Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Softshell Lite Glove
These gloves offer the right combination for shoulder season riding, writes Dan Cavallari.
$55
Pearl Izumi
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These gloves are everything I want them to be for cool-weather riding: water-resistant, windproof, and breathable enough to keep me comfortable on two-hour shoulder season rides. They’re lightly insulated and minimally padded, and I can still use my touch-screen smartphone without removing the gloves.
In other words, these are a home run. Pearl’s P.R.O. Softshell with DWR finish protects from light spray and winds, but once conditions get really gnarly, you’ll want something with more insulation. Think of these gloves as your go-to when the temperature hits the low-forties anywhere up to the low fifties. They’re just insulated enough for cool temps.
The long wrist cuffs tuck neatly under a jacket, though there’s enough flex to pull them over a jersey, too. And the thumb has soft fleece for wiping away the inevitable cold-weather nose drip.
The gloves are supposedly cut specifically for road use, but they felt just fine on flat-bar bikes as well. And as always, Pearl added reflective hits to the back of the glove for signaling to drivers in low light.
They’re simple, functional, warm, and affordable. That’s the right combo for shoulder-season riding.