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RH+ PW Dual Cell Xlight Jersey FZ

8
£160.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Lightweight and very breathable high-performance jersey in a form fit
Weight: 
126g
Contact: 

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There's no doubt that the RH PW Dual Cell Xlight Jersey FZ is dear but it is a high-quality piece of work that's very light and highly breathable.

The main fabric is a lightweight polyester made using what RH call 'Dual Cell technology'. Dual Cell? What's all that about?

The fabric has a textured honeycomb appearance – well, it's actually a pattern of circles rather than hexagons. The circles are raised and thicker than the bits between the circles, the idea being to improve the breathability.

That Dual Cell fabric is very stretchy and the non-textured nylon/Lycra side-panels even more so. That means you can get a close fit without the jersey feeling tight or uncomfortable. Quite the opposite, in fact. With flatlock stitched seams throughout, the Xlight jersey is very comfortable, even if you don't use it with a summer base layer.

The waist is an elasticated band with a raw edge (don't worry, there's no chance of it fraying) that sits very flat while the collar is quite low by cycling standards, which makes sense for a summer jersey (but don't forget sunscreen on your neck). The full-length front zip that runs between them has a fabric backing so it doesn't irritate your skin, and there's a zip garage up top that prevents it from irritating your neck. The zip itself, from YKK, stays put wherever you position it.

Around the back you get yer customary three pockets along with a fourth zipped one for your valuables – if you're lucky enough to have any. Reflective print on the sides adds to nighttime visibility.

Our large sized review jersey hit the scales at just 126g. When we talk about the weight of a summer jersey it's obviously not because saving a few grams is going to get you to the top of a climb any quicker, it's more to give you an indication of how it'll feel when you have it on (of course, it's not the only factor), and the Xlight is certainly a summer weight. It'll help keep you cool even on very hot rides.

To tell you the truth, I don't know if that Dual Cell technology is responsible or not but this jersey does feel good in hot conditions. When you work up a sweat on a big climb it will get damp, of course, but it doesn't tend to stick to your skin very easily. Instead, it dries fast and effectively, especially if you use that full-length zip to full effect.

We had a little colour bleed in the washing machine despite following the instructions. When the washing cycle had finished, the red sleeve came to rest on the white back panel and left a few pink marks on it. They came out with subsequent washing but maybe you'd want to do the first few washes by hand to avoid this. Not a biggie.

Verdict

Lightweight and very breathable high-performance jersey in a form fit

road.cc test report

Make and model: RH+ PW Dual Cell Xlight Jersey FZ

Size tested: L

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

It's really well put together with flat seams throughout.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

It's highly breathable with some neat features: a backing behind the zip, flat-sitting waist band and so on.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Not that weight is an issue in making you go any quicker here, but because you want lightweight clothing for comfort in the summer.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

There's no doubt that it's pricey but you get very good materials here and an equally good build quality.

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

A really impressive jersey that's highly breathable and very comfortable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The breathability and the slim, non-restrictive fit.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The red sleeve bled a little during washing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, I'm a fan.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

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

This is what RH say about the Dual Cell fabric: "Powerlogic Lab, the rh technological development lab, has created the new DUAL CELL technology. The appearance of the fabric is altered with a mechanical technique using calendering, a technology that's also used in the aerospace industry. This creates real honeycomb cells that generate a compound with differentiated thicknesses and compression. "The DUAL CELL technology combined with Fire Dry Gold Fabric makes the garment even lighter and extremely breathable to guarantee premium levels of comfort and performance."

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?

This is a high-end jersey from RH 's Powerlogic range. RH say, "The apparel in the Powerlogic brand represents the ultimate in the rh technological research and design. Clothing specially devised and designed on the basis of anatomical studies and the experiences of teams and athletes to offer everyone the highest possible level of performance." This is what RH say about the Xlight jersey: * Preshaped anatomic structure * Raw edges hem * Rounded bottom back neck * Multi-thickness calendered inserts fabric Dual Cell Technology * Longer back for added protection * Waist gripper with ultra-flat elastic lined with nonslip silicone * Open-end front zipper with customized camlock * Front zip garage * 3 rear pockets * Fabric inserts with differentiated stretch * Reflective appliqués

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 43  Height: 190cm  Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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