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review
Jerseys - short sleeve
Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey
Funkier Isparo Gents Elite SS Jersey

Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey

7
by George Hill
UPDATED Mon, Jun 18, 2018 15:46

First Published Jun 18, 2018

0
£54.99

VERDICT:

7
10
A very breathable and well made jersey at a good price
Weight: 
186g
Contact: 
www.bob-elliot.co.uk
How we test

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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The Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey is a well-priced aero design with a performance fit. Its mesh construction means it's a good choice on hot days.

  • Pros: Strong breathability, aero fit, comfortable
  • Cons: Gripper doesn't always keep it in place

The Isparo is designed to be a close-fitting and well-ventilated jersey that can be worn on hotter rides. One of the key ways it does this is through its mesh construction on the front and back sections. This works really well and allows air to flow through the jersey and keep you cool. Unlike some mesh designs, it also feels fairly robust and doesn't feel like it would rip easily if caught on something.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Ventilation is helped by the full-length zip running down the centre of the jersey, so it can be unzipped if the temperatures really rocket or on a particularly hard effort. The YKK zip is robust and has an easy-to-use tab.

funkier_isparo_gents_elite_ss_jersey.jpg

The sleeves are made from a more traditional thin Lycra, enhancing the potential aero qualities of the jersey. To help with this they also sit a little further down the arm than some, with the end of the sleeve just above the elbow on me (it's not me in the photos).

funkier_isparo_gents_elite_ss_jersey_-_sleeve.jpg

At the back of the jersey there are three regular pockets which are big enough for pretty much everything I needed for a ride on a warm day, plus one more waterproof and zippable valuables pocket.

funkier_isparo_gents_elite_ss_jersey_-_pockets.jpg

Beneath the pockets is an elasticated hem which supposedly has a Sublimation SG-8 gripper, but I found this not as effective as traditional silicone grippers, and there were a couple of times when I found the jersey riding up.

funkier_isparo_gents_elite_ss_jersey_-_gripper.jpg

An RRP of £54.99 is a good price for a very breathable and aero jersey; it may not have the same technical elements as the top-end offerings, but I would be more than happy having this on my back on a particularly hot day. It does have some competition though – Sean rated the Northwave Blade Air 3 very highly, for £56.99, and dhb's excellent Aeron Speed has an RRP of £55 but is currently available for £41.99.

> Buyer's Guide: 20 of the best summer cycling jerseys

Overall, the Isparo is a good jersey that punches above its weight in terms of breathability, and the aero elements are a nice touch. Although the gripper on the hem could be improved, for under £60 it performs very well.

Verdict

A very breathable and well made jersey at a good price

road.cc test report

Make and model: Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

Funkier says, "Form-fitted, this race cut jersey is constructed from Funkier's lightest fabric, making this the optimal choice for performance results.

"Designed for the discerning, Elite level cyclist, who demands the ultimate synthesis of fit, function and style, the Elite collection features aerodynamic race fit and superior performance technology. Putting racers on the podium, time after time."

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

From Funkier:

Funkier's Elite level incorporates 250g Mitti Shield endurance, a high-end compression lycra offering excellent muscle support and compression.

Funkier use lightweight fabrics that have incredible stretch, excellent breathability, UV protection and sublimates well.

DL-doubled-over fabric creates a band of lycra fabric that compresses to keep the shorts/jersey in place.

Anatomical race cut

100% breathable/moisture wicking polyester; lightweight fabric

Sublimation SG-8 sleeve and waist grippers

Full length zipper with puller

Three standard back pockets

One water resistant zippered central back pocket stores valuables and smartphone up to six inches

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Seems well made and despite being mainly a mesh material it still manages to be relatively robust.

Rate the product for performance:
 
6/10

It has excellent breathability thanks to the mesh construction and full-length zipper, but could do with a better gripper system on the hem.

Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

It is strong for a mesh jersey, but it is still a mesh jersey...

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

It's an aero jersey and fits really well, being tight in the right places but without being restrictive.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

The medium size I tried fit exactly as I would expect a medium aero jersey to fit.

Rate the product for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
7/10

Decent enough comfort, although it could do with a better gripper on the bottom of the hem.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

A decent mesh aero jersey under £60 is good bang for buck; it's not alone, there are others out there at a similar price, but you can pay a lot more.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Easy – washed it seven or eight times on a 30 degree wash without incident.

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

Performed well in hot conditions, kept me cool with a breeze flowing through it.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The breathability is really impressive, with air easily flowing through the mesh material.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The design wasn't particularly to my taste.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Maybe

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

It's a well made and very breathable jersey, but better gripper on the bottom to stop it riding up would improve it.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 29  Height: 6 ft  Weight:

I usually ride: Cinelli Gazzetta  My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey 2018
Funkier Isparo Gents Elite Short Sleeve Jersey
Funkier 2018
Funkier
George Hill

George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between. 

Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.

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