PEARL iZUMi Transfer Mesh Tank Baselayer Women’s

Kate Agathon

For indoor cycling, I like wearing Pearl Izumi Women’s Transfer Mesh Tank Top Baselayer (MSRP $55) so much, I wish I had three more.

Perhaps it is because the day it arrived in the mail, it happened to be during the hottest week of the year and nothing I wore kept me cool. Or, perhaps because up until now, I didn’t have any mesh tops with proper ventilation.

 

Regardless of the reason, I found myself really liking the Transfer Mesh Tank Top Baselayer worn on its own during my indoor training rides. The fit was a little tighter than expected, but not constrictive. It provided just enough coverage, and kept me dry so I didn’t finish my ride a sweaty mess. Finally, GoFreshâ technology kept the odor at bay (which I’m sure my roommates appreciated since there is little to no circulation in my basement pain cave).

PEARL iZUMi Transfer Mesh Tank Baselayer Women’s review

In short, the Pearl Izumi Transfer Mesh Tank Top Baselayer is as minimalist as an indoor cycling top can possibly be, while still providing enough technology to perform. Love it.

Transfer Mesh Tank Baselayer – Women’s $55.00

 

As a baselayer

While I’d worn base layers in colder weather without a second thought, I admit I’d never considered wearing a base layer to regulate body temperature while riding in hot conditions.

 

Worn as a base layer underneath my cycling jersey, the concept seemed weird at first (why would I wear a baselayer to keep cool?), but it made sense. How many cycling jerseys were uncomfortably sticky when I returned from a ride? That’s partly the reason why I began wearing tank tops instead of jerseys.

 

So I tried it.

 

I wore it underneath my cycling jersey for a ride. I didn’t feel overheated, so I guess its function as a temperature-regulating piece worked. However, after being amazed by its performance when I was riding indoors, I was hoping to be wowed when I wore it outdoors. Instead, I felt it was just okay. Maybe my outside rides weren’t as arduous as my indoor training rides?

 

That’s not to say another cyclist would not find the Transfer Mesh Tank Top Baselayer more effective and wouldn’t be wowed. For example, I have a colleague who swears by mesh base layers when cycling. A self-described “heavy sweating cyclist” she wears them for every ride; even short ones, and in most conditions.

 

Also, the other factor to consider is that I sweat a lot more when I’m Zwifting on my indoor smart trainer. In the cycling environment where I need to regulate my body temperature most and keep dry, the Transfer Mesh Tank Top was amazing and performed well.

 

Bottom line? The Pearl Izumi Transfer Mesh Tank Top Baselayer was, for me, not a necessity when it comes to outdoor cycling. But for indoor cycling? It’s a must-have.