The Funkier Prima Pro Ladies Short Sleeve Jersey is lightweight, well made and really breathable, with a relaxed fit. All this comes for an easy to swallow price, making it a top choice for riding on hot days. The only negative is the waterproof pocket – the same gripe as with the men’s jerseys tested recently.
- Pros: Breathable, affordable, high quality
- Cons: May be too dark for some, waterproof pocket
The first thing that struck me about the jersey was how well made it was and just how much lightweight fabric had been incorporated to make the jersey exceptionally breathable. The front, rear and sleeves are all made of a very thin, semi-transparent fabric – air flows in freely and heat easily escapes.
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The side panels are a mesh material that performs equally as well. The jersey really is designed for hot weather. I’ve had it teamed with undervests to date and found this perfect for temperatures around 18-20 degrees. I imagine it’ll come into its own when the mercury goes above 25.
The full frontal zip is chunkier than those often used on short sleeve jerseys. The zipper itself runs smoothly and is easy to locate, with a decent length of cord and a hard, textured, grippy tab; you’re not going to struggle with it under any circumstances. Unlike on the recently reviewed Funkier Mataro, there is a chin guard.
Thanks to the jersey’s more relaxed fit, I had no issue with it being too tight anywhere. It does have some shape around the waist but not a huge amount. If you are looking for a relaxed fit, stay true to size, otherwise size down. Despite the looser fit, it doesn’t budge while riding – the elasticated waist performs well and the sleeve cuffs have some gentle compression. (The Mataro that Sarah tested is meant to have a tighter ‘pro’ fit so might be worth considering – though according to Sarah you might need to size down.)
While some might find the jersey too dark – though I doubt it’ll put everyone off, especially as summer time might see high-vis colours drop in your list of priorities – it is certainly easy to team with other kit thanks to the rather neutral design.
My one niggle with the jersey – as Shaun and Steve found with the Stream and the F-Ride Active – was the waterproof zip pocket. It adds a stiff patch to the back of the jersey and compromises the performance of the rest of the top. I noticed a significant heat/sweat patch building under it if I was working hard.
I have discovered that it’s possible to cut out this plastic patch without affecting the jersey’s construction in any way: I refused to let this one tiny element ruin what is an otherwise excellent jersey! It’s made worse by the fact that moisture tends to build on the surface of anything that’s in the pocket, so while it kept rain out, the contents would still end up wet.
Funkier has pitched the price of Prima brilliantly, given its great performance. While we haven’t had many 2019 short sleeve jerseys in on test, I suspect it will be hard to beat. Looking back to the 2018 jerseys, a similar lightweight, ‘summer-specific’ one such as Monton’s Lifestyle Bamboo Jersey cost £90; even the more affordable Lusso Stripes costs £25 more than the Prima.
> Buyer’s Guide: 17 of the best summer cycling jerseys
> Read more road.cc reviews of women’s jerseys here
Putting the pocket issue aside, the Prima is perfect for anyone who appreciates a more relaxed fit but doesn’t want to compromise on performance, or fork out a fortune.
Verdict
Brilliant – no race fit, but quality and performance for a fraction of many others
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Funkier Prima Pro Ladies Short Sleeve Jersey
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for
Funkier tells us that its Prima Pro Ladies SS Jersey is ‘designed with a less aggressive and casual cut, the Prima Women’s jersey meets the comfort needs of every range of cyclist from beginner to elite.’
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
From Funkier:
*100% breathable/moisture wicking polyester; bird eye front/back panel fabric; mesh upper back, underarm and side panels
*Double Lycra sleeve band
*SG-06 stretchy elastic waist gripper
*Full length zipper with puller
*3 standard back pockets; one water resistant zippered central back pocket stores valuables and smartphone up to six inches
Tidy.
Highly breathable away from the waterproof pocket. Stays in place well.
Stood up to regular washing and wearing during five weeks of testing. Not identifying any weak points at the moment.
As it’s claimed, relaxed, so no body compressing going on here.
It’s designed as a more casual cut, so if that’s what you want stay true to size.
Just had a niggle with heat build-up under the pocket. Otherwise faultless.
Excellent value for money. The quality and performance of many of those twice its price.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
As per instructions: 30 degrees, comes out fresh every time and is dry in a jiffy.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Will come into its own as the temperatures rise.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Lightweight and relaxed fit.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The waterproof pocket.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
Cheaper than the majority of comparable jerseys tested last year and may well beat competition this year.
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 overall score
You get the performance and quality of a top-end jersey, forgoing the ‘race-fit’ trend – great for those who don’t want the skin-tight look. For the money, I think it’s exceptional, with just that waterproof pocket compromising it slightly.
About the tester
Age: 39 Height: 173cm Weight: 64kg
I usually ride: Road My best bike is: Carbon road
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, general fitness riding, getting to grips with off roading too
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