesota where the temperatures range from low-50’s to high 60’s. When I climbed hills and worked up a sweat, the Pearl Izumi Women’s Rove Long Sleeve jersey felt exceedingly warm and soppy from sweat. However, both the Rove and me cooled and dried fairly fast on the descents.
For me, the sweet spot for the Pearl Izumi Womens’ Rove Long Sleeve jersey was leisurely urban rides and singletrack rides that don’t involve a ton of hill climbs. To be clear, Pearl Izumi is marketing the Rove as a “Bike Style” jersey.
What I didn’t Like
Bunchiness Under my Hydration Pack
Although it is form-fitted, it’s still made from a thicker fabric that became bunchy under my hydration pack and creeped up on me from all angles. At every rest stop I had to tug the hem back down.
Final Thoughts
I had a bumper sticker on my car back in the mid-2000’ that proudly quantified “Grunge isn’t Dead”. It’s a musical genre that inspired a revolution. Some argue that Kurt Cobain took grunge with him when he died—despite evidence to the contrary: Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam and the Pearl Izumi Women’s Rove Long Sleeve jersey.
It’s not a technical jersey you would use for high-intensity cycling where you need optimal breathability and airflow but it’s an effective jersey with a flair for flannel.
