Building on the brand’s existing Attack Bib Shorts, the Pearl Izumi Women’s Attack Air Bib Shorts have been developed with fabric technologies designed to help you keep you cool on hot summer rides.
The drop-seat easy-pee function and the smooth raw leg hem impressed on test.
However, the sizing seems off compared to some of the best women's bib shorts, which should factor into your consideration.
At £149, the bibs are priced towards the upper end of the mid-budget price range, with Specialized's Prime bibs costing a little less at £130 and the Castelli Espresso bibs a little more at £160.
Pearl Izumi Women's Attack Air Bib Shorts specifications and details
The main body of the shorts is constructed using a recycled polyester and Spandex mix. This features Pearl Izumi’s ‘In-R-Cool’ thermoregulation tech, which is claimed to be triggered by sweat.
The legs are finished with a raw hem, backed by a wide band of silicone grippers.
Up top, the bibs are largely seam-free and joined across the chest with a simple clip. The drop-seat design at the rear means you can use the toilet without removing any upper-body layers.
Pearl Izumi has used its women’s-specific Levitate Plus chamois here. The brand says it has been designed to keep you comfortable during longer endurance rides.
Pearl Izumi Women's Attack Air Bib Shorts performance
The Women’s Attack Air Bib Shorts size up small – it was quite a struggle to get the size-medium bibs onto my UK size 12 thighs.
There’s also not a great deal of stretch in the main body of the fabric, exacerbating the issue.
The seams, however, are clearly well sewn because they stood up well to the shorts being (carefully) pulled onto a frame that didn’t quite suit the sizing.
The bib straps of the shorts fitted much better, sitting smoothly against my chest and shoulders. The chest clip is easy to use and unobtrusive.
The shorts are cut a bit shorter than most, although the comfortable raw leg hem is kept perfectly in place without causing any soreness of the skin, thanks to the silicone gripper backing.
The main fabric has a bit of a sheen to it. I found this rubbed strangely against my saddle, causing a rhythmic squeaking on each pedal stroke during harder efforts.
In warmer weather and during more intense rides, the fabric worked well to wick away sweat, while simultaneously offering good ‘black-out’ coverage.
I have no complaints about the chamois – it's supportive without being overly thick.
The drop-seat design, which has been a feature of Pearl Izumi's shorts for a number of years, is well thought out. The lower back panel is certainly stretchier than the rest of the fabric.
I didn't use this feature because my shorts were a size smaller than I'd usually wear, but it seems well-designed overall.
At £149 / €165 / $160, the shorts are neither at the budget-friendly or premium end of the spectrum, sitting somewhere in between, which feels apt for the level of performance.
Pearl Izumi Women's Attack Air Bib Shorts bottom line
Once you can get over the fact that these shorts are smaller in size and length than most of their rivals, there’s a great deal to like from these minimalist bibs.
The easy-pee feature is neat, and the design of the bib and hems has been considered with comfort at the fore.
I found they sized a little smaller than average, but get the size right and there’s plenty to like here.
Product
| Brand | pearl_izumi |
| Price | 165.00 EUR,149.00 GBP,160.00 USD |
Features
| br_gender | womens |
| Features | Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL Material(s): Recycled Polyester and Spandex Colours: Black, ‘dark ink glow’ Gender: Women’s (men’s fit also available) |
