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Sugoi La Tournee Jersey

7
£59.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Nice jersey, with the appeal in the design rather than any chi-chi features; pricey for a basic top though
Weight: 
148g
Contact: 

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The Sugoi La Tournee Jersey is a no thrills, looser fitting jersey whose major selling point is the design.

Let's start with the design, because that's what is going to draw you to this jersey, or away from it. The La Tournee Jersey owes more than a nod to the now defunct Combination Jersey from the Tour de France that was once awarded to the best all-round cyclist. A mash-up of the Yellow, Green and polka dot of the King of the Mountains jerseys it made its final appearance in 1989 and as a cyclist who was weaned on the LeMond/Hinault years where the jersey appears in iconic images of the time, that technicolour pattern is seared on my brain, so this Sugoi homage works for me.

It's certainly visible and some might say refreshingly a world away from the 'Black With A Subtle Highlight' jersey trend. On the other hand, some might say it's a goodawful mess, but if the multicolour mishmash does nothing for you there are plenty of other jersey designs in Sugoi's Semi Fit range. They all have the same features as the Tournee and might tickle your fancies, such as the Mod jersey design if you want to channel your inner Wiggins or Weller.

The jersey is made from FinoTech fabric, a cloth that creates the perfect environment for heart rate acceleration according to Sugoi. They continue that it's developed with a micro-filament linear knit texture that increases both stretch and the amount of surface area, allowing for faster moisture uptake and disbursement, and accelerated evaporation for a drier sensation on the skin in warm or cool conditions. Um, yes, if you say so, Sugoi. In reality it looks and feels just like a cycle jersey fabric really, it's not necessarily that lightweight but it's more airy than some and it wicks well so doesn't get weighed down with sweat, even when toiling up a col in the mid-30s Celsius.

As part of Sugoi's Semi Fit range, the jersey is tailored to fit close to the body but not so close that you feel self conscious at the coffee shop when picking up a pre/during/post ride skinny latte. Sugoi say it's suitable for a wide range of body types, which could be a euphemism for 'carrying a few extra pounds'. What that means in the real world is that it's not Italian racing-snake tight, nor is it casually baggy, it's the comfortable side of figure hugging. Depending on your figure, obviously. I'm a Medium in most cycle jerseys and the fit on this Medium Sugoi was exactly as they described, neither aero figure-hugging shrink-wrapped nor an Edwardian blouse in the wind, but comfortable enough without feeling that you might look like a badly packed sausage.

The front zip undoes to 2/3rds down the jersey which means you can unzip it sufficiently for breezy climbing without it getting all unmanageably flappy. That zip is hidden so the design looks neat and tidy when it's done up, although there's no zip-dock at the top which is pretty much a de-rigueur feature these days. The zip is tiny, so it wasn't really an issue to notice and whinge about.

The pockets in the back are your standard issue three, straight across, with no slanting to the ones at the side for easier access, no extra zipped pocket for phone/money/keys/valuables or a pump-sleeve either, all of that stuff that clothing makers suddenly decided your rear storage needed. Just three pockets with reinforced stitching at the top and bottom of each compartment join so they don't fall apart when you overstuff them with rain-jackets and gels. And tubes.

If we're talking details, there are no reflective tabs or highlights either, or embroidered logos, neither are there epic stories of hardship and grief sewn into a pocket. It's just a jersey.

The ends of the raglan sleeves are elasticated, which is somewhat old-school in these days of swish silicone grippers, and they're quite tight so those with proper arms rather than traditional cyclist's pipe-cleaners might find them an uncomfortable squeeze. In a similar manner the waist is held snug with plain old elastic which grips perfectly well enough but there's no silicone griper anywhere to stop pocket shimmy when sprinting or climbing out the saddle.

Verdict

Nice jersey, with the appeal in the design rather than any chi-chi features; pricey for a basic top though

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Sugoi La Tournee 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?

The Tournee cycle jersey is fully featured and sublimated technical excellence with versatile semi-fitted shape and superb details according to Sugoi.

The semi-fitted shape is nice for those that aren't race-slim or a little bit conscious in the café, there aren't that many superb details actually.

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

Made from FinoTech, Sugois ightweight standard for comfort, moisture transfer and

performance

UPF: 20 - High protection

Raglan sleeves

Comfortably positioned elastic hem

Three elastic back pockets expand easily

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
5/10

It's a well made jersey. Marked down for lack of recent 'must have' features.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

It wicks effort induced sweat well and the pockets don't explode with effort either.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

A well made jersey with extra stitching at storage stress points.

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

Slightly more loosely fitting jersey that might benefit those of a less racey physique.

Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

A bit spendy compared to other more feature filled jerseys.

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

It's a cycle jersey did what a cycle jersey is supposed to do, it wicked sweat away, it fitted well and you can fit stuff in the pockets.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The less emaciated fit, the design.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing really. The lack of a zipped valuables pocket was a little annoying but I didn't cry.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, but mainly for the design.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 47  Height: 180cm  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: It varies as to the season.  My best bike is: The one I\'m on at the time

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, cyclo cross, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Fun

 

Jo Burt has spent the majority of his life riding bikes, drawing bikes and writing about bikes. When he's not scribbling pictures for the whole gamut of cycling media he writes words about them for road.cc and when he's not doing either of those he's pedaling. Then in whatever spare minutes there are in between he's agonizing over getting his socks, cycling cap and bar-tape to coordinate just so. And is quietly disappointed that yours don't He rides and races road bikes a bit, cyclo-cross bikes a lot and mountainbikes a fair bit too. Would rather be up a mountain.

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4 comments

Avatar
The _Kaner | 9 years ago
0 likes

The named balls/dots on the front mind me of a Lotto machine...and tonights winners have selected 'O', 'U' , 'I' , 'G' and 'S'...and the bonus is....

Avatar
bobbinogs | 9 years ago
0 likes

Makes me reach for a sick bag.

Avatar
Beatnik69 | 9 years ago
0 likes

Makes me think of Comic Relief.

Avatar
BigDummy | 9 years ago
0 likes

Better or worse than wearing a replica yellow jersey?  39

Not a fan of the design personally, but it's certainly cheerful.

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