Pearl Izumi recently introduced new fabric technologies into their 2010 running clothing line that help you better manage and control your body temperature for peak performance anytime, anywhere. Pearl Izumi sent, for me to try, two of the new additions to the Women's P.R.O. Series running line: the Women's Fly Split Short and the Women's Long Sleeve Fly Top.
The P.R.O Series Fly running shorts, tops and jackets are all built with In-R-Cool integrated fabric technology. Unlike typical polyester based products, Pearl Izumi's In-R-Cool technology reduces overheating and increases comfort by reducing perspiration.
In-R-Cool technology takes Pearl Izumi's P.R.O Transfer wicking fabric and pairs it with Schoeller's Coldblack finish for textiles. In-R-Cool brings the reflective cooling benefits of white fabrics to dark fabrics, reducing perspiration by half, in comparison to traditional black fabrics. By reflecting UV light, In-R-Cool reduces the fabric's surface temperature to the same temp as a white fabric and provides UPF +50 sun protection.
The P.R.O. Series Fly running clothing is 3D motion engineered and therefore designed to perform the way you actually move when you run. The running tops and shorts provide an anatomic fit with minimal seaming and the use of body conforming materials. Reflective elements help to increase your visibility in low light.
I found the Fly Top and the Fly Split Shorts a joy to run in, especially in the hot California sun. The fabric is so light and soft against your skin, almost like silk. Never once have I felt wet with sweat as the Transfer fabric is great at wicking moisture away and the dark fabric with Coldblack treatment is amazingly cooling. As the running top is made from polyester, you still have the stink factor to contend with but I guess that's ok as long as you aren't wearing it for a multi-day race!
If you are a racer or avid runner you will love the shorts, as again they are lightweight and soft against the skin. The split leg gives you full range of motion and comfort. I personally don't like wearing running shorts for trail running since for one, I'm not 18 anymore to show that much leg and two, the copious amount of poison oak and ticks on the trails of Northern California have a knack for finding any inch of exposed skin.
One note in terms of sizing- if you are used to wearing Pearl Izumi cycling clothing as I am, the running clothing runs more true to size. I usually need an x-large size in women's cycling clothing to fit my torso length and arm length but I could have easily gotten away with a large size Fly Top.
As in the CamelBak PowderBak, I would also love to see a small pocket on the running tops. The running shorts have a small envelope pocket on the back so I guess you can get away without one if you are wearing both pieces.
The Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Series Fly Top has now become my de-facto trail and beach running top and the Fly Split Shorts an addition for running at the gym and the local high school track. The Fly Top
