With fall officially here, it’s officially time to dig out the outerwear and prepare for cooler weather. The Pearl Izumi MTB WRX Jacket is a wind and water-resistant packable shell well suited for fall weather, and its wide range of temperatures. More robust than a lightweight, flimsy windbreaker, the WRX jacket is capable of keeping you dry, while still packing small enough to easily lash onto a waist pack or stuff in a pack without taking a lot of space.
Not a wind breaker, and not a hardshell, the MTB WRX lives somewhere in that grey area in between, which makes it a great piece for the riding here in the PNW.
Features
- 100% polyester woven twill with 2.5 layer charcol memberatin
- Weight: 132 g/m2
- Designed for wind and water protection with abrasion resistance
- Full-length internal draft flap with zipper garage
- Hood that fits over a trail bike helmet
- Elbow pad compatible fit
- Armpit and hood vent
- Light and packable
On the trail
Pearl Izumi marketing copy refers to the WRX as extremely ‘light and packable’. That’s certainly relative, especially compared to some of the windbreakers we’ve tested in the past and include a stuff sack. I’d call it light and packable.. (definitely not ‘extremely’ light) but will take it any day over the more minimalist nylon shells that feel like “emergency” jackets in comparison.
Pearl calls the fit is a semi-form fit that feels relaxed but isn’t baggy, and it has a noticeably trim silhouette. I’ve been going back and forth between more relaxed multi-sport fits, and form-fitting jackets, and the WRX lies in a happy medium in between. It doesn’t feel restrictive, but it also doesn’t flap around at speed when you’re pinning it wide open on long straights. (I like to wear it open when I get warm, and admittedly it does flap around then)
Though the hood is listed as an over the helmet fit, it’s a bit snug for my preference; fortunately, it works well under the helmet as well, and in our opinion, performs much better that way.
If it wasn’t obvious by now, I’ve become a big fan of the WRX Jacket. It’s a great jacket for my ideal fall/winter conditions, and as such has been a part of quite a few road-tripping adventures. Lacking taped seams, it’s not a rain jacket, but its durable water repellent coating has been more than adequate for light fall sprinkles or those slightly damp “hero dirt” conidtions. It’s almost a Goldilocks of jackets — since it’s not quite a hardshell, it doesn’t get hot. But it’s not so minimal that it won’t keep you warm if conditions turn to shite. It’s not the jacket I’d choose if I was heading into a down pour — I have plenty of other options I’d prefer for a definitive “rain” forecast”, but let’s be real – who actually heads out when its a monsoon?
A while back I tested the men’s MTB WxB waterproof overshort and it made a big difference on wet weather rides. The WRX Jacket is a good match to pair with it, and the pairing of the two is well suited for wet days here in the PNW; it’s often wet but warm enough that we find ourselves overheating.
The WRX Jacket lists for $175, but if you act quckly you could snatch up a great jacket on sale now. Learn more at Pearlizumi.com, or support the site by shopping with online sales partner Jenson USA to get one.
