Zoca Active Long Sleeve Active Top

There's definitely a time and a place for skin-tight Lycra, but for riding around recreationally, pedaling to the gym or down the shops, it can feel a little bit, well, skin-tight! The Long Sleeve Active Top from Zoca is designed to be a more general fitness top, for all sorts of activities, rather than an out and out cycling top, but still technical enough to be suitable for vigorous pedaling if you want.

The first thing I noticed was the style of this top. Yes, that IS important, and especially in a more casually-styled garment.

The gathered drawstring hip detail, the overall cut and small things like the shape at the shoulders all go together to make this top look a bit more stylish than the average casual sports top. It looks a bit more feminine.

It's got technical features too though, and not just the soft silky moisture wicking fabric. There's a strip of reflective tape down the full length of the back, a small zipped pocket at the top of one arm and even long integral handwarmers in the sleeves that can be tucked away when not in use (you'd probably not use them on the bike, but they might be, ahem, handy off it).

It was pleasant to wear, with nice fabric and a good fit. The sleeves were good and snug, and although the body is loose in fit, there was no feeling of baggy excess fabric thanks to the gathered hem and drawcord. The fabric wicked moisture quickly and effectively, but it's on the warm side for summer wear.

You'll be glad of it for spring and autumn use, or even with another layer for winter. The short front zip also makes it less well-suited to warmer conditions, giving a touch less ventilation than I'd have liked.

This could quite quickly become my go to casual cycling top or gym wear.

Verdict

A relaxed looking but stylish top that's also sufficiently technical for most activities.