Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Kalf Flux Chevron Mens Short Sleeve Jersey

9
£64.99

VERDICT:

9
10
An excellent race cut jersey for an excellent price
Weight: 
131g

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.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

Kalf isn't a household name in the cycling apparel market, but the Flux Chevron jersey is a well-thought-out, high-performance piece of kit available exclusively from Evans Cycles for a great price.

It's not often I'm surprised by a new brand when it comes to product reviews in the cycling industry. Rarely does a smaller brand really rival the big guns – but here, it's definitely game on.

> Find your nearest Evans store here

I'd not come across Kalf before testing this, the matching shorts, and mitts, but I'm glad I have. The Flux Chevron jersey is technically advanced and packed with attention to detail that makes wearing it a pleasure. It starts with the race-cut fit which moulds brilliantly to the body, and goes on from there.

Kalf Flux Chevron Men's Short Sleeve Jersey - riding.jpg

The Lycra main body is stretchy so that the race cut never feels restrictive, whatever position you tend to ride in, while also keeping fabric bunching to a minimum. At the same time it's very soft with lightweight flat stitching on the inside that helps minimise rubbing, so comfort levels are impressive too.

That continues with the extremities, with a soft and slightly raised collar that sits flush to the skin, and a waist hem gripper that makes use of the chevron design to form gripper nodules in a minimalistic way, also helping with the slim aero fit while doing a superb job of retaining the jersey length at the rear.

Kalf Flux Chevron Men's Short Sleeve Jersey - gripper.jpg

Furthermore, the jersey uses the natural elasticity of the Lycra fabric to form the arm cuffs – no rubbing grippers, or grippers of any kind save for the comfort-improving tab on the inside of the arm, internal to the sleeve itself. Cooling is maximised in this usually extra-sweaty area with a thin laser-cut ventilation panel that stretches halfway down your flank, and while this may usually raise questions of delicacy, it's remarkably well constructed.

Kalf Flux Chevron Men's Short Sleeve Jersey - mesh.jpg

Aero and race-cut jerseys are often criticised by non-racers for their lack of practicality in the pocket area, but Kalf has included three decent-sized storage compartments with flat seams at the edges for a slim air of quality. Capacity is flexible thanks to the sheer elasticity of the Lycra material, while there's a central zipped security pocket for valuables too. It's not protected by a waterproof lining, but it's the tiniest of niggles, especially if you carry your cash or valuables in a plastic wallet anyway.

Kalf Flux Chevron Men's Short Sleeve Jersey - pocket 2.jpg

This makes the Flux Chevron jersey perfect for... well, whatever you like, to be honest. From turbo sessions to short aggressive training spins or chaingangs, to century sportives and long, hot days in the saddle, it's up to the task. It's a jersey that I'll certainly be using repeatedly this summer.

Kalf Flux Chevron Men's Short Sleeve Jersey - chest.jpg

The rear pocket area also features reflective branding around the zipper and in the Kalf sign 'K' for extra visibility, over and above the distinctive and stylish chevron design. I liked it when I first tried it on, and I loved it when I caught a look of myself in a shop window (just by chance, you understand, I'm not vain, or anything...).

Kalf Flux Chevron Men's Short Sleeve Jersey - pocket.jpg

If anything, I think it's a shame that Kalf doesn't have a second colourway in the chevron design to choose from – perhaps a deep purple or redcurrant, or even a super-bright design inspired by the flashes of coral on the inside of the collar and in the 'K' logo on the underside of the left sleeve. You can have that idea for free, Kalf, as long as I find a test piece finding its way to me. (My address is...)

> Check out our guide to 15 of the best summer jerseys for cycling

Back to the present: in addition to this lightweight racy design, you also get bags of quality too. Repeated washes aren't a problem, while the elasticity and slimline fit is maintained – something that occasionally goes awry in jerseys of this type after many uses. No such issues here.

All this, and it costs a mere £64.99 (at this point, direct from Evans Cycles only), hitting a really competitive price point for the style and quality. On such matters, and more importantly performance, it's up there with premium brands such as Rapha and Castelli, I'd say, and excellent value. Welcome to the top table, Kalf.

Verdict

An excellent race cut jersey for an excellent price

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Kalf Flux Chevron Men's 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?

Evans says: "Designed to fit close to your body, the Kalf Flux Chevron Jersey uses a soft, compliant Lycra to ensure it doesn't feel restrictive. Detailing includes the use of different panels – including perforated under-arms – to transfer moisture away from the skin, reflective logo details and laser-cut sleeves. Across the back three standard pockets are complemented by a zipped valuables pocket."

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

Evans lists these features:

Microfresh fabrics - Microfresh fabrics help sweat to disperse easily, thanks to the structure and the type of fibre they are made from. The result is improved breathability and quick drying, keeping the body fresh and the fabric from clinging to the skin.

Reflective details - Besides the obvious trend of fluro, Kalf designers have added reflective details, often very discreetly and within the brand logo on their apparel to add an element of visibility.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Considering its light weight, the solidity of the jersey is impressive.

Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

I really can't fault its performance.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

I'd be wary of wooden garden furniture, but then I would be in any kit.

Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10

Race cuts can be restrictive, this wasn't at all.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

About right – a medium was racy, while a large would still have been tight with a little extra length.

Rate the product for weight:
 
9/10

...on 131g? Not really.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

Very, very comfortable indeed.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

For everything it offers, £64.99 feels like a snip to me.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Very well.

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

Almost perfectly.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The design, the fit, the comfort, the coolness.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes - I already have.

Use this box to explain your score

I think this jersey is very close to perfect.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 27  Height: 188cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Canyon Ultimate CF SL 9.0 SL (2016)  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

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

Add new comment

1 comments

Avatar
Cupotea | 6 years ago
0 likes

I have the jersey, bibs and socks and am chuffed as buttons with all of them.

For info I'm 6'2" 33" waist  and pretty skinny legs. I bought all items in XL. Its the best fitting gear I've ever owned and will be buying more.  The bibs in particular have a fantastic bib section which you forget you have on. The socks are super comfy too and seem pretty whiff resistant.

Latest Comments