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 On: 2006-10-04
Im straining to remember how many years Ive been wearing my one pair of these tights, but theyre still in great shape despite over 5 years of mountain biker abuse. A couple of holes, but they can be sewn up, and its a credit to the old reliable brand--Pearl Izumi--that those holes dont seem to be in any rush to get bigger. Ive never been so satisfied with a product as these tights.
Unbelievable that Performance doesnt mention the Ilumi-Nite side panels. This is just one outstanding feature of these already outstanding tights. It would be hard for a driver to prove they could not have seen you when the sides and backs on these tights light up as brightly as any headlights shown on them.
Sounds like a tall tale? Go to a store, pick up these or any other Illumi-nite featuring product, and take a flash digital photo. You will be astounded. No doubt, you will be noticed in the dark, wearing these, even if you choose the all black version (mine have blue Illumi-nite panels).
Theyre also increadibly light, shaped perfectly to allow total freedom of movement, and hold up to countless washings (including the reflective material).
Soft, comfortable, stretch enough that--with the zippers on the ankles open--you can slip in and out of them without taking off your cycling shoes. The shaped design of these also makes them less likely to slip down off your butt as you pedal.
Ill throw in one con thats not really a con. I wish I bought the bib version instead--though I havent seen Thermafleece zip bibs with the reflective material and not in this easy-movement design. Wearing the non-bibs necessitates that you tie the waist. Its comfortable and the tights stay up without making the drawstring uncomfortably tight, but given a choice I would much rather go with bibs.
As for warmth: Theyre good to around freezing, certainly warm enough with long underwear (and there is such a thing as long underwear for cycling which Pearl Izumi also makes), but not much below freezing. I, however, am an idiot, so I go out in these in really horribly cold conditions as well but am shopping for warmer stuff since moving from the temperate area just outside Tokyo, back to New York City--which gets nasty in Winter.
BOTTOM LINE: These is a great product in terms of safety, fit, comfort, function, and durability. The best piece of cycling clothing Ive ever bought, and certainly one of the best products Ive bought overall.
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