Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

TECH NEWS

Just in: Sportful's new R&D Long Sleeve Wind Jersey with Polartec Alpha insulation

A first look at Sportful's all-new long sleeve Wind Jersey with Polartec Alpha fabric

It’s starting to feel very autumnal in the mornings, and winter really isn't that far away. Just arrived in the post this week from Italian company Sportful is their brand new R&D Long Sleeve Wind Jersey, a lightweight jacket that claims to be windproof, breathable and with the use of Polartec Alpha material, insulating for the coldest days.

Sportful reserve the R&D label for their most innovative and forward-thinking clothing. We were impressed with the jersey and bib shorts launched back in the spring, and this new jersey continues that theme. They’ve been working on this new long sleeve jersey for a good while now and they reckon it’s ideal for typical British winter weather and temperatures.

 

 

Key to the new jersey is the Polartec Alpha fabric in the front-facing panels. It's underneath the yellow mesh in this photo, sandwiched between an outer Wind Shield windproof and waterproof fabric, and a mesh lining for breathability. Polartec’s Alpha fabric is clever stuff, in essence it’s attempting to mimic the insulation of goose down, but with vastly improved breathability.

“A Polartec Alpha garment can be worn in both the "stop" and "go" phases of outdoor activities,” says Polartec.

Using the Polartec Alpha fabric then has enabled Sportful to produce a lightweight jersey without any of the bulk or volume of a typical jacket, but yet provides the necessary insulation you want on a cold ride. It’s also highly breathable for energetic workouts, doesn’t restrict airflow and dries quickly. According to Polartec it’s even used by the US Special Forces who apparently wanted a jacket that retains warmth, dries quickly and circulates airflow, exactly what Polartec Alpha does.

We’ve seen a few manufacturers develop long sleeve jerseys recently, and we expect to see more in the future, that offer some of the protection from the elements that a traditional jacket provides, but with more of the breathability and flexibility of a jersey. Such jerseys are particularly ideal if you like to ride at a brisk tempo on winter rides, during which you generate enough heat to stave off the cold, but you need excellent breathability to prevent becoming a soggy sweaty mess.

 

Sportful combine these Polartec Alpha front panels with a Dual Fit back panel that provides good breathability and airflow. A heavier duty jacket variant is also available but Sportful reckon the jersey is better suited to the UK, where let’s be honest it never really gets that cold.

It's a very slim fitting jacket, which it's designed to be. This is a size small in the photos, and it does sit flush on the body just like a jersey would do. It's available in sizes XS to XXXL.

It’s packed full of nice details. Tapered arms with thumb loops, elasticated waistband, three regular rear pockets and a further two side pockets more easily accessible when you’re riding, a full-length YKK Vislon zipper and expandable pockets. There are reflective details at the bottom of the pockets as well. Beside this black colour, it’s available in blue.

 

If you’re the sort of rider who likes to ride at a brisk tempo most of the time, and struggles to get a clothing setup that provides adequate insulation while avoiding overheating, this new Sportful jacket promises to deliver just that. I’ll be testing it out over the next few weeks and months and well let you know how it fares, and it if lives up to that promise. I’ll keep you updated.

The Sportful R&D Long Sleeve Wind Jersey costs £145. More at www.sportful.com

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Add new comment

5 comments

Avatar
Bexleyhillbilly | 9 years ago
0 likes

I see it gets 1 spot (out of 4) for water resistance in the Sportful catalogue, so it will be interesting to see how it fares in a British November drizzle...

Avatar
Dr_Lex | 9 years ago
0 likes

I can recommend Polartec Alpha; bought a Mammut jacket with it and a Pertex outer for winter riding last year and it was ideal. (Weather was never cold enough for my Mavic Propane - should sell it to an Alpine or Nordic cyclist).

Edit: Whilst I can't find any more details at Sportful website; it seems to have AW13 & SS14 only at present, I did find a pdf download of Winter '14 kit. Still, I look forward to an update based on your experience.

Avatar
userfriendly | 9 years ago
0 likes

Loving the looks of that one. May want to get one come winter. Bit on the dear side but if it's as good as described probably worth it.

Avatar
The _Kaner | 9 years ago
0 likes

Not gonna work for my body shape...small and rotund...but looks nice

Avatar
spicypedro | 9 years ago
0 likes

That's a nice looking jersey. Don't need it, but if I did, I'd buy it.

Latest Comments