Primal Maison Grey Rhapsody Hoodie

Primal's Rhapsody hoodie isn't the kind of thing you're going to be wearing on your next sportive but it's a surprisingly versatile bit of kit that's comfy and has a fantastic fit.

Effectively the Rhapsody is a casual hoodie that the Primal team have technicaled (is that a word?) up a bit. Mainly they've addressed the fabric and the fit, with a couple of other subtle nods to active wear.

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The hoodie is mostly made of a two-layer fabric: on the outside it's a close-weave polyester/cotton mix but that's bonded to a synthetic mesh inner layer not dissimilar to a thin jersey fabric. The idea is that the hoodie looks casual on the outside, but the inner layer breathes and wicks sweat away if you do start to work a bit harder.

It works, too. Okay, it's not as good as a dedicated cycling outer layer, but it's a lot better than a normal casual top. Obviously if you're wearing a cotton tee underneath it and you throw yourself at some hills, you'll end up pretty damp, so if you are planning any more strenuous activity you need to think about your layering. It works best with something like a long-sleeved merino top underneath, although it's also fine against the skin.

The fabric isn't especially windproof and it's not that heavy either, so it's not ideal as an outer layer on cold days, but it works well as a mid-layer.

So the fabric is good, and the other thing that's good is the fit. It's quite a stretchy fabric across the weave and the body is cut nice and tight to make it snug. The sleeves are cut long for good coverage in a riding position and they have a nice long, tight cuff to keep them down over your wrists. The neck is cut nice and snug too, and an elasticated waistband keeps you fairly well covered at all times; there's no ride-specific dropped rear but that would look weird anyway.

The only proviso is that for all that great fit, it does size up on the large side. I'm wearing a medium when I'd normally expect to be a large, and I find that just right for a mix of riding and lounging. A large would be more of a casual fit.

> Check out our guide to the best casual kit for commuting

There are a couple of other nods to sporty practicality: reflective stripes on the hood and also a flash on the left arm; they're pretty subtle but could come in handy after dark. There's also a zippered arm pocket to complement the two open pockets in the front of the hoodie. It's not big enough for a phone, but you could keep your keys or money in there.

Care-wise it's just a machine wash at 30°C and it's been through the wash a number of times now. There's a little bit of bobbling on the surface of the fabric now but it still looks good.

Overall, this is a useful crossover top that's neutral enough for casual wear but also technical enough to ride in. I've worn it a lot over the past few months and I've found the mix of casual looks and technical features really good.

Verdict

A useful casual/technical top that's smart enough for the pub and sporty enough for the bike