COLD WEATHER GEAR - a warm review

[Christophe Noel]

For 2010 I will be posting monthly reviews of fun new bits of kit available to the BikeExPo gang. I've been working with a number of sales reps and manufacturers who've recognized the potential with our adventure cycling niche and most have been kind enough to pony up with some gear for us to review. Being the cold month of January, I thought I'd start with cold weather bits.

First up:

Pearlizumi Barrier GTX insulated/waterproof/breathable shoes $250



I've wanted a pair of insulated riding shoes since I first saw a pair of fleece lined, leather soled Detto Piedros in 1985, but my cheapness was always afraid of committing to winter specific shoes. Boy did I miss the boat. These winter specific shoes have redefined cold weather riding for me. I shoud have pulled the trigger on these years ago. Thank you Pearlizumi for pulling the trigger for me.

Details: The Barrier GTX shoe is built on an insulated inner shoe with an outter Gore-Tex cover. The inner shoe is secured with a simple speedlock lacing system that requires two hands to opperate (no on the fly adjustments) but it's quick and holds fast. The outter shell zips over the inner shoe with a simple and ample velcro closure tab at the cuff. Like all Pearlizumi shoes, the range of cleat adjustment (SPD only) is extreme and facilitates the extreme aft position that is getting so popular. Heavy lugs and toe cleats make trudging through the worst of muck a non-issue and the clean exterior of the shoe makes removing mud and gook quick. I chose a size slightly bigger than my normal size to accommodate a thicker sock, but noticed the shoe lining "packed out" after 4 weeks of use which makes me think I should have just gone with my regular size.

Performance: The level of comfort I gained on cold days is beyond what I would have ever expected. Not only do my tootsies stay toasty in temps down to 20 degrees and lower, but should the day warm to 50 degrees, I don't find my feet are overly warm at all. My feet stay regulated, which is all I would ever want. The stiffness of the sole is as it should be, and while I feared these shoes would feel like clunky moon boots, they really don't feel any more bulky than my regular shoes. Even the taller cuff feels supple and comfortable. I do find I have to stop about 30 minutes into my ride to give them a quick snug-up, as my sock packs out, but it's quick and easy even if it does require a full stop.

Regarding the value: $250 ain't chump change for warm feet, but given the quality of this shoe, I expect to see these exit my closet every fall for a good 5+ years to come. Would $65 over booties do the same thing? Sorta.

On a scale of 1-5: :bike_rider: :bike_rider: :bike_rider: :bike_rider: :bike_rider:

Next Up:

Pearlizumi Cyclone insullated glove $40


Let me start off by admitting I'm hell on gloves and I give more concentration to putting on a new glove than OJ Simpson did on trial. I'm picky and I'm critical. I'm also never going to not have a pair of Pearlizumi Cyclones in my gear bag. Simply a beautiful glove. Windstopper and neoprene do the weatherproofing duties on this glove while a supple Pittard leather palm keeps you from feeling like you're riding with oven mitts. Pearlizumi padding is sometimes hit or miss for some, but I've always liked it. Not too thick and in the right spot for me, I can't ask for anything more for padding whether I'm on my mountain bike grips or road bike bars. The velcro cuff transitions comfortably with my wrist and seals out wind, water, and goop. A fantastic glove. As with the Barrier shoes, these have been comfy down to 24 degrees and my hands didn't get too warm until temps reached 50. For $40, I can't see a better glove option out there. And you bet these gloves will be in use far from the bike.

Rating: :bike_rider: :bike_rider: :bike_rider: :bike_rider: :bike_rider:



Feel free to include reviews of your favorite cold weather gear in this thread. Got a favorite piece of winter kit? Let's hear about it!

 

[jatibb]

wooool!!!
bought some ibex wool shorts a couple of years ago, just recently (christmas) got some ibex wool arm warmers, wool base layer and good wool socks. awesome, and wool dont stink after rides. im sold on woooool...bah

 

[chris_the_wrench]

For 2010 I will be posting monthly reviews of fun new bits of kit available to the BikeExPo gang. I've been working with a number of sales reps and manufacturers who've recognized the potential with our adventure cycling niche and most have been kind enough to pony up with some gear for us to review. Being the cold month of January, I thought I'd start with cold weather bits.

Speaking of reps who have some REAL cold weather riding experience; John Stamstad of the Iditabike race and other events such as that is the Jamis rep up in the Northwest.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I said "cold" not nutty, bananas cold.

There will be a review coming from a particular manufacturer of goods that have made an appearance at Iditabike. Stay tuned!!

Jatibb,

If you get a chance, post some picks of those Ibex duds. I'm a big fan of Icebreaker marino wool. Seriously expensive, but it is very comfy. Never seen a cold sheep, have you?

 

[Christophe Noel]

ONE YEAR LATER........

It's been a year since I first received these items for our review. It's pretty amazing what a year can do for first impressions.

Pearlizumi Barrier GTX shoes:

I put roughly 2500 miles on these over last winter and the first half of this winter. I've developed some criticisms in that time. The closure system is a poor design. I find it interesting that Pearlizumi puts proper buckles on their other shoes, but completely botched it with the closure system on these shoes. In short, the shoe is held tight against your foot with a $1 cord lock. It seemed sufficient out of the box, but a year later it makes me nuts. I've probably had to stop 24 times in that 2500 miles to snug up my shoes because the silly cord lock slipped. Plus, you can't adjust the shoe on the fly due to the over-bootie. Deduct one point.

I also find the ankle articulation is a bit clumsy. I developed some pain in my achilles which I can attribute to these shoes. Deduct one point.

All in all, they kept my feet more than warm and dry, but I would give them a long term review score of - Average.

Adjusted score: :bike_rider: :bike_rider: :bike_rider:


Pearlizumi Cyclone Glove:

I think these gloves lived up to their $40 entry price exceptionally well. They've been worth every penny and have been with me on rides that dipped well below freezing. In those temps, they didn't keep my hands "warm" but I also didn't go home with screaming pain in my digits.

The bad news? Pearlizumi revised this glove for 2011 and completely ruined it. The new Cyclone is little more than a cool weather glove. Deduct one point.

Adjusted score to accommodate the changes to the 2011 and 2012 Cyclone glove: :bike_rider: :bike_rider: :bike_rider: :bike_rider: