Pearl Izumi Elite Arm Warmers Review

by Niels Oomkes · Published March 18, 2015 , 8:40 pm · Updated April 7, 2022 , 12:37 pm

Pearl Izumi Elite Arm Warmers

I know I am not the only one with this dilemma. Two to three times per week in the early morning, I am standing in my garage, tires pumped, bike in hand, helmet on, ready to go. Or so I thought? Questions and doubt start to creep in about my attire for my ride. Is the temperature really 46 degrees right now? What will that mean when I hit the reservoir with all that water in the air while going 28 mph, and the sunrise starts to warm things up….? Am I wearing enough layers, are these the right gloves, do I wear my wind vest, long sleeves, or will the exertion be enough to warrant simply a shirt?

Pearl Izumi Elite Arm Warmers First Thoughts

Bring on the Pearl Izumi Elite Arm Warmers. A perfect option to battle the pre-sun chill while simple and small enough to quickly remove mid ride and stuff in your back pocket. Even when the pressure is too intense to completely remove on that KOM climb, you can simply roll them down for some heat relief. As you crest, you can simply pull them back up to give you much needed wind and cold protection while bombing down the mountain.

Pearl Izumi Elite Arm Warmers under a looser fitting MTB Shirt

Technical details and Features

Elite Thermal Fleece panels provide superior warmth and stretch. From my previous arm warmer apparel this is truly what sets these apart. The stretch allows for a wide range of arm width, and if you are built more than me, you’ll appreciate this. The warmth is amazing. At one point, my arms were the warmest part on my body. My wind shell kept my core warm, but that slight gap between the vest and the arm warmers was chilled. Not a big deal, but something I made note of.
Upper arm scallop provides extra coverage for full range of motion.
Anatomic left and right arm-specific fit – This is nice because with the slight angling of the arms especially when in ‘go’ mode, these fit perfect. They are labeled, but it’s a very small R and L on the inside. I struggled to find the correct arm in the darkness of my garage. Probably could have put a small R and L on the outside for ease of locating.

Anatomically correct.

Elastic binding with silicone gripper for a stay-up fit. This is super sweet. They have yet to slide down on me after a dozen rides and a handful of washes.
Reflective elements for low-light visibility is a given these days on most cycling apparel pieces, and a nice feature.

Care Instructions

Often overlooked and forgotten, but taking care of your prized cycling apparel is key for a long and joyous life.

Machine wash cold with like colors
Gentle cycle
Do not bleach
Drip dry
Do not iron
Do not dry clean
Do not use fabric softener

I have taken these out of early morning rides when the chill was definitely present. Even though the sun came up, I never felt the need to take these Arm warmers off. The Pearl Izumi Elite Arm Warmers really came in handy on a 65 mile Front Range Mountain ride. The temperature ranges were considerable enough that I took these on and off a handful of times. A handy companion for sure especially on some long fast windy descents.

Final Thoughts on the Pearl Izumi Elite Arm Warmers

If you are a newbie or have been riding all your life, you will quickly come to figure out that being flexible with your cycling apparel is key to having an enjoyable ride. These Pearl Izumi Elite Arm Warmers may be a small part of that equation, but they do play a big enough role to really make a difference in the success of your ride. The thermal fleece panels and elastic binding with silicone gripper are a super sweet feature you’ll come to appreciate. I surely have, so go and get yourself some!

Comes in sizes: X-small to X-Large

Available colors: Black, Yellow, and White

MSRP: $35

For more information on this and many other ‘keep you warm’ cycling apparel please visit: www.pearlizumi.com