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Northwave Galaxy Short Sleeve Jersey

8
£84.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Smart racing jersey from Northwave that will keep you cool on hot rides
Weight: 
190g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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While not quite as cutting edge as their Extreme range, Northwave's one-level-down-from-the-top Galaxy clothing is still squarely aimed at the performance end of the market. The short sleeve jersey tested here deploys much of Northwave's considerable list of technologies in an attempt to keep you pedalling hard in comfort.

In the same way as the top jerseys on offer from Northwave, the Galaxy makes use of many small rectangular holes in the arm grippers in order to keep the breathability nice and high. Northwave don't add any grippy silicone on the insides of the sleeves, and claim that this is to reduce you getting uncomfortable in hot conditions - not a problem I've encountered before. However this lack of silicone means that the sleeves ride up the arms rather too easily for my liking.

Other than that, I found the overall fit of this jersey to be good when out on my bike - possibly even slightly better than the top tier jersey I was testing alongside it. The medium provided was well suited to my frame.

In terms of breathability on hot rides, the Galaxy has seen me through rides of all types from spring morning road rides to swelteringly humid mountain bike blasts through the woods. In all instances, it really has kept me as cool as could be reasonably expected, the quasi-mesh back allowing my sweat to vent out easily.

The pockets of the jersey are reasonably deep and there is a secure zipped pocket that I was happy to keep my keys and cash in. The main zip is also solid, and the waist gripper kept the jersey in its place.

For 85 quid, this is a solid performance jersey from Northwave. I certainly couldn't distinguish what tangible benefit you actually receive for the extra £25 you'd have to fork out for the top tier Extreme jersey.

Verdict

Smart racing jersey from Northwave that will keep you cool on hot rides

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Northwave Galaxy Short Sleeve Jersey

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Performance racing jersey from Northwave.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Northwave's site:

MAIN FABRIC: Skinlight inserti BurnOut

ZIP: YKK full opening

POCKETS: 3 1 built with water-repellent material

ARM ELASTIC: Airgrip 4,5cm

WAIST ELASTIC: Silicon on front Ultragrip 4,5 cm

REFLEX INSERTS: On side flag on back

TECH: Biomap construction

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Sleeves could have done with some more grip on the insides. Other than that, fine.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Pretty good, especially at managing sweat on humid rides.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No issues on test.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Not outstanding but better than average. Sleeves bothered me.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

A very similar jersey to their top end Extreme offering, for 25 quid less.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The breathability was good and it looked nice too.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Sleeves.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? I think so.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 21  Height: 182cm  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: On-One Carbon Whippet Single Speed MTB/Kinesis Pro6  My best bike is: Scott CR1 Pro

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

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