The logo is bold but fairly minimalistic
(Image credit: Future – Andy Turner)
The Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Thermal jersey is designed as fast paced winter training gear for use in the worst weather conditions. This specific edition is part of its AW25 PAS collection, the brands take on a pro-team esque training uniform.
Construction
By using a Swiss made wind and water-repellent Schoeller fabric on the front arm panels, the jersey is designed to be water resistant for light rain, showers, and spray. On the rear the panels are more breathable yet still soft, made from M.I.T.I SuperRoubaix fleece; a DWR treatment is used here for protection againts wheel spray.
The fit is the same Mechanism race fit as used across the summer range of kit. However the pockets are not as high as on the Mechanism Pro line, so remain more accessible even with gloves being worn.
Other protective features are elasticated cuffs to keep windchill out, plus a full length zip guard with top and rear flaps to reduce irritation on the neck or around material on the shorts. Along with the three cargo pockets is a zip-up valuables pocket.
Sizes come in XXS-XXL, while the PAS colourway of Navy and Off-white is complemented by six standard colour options.
Side logos add to visibility but are not reflective
(Image credit: Future – Andy Turner)
The Ride
The Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Thermal jersey sits somewhere between the brands Mechanism Long sleeved jersey, and the Mechanism Thermal Jacket. It’s not as rigid and deep winter focussed as the jacket, but offers more sturdy protection than the lighter weight jersey.
Testing it across a variety of conditions, the recommended usage of -10˚ to 7-8˚C seems a little bit low. I found that up to around 12˚C was comfortable, but lower than 3˚C and I needed an external shell or heavier duty windproof baselayer. What did impress me though was the performance against water and windchill.
Quite often I find that a heavy duty winter jacket offers great protection, but comes at the price of breathability and flexibility. When paired with a base layer they tend to be too warm above 5˚C for me personally, whereas a more standard long sleeve jersey is too cool below 10˚C especially if there is wind and rain.
This is where the PNS Mechanism Thermal jersey really excels. Internal fleece lining provides a good level of insulation, while the semi-hardshell exterior is flexible enough to allow good freedom of movement, but rugged enough to repel showers and road spray while limiting windchill massively.
It also manages this without getting excessively warm. Even without any specific breathable panels at the rear, I did not find that the jersey got too hot in most conditions. Even some faster paced winter group rides were alright, with changes in intensity and pace easily managed by the jersey.
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My only breathability gripe is when climbing hard at lower speeds. Given the jersey is veering on the side of being somewhat jacket like, I’d like it if PNS had added a two-way zip, the same that they use on the Merchanism Thermal Jacket, and Q36.5 have added to the Dottore Hybrid LS Jersey. It does increase versatility quite a lot.
I was also pleasantly surprised how easily accessible the pockets were. PNS Mechanism fit of past has been short on the body and high up on the pockets, making it difficult for someone who is lanky to reach into the pockets at time. On the Thermal Jacket, the lack of flexibility makes this even harder. However the Thermal Jersey is flexible enough that accessing pockets, even with thick gloves on, was relatively easy. The pockets themselves are nicely spacious. However, although a zip up valuable pocket is present, it sits internally to the cargo pockets, rather than externally like the updated PNS Mechanism Jersey. This means keys might get jammed into your back slightly if a cargo pocket is heavily filled.
I also found the zip guard quite annoying. On the body it does a great job at allowing for easy zip usage while blocking out windchill. However the tabs at the top and bottom are quite stiff, and make it difficult to zip up and unzip fully, or access the zip when fully zipped up. It does however protect your neck, and the shorts material to prevent the metal zip parts rubbing.
Value and Conclusion
The only other criticism of the PNS Mechanism Thermal Jersey that I have is the price. Admittedly this PAS edition one is a touch more expensive than the standard £240 / $320 price tag, sitting at £260. However the likes of the Q36.5 Dottore Hybrid Que LS Jersey is similarly priced at £250-270 / $340 depending on colour, while the Assos Equipe Spring/Fall RS S11 Jacket performs in a similar fashion but for £305 / $390.
Assos however does feature a greater range of breathable panels at the rear, giving a larger usable temperature range, but the lack of water resistance means it misses out on wet-weather performance compared to the PNS. Q36.5 again features more varied panels for a wide usable temperature range, and features a two-way zip and some weather resistance properties, but is not quite as cold weather equipped.
The Rapha Shadow Jersey is another good comparison, at £275 / $365 but with greater water-resistance, a two-way zip, but perhaps not quite the same breathability levels.
Taking it down a notch to less premium brand offerings such as Sportful, and the Fiandre Shift jacket at £210 / $250 does represent better value for the money. It can be worn as a jersey, used in higher temperatures, has a two-way zip, weather resistance, and when bolstered with a heavier base layer can be used in cooler temps. Again, it is not as cold-weather equipped as the PNS Thermal jersey, but when layered offers a more practical overall package.
However, I do think the PNS Mechanism Thermal Jersey represents a pretty decent offering as a deeper winter layer that can be used in both dry and wet conditions. It lacks a couple of practical feature that if added would really boost performance and value, especially given the relative performance to cost against dedicated winter jackets.
Different fleeced materials are used internally
(Image credit: Future – Andy Turner)
The Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Thermal Jersey is overall quite an impressive deeper winter kit offering. In many ways it performs as well as a deep winter jacket offering, while being a bit more flexible in temperature range. Weather proofing is impressive for a jersey, and the fit is more racy without being too tight. The only gripes are the zip guards top and bottom, the lack of two-way zip, and it is still quite expensive for a jersey. However it does perform well where it aims too, definitely presenting a good combination of style as well as substance.
