Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey Mens SS16

The Alé PRR Arcobaleno is a close-fitting, highly breathable jersey that's ideal for racing/training/sports riding in summer conditions.

The Arcobaleno – it means 'rainbow' in Italian, language fans – is made from lightweight polyester and elastane fabrics that are very stretchy, so it'll accommodate a range of shapes and sizes comfortably. It's definitely a slim, performance-type fit, but you can afford to be a bit more stacked than a typical bike racer or a few pounds over your fighting weight and still get a decent fit. There's some stretch to the seams too, so I didn't get any particular tightness around my swimmer's shoulders, for example.

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The front and shoulder panels are micro-perforated so plenty of cool air can get inside and all that damp, sweaty air can escape easily. Plus, the full-length front zipper allows you to go for maximum ventilation if things get really hot on a long, demanding climb. A fold or fabric at the bottom of the zip stops it from scratching away at your shorts fabric.

The side and rear panels are made from what Alé calls a 'carbon fabric' – still mainly polyester – which shifts sweat well too. I certainly didn't ever notice it getting wet through and uncomfortable while riding. Quite the opposite.

The wide bands used for the bottom of the front and the ends of the sleeve aren't as stretchy as the other fabrics, adding some tension to hold the jersey in place when you're in your riding position. Alé calls this its J Stability System. Whether or not it warrants its own name, the design works. A tacky-feeling silicone strip inside the elasticated waistband that runs around the sides and back helps here. I've always felt that the jersey is sitting flat to the body without any riding up or flapping, and not much bunching around the middle when you lean all the way down to the drops.

You get three pockets around the back, the tops of the side ones slightly angled for easier access. The fact that the jersey sits close means that whatever you store in there is held right next to your body. It would be virtually impossible to lose your energy bars mid-ride and find yourself riding home on fumes. The back doesn't sag down when you have those pockets fully loaded either, which is a pet hate of mine.

You also get a fourth zipped pocket back there that's big enough to hold even a large mobile phone like an iPhone 6s Plus, although you might struggle if it's in a chunky case (the pocket measures about 105mm x 160mm). There's no water resistance to that pocket, so you'll want to put your phone into a bag or wallet to stop sweat getting to it.

> Check out our guide to the jerseys to keep you cool in the heat

Something you can't fail to have noticed is that Alé goes for bright, in-yer-face designs. I prefer a little more subtlety, but that's a matter of personal taste. From a technical/performance point of view, this is an excellent summer jersey for performance-orientated riders. It comes in a women's fit too, which we reviewed here and the matching women's shorts here. 

Verdict

Lightweight and highly breathable summer jersey in an excellent cut for performance-orientated riders