Pilot Breeze Blocker Review
Recently, I reviewed the Aerostich Kanetsu Electric Warmbib, and I thought, in retrospect, that perhaps some readers might miss out on what a great idea that wind stopping bibs were because they wanted neither the extra warmth nor additional cost of an electric item. A good insulated bib is an important tool for motorcyclists to have at their disposal. These easy-to-pack mini-blankets are a cost effective way to increase your comfort and – by extension – your safety on a chilly ride. The Pilot Breeze Blocker is a perfect example of the comfort that can be found in cold weather for a mere $35.
Pilot is known for its racing leathers that have been worn by the likes of Elena Myers, Jason DiSalvo, Danny Eslick, John Hopkins, Josh Hayes, and Ben Spies. What you may not know about Pilot is that it supplies branded riding gear and team logo wear to a variety of OEMs and teams. Pilot’s gear tends to be well thought out and nicely constructed. Consequently, I shouldn’t have been surprised to see the same level of thought applies to even the lowly bib.
The Pilot Breeze Blocker is a lightweight, waterproof, windproof bib that is easy to carry when you’re out on a ride. The outer shell is made of Pilotex 330D Taslan, which is quite light and supple. The waterproofing and wind proofing are taken care of by a REISSA waterproof mid-layer. Finally, a soft, fleece liner keeps the rider’s body heat in next to the rider’s torso where it belongs. The 2.5 in. collar is also fleece-lined and has the edges wrapped with the same material as the outer shell. The neck closure is adjustable over a 5 in. range with the hook-and-loop fastener located towards the middle of the collar to avoid having the hook material scratch the rider’s neck. The bib itself measures 21 in. tall x 17 in. wide.
What else is there to say about a wind blocking bib? It works, and the width does a great job of keeping drafts away from the rider. Additionally, this light bib folds so flat that I’ve stored it in the back protector pocket of a couple jackets when I didn’t have a tank bag to carry it with me. My only complaint about the Breeze Blocker is the location of the hook-and-loop fastener. Because the fastener is on the back of the neck, the thickest point on the collar is where you’ll be bending your head back when you’re in a sport riding position. When I’m already wearing a shirt that covers my neck, like turtlenecked thermals, I find this extra thickness annoying. However, I’ll readily admit that tightness between my helmet and the back of my neck is one of my pet peeves. I have riding buddies that aren’t bothered by stuff like this at all. So, you probably already know whether this will be an issue for you.
Perhaps, the best feature of this bib, though, is its price. At $35 with free shipping direct from Pilot, there’s really no reason not to order a Breeze Blocker. It’s cheap insurance against hypothermia. You can find more information at the Pilot web site.
Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.
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Seems tailor made for Howard Wolowitz.
Added benefit: You're always ready to be spoon fed by a dominatrix.