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Shutt VR Signature Training Top

9
£89.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Well made, extremely comfortable and versatile year-round riding wear. A sound investment
Weight: 
254g
Contact: 

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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If you’re looking for a cycling jersey with year round practicality, good looks and a high level of wear comfort, the Signature Training Top from Shutt VR is a good option to consider whether you are a male or female cyclist.

 

Made from a 48% merino 52% polyester content Sportwool fabric, the Signature offers the excellent temperature management and anti-bacterial anti-whiff properties of merino, with the faster drying time and better moisture management of polyester content. Washable at 40, the jersey should stay nicely odour free for a long time too. The fabric may not feel as sumptuous as higher merino content, but it is beautifully soft to the touch and next to skin, and the polyester does reduce that ‘wet sheep’ smell when wet as well as drying more rapidly. The density of the weave of the fabric means that while it’s not windproof, it does prevent excessive cooling from chilly breezes, and with the addition of a long sleeved base layer, it even does the job quite happily on genuinely cold rides. Or as a base layer itself with bib tights. I was quite comfortable in a variety of conditions, with just minor tweaks of base layer choices.

With a full length zip, great sleeve and body length, coupled with a neat (bit not tight) fitting high collar, the cut is ideally suited to year round use as well, with plenty of scope for ventilation in warmer weather, although it would be on the hot side for full summer conditions. The cuffs wrap neatly around the wrists to keep drafts out, but are stretchy enough to be pushed up the arm if necessary. The cut is unisex but actually one of few designs that I’ve come across that do genuinely suit both sexes, with the flattering fit more on the relaxed than racing side. The size medium I tried equated to about a 12-14, with enough torso length to suit tall or short riders.

The three rear pockets are a useful size and depth, with one also featuring a generous zipped security pocket. The central pocket is also finished with a reflective strip for visibility.

Styling is attractive and accessible- not too geeky, not too sporty, nor too plain and just cool enough for the ‘in’ crowd. The bold test-card like pattern will appeal to both sexes equally.

Whilst £89 marks a reasonable investment, you’re getting a good looking, hand finished, British-made garment that you’ll wear happily all year round and will last a good while. In my book that’s £89 well spent.

Verdict

Well made, extremely comfortable and versatile year-round riding wear. A sound investment.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Shutt VR Signature Training Top

Size tested: Medium, white

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?

Shutt VR say: Jersey for all seasons- essential wear for all types of road riders and racers, and also proving popular with MTB and Cyclo Cross communities.

Versatile cut and looks mean it suits many different cycling styles, while the fabric and design make it versatile for year round use.

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

48% merino/52% polyester Sportwool fabric

Sightly relaxed rather than racy fit.

Good torso and sleeve length.

Gripper at rear hem.

3 elasticated rear pockets, 1 zipped security pocket at rear.

Reflective trim at rear.

Full length front zip, with chin guard at top.

British made, hand finished.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Extremely well finished except for rough finish to bottom of zip which could easily snag on delicate technical fabrics.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Comfortable in a variety of temperatures and conditions, with tweaking of base layers etc to fine tune temperature.

Kept temperature stable when riding.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Some 'bobbling' on the interior surface of the fabric as time goes by, but nothing to be overly concerned about.

Merino content and washable at 40 means that it should stay odour free for longer. Smooth face to fabric makes for less chance of 'bobbling' on outside.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

very light for its warmth.

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

Extremely comfortable. Maintains a steady temperature.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Good investment. Cost per wear would be quite low due to year round practicality and longevity.

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

Very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Style, fabric, cut, British Made.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Finish of zip at bottom.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Well made and nicely thought through. A genuinely useful 'go to' jersey.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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4 comments

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Hamster | 13 years ago
0 likes

They are a great jersey, got mine through the Friday Scwag and it's really toasty!

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Bigpikle | 13 years ago
0 likes

I have the white one and agree it is rather nice. Quality and detailing is good and I like the styling as well. The sportwool is the best element of it though and I would really not like to ever have to go back to pure manmade jerseys if I could.

Avatar
Fixie Girl | 13 years ago
0 likes

Sexy jersey, been looking at getting a new one for winter/spring! FG

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winprint | 13 years ago
0 likes

Lovely looking jersey.  4

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