Pearl Izumi Versa Pant - Review

Oct 25, 2017 at 16:07
by Mike Kazimer  
Pearl Izumi Versa review


Pearl Izumi describes their new Versa clothing line as being “Bike clothing specifically made for nothing specific.” In other words, there aren't any retina-searing fluorescent colors to be seen, no giant logos splashed across every inch of fabric. In fact, the Versa pants don't immediately look like they were designed for cycling, and that's the point – they're pants you could wear around town without attracting odd looks. Try that with a pair of flashy downhill pants and the results probably won't be the same.

Versa Pant Details
• DWR-treated polyester
• Zippered pockets
• Reflective striping
• Colors: kelp, shadow grey
• Sizes: 28-38
• Lifetime warranty
• MSRP: $125 USD
• www.pearlizumi.com

The pants have a slim, slightly relaxed fit, and are constructed from polyester that's received a DWR treatment to help keep light precipitation at bay. There's no shortage of pockets, with two zippered hip pockets, a zippered thigh pocket, and two rear pockets, one with a zipper and one without. A reflective stripe is in place above the left rear pocket, as well as on the inside of each leg that becomes visible once the cuff is rolled up. Good old-fashioned belt loops are in place to help take care of the fit around the waist if you end up between sizes. Available in whole sizes from 28-38, the Versa pants retail for $125 USD.


Pearl Izumi
The Versa pants have a casual, low key appearance.
Pearl Izumi Versa review
There's a reflective stripe hidden on the inside of each leg for extra night-time visibility.


Performance

My taste in clothing is skewed more towards Goodwill than Gucci, so I'm fully aware that $125 is a lot of money to spend on a pair of pants that are going to spend the bulk of their life covered in dirt and dust. That being said, the Versa pants are incredibly comfortable, both on and off the bike. Lower-profile knee pads will fit underneath without any trouble, and there's enough stretch in the fabric to accommodate all of the contortions that come with mountain biking. They're not waterproof, but they do dry quickly, and they've worked well for the cool, drizzly, and muddy rides that are the hallmark of fall in the Pacific Northwest. I tend to overheat pretty easily while riding, but as long as the thermometer read 60° F (15.5° C) or below I didn't have any temperature related trouble.

The zippered hip pockets are large enough to easily hold a wallet or smartphone without any issues, and although I never really used the outer thigh pocket, it's there if you need it. I did find that I had to roll up the right leg to keep it away from the chain – the pants don't taper as much as a pair of traditional DH pants would. That's not a huge deal, but I wouldn't mind seeing a snap or something similar added to the inside of the right leg that could be used to bring the extra material in for riding.

Other than that small quibble the Versa pants have been faultless, and they've held up very well to all the muddy miles they've been subjected to, with no rips or undue wear to speak of. They've cleaned up nicely each time I've tossed them in the washing machine, which is especially impressive considering my sub-par laundry skills.


Pearl Izumi Versa review
Pearl Izumi Versa review
There's no shortage of pockets, and most of them have zippers to keep your valuables from falling out behind you on the trail.



Pinkbike's Take

bigquotesPearl Izumi's Versa pants are perfect for everything from impromptu pump track sessions to long rides in cooler weather, with an excellent fit and plenty of cycling-specific details. Best of all, you won't look like you forgot to change out of your pajamas before heading out on a ride. — Mike Kazimer






Author Info:
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Member since Feb 1, 2009
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109 Comments
  • 68 3
 These look pretty legit, IMHO. Loose but not too loose, not nuclear green (thankfully the industry is moving away from the day glow trend and into more sedate colors), and made by PI. These pants look like you could wear them to the brewery after a ride without looking like a walking billboard. Can we get more like this please, bike industry?

And $120 isn't bad actually. I have a pair of rain pants from PI that I bought probably 10 years ago for around $100. They have lasted well. Think I'll add this to my Christmas list...
  • 8 0
 Totally. I have a pair of Rapha/Paul Smith trousers that I have been babying for the last 10 years. More subtle bike/off bike clothing please industry.
  • 14 1
 Except neither the cut, nor the fabric (somewhat stretchy polyester with a bit of DWR coating) are all that different than what you get from mass market outdoorsy brands (REI store brand, Columbia) for about half at MSRP, and less than that on closeout. There are a few things that are pretty bike specific - many "regular" outdoorsy jackets and shirts, for example, don't have a long enough tail for riding in attack position. But REI/MEC and Sierra Trading Post are chock full of stuff that will do the job as well as the bike brand stuff for a lot less.
  • 7 0
 I have a 30 years rain suit like new!!! No wonder as I live so close to sahara hahaha
  • 43 1
 No bottle cage mount just like other pants.
  • 6 1
 @g-42: you have a point, but on the other hand it's the tiny details that make the difference sometimes. My 10-year old pair of mtb shorts are *basically* the same as hiking shorts, but I prefer them for the small details. And if they last basically forever, I don't mind the extra money. I could go ski touring in my rain pants + long underwear, but I much prefer my more expensive (but not outrageous) ski pants for the job. Better fit, slightly different vents, a little more stretch, etc.

Anyway, these look like a solid product. I'll probably stick with what I have for now but I'm a huge fan of hiking/biking/skiing gear that can pass for casual clothing like this.
  • 2 1
 If they weren't expensive I'd probably buy a pair for every day of the week.
  • 1 0
 I'm a bit sceptical when I hear about water repelling coating on casual pants. Had some Levis commuter jeans, in the shop they poured a glass of water over them which pearled off nicely so I bought them. During literally the first moderately rainy ride they already gave up and became just as waterlogged as any old pair of jeans.....only twice as expensive.

I'd say summertime commute: chino shorts, wintertime: proper gore tex pants with the nice pants in my backpack. That said, if they are less sweaty and more stretchy (and don't tear at the crotch like pretty much every pair of pants do eventually) they might be the perfect cold season pumptrack/dirt jump/park pants though..
  • 2 0
 @bonkywonky: that's not good to hear. Out of curiosity how many times had you washed them from purchase to rainy ride?
  • 1 0
 @chyu: I will never buy a pair of pants that doesn't have a water bottle mount located on the inside of the legs. When the bottle mount is on the outside of the pant leg i find i get too much crap on the bottle.
  • 1 0
 @bonkywonky: to be fair I'm pretty sure this is designed to handle foggy/misty days and puddles, these are clearly not rain pants.

Very location specific, seems like it would be usefuly for pea-soup fog days in santa cruz for example (like my levi's commuter before the "d"wr wears off
  • 1 0
 All my PI stuff has been towards the more expensive end of things but they've been extremely functional, fit well and held up over 5 years and still going strong. Definately think you get what you pay for with PI These look like pretty legit commuter pants.
  • 29 0
 I'll just wear my wife's Juicy pajama pants.
  • 23 3
 Here's the problem with casual-looking bike clothes... Would you rather:

• go out to eat after a ride, looking like sketchy transient in dirty street clothes?

or

• go out to eat after a ride covered in sweat and mud and wearing bike clothes, which answers other patrons' question of whether or not you're going to grab their purse and run?

Me? I'd rather have an obvious excuse for my stench and disheveled appearance.
  • 4 0
 This.
  • 7 0
 Pair it with some orthotic 5 tens and POC shades and the cops will 5150 ya on-site.
  • 2 0
 Nailed it
  • 16 2
 Finally cycling clothes that don't make a person look like a cyclist when they are cycling. Match this with a plaid sports jacket made of Goretex, SPD Blundstone boots a helmet that looks like a baseball cap and no one will know your a cyclist while cycling. Remove the bike from the equation and it's perfect.
  • 9 0
 ... I'd actually buy a plaid Goretex jacket.
  • 8 2
 By 'looking like a cyclist' do you really mean 'looking like Troy Lee threw up on you'..... I can think of many reasons why looking less god ugly is a good thing to have as an option.
  • 1 0
 Sounds like an equestrian rider
  • 4 0
 @mgolder: No. not at all. I dislike the "pyjama suit look" too. I prefer muted colours myself. Or anything blue and orange. But I also dislike the stuff that is designed not to look like cycling clothes like that's a bad thing. Because usually those clothes work badly on a bike. Or cycling clothes that fit well standing bolt upright in front of a full length mirror. Those shorts will probably have plumbers ass and bunch up at the front. I have road jerseys that for badly until you assume a riding posture and then they are brilliant. And mountain bike shorts like that too. Pants like this are ludicrous. They are expensive hiking pants. Why would a person want to ride in hiking pants?
  • 13 0
 No parachute cut option? Forget it! #canttouchthis
  • 13 0
 Finally, something for us more conservative old guys... Smile
  • 14 0
 its the pleats....
  • 3 0
 Ron Burgundy quote ftw!
  • 8 0
 OK, adding to the "sizing" discussion:

Companies across the board need to start adding options when it comes to inseam length. Good luck finding a 30" or 32" waist in 34" or 36" length.

I fully understand the issue added inventory brings, but within this price range for a pair of pants, a buyer should be able to find cloth that fits perfect and not just ok. European brands seem to have this issue covered... are slim Europeans taller than the rest of the world's population?
  • 4 0
 Exactly, why do so many manufacturers assume the longer your legs the wider your waist?
  • 6 0
 Good luck finding a 36 waist in 30 length lol. Apparently if you have a bigger waist you also have longer legs.
  • 3 3
 @BmxTerry: aw, sad short guy, must be hard to pick from all those bikes made for your inseam...try the other end of the tape at 36” inseam, 36” waist...not only do all pants come up short, there are only a couple of bikes that come close to fitting, and even those are a stretch (wah wah)
  • 9 0
 PI gear is the best stuff I own, period.
  • 6 2
 The vast majority of the reviews for these $100+ shorts $300+ jackets read along the lines of...they're perfect for this or that. What I want to know is what the reviewers would honestly shell out for if they had to pay MSRP like the rest of us folk. When was the last time any of them paid for riding clothes?
  • 9 2
 MSRP is for suckers. Everything can be bought at a discount.
  • 3 0
 Pearl Izumi "Elevate" shorts are the best MTB shorts I've ever had, by a long shot. Maybe the best piece of MTB clothing I own. Definitely interested in these pants. Good job on keeping the aesthetic minimal / logo-free... nobody like logos on their legs.
  • 4 0
 Available in whole sizes from 28-38, the Versa pants retail for $125 USD. Just read this at bottom of article. Also thought damn is my 33 too fat for MTB now.
  • 4 0
 I read the 28-30 as well and was like damn, I might need to buy two to fuse them together.
  • 2 0
 I use North Face hiking pants, they're $90 CAD new but you can get them on sale for $60 pretty easy.
They fit tighter at the ankles (but are made to stretch a bit), have zipper pockets and repel moisture while being breathable, recommended.
They are also great for hiking Wink
  • 7 2
 Sizes 28-30?! That's very limited...
  • 1 0
 I hope that was supposed to be 28 - 40 or something!
  • 11 0
 not going to sell many in the US with those sizes
  • 4 1
 read again! says 28-38
  • 2 0
 @SomeGuy30: That sounds more like it. In the details on the right it says 28-30. Anyway, the problem I usually have with pants is to find the proper length... Would be nice to know the length sizes as well.
  • 4 0
 Oops, that should have read sizes 28-38 - it’s been corrected.
  • 2 0
 @Ocfug: On the PI site, the longest inseam is 32.5". Not as short as most, but still too short, in my opinion.
  • 1 0
 @Ocfug: think Knickwater hipderp! Now your getting it..
  • 2 0
 Most riding pants have zippers or something at the bottom of the legs so they are a no go for me. These don't so look easily hemmable to 28" that's always a plus for the vertically challenged.
  • 1 0
 So what keeps the pant leg out of your chain? Are you just relying on the fit being just barely slim enough, or is there a zipper something to slim up the ankle on demand?

Glad that I live where shorts are year-round apparel and don't have to deal with that. Of course, we have no trees or sticky dirt, so it's a trade-off I guess.
  • 1 0
 I really like the Bulletprufe jeans. Good stretch, hard to kill, lots of quad room. They soak up chainsaw gas and oil like sponges, and that shit does not want to come out. Swrve also makes some really good pants, although the cotton ones don't last anywhere near as long as the synthetics.
  • 3 1
 How casual is this. These are so tight you have to wear your kneepads on the outside. No it doesn't make you look like a cyclist, but it does make you look like a rollerskater heading for the disco.
  • 1 1
 No doubt. I don't know many mountain bikers whose legs could actually fit in pants cut that thin.
  • 1 0
 I have always been super impressed with my Pearl Izumi stuff, and as others have mentioned it can last for years and years of hard abuse. I plan to get a pair of the versa pants and their new flat pedal shoes looked great too!
  • 1 1
 I wonder how these compare? Not bike specific but pretty similar design with the addition of snaps for rolling.
www.mountainhardwear.com/mens-hardwear-ap-pant-1648971.html?cgid=mens-pantsShorts&dwvar_1648971_variationColor=233#start=0
  • 2 0
 75% cotton though. Makes me think they'll retain moisture. You definitely don't want to be sweating in those on a cold day.
  • 1 0
 @LucWicklund: right on...cotton sucks for riding. Had to use a cotton hoodie when it was unexpectedly cold and it ended up probably being worst than if I would have gone without it.
  • 4 0
 Finally...keep it coming!
  • 2 1
 I have a pair of Levi's 511 Commuters that could give these a run for their money. Same reflectors, better cut, DWR, and some stretch. They're great for winter rides, except people look at you funny for wearing jeans.
  • 2 0
 I have the Levi's as well and actually wear them to work.
  • 1 0
 @WFO59: Mine go to work too, until they get to be more suitable for just biking. Depends what your workplace is like.
  • 2 0
 Funny how you can be jumping dirt one min wearing skinny jeans and a long tee and look perfect, then over to the trail and look like an outcast lmfao.
  • 3 0
 nice pants but at 175$ CAD no thanks
  • 2 0
 My thoughts exactly, buy climbing pants from MEC and forget about it...
  • 4 1
 A reflective strip on the inside of the leg... how useful!
  • 2 0
 Does Anybody know how these pants hold up to falls? I wouldn't want to pay $125 and on the first fall they tear open.
  • 2 0
 If I can't look like a superhero while cycling, what's the point? #yourspandexlooksf*ckingridiculous
  • 1 0
 I just wear hicking pants for short rides. However what I would like to see are lightweight summer pants, as the summer hicking models are still too warm.
  • 5 0
 Are those pants exclusive to the south?
  • 1 2
 I thought i was the only biker that rides pants. I like keeping the muck off my bare legs. And yes i could ride to the pub with these and look casual. MEC has plenty of pants to choose from. Almost none start at size 28 waist. New Chunky crowd shopping at MEC these days i guess.
  • 1 0
 Because 28 isn't a typical men's waist size? Shop for youths clothing or do some deadlifts or something...
  • 1 1
 @rezrov: sorry if i offended you by calling you chunky.
im an avid cyclist.
gosh i wonder why im slim?
  • 2 1
 live on the north shore I ride all year, snow rain and mud in shorts. if you need to pants to stay warm you're not riding hard enough Smile
  • 3 1
 But they make cleanup after a muddy ride so much easier.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: I don't think I've ever had a problem with mud on my legs, it usually dries and falls off with a swipe of the hands. Maybe this is moreso an issue for men with hairy legs. So yes, I can see that Wink
  • 1 0
 And those five10 are screaming: LOOK AT ME!!!!!, author should at least get som pearl's shoes, it's not like there are not any. Otherwise nice pants Smile
  • 1 0
 Genuinely can't figure out what makes these worth double literally any other dwr poly pants at REI. What besides some reflective bits makes these "bike specific?"
  • 2 0
 Finally something to wear for those impromptu pump track sessions.
  • 3 0
 Pyjamas ffs.
  • 10 12
 A bolt for a car that costs $1 will cost $5 if it's for a boat and $15 if it's for a plane. For the same bolt. The bike industry is somewhere between marine and aerospace costs. $125 for these jeans, when you can find similar Wrangler stretch fabric pants at Target for $25. Same with bike gloves. By work gloves at a hardware store for $20 instead of $50+ from the bike brands
  • 12 1
 Nah gloves are different. I wear full finger year round. Standard work gloves are to thick, heavy and hot. A good pair of MTB gloves from a LBS is around $30, and less online.
  • 3 1
 Yeah, during the winter I wear a camelback, so pockets aren't a concern for me. So it's no problem to wear any sort of relatively fitted athletic pants. Adidas soccer pants are kinda the gold standard at this point. And I agree on gloves, there are thousands of glove options out there, and plenty of work gloves have worked fine for me.
  • 1 1
 Yep, there's a standard progression. From "standard" to industrial to marine to aerospace to mil-spec - each step seems to escalate pricing quite a bit...
  • 2 0
 @ClaytonMarkin: +1 on Adidas warmups as great, affordable winter riding pants. A nice, tapered pair is around $35. The breath and wear well.
  • 1 0
 You can get bikes from the Wal-Mart next door too! $7000 for an enduro bike!? No way! Score this Sweet Mongoose (BEST QUALITY) XR-PRO mountain shredder. It has 24 SPEEDS! How many does your bike have? Thought so.

www.walmart.com/ip/29-Mongoose-XR-PRO-Men-s-Mountain-Bike/16913467
  • 1 0
 @oronaut: That bike is very upgradable and even comes with pedals! ++
  • 3 0
 38. Still too fat :-(
  • 2 2
 I don't get this fascination the industry has with sizing things for midgets and skeletons. Not everyone fits the "snap in half from a gust of wind" build they seem to idealize...
  • 7 0
 @m47h13u: On the other side, I'm thankful to the industry for their skeleton sizing. Seems to me most people can shop almost anywhere... At this point almost my entire wardrobe is cycling clothing since it's the only thing I can wear not looking like I'm still in my older siblings' hand-me-downs.
  • 3 0
 @m47h13u: As someone who is fully grown at 5'2 115lbs, a 28" waist and constantly looking for ANYTHING that comes in my size, (AKA a "midget skeleton" size, as you would so kindly put it)..... I don't know what this new "fascination" is, which you speak of.
  • 2 0
 @m47h13u: the manufacturers will stick to those sizes most common among their customers, and cyclists, in general, are slimmer than the general population. Otherwise they'll be left with thousands of unsold pairs of XXXL.
  • 1 0
 Can you tell us the waist size of the pair you tried and the actual inseam measurement?
  • 2 0
 Soon to include speed holes.
  • 2 0
 I think in black might look good too
  • 2 0
 Zink got Robbed! Sorry wrong discussion
  • 1 0
 Best pants are black cotton joggers, reinforced by armoured underpants to protect my sensitive thighs.
  • 1 0
 Very nice, but not 125$ worthy. Will buy when it's half that.
  • 1 0
 So, it went half price and I did buy it (the shorts version so far) and it's an amazing product.
  • 1 0
 I stopped reading after "belt loops" !
  • 1 0
 I wear lycra tights for rain and mud riding. The ladies love it !
  • 1 0
 Turn ups are turning me down.
  • 1 0
 I’ll pick up a pair of these next season on sale for sure
  • 1 0
 I'd class them as slacks.
  • 1 0
 Best pants= Houdini.
  • 1 0
 Штаны
  • 1 0
 Look like golf pants
  • 1 1
 100% poly. No thanks.
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