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While many of us participate in running races, Andrew competes in a variety of competitive cycling races in the Pacific Northwest.
When it’s time for a long day on the bike there’s a laundry list of things that need to be ready. Favorite cycling kit, enough nutrition shoved into every pocket, full bottles and sunscreen are all critical but just as important are a comfy saddle, tire repair kit, and a trusty lock. Without those things anyone’s best laid adventure plans can be cut far too short. We recently checked out a few items to make sure our ride is the best it can be.
Pactimo Torrent Rain Jacket
- Main Design Features: Active cooling 37.5 Technology, 100% waterproof, plenty of storage pockets, packs into its own pocket, made from recycled lightweight material.
Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey
- Main Design Features: Active cooling 37.5 Technology integration, very form fitting, thoughtful mesh construction, zippered hidden pocket, long sleeve length.
Pactimo Summit SL Base Layer
- Main Design Features: Active cooling 37.5 Technology integration, made from recycled lightweight material.
I think the most succinct way to describe these products is… a pleasant surprise. Winter miles on the road are a commitment. It takes extra motivation, a decent weather forecast, and some clothing that is up to the task. When the temperature plummets, I’m definitely a layer-er. I find it easier to shed clothing in the middle of the ride rather than starting thin and hoping I dressed perfectly.
When I started wearing this new Pactimo 37.5 Tech kit in the middle of December, I had no idea how fast it would become my go to choice for training rides, crisp afternoon escapes, and foggy soggy commutes.
Each of these products are integrated with the 37.5 Technology, which makes some big claims about temperature regulation, moisture repelling and overall performance improvements, but how good could it really be right?! I have to be honest, when I read stuff like that, I’m typically very skeptical. So it’s always fun when I’m proven wrong, and this is one of those instances. I have been blown away by how effectively this tech works at keeping me in a steady state of comfort.
At the start of a ride the Torrent jacket is excellent as a wind barrier, the bite of the early morning has a really hard time penetrating the shell. The collar is comfortable and zips high enough to stop any unwanted drafts sneaking into the neckline without being a choking hazard, and the rear tail drop is long enough to cover any subsequent layers from road spray.
The fit is tight for a rain jacket, but not aero tight. It’s loose enough to have full range of arm motion and doesn’t feel claustrophobic like some other heavier rain jackets. It’s incredibly lightweight and when it’s time to shed it, you can quickly bunch it into one of its own rear pockets, stow it away and keep riding. I have used it on every ride this winter from 30 degrees up to about 55 degrees, in both wet and dry days. It’s super versatile, comfortable, and I find myself telling all my buddies about this jacket.
With the warm up complete, and a few hard climbs or efforts ahead it’s time for the Summit Aero Mesh jersey, and SL Base Layer to work their magic. The Base Layer is semi-slim fit with no pinch points or seams in awkward places. It’s mesh construction, but feels a little thicker than the Aero Mesh jersey which helps in the cold. The Aero Mesh jersey has a nice cut and weighs next to nothing. Long sleeves, aero fit, smooth zipper, and plenty of storage it’s a happy feeling putting this one on because it just feels fast.
Now, my intuition says that as the ride gets harder, aka sweatier, I would need to shed the Torrent jacket or at least unzip it to hit a neutral temperature balance. That’s not the case, however, and I rarely find myself unzipping beyond the first few inches and only briefly to allow a cooling breeze immediately after a big effort. These products are just really that good at regulating temperature and eliminating excess moisture.
I have even seen the proof… I keep my phone in the back pocket of the rain jacket, and after many rides I noticed that it has precipitation on the screen. This means that moisture is escaping through 3 different layers (including the rain jacket which is waterproof!) and finding a landing place on my phone. The clothing’s ability to do this eliminates the frequency of humid, sweat trapped rides. It’s pretty wild actually.
All of this adds up to a very functional and good looking trio for the Winter. I can’t wait to see how the Aero Mesh jersey fares in the scorching heat in a few months. Based on what I’ve experienced so far, I think I’ll be pleasantly surprised. The 37.5 website has some more information about what this tech can do and it’s worth a look.
It’s also important to note that not all of Pactimo’s clothing has this integrated into the fabric, so be careful that it is listed in the product information when ordering.
