I have a soft spot for Manchester’s Lusso, thanks to its decent value kit that also looks good and performs well, and I’m pleased to report that the LeMans jersey is another item worthy of its place in that happy collection.
Lusso’s main performance claim is in the MT1 fabric, which it says is designed for high moisture transfer, and I must say it seems to live up to that billing. Even on high-intensity rides on warm days (yes, we have had a few), while the sweat was dripping out from under my helmet, my back stayed pleasantly dry. It’s a fairly thick fabric with a close weave, so on warmer days I wore it without a baselayer and it worked just as well. The dense weave reduces the chance of sunburn too.
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The jersey has all the features I look for in a short-sleeved top – in particular a full-length zip. I like at least a three-quarter for ventilation on long climbs. The zip on the LeMans is of the hidden type and while the puller is a bit small, it’s still manageable with light, long-fingered gloves, should you need to wear them. It wasn’t all that well hidden, though – at the bottom the seam bulged out a bit to reveal the white zip, but that’s a minor detail. Behind is a baffle to keep out draughts and this folds over at the neck to provide somewhere to tuck the zip puller, so it was comfortable even done up to the neck.

The broad cuffs are lightly elasticated and fitted me well. At the waist, a stretchy band lined with silicone rubber kept everything neatly in place, and the length was just right on my long torso. All the seams are flat and neatly finished.

Around the back there are the usual three elasticated pockets, plus a small, hidden zipped pocket for your keys, coins, EPO…

My only issue with the cut and construction was under the arms, where the shoulder panels appeared to pull in a bit. From the photographs it looks as though our house model had the same problem, so I don’t think it’s to do with my body shape. Anyway, it wasn’t uncomfortable, it just made it look like I had it on back to front!
> Check out our guide to the best summer cycling jerseys
I love the design and the striking orange stripes. I think this looks particularly good in the blue, but you can get the same stripes on a white background.
Verdict
This jersey is stylish, good value and comfortable to wear – just check that it fits you under the arms
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Lusso LeMans Short Sleeved Jersey
Size tested: Large
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?
Full Front Zip for easy access
Lusso SC9 Gripper around the hem
3 Rear pockets, plus 1 Zipped (4 in total)
50+ UV Ray protection
Anatomically shaped
Reflective element at rear
Machine Washable
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
MT.1 is specially designed fabric for high moisture transfer keeping you cool and saving energy to ride longer
Sizes: Small, medium, large, Xlarge, XXlarge
Also in white.
Lusso produces a long-sleeved version.
There were a couple of minor issues with the construction – the hidden zip showed through at the bottom and I found the way armpit area was constructed made it look slightly stretched and out-of-shape, but nothing that affected performance and the quality was very good.
Lovely to wear, as Lusso claims, the moisture transfer seems very good. It is quite thick with a close weave so maybe not for the hottest days.
I can see me wearing out before this does. It resists snagging, too.
Good length, comfortable at the neck and sleeve cuffs, neither too tight nor too loose. There’s just that funny under-arm construction to ponder.
A large fitted me very well, as I would expect.
Decent weight despite the thick material. That also adds to its quality and possibly longevity.
Very pleasant to wear, both in fit and sweat transfer.
It’s high quality and British-made, should last a good few years and won’t go out of style. A very sensible price for a good garment.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
In the wash at 30 degrees, still looking fresh and stain-free.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
This is the jersey to pull on on those mild-to-warm spring and summer days when there might still be a bit of coolness in the breeze. When you are working hard it doesn’t get damp but it’s not so lightweight that you chill. Jolly good.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Good quality and good looks, pleasant to ride in.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
An odd shape under the arms, something to do with the way the panels are fitted together.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
Only a couple of minor issues with the shape and assembly have affected the score; in use this was a really pleasant jersey to ride in. I love the colour scheme and the orange stripe is worth 10 watts. Probably.
About the tester
Age: 50 Height: 6’2 Weight: 73kg and rising
I usually ride: Cannondale CAAD10 My best bike is:
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: A few times a week I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking












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