The jacket is stretchy throughout, the arms less so than the body but still with enough give that a close fit feels perfectly comfortable. Pearl Izumi calls it a 'form fit'. It's not as extreme as some, but it's certainly a bike-specific cut with lengthy arms, a high, close-fitting neck, and an extended tail that keeps your butt well protected against spray from the rear wheel.
The cuffs are asymmetrical meaning that they extend slightly over the back of your hands. Like the hem, those cuffs are elasticated so you're sealed away inside.
This jacket's main job is to keep water out and it does that really well. Pearl Izumi's figures say the fabrics are waterproof to 15m of pressure, which is high. Some fabrics boast higher but, in the real world, 15m will cope with just about everything you'll encounter.
Just as important, the seam sealing is very good. Water certainly didn't get through during our testing and there are no areas coming unstuck after multiple washes. The water-resistant front zip, backed by a draught flap, has kept the rain out successfully too
We often find with waterproofs that letting moist air escape is more of a challenge than keeping rain out - you get damp because your sweat stays inside rather than because water comes in. The fabric used here proved impressively breathable. Pearl Izumi's own figures say it'll let out 15L of moisture per square metre per 24 hours. To give that some context, a typical mid-range fabric might allow 5L out and a top-level fabric 20L, so 15L is up there.
this jacket rolled up tight it'll fit into a jersey pocket.
you also get a detachable hood that'll fit over the top of your bike helmet. You also get a rear pocket that'll take a mini pump, spare tube and so on, and it comes with a large puller on the water-resistant zip that's easy to grab while you're riding. There's a good amount of reflective trim for extra visibility too.
All-round, the Elite Barrier WxB is a really strong contender. Yes, this jacket is pricey, but it justifies that with a high-end performance.