You set out on a summer ride pretty confident those distant clouds won't amount to much and that the light breeze would stay just that for the next few hours. However, a few tough climbs later you're shivering at the windy summit and watching the rain clouds move in. We've all been there, and having a piece like the Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Vest hiding in our saddle pack makes a world of difference. Incredibly light and easy to stow inside of its own rear pocket, the vest is constructed out of Pearl Izumi's ELITE Barrier fabric. While it might not be your first choice in an all-day downpour, Barrier will withstand its share of raindrops and block wind, while remaining permeable to air so you don't feel like you're riding in a poncho. Pearl cut the vest to follow a slim silhouette that accommodates layers without leaving you with flapping fabric in the wind, and added its luminous Bioviz reflective accents to increase your visibility on dim, cloudy days.