Pearl Izumi Pro Aero gloves review

Very light and comfortable, the Pearl Izumi Pro Aero gloves are great for the summer

Cycling Weekly Verdict

The Pearl Izumi Pro Aero gloves are perfect for the summer months, as they're light and the breathable fabric won't make you sweat much. However, there isn't much padding on the palms for long rides, and only one very grey design is available.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Light

  • +

    Very breathable

  • +

    Good, aerodynamic fit

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Very little gel padding

  • -

    Only one design

  • -

    A little pricey

The Pearl Izumi Pro Aero gloves is the final piece that will complete your Pearl Izumi kit, which features an aero jersey (the Pro LTD Speed jersey) and a bib short (the PRO Leader bib shorts or the Elite Pursuit Ltd bib shorts).

>>> Buyer's guide to summer cycling clothing (video)

The first characteristic of these gloves that attracts the attention is their weight: just 26 grams. This means that the Pearl Izumi Pro Aero gloves are some of the lightest mitts on the market and on the bike you barely notice that you are wearing them. This creates a very breathable pair of gloves that are comfortable to wear even in high temperatures.

pearl izumi gloves mitts (1)

The Pearl Izumi gloves are only available in one design

The design is similar to the Pro Ltd Speed jersey, with a black and grey colourscheme and a fabric that is reminiscent of carbon-fibre weave. This understated look might be a positive for some, but I wasn't so much of a fan, and there are no other colours available if you want something a bit livelier.

>>> Buyer's guide to summer cycling gloves

On the other side, the palm is made from synthetic Clarino leather, which hasn't shown any signs of wear in the time we've been using the Pearl Izumi Pro Aero gloves. However this is not complemented by any serious padding. That might help to reduce the weight of the gloves, but means that there are more comfortable options out there if you're looking for support on long rides.

pearl izumi gloves mitts (2)

The leather pad of the Pearl Izumi Pro Aero gloves has no gel padding

Finally the price, which at £30 seems a little on the high side for a pair of gloves. It's clear that Pearl Izumi has put a lot of effort into creating its flagship gloves, but the performance out on the road doesn't quite justify the price tag.

For more details visit Madison.

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Nick Busca is a freelance cycling and triathlon journalist. He is also a certified triathlon coach and personal trainer.