Pas Normal Studios Escapism jersey review: practical and effective, but some elements miss the mark.
A two-way zip brings greater cooling, but also rubs the shorts, while the smart pockets are a standout
I really like the inclusion of pockets for used wrappers, which free up jersey space, but the two-way zip rubs the shorts, and greater rear fabric breathability would have been a better design choice. Nonetheless, an effective gravel and adventure jersey.
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Some smart pocket placements
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Two-way zip aids breathability at low speeds
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Secure, racy fit
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Zip can rub on shorts
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Quite a thick material can get warm
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Arm pockets not the most secure for items larger than wrappers
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The Pas Normal Escapism jersey has been designed in conjunction with the PAS Racing gravel team to create a jersey designed for fast paced gravel and hybrid riding.
Earthy green and brown is very on-trend for gravel colour palettes
Design details
PNS says this jersey is designed for warmer conditions. It’s made from “lightweight, structured fabrics with a dry, matte hand feel, offering high breathability and a rugged look suited to long days off-road.” Personally, the material is a bit heavier than the previous Escapism Light jersey, but this version adds a lot of new features that you don't always see in even the best gravel clothing.
Instead of the standard three rear pockets, it now has a zip-up valuables pocket and an external side-entry stash pocket designed to prevent used wrappers from being pulled out of the main pockets when reaching for food. Two additional 'stash' pockets have been added to the rear of the arms of the jersey to keep them out of the airflow.
The jersey also features a two-way zip, often reserved for gilets or jackets, designed to improve breathability while limiting material flapping at speed. The lower zip has a longer tab to make it easier to pull up while riding rough off-road terrain.
The jersey is described as featuring a race fit, more akin to the Mechanism line of kit rather than the Essential, both from PNS. Paired with a silicone gripper across the rear, it aims to keep everything in place while riding on gravel surfaces.
The jersey comes in three colours, Dark Red, Light Olive, and Black, with sizes ranging from XS to XXL.
The two way zip can be helpful for temperature regulation, but it can also rub on the shorts
Performance
I like race fit jerseys because they keep everything in place, while a looser fit can cause pockets to shift at the rear. To that end, I've used the Escapism jersey across a range of gravel rides. It's performed well and is extremely comfortable. However, my testing period has raised a few questions.
Firstly, that two-way zip. This often improves breathability, and to an extent, it can work with this jersey without the top section billowing. My issue is that it means no zip guard at the base of the jersey, and it's led to some pilling on the shorts I have used with it, as the zip or reinforced section at the base rubs the fabric.
This leads me to my second minor gripe: personally, I find the fabric a bit too thick, so I can get very warm above 25˚C / 77˚F. That’s probably true of many jerseys, to be fair, but I would have preferred a more perforated material at the rear, especially since this is billed as a higher-paced gravel ride jersey, where more effort equals more heat.
There are a lot of elements that I do like on this jersey though. The little stash pockets on the rear of the arms are inspired. They keep wrappers out of airflow for some marginal aero gains, while freeing up the main pockets so that when you're pulling out food you don’t spill the contents. There is another flap on the rear left of the jersey as well above the cargo pocket. Those pockets themselves are large and can fit a lot, be it spares or food, while the zip-up pockets keep valuables safe and secure.
Another element I really like is the large silicone gripper at the rear. I hate when jerseys with loaded pockets shift around to one side on my back, and this gripper prevents that from ever happening. It does however get quite warm after a solid bout of higher intensity.
I also like the colour options. It’s a little cliché going for earthy colours for gravel riding, but they are smart options and there’s always black if you want a more standard offering. I just don’t quite agree that the jersey is specifically for warmer conditions; I think the brand's previous Escapism Light jersey was more suitable for those conditions, while this version is something I could happily use in cooler spring or autumn conditions rather than height of summer.
Value
At £175 / $235 / €200, the Pas Normal Studios Escapism jersey is not cheap. Among gravel jersey competitors, the main players are probably the MAAP Alt_Road 2.0 (£165 / $205), Rapha Brevet (£195 / $275), and Castelli Unlimited Pro jersey (£189 / $230).
The Castelli Unlimited Pro features bladder storage and aero materials, while MAAP and Rapha use Merino fabrics to reduce synthetics and improve day-to-day use. However, I would say the pocket solutions on the PNS Escapism are the most comprehensive of the bunch, and the value isn’t too bad against them.
Of course, there are the likes of the Sportful Supergiara 2 jersey, which is just £90 / $125 and does feature some added pockets, but perhaps not as many smarter features.
Tech specs
- Price: £175 / $235 / €200
- Pockets: Seven
- Fit: Race
- Type: Short sleeve
- Colours: Dark Red, Light Olive, and Black
- Sizes: XS to XXL
