Pearl Izumi Spring ‘17 Cycling Gear Review

Pearl Izumi was started over 50 years ago in Tokyo, Japan by a father who wanted to make bicycle racing clothing for his son.  It has become one of the largest makers of cycling apparel in the world.  The name Pearl Izumi means “fountain of pearl” and was named after Izumi, which is an area of Japan known for its clear water and the gem, pearl.  They have been selling their gear in the United States since 1981 and have branched out into selling gear for running and triathlons as well. 

I have been using Pearl Izumi cycling products for over 15 years and have found that the quality of their gear is top notch.  The durability and design has never left me disappointed.  I have several different Pearl Izumi cycling shorts, bibs, and jerseys and love them all.  My favorites are the P.R.O. series shorts and bib shorts, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since they are Pearl Izumi’s top of the line products.  You can check out my review of the amazing P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts and ELITE Escape Jersey (click here for my review) from last year.  I have also reviewed the P.R.O. Escape Thermal Jersey, P.R.O. Softshell Lite Glove, and the P.R.O. Thermal Skull Cap (click here for my review).  I received the latest and greatest from Pearl Izumi’s Spring/Summer lineup a few months back and have been testing them feverishly.

ELITE Escape Semi-Form Jersey

The Elite Escape Semi-Form Jersey is one of Pearl Izumi’s newer jerseys and has a great balance of price and features.  The semi-form fit is made for those riders that are average to bigger in size, but still want a high-performance jersey.  It also works well for smaller riders that want a looser jersey.  Not all riders want a race cut jersey.

One of the really cool things about this jersey is that they use their Elite Transfer In-R-Cool® fabric powered by Ice-fil®.  This fabric provides excellent skin cooling capabilities along with the Direct-Vent panels to allow for extra ventilation.  It worked really well in the 90 degree heat of my training rides.  I felt cooler than when I wear most of my other jerseys. 

Other great features include a full-length zipper   There is a silicone gripper on the back to hold the jersey down (nobody likes when their jersey rides up).  It even has reflective elements for extra visibility in low-light situations.

The Elite Escape Semi-Form Jersey has three large pockets in the back as well as a two smaller pockets for gels or keys.  You have a great deal or storage with these 5 pockets and your items stay put. 

This is really a great jersey that can help make your Spring and Summer rides more enjoyable.  It’s made from 100% polyester and is UPF 50+ so you get sun protection as well.  You can purchase the Elite Escape Semi-Form Jersey for $85 on the Pearl Izumi website or at a local dealer near your (click here for locations). 

Pros:

Elite Transfer In-R-Cool® fabric powered by Ice-fil® keeps you cooler

Ventilated panels

Full-length zipper

Silicone grippers keep your jersey from riding up

Three full pockets and an additional zipper pocket

Reflective elements to provide better visibility in low-light

ELITE Escape Bib Short

I used to be all about bike shorts and never wanted to wear bib shorts in the past.  I tried a pair of Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts last year and love them.  The ELITE Escape Bib Short is a great bib short that you can enjoy for longer rides as well as shorter ones.  Its form fitting and has a great price for the features.

The ELITE Escape Bib Short uses the new P.R.O. Transfer fabric in the body of the shorts for better comfort and amazing moisture transfer.  It really will keep you cool and comfortable mile after mile.  Other areas use SELECT Transfer fabric for great moisture wicking.  The leg openings use raw edge P.R.O Transfer fabric with silicone for a softer stretch that still will grip your leg and prevent riding up.  It has a 9.5” inseam to provide more muscle hugging compression further down your leg. 

The new ELITE Escape 1:1™ Chamois with a floating top sheet is used in this bib short and reduces friction for all day comfort.  It provides enough cushion without feeling like you are wearing a diaper (like some of the cheaper bib shorts out there). 

The ELITE Escape Bib Short uses BioViz™ reflective elements for added visibility on low-light situations.  I was really impressed with the quality of the ELITE Escape Bib Short, which is not quite as nice as the P.R.O. series, but does cost a less as well.  You can get yours for $140 on the Pearl Izumi website or at a local dealer near your (click here for locations). 

Pros:

Great ELITE Escape Chamois

Awesome moisture wicking

Great fit all day long.

ProViz™ reflective elements

Decent Price at $140

P.R.O. Gel Vent Glove

The Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Gel Vent Glove will help keep your hands cool and dry on those hot days.  They are super lightweight but provide enough cushion thanks to the patented Direct Vent palm design that has built in ventilated padding.

The padding in the palm is made of gel and is really comfortable.  There is some mesh over the gel and the glove uses Clarino™ synthetic leather around the mesh for a soft, durable feeling.  Like most gloves out there, the P.R.O. Gel Vent Glove has an area on the thumb to wipe off sweat or a runny nose.  The material on this glove is softer and was made to be low-profile. 

The closure is made of hook and loop and there are loops on two of the fingers to make the glove easier to get off.  It truly is a great glove and by far the most comfortable glove I’ve used to date.  You can get yours for $45 on the Pearl Izumi website or at a local dealer near your (click here for locations). 

Pros:

Ventilated gel palm cushion

Soft Clarino™ synthetic leather

Loops to help remove glove

Extremely light weight and comfortable

Decent Price at $45

Pearl Izumi’s Social Media Links:

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I’ve never been disappointed with the products that Pearl Izumi makes.  As always, I am very pleased with the quality and value that these three products offer.  I will be using them a lot this summer and think that you should definitely give them a try.  You can purchase these items on the Pearl Izumi website or at a local dealer near your (click here for locations).  I would love to hear what you think about these products, so please leave a comment and let me know.

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Shintekk Review

ShinTekk began in 2011 and has been dedicated to helping improve the health and wellness of those who strive to better themselves through fitness ever since.  They are a group of friends and family based in Middleboro, Massachusetts.  ShinTekk was designed and patented by inventor and avid runner Charlie Gillis and his long-time friend “Tall” Paul Singley (1).

I started running about 4 years ago.  I couldn’t run more than a ½ mile without stopping.  I started to get better after a month or so, but I tried to progress too quickly and started to develop injuries.  In fact, I spent much of my first year injured in one way or another, which is why I started my blog.  I had shin splints almost that whole year and developed IT Band pain as well.  I looked everywhere and there really weren’t any decent options to treat shin splints.  I recently came across ShinTekk, which claims to strengthen the muscles in your legs, which can lead to a reduction in injuries to knees, shins, and other leg ailments. 

According to their website, ShinTekk increases the bio-mechanical efficiency of the legs by enhancing strength and flexibility.  ShinTekk has you perform a resistive dorsiflexion exercise which engages the muscles and ligaments in your lower leg.  Resistive dorsiflexion is the go-to method recommended by physical therapists to boost running performance and train against and/or rehab shin splints (1).  I wish I would have found this when I had shin splints.

You can use the ShinTekk with bare feet, just socks, or in your running shoes.  You simply slide your foot under the U-Bar and then onto the trough.  You lift your toes up using your heel as the anchor point.  There are Resistance Bungee bands that come in different strengths (from 3.5 lbs. of resistance to 16 lbs. of resistance) that apply the tension to make the exercise harder or easier. 

The ShinTekk website also talks about how most runners spend too much time on strengthening their core, quads, hamstrings, and hips.  While those are all important areas to work on, many people fail to work on the pretibial muscles (the ones in your shin area), which is where ShinTekk comes in (1). 

ShinTekk has been tested and endorsed by professional athletes and trainers for the NBA, NHL, as well as runners, cyclists, physical therapists, and others in the medical field.  The website has some rather compelling statements, but I wanted to see how well it worked for me.

I started using ShinTekk 3-4 days per week.  I would do 3 sets of 15 reps with the yellow (6 lbs.) resistance band.  After about 2 weeks, I went up to the red band (8 lbs.) resistance.  I can see a difference in the amount strength in my lower legs as well as less fatigue during my runs.  I am now using the ShinTekk every day and will continue this process for the next two months to see how well it does at fighting off injuries as I train for my 12-hour race in July.

I am very pleased with my ShinTekk so far.  It’s made of plastic and is very durable.  I bought the ST, which retails for $59.95, which comes with the ShinTekk, a starter pack of 3 resistance bungees, and a pad that goes under the U-Bar (which is what you lift up with your foot).  I also bought the Replacement Bungee Pack that has 8 resistance bungees for $14.95.

Pros:

Can help treat and prevent shin splints and other leg ailments.

Decent price at $59.95

Solid construction

Endorsed by medical professionals and athletes

ShinTekk’s Social Media Links:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

I am really looking forward to seeing the true benefits of using ShinTekk as I continue to use it over the next few months.  From my initial testing of the ShinTekk, I think this will be a vital tool in my fight to remain injury free.  If you get one for yourself, please leave a comment and let me know about your results and I will include them in the update.

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.