Ekoi Nation Evo2 Jersey Angleterre

With its Nation Evo2 Jersey, French manufacturer Ekoi allows you to be patriotic without violating the unwritten rule of wearing an unearned National Champion's jersey. It's not too bad a summer jersey in terms of performance on the bike, but durability could be an issue with some seams showing signs of wear pretty early on.

Very cool, the jersey features a thin Lycra material as its base, with a mesh backing for extra ventilation. That means in the recent warm weather we've been having it's been a worthy companion, keeping me cool and wicking away sweat effectively.

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The sleeves come down a little lower than usual – in the style of an aero fit – and are finished with a tight fitting textured layer for grip. The waist band also features a lightweight gripper, which functions as you'd hope to keep the jersey in check.

Overall, the cut is slim, with enough space in the chest cavity if you're a touch broader than the average cyclist in your upper body, and enough elasticity in the shoulder too to stretch to your needs.

This includes a neckline that is loose enough to have the zip pulled comfortably all the way up to the chin without chafing. That full zip allows maximum ventilation if you need the extra air, and pulls easily up and down while you're on the move.

Three sizeable pockets on the rear mean all the essential can easily be carried, with an additional zipped pocket – not obviously showerproof – to house valuables such as keys, though you'll struggle to fit a phone in there.

On the whole, the jersey performs well, but I have reservations about its longevity and overall hardiness. After two washes – delicate washes – the internal seams around the pockets had unravelled, with loose threads left over. While not actually affecting the pockets yet, it doesn't fill me with confidence, and the rest of the seams appear stitched just the same.

> Check out our guide to the best summer jerseys

Right now, the jersey is available at a 50% discount, at £29.27 direct from the Ekoi website. At that price the weakness in its build can be forgiven, but if it does return to normal pricing then it seems quite expensive.

Still, if you're after a flash of patriotism without resorting to a Tinkoff-replica Adam Blythe jersey, this could be the one for you. (Read my review of the matching bib shorts here.) It's available in a variety of nations – so if you fancy a version in Swiss, Italian or Spanish colours, you can. The lack of a French option does surprise, though.

Verdict

Fine if you want to flash the Union Jack on your summer rides