In keeping with an expanding trend, Pearl Izumi now has a Liner Bib Short with pockets, for those who want to forgo the hydration pack while mountain biking, but still carry some food, tools or even a water bottle. The Liner Bib Short is part of a brand new line of mountain bike clothing that features some smart ideas in construction and technical fabric use.
Also new for 2015 is a redesigned X-Project, a flexible, lightweight shoe that has two bi-directional Boa dials mounted on the tongue, out of harm's way.
Liner Bib Short
There are similar offerings from Specialized and Giro, so Pearl Izumi doesn't have the market cornered on the concept of adding storage capacity to an undergarment, but the fact that said undergarment is attached to proven MTB 3D chamois should add some value to the equation.
While any standard bib short can be worn underneath MTB shell shorts, Pearl Izumi has included a fly on this dedicated liner bib to make nature stops easier.
Besides the stretchy mesh, an elastic band at the top of the pockets should secure the goods while riding
New men's mountain bike clothing
Pearl did a wholesale re-creation on much of its mountain bike clothing for 2015, and the MTB WRX jacket is a prime example of the new gear. The wind- and water-resistant shell has a hood that fits over a helmet with a vent at the back so it doesn't billow in the wind. The outside of the forearms are covered with tear-resistant material to ward off the inevitable impacts of branches on the trail, and the fit is generous enough to accommodate elbow pads.
Click through the gallery above for a closer look at the other new styles.
The MTB WRX jacket has abrasion-resistant forearms
New women's jerseys and shorts
Pearl Izumi's mountain bike gear for women runs the gamut from legit enduro gear to the more accessible running-style pieces. The Journey short, for example, looks like a running short on the bike, but with a taller rear panel to stay in place when on the bike, a snap-front closure with zip fly and a detachable, no-inseam liner with 3D chamois. While it's designed perhaps for newer riders, Pearl Izumi's Andrew Hammond says a few Pearl employees use this as their go-to trail short for serious riding.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Elevate short is an all-mountain piece with water-resistant DWR treatment, four-way stretch rip-stop fabric, a 13in inseam and kneepad compatibility.
Click through the gallery above for a closer look at the other new styles.
The women's Journey short comes with a no-inseam liner
X-Project
Pearl Izumi launched the highly walkable X-Project shoe last year (read our review of the original X-Project 1.0 here), and for 2015 two bi-directional Boa closures have been replaced the original ratchet-plus-Velcro design. Positioning the Boa dials on the tongue "makes for even tension across the shoe," said Hammond, "plus it lends a clean look with fewer crash issues than exterior-mounted closures".
The top-end 1.0 version comes with Pearl's 1:1 tunable insole, which has slots to insert 1.5mm or 3mm shims at the metatarsals and the arch. The 2.0 features the same flexible sole but with less venting and a single Boa. There is also a women's 2.0 version. Look through the gallery above for a visual explanation of the arch inserts.
The new Boa dials micro-adjust in both directions, and pull open for a quick release
