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Reviews
Pearl Izumi Channel jacket
By John Stevenson
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First, a confession: Testing of this waterproof jacket was conducted without actually riding it in the rain. If that sounds slack, well there's the small issue that Australia is currently suffering the worst drought in about a century, so rain hasn't been exactly easy to find.Waterproofness testing was therefore conducted in the back yard, with my wife Lesleigh flying the hose and Chomsky the ridgeback wandering around trying to get involved but stay dry at the same time, and generally wondering what the heck was going on.
With my soul suitably unburdened, on to the details of the Channel. Pearl Izumi is coming from a 'keep it simple' direction here, which is always a good idea with waterproof garments. The fewer pockets, panels, zips and other complications that a manufacturer builds into a waterproof jacket, the fewer places the garment can fail and leak.The Channel, is a straightforward waterproof outer shell with a front zip, intended as an easily packable jacket for cold and wet-weather riding.
The Channel is made from Pearl Izumi's waterproof, breathable eVent fabric. With an ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane doing the water-resisting and vapour-transmission grunt work, eVent is similar in principle to another well-know waterproof fabric, and the membrane is sandwiched between a nylon outer layer and a hydrophobic polyester inner mesh to quickly carry sweat away from your skin and out through the fabric. Pearl Izumi claims eVent's membrane has been treated to make it oil-repellent, so it won't get clogged up with the oils that are inevitably carried in sweat.
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As befits a cycling jacket, the cut is long in the back and short in the front, with long arms that also include stretch panels around the wrists to seal out the rain. Pearl calls this material AmFIB, but it feels like very thin neoprene. A high neck completes the picture, and all the seams are taped.
As 'wet' usually also means 'dark', Pearl Izumi has included reflective piping on the front and back so that motorists can see you.
Most of my riding in this jacket was conducted during the dark and cold of Sydney's recent winter. Well, okay, 'cold' is a stretch, but our evenings and especially early mornings do get surprisingly chilly and the Channel was a great success as a wind-blocking top layer over a thin jersey, turning my dawn patrol commute into a much cosier experience.
The couple of times I managed to get caught in the micro-showers that have occasionally passed by during the last few months, the Channel did keep out the wet, but we're talking very light rain here. The hose test was a much tougher procedure, and the Channel passed with flying colours, keeping out even a direct, tight stream. The dog thinks I'm daft, but then, he'd know.
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One advantage of this admittedly artificial test was that I could see just how well the Channel's unusual water-resistant zip worked. Zips are traditionally a problem area in waterproof and cold-weather jackets, and most manufacturers protect them with flaps, Velcro seals and in one case even a double zip. Effective as these solutions are, they're usually also bulky and fiddly. For the Channel Pearl Izumi has selected a water-resistant zip that has a 'lip seal'. As you close the zip, the edges of the cover either side of the zip meet, forming a barrier against water. It works, and it's also excellent at sealing out winter breezes.
My only major criticism is the fault I seem to find with every jacket that uses elastic to gather the rear together at your bum - it rides up, ends up sitting across my lower back and I get a wet butt. Now, I'd be the first to admit I don't have the word's smallest bottom, but it can't be beyond the cleverness of clothing designers to make a jacket with a back that's long enough to sit over your bum and stay there.
A minor gripe is the complete lack of pockets. That's both a good and bad thing - the lack of complications keeps down the price and ups the reliability, but I found myself occasionally wishing for somewhere to stash my keys.
On the whole, though, this is a very good jacket for the winter months, providing visibility (especially in the screaming yellow colourway), protection from the elements and comfort. At $199.99 it's also pretty good value for a fully-taped high-quality jacket in a membrane fabric, another benefit of the simple design.
Price guide: $199.99 (USA)
Sizes: SM/MD/L/XL
Pro: Comfortable, very waterproof, simple construction
Con: Elasticated back rides up, one pocket would be nice
Colours: Yellow/black, blue/black
More information: Pearl
Izumi 's website
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