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.

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What I Loved

Multipurpose Style and Use

It’s a given that if a piece of apparel has the Pearl Izumi logo on it it’s geared for cycling. The Symphony Thermal Jersey most definitely is but it’s hardly limited to just cycling. And with a price tag of $140, it could be hard to justify the purchase if it’s specific to one activity. In the month that it’s been cold enough for me wear it, I’ve also used it for trail running. Although the snow hasn’t fallen yet, I can’t see any reason why I couldn’t use it for cross-country skiing.

Fit and Size

The Pearl Izumi Symphony Thermal jersey is semi-fitted, meaning I had no problem wearing a short-sleeved or long-sleeved wool baselayer underneath. I wear a size small in tops and my size small sample seemed to be the right fit. I especially liked that it offers enough room in the shoulders so that I don’t feel constricted when I use it for running. For cycling, the sleeves are nice and long and fully cover my wrists when I’m in the aggressive riding position. They’re also ever-so-slightly flared at the wrists to accommodate cycling or running gloves.

Semi-fitted Cut Allows for a Baselayer

So far the coldest temperature I’ve ridden in the Pearl Izumi Symphony Thermal jersey is 31 degrees. I experimented with three separate wool baselayers to achieve that optimal balance between comfort and overheating: which is a blend of 57 percent merino wool and 43 percent nylon, a Kora Shola yak wool baselayer and a short-sleeved Pearl Izumi Merino baselayer. My personal preference in temperatures between 30 and 35 degrees was the Pearl Izumi’s Pro Merino Thermal Jersey. The Kora Shola was way too warm, although its sweet spot is much colder temperatures. The short-sleeved Pearl Izumi Merino baselayer worked well in keeping my core warm and moisture managed but my arms were cold.  

Warm

On its own I found it warm down to the low-forties regardless if I was cycling or running. The higher collar and long sleeves with angled, glove-friendly cuffs certainly contribute to keeping out drafts.

What I didn’t Like

Nothing. There is no reason not to buy this jersey for fall and winter outdoor activities.

Final Thoughts

Soft, breathable, warm, great for layering. Styled to wear on or off the bike. Fitted enough not to prevent bulky but also allow for a wool baselayer when it gets really cold. The Symphony Thermal Jersey is yet another win from Pearl Izumi.

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