Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey Review

When riding in the summer heat, a mesh jersey is a necessity. And, with the Pactimo Summit Mesh Aero Jersey, you not only get sublime mesh, but one that’s also infused with 37.5 Technology to further improve cooling and moisture management. As an added bonus, I opted for the snappy goldenrod color to both stand out and be “one with the sun” this summer.

Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey Features:

• Lightweight stretch mesh construction
• 37.5 Technology featuring woven Cocona particles for active cooling
• Low-profile collar
• Euro-length sleeves
• Full silicone grip around the hem
• Three rear pockets with zippered sleeve
• YKK Vislon front zipper
• MSRP: $164

Goldie is a goodie

Two of my must-have’s for a summer jersey are visibility and breathability. Proper airflow is essential to keep riding in the heat and visibility is always on my list. Pactimo’s latest summer offering is the Summit Aero Mesh Jersey that’s made with stretchy mesh and infused with 37.5 Technology. Active cooling is the name of the game and this jersey nails it.

Denver-based Pactimo has made a name for themselves in the custom kit market. With over 2.5 million garments shipped out to riders worldwide, they know a thing or two about being customer-focused and competitively-priced.

In a departure from typical American kit makers, the Summit Aero Mesh Jersey offers a streamlined fit that has me comfortably wearing a size large. For reference, I wear a medium in both Velocio, Bontrager and Pearl Izumi and it’s always a large for European kits. Slipping the Summit Aero Mesh Jersey on feels like it’s custom-tailored for me. The fabric stretches nicely and offers a streamlined, aerodynamic fit. I particularly love the minimalist collar and the Euro-length sleeves. Both of those design choices make the jersey look and feel premium.

Jerseys can be really expensive these days and at full price, this jersey isn’t exactly cheap. But, even at full price, it’s competitive for the value Pactimo provides and as good or better than many other jerseys that cost way more.

The front side and sleeves use an oval-shaped mesh pattern that’s extremely porous. The back panel isn’t quite as open and features a mesh with micro holes in it. Both fabrics are permanently woven with 37.5 Technology, which optimizes temperature and moisture regulation even before you start noticeably sweating. Thewoven guts of the jersey are where that magic begins and I have appreciated it on the hottest rides this year. I’ve worn the jersey alone and also with a matching Summit SL Base Layer. In both cases, the cooling airflow feels amazing at low and high speeds and I have yet to overwhelm it.

Admittedly, the humidity is typically low here in Utah, so I haven’t tested it in swampy, humid conditions. Still, all that mesh should prove functional as humidity increases. In my testing, it can become damp with sweat, but it moves quickly away and evaporates in a jiffy. At the end of any ride, it also dries out really fast. Indoor training is excellent as well, but it does get much more saturated (as expected). After a long virtual session, the jersey is easily-removed, as opposed to some that tend to stick to your skin.

I’m the kind of person who wears a jersey at least twice before washing and I’ve been impressed with the stink-free performance of the Summit Aero Mesh Jersey. The 37.5 Tech certainly aids in keeping odors to a minimum.

In the saddle, the rear pockets are easily-reached and can be loaded up as much as I would expect. They aren’t bellowed, so don’t expect to load up the kitchen sink, but all my regular items needed for a 2 hour ride sit nicely and don’t bounce around — even on rough gravel rides. The single zippered sleeve is a nice touch, but doesn’t offer any moisture protection.

I appreciate that while this jersey is optimized for lightweight breathability, Pactimo still prioritized a 360-degree silicone grippy hem to help keep it in place. Unfortunately, the grippy silicone isn’t as awesome as it could be and I felt the hem creep up a little on my rides. It’s not terrible, but did require a re-adjustment at the top of long climbs.

Not only is the Goldenrod color nice and visible, it’s also quite classy. I’ve paired it up with both navy bib shorts, (Attaquer All Day or Velocio Utility) or black bib shorts (PEARL iZUMi Izumi Attack Air or Expedition PRO) and both look great, in my opinion.  To be all matchy-matchy, Pactimo has a variety of bib shorts you could also pair it with.

Buy Now: Available from Pactimo