Pearl Izumi Monsoon WxB Hooded Jacket

Monsoon season has arrived in the mountains and the Pearl Izumi Monsoon WxB Hooded jacket is a clothing essential that I am glad to have right now.

The most relaxed fit in Pearl Izumi’s line of waterproof cycling jackets, the aptly named Monsoon fits comfortably over other layers and wasn’t as restrictive as I had feared.

Monsoon keeps me prepared for my bike commute home from work, when it is often dry in the morning and rainy in the afternoon.

I liked the overall look of the jacket because it wasn’t fitted and didn’t scream that it was a cycling jacket. In fact, I’ve used it on the occasional hike as well.

Key features I liked:

•  Helmet-compatible hood (fits several types of helmet shapes including mountain,

 commuter, and road).

• Hand pockets with waterproof zippers (bonus for me was the soft jersey-mesh material lining the pockets -I am always delighted to find soft material in pockets- so comfortable for my hands) .

• Breathable fabric so I didn’t get all gross from sweat while riding hard. I like this fabric. It stretches, and it doesn’t have that uncomfortable rubber/plastic feeling like other rain jackets.

• Zippered front vents (I used this feature more when hiking).

• Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish on the fabric to keep me dry.

• Thoughtfully placed BioViz details for visibility; necessary for early morning bike commutes to work.

• Elongated back for extra coverage while on the saddle.

• Cuts down on wind.

• Fits true to size.

Being a cyclist is more than just logging miles on the road bike or shredding the single track on a mountain bike, and I’m glad to see that Pearl Izumi recognizes there are all types of cyclists.

In recent years, Pearl Izumi has really made an effort to create cycling clothing that is designed for multi-use cycling that can take you from the office to the trail to the coffee shop with ease.

For someone who has been a bike commuter for nearly a decade, it is nice to have cycling attire  (jackets, shirts, etc.) that is appropriate to wear in multiple settings, retains cycling-specific tech, etc.  and removes the burden of having to constantly be changing clothes.

Final word? The multi-use Monsoon WxB Hooded jacket is one of my favorite Pearl Izumi products to date. Well designed, it looks good on, does the job when it rains, and is versatile. I expect to wear this most in the period from late spring to early fall.