Pearl Izumi Podium Plus Cycling Shorts – Good Deal

Kate Agathon

At $65, the Pearl Izumi Podium Plus Cycling Shorts  offer performance features that you’d expect to find in a more expensive cycling short.

Constructed from 80 percent recycled Transfer knit fabric, these cycling shorts are appropriate for casual, shorter rides.

I prefer to use these while riding my indoor trainer (usually 30 to 60 minutes, five days a week), because these cycling shorts offer just enough technical features to make my ride comfortable, but don’t go overboard in unnecessary features.

Technical features that the Pearl Izumi Women’s Podium Plus Cycling Shorts offer are its latest Levitate™ Plus chamois, an updated crossover waistband, BioViz® reflective elements, and silicone-printed grippers along the interior of the leg openings.

Among the technical features that I most appreciate during my indoor training sessions is the Levitate™ Plus chamois because of its innovative design that reduces bulk and provides just enough padding to get me comfortably through my workout.

I also like the crossover waistband because it is more relaxed and forgiving than most cycling shorts and no chafing has ever occurred. While the silicone grippers keep the cycling short legs in place, they sometimes feel uncomfortable. However, with a bit of Body Glide smeared onto my legs beforehand to prevent chafing, that problem is solved.

Another feature of the Pearl Izumi Podium Plus Cycling Shorts that I like is that the fabric itself is surprisingly smooth for a “value” cycling short and any sweat is wicked away. However, I do feel that they run small, so I recommend ordering a size up.

The final word? These are a good deal.

Most cycling shorts retail for $100 or more. At $65, the Pearl Izumi Podium Plus Cycling Shorts offer some nice features that you wouldn’t expect at this price point. They are a good value if you bike regularly like me and need a cycling short that performs well without breaking the bank.

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Sansa.

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers.

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.