Pearl Izumi Men’s Veer Short (w/ Bib Liner)
Size: Large
Features:
- Transfer Stretch fabric
- Direct-Vent panels
- Adjustable hook and loop closure
- Bib liner with liner with chamois
- One zippered front pocket
- 13” Inseam
MSRP: $170
Reviewer info:
- Waist size: 34”
- Inseam: 32”
Days tested: 7
Most riders these days are wearing more relaxed shorts, and let’s be honest, it’s mostly a style thing—we don’t want to look like roadies. And sometimes it’s nice to be wearing a pair of more ordinary-looking shorts with some regular pockets after a ride. But when it comes to performance on a bike, baggy shorts don’t always make the most sense. Wearing a pair of relaxed shorts over a liner increases heat retention and in a place like muggy, humid Vermont, it can be enough of a problem to cut rides short.
The Veer is Pearl Izumi’s top-of-the-line trail short, and they call it “a well vented, lightweight lined short with the functionality that demanding riders need.” The Veer is still a baggy short, but with massive mesh vents on the thighs. I was curious to see how breathable the Veer really is and, whether it proved to be as durable and functional both on and off the trail as other baggy shorts.
Material and Features
The Veer is well constructed and quite tough, especially considering how lightweight its materials are. The short’s front panels are made of a thick mesh material that is very porous, but also hasn’t showed any signs (so far) of being less durable than more ordinary fabric with a tighter weave.
Besides these mesh panels, the rest of the shorts are made of what Pearl Izumi calls Transfer Stretch fabric, a thin four-way stretch material that moves nicely while pedaling, doesn’t bunch up uncomfortably, and has a nice smooth texture that doesn’t cause unnecessary friction between rider and saddle. It’s amazing how many shorts fall short in terms of this kind of comfort. The Veer doesn’t.
The Veer (like some other shorts I’ve used) doesn’t have a standard button fly closure. Instead the shorts have hook-and-loop cinch straps on the left and right side of the waistband that has elastic material sewn in at the back. These worked well to keep the shorts snug around my waist, but the hook-and-loop material at my hips would often catch on hydration pack waist straps, shirt hems, etc., which is a little annoying. I’ve never had a problem with a normal button & zipper fly while riding, so the Veer’s hook-and-loop system didn’t seem like a bonus to me.
The Veer has one stash pocket on the right upper thigh. It’s just big enough to hold a credit card and maybe some cash. I could fit my iPhone with LifeProof case in it, but it was a tight fit and isn’t all that comfortable to ride with. Having said that, I generally don’t keep anything in my shorts pockets while riding, since I crash sometimes, and the thought of a key stabbing me in the thigh is not awesome. So this may be a non-issue for you.