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Vermarc Zero Aqua PRR Long Sleeved Jersey

9
£125.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Fantastic, well fitted, waterproof jersey for damp and cold conditions
Weight: 
0g

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Belgian cycling kit manufacturer Vermarc produces kit for both Etixx Quick Step and Lotto Soudal professional race teams, so when it comes to clothing for wet and cold days they know a thing or two. The Zero Aqua PRR jersey superbly showcases that knowledge.

This weekend I had a bit of an off while riding the rather wet roads of Northern France at the Paris Roubaix challenge, and I wasn't even on a cobbled section. Nothing major, a couple of scratches here and there and a banged up knee. Seems irrelevant but oddly it was this crash that made me realise how highly I rate the Vermarc Zero Aqua Jersey, as I was far more concerned that I had put a hole in it than I was about the integrity of my own body parts.

The reason I love this jersey is the way the fabric handles rain. Granted it's not quite as much of a barrier to rain as a full on waterproof jacket, but without any kind of hard-shell type outer layer to the jersey, water just beads up and rolls right off you. On my first ride I was suitably impressed, but wary, as I've had supposedly waterproof clothing on test in the past that completely loses its 'waxed car' properties as soon as you even think about a washing machine. However, the Zero Aqua came out of the wash just as impermeable as it had been when it came out of the plastic packaging. At this point I knew I had a bit of a winner on my hands.

The breathability of the jersey is also excellent, especially considering its waterproof properties. A nice fleecy material on the inside keeps you warm on chillier mornings, and when paired with another jersey and/or base layer underneath, I was happy wearing the Aqua Zero down into the lower single digit temperatures.

Fit is as I've come to expect from Vermarc, excellent. Being tall and relatively skinny I sometimes have trouble with arm and torso lengths on jerseys but not the case with the Zero Aqua. The arms extend all the way to my wrists allowing for the all important glove overlap to be possible in colder conditions, and the back of the jersey was more than far enough down my back to achieve plenty of coverage. A silicone gripper at the edge also ensured that the jersey never rode up.

There is also a fold out flap to protect your bum which is a nice addition, and will keep at least a bit more of the rear wheel spray out of your bottoms. Having a way of being able to secure the flap up inside the jersey when it isn't needed would have been nice but I'm nitpicking.

The rear of the jersey has two large pockets, closed off by a single zip, which is then covered by a flap of material to ensure no water is going to leak through into the pockets. This worked excellently, and I had enough confidence to put my phone in the pockets with no extra water protection even on wet days. The zip is slightly fiddly to use when you're riding along, but this was a compromise I was happy to make in order to ensure my phone and wallet remained dry.

I'm trying to stay away from directly comparing the Zero Aqua to a Castelli Gabba as I've not spent that much time in a Gabba, but there's no doubt that comparisons can and will be drawn between the two. If it were my money, I think I'd buy the Zero Aqua. I see it as a slightly more versatile garment, that is £60 less than it's scorpion-emblazoned counterpart.

A note on the price. It's £125, and, yes, that is a lot of money but I would buy one of these in an instant. It's one of the best jerseys I've ever tested, and has become my go-to jersey on those days where it's threatening to rain/drizzling all day.

Overall, I have massively enjoyed using the Zero Aqua PRR jersey, and it cements my view that Vermarc are producing some of the best cycling kit around at the moment. This jersey has gone straight to the top of my wet weather kit bag.

Verdict

Fantastic, well fitted, waterproof jersey for damp and cold conditions

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Vermarc Zero Aqua PRR Long Sleeved Jersey

Size tested: M

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?

Vermarc Say:

Vermarc guarantees Italian quality, efficiency and versatility. Vermarc means true Made in Italy craftsmanship but also means technological innovation.

We are leaders in development of technical cycling clothing, they dress the greatest champions and have a lot of passionate cycling fans.

Our top of the line Winter Jersey protects you from whatever the weather throws at you. Rain, snow, harsh winds, this jersey can take it all and then some. It's racing fit is designed with an aerodynamic slim fit forming a second skin that makes every movement natural and comfortable.

The special technology within the jersey evaporates moisture from perspiration incredibly quickly ensuring you stay warm no matter the temperature.

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

Again from Vermarc:

Tech Specs:

Racing Fit: Cycling garments designed with an aerodynamic slim fit forming a second skin that makes every movement natural and comfortable

Extreme Weather: The Garments are made of a high quality technological fibres with advanced treatments for active protection against extreme rain, wind and cold conditions.

Visibility: The garments have reflective logos, strips or are available in a fluorescent colour to increase safety when riding.

Breathable: Advanced fibres and fabric construction block cold air and moisture from coming in while still keeping a high level of breathability.

Warm: Fabrics with a unique construction which evaporates moisture caused by perspiration ensuring a dry and warm feeling.

Waterproof: Innovative microfibre fabric that ensures high performance and completely waterproof base layer fabrics even under extreme conditions of use.

Silicone Strip: Silicone strips are used in the hem to prevent the jersey from riding up.

Windproof: 2 layer fabric with hydropholic membrane that ensures resistance to wind and light rain while maintaining a high level of breathability.

Suitable for Winter Riding: 8 deg and below

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Survived a crash much better than some of my other kit.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Expensive but more than worth considering if you're in the market for a waterproof racing jersey.

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

Extremely well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The way rain just rolled right off.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Zips could have been a little easier to use.

Did you enjoy using the product? Absolutely.

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 9/10

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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6 comments

Avatar
maldin | 8 years ago
0 likes

I wonder whether this isn't a similar material to what Stolen Goat / BioRacer use in their water resistant/ waterproof Orkaan Jerseys? Its also light fleece backed, extremely breathable (if anything, too much for me - I actually find too much air gets through!) yet (and I tested this!) I can stand in the shower wearing it and water doesn't penetrate it - freaky! (oh, and its been washed quite a few times with no apparent reduction in effectiveness). 

Avatar
Vili Er | 8 years ago
0 likes

This jersey and the Giordana G-Shield (exactly the same jersey just different logos - as used by teams like United Healthcare) have been around for just as long as the Gabba and doing just as good a job. That infamous Milan San Remo was peppered with riders in these jerseys but the UK press (and Castelli) hailed the Gabba as the new messiah. You'll find lots of riders on the continent and the US in Vermarc and Giordana Acqua Zero jerseys where the brands have a much bigger presence. In the UK press it's CASTELLI CASTELLI CASTELLI. Present article excluded obviously  3

Avatar
Iamnot Wiggins | 8 years ago
0 likes

It's clearly made for the Belgian hardmen who train on water alone! No need for 3 pockets  3

Avatar
Daipink | 8 years ago
0 likes

Sounds a good alternative to the Gabba. On the waterproofing front, I have a Gabba long sleeve (£150 from LBS) and it gradually lost it's waterproofing over a few months but washing and reproofing with Nikwax products (or similar) has restored it, sadly may get a chance to test it this weekend. I suspect it will be similar for this Vermarc jacket, its not a big problem, any waterproof clothing benefits from this kind of care. Finding it a great jersey for exactly conditions described above and it doesn't overheat too much on mild days if you mis-judge the temperature.

The Vermarc sounds like a good alternative & good to see some competition in this area but, really, two rear pockets? Proper cycling jersey should always have 3 rear pockets  3

Avatar
Vinerman replied to Daipink | 8 years ago
0 likes

I would recommend the Parentini Mossa if you are looking for full waterproof kit.

Avatar
Helidoc | 8 years ago
0 likes

I'm sure it's a great jersey, but they are not exactly transparent about its construction. Lots of "special fibres" without you knowing what you are getting. Even less transparent than Rapha.

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