ashmei Men’s Classic Cycle Jersey

The ashmei Men's Classic Cycle Jersey takes a traditional design and marries it with the latest high-tech fabric to create an excellent top, especially when the temperature ramps up. Brilliantly comfortable and highly breathable, it really has become one of my favourites.

• Pros: Great fabric choice for summer riding; form-fitting shape
• Cons: That technology will cost you

For the Classic jersey ashmei uses a blend of merino wool (65%) and a polyester (35%) from a company called 37.5 Technology. According to its website, the 37.5 polyester 'helps keeps your body at the ideal core temperature of 37.5°C and helps keep the microclimate next to your skin at the ideal relative humidity of 37.5%.' Apparently when you are hot, patented active particles embedded in the material remove sweat in the vapour stage before liquid sweat forms, cooling you down. If you are cold, it traps the heat you generate to warm you up.

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Before I'd done any research to write this review I'd been on a fair few long rides in the Classic in some very warm conditions, and each time I was amazed at how cool I remained even when climbing, and that the jersey was just damp when I finished the ride rather than being soaked in sweat.

It's hardly a clinical trial I'll admit, but I'd say there is definitely something in the claims.

The fabric blend also creates a very soft material which feels great against the skin, and even though the jersey has quite a form-fitting cut it doesn't feel restrictive anywhere.

For such a close cut the ashmei is still quite flattering if you aren't blessed with a racer's physique. The rear has plenty of drop to keep your lower back covered even when you are crouched low in the drops, while the front is arched high towards the centre to stop bunching of the fabric at the stomach.

The full length zip runs smoothly and it's good to see a flap to stop it irritating the neck because of the tall collar.

At the rear the 'classic' theme continues with three traditional pockets spread across the lower back. The way they have been stitched keeps them quite taut so carrying heavier items like a phone or multi-tool doesn't make them sag down too much.

For your valuables there is also a zipped fourth pocket.

The Classic is available in six colours and six sizes, and the fabric offers UPF 50+ sun protection.

Technological fabrics don't necessarily come cheap, which goes some way to explaining the Classic's £118 price tag. It is a quality garment, too, being very well made with a well-thought-out design and clean, tidy stitching throughout.

The excellent PEdAL ED Odyssey jersey offers similar qualities and that will set you back £125, although the traditional looking Wearwell Cycle Company Revival jersey is available for £98.

> Buyer's Guide: 22 of the best summer cycling jerseys

Both of these show that although the ashmei might be pricey, it's not outrageously so, and to my mind it's not bad value for money. Plus, the natural bacteria-killing properties of merino wool mean you can wear this jersey day in day out throughout the warmest days of the summer without fear of it smelling after a long ride, so it's going to get loads of use.

Verdict

Excellent fabric choice backed up by a great fit and loads of comfort