Van Rysel RR 900 Women’s Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey

The Van Rysel RR 900 Women's Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey is, frankly, brilliant. It's super-stretchy so fits comfortably round all your curves, it's full of features, well made and a great price. I really like the 'Blue wave' styling, too.

• Pros: Stretchy fabric, zipped pocket, zip garage, price
• Cons: Not quite as high-wicking as some high-end jerseys, maybe

Decathlon's new brand, Van Rysel, seems to be following closely in B'Twin's footsteps, with good quality kit at an attractive price. Stu tested the men's version of the RR 900 and was impressed – though you have to pay a fiver more for that one, and it's a slightly different design.

> Find your nearest Decathlon store here

I'm not sure whether you need to size down here or whether the Lycra-like fabric is just so stretchy it'll accommodate all bulges, but I've been testing a small and I'm not a small in anything, other than men's T-shirts. I'm mostly a medium, sometimes large. Maybe a medium would fit perfectly too, but I certainly don't feel restricted in any way in the small. (It's not me in the photos, that's Ashia, who usually wears a small.)

There's still plenty of length in the body, and the raglan sleeves sit nicely in just the right spot. They don't have silicone gripper to hold them in place, but the smooth and deep cuffs are elasticated to just the right degree, close but not overtight.

We often criticise (much) pricier jerseys for not having certain features you'd expect/like to see, such as a zipped pocket for valuables and a zip garage at the collar to stop the zip irritating your neck. Look, other brands: you can have both these things in a £35 jersey! And a garage at the bottom of the zip to protect your shorts...

The zipped pocket is 'water repellent' too, though if you put your phone in it naked it will get condensationy, less so if you have something in the pocket between it and your back. It's just deep enough for an iPhone 6.

The three main pockets don't feel as secure as those in some jerseys I've worn, but nothing's fallen out. The elasticated hems across the top could be a bit tighter. I do like having three 'normal' pockets, though, so that's a definite plus here.

Unlike the men's version, the fabric at the front of the jersey isn't mesh, so it's a case of lowering the zip if you want a bit more air. You do get a long mesh panel at the back, though, all the way down the jersey (under the middle pocket) to the elasticated hem. It definitely helps keep you cool and dry – the only area that got a bit sweaty was the back of the collar, where the solid fabric takes over, though I didn't really notice while I was riding, only after I'd taken it off.

There's a strip of silicone gripper all along the rear elasticated hem, which does an OK job, and some reflectives on the rear to help you be seen on gloomy days – a vertical stripe and the logos.

Construction-wise, it's made with a mix of flatlock and overstitched hems, all holding together fine with nothing to suggest it'll fail anytime soon, and is comfortable with or without a baselayer.

And you get all this for £35. For a fairly simple summer jersey, with all the features you need for a day's ride, which you can bung in a washing machine daily if you needed to without worry, that's a great price. Emma thought the Funkier Prima Pro was exceptional, but it's a tenner more, and Janine was very taken with Cycology's loud Spin Sista, but that's £55.

> Read more road.cc reviews of women's cycling jerseys here

You might prefer a merino top for multi-day touring or for looking less Lycra-y on casual rides, or a more high-end fabric for ultimate aero/wicking if racing (Rapha's Souplesse Aero for £140?), but for sportives, fast training rides or daily commuting, the Van Rysel is a great bit of kit.

Verdict

A great summer jersey with very little to fault, at a brilliant price