Galibier Roubaix Merino Jersey

The Galibier Roubaix Merino Jersey is a nicely executed merino blend long sleeve, offered in a choice of three classic yet attractive colours and designed for temperatures of 9-17°C. Galibier reckon its ideally suited to all genres of riding from road through to gravel and mountain biking. I’ve worn it on- and off-road for extensive periods and with no issues. Overall performance is very favourable, and the price tag is similarly attractive. My one minor point is check the size chart, rather than defaulting to your typical size.

> Buy now: Galibier Roubaix Merino Jersey for £58.22 from Galibier

Specification

When we hear the term merino blend, we’re usually thinking merino with varying amounts of polyester, but in this instance the outer layer is merino wool, the inner bamboo – theoretically providing the best blend of comfort and durability. The jersey tested here was the wine/grey, which I found very fetching, but there’s also black/teal, or grey/aqua should you prefer. Continuing the comfort theme, the recommended temperature range fits nicely with spring and late summer/early autumn.

Other features, including the mid height collar and full-length zip, reflect this – and talking of reflectives, subtle splashes at the zip continue the understated but practical theme.

Round the back, a silicone hem gripper is designed to prevent gathering and there are four generous pockets comprising the traditional three terrace arrangement plus a “valuables/rubbish” zip pocket at the end. Not remarkable by contemporary standards, but nicely executed.

Sizing/fit

Galibier describe this as regular, whereas I’d describe it as snug in the positive sense, albeit favouring those of a toned physique. The classic, genre fluid styling means it looks sharp, regardless of whether you’ve donned bib shorts, three-quarter lengths and less baggy trail shorts, such as Endura Hum Vees.

Galibier’s sizing guide is very accurate. I’m medium in most brands these days and went this route, rather than consulting the guide with my usual diligence. Consequently, though just right in the shoulders and chest, the medium came up a little short in the sleeves and without much leeway at the back. It wasn’t enough to create any issues when hunkered low on the drops, but it was apparent nonetheless. Similarly, there was a small but palpable gap around the wrists, making it easy to tell time in a glance but leaving some exposed skin.

Galibier graciously sent me a replacement, large this time, which was absolutely bang on. It’s worth noting that I am proportionally short in the torso and long-limbed.

Performance

Performance has generally been very impressive, the blended fibres feeling super tactile and doing their thing incredibly capably in the recommended temperature range. There is scope for a base-layer, should temperatures fall a little, or if you’re a little more sensitive to temperature fluctuation. But save for some blustery rides, which left air temperature feeling closer to 6°C degrees or so, this wasn’t necessary. I’ve reached for a lightweight micro jacket, or a gilet on a couple of occasions when the temperature’s unexpectedly tanked toward the close of a longer ride.

The first outing was early morning with the mercury hovering around 7°C, which was a little too chilly, prompting me to don a lightweight, packable technical jacket for an hour until the temperatures crept into double figures. It was a little blustery during this period too, which doubtless had further influence. More significant, being a snug, figure-hugging cut prevented power-robbing flutter, not to mention chill blowing inside the cuffs.

Typical merino, I wasn’t surprised that moisture management was incredibly efficient with minimal lag – say when I’d gone from a fast tempo on the flat to a slow, torturous climb. Rapid wicking is also beneficial in the event of getting caught out in a short, sharp shower. In these contexts, the body improved to damp-but-largely-dry given a ten-minute break in the cloud and a modest breeze.

> Best winter cycling jerseys 2025 — keep warm when the temperature drops

Again, at the upper end (and slightly beyond) Galibier’s stated 17°C (where I’m usually reaching for short sleeves), the fibres have done an excellent job of keeping me temperate and the long sleeves arguably offer welcome defence from wind and sunburn. This is particularly significant when riding in coastal conditions; contexts where wind and salt air can dry the skin and catch us unawares.

Long sleeves also offer excellent protection from brambles and other foliage when exploring forest trails and gravel roads. Odour management is similarly impressive and something I’ve typically associated with merino garments. I’ve deliberately worn it for five long days in succession – obviously not my usual practice when it comes to kit hygiene – and by this point there was some faint funk. However, emphasis on the faint – a polyester garment would’ve walked to my washing machine long before then.

The sensibly proportioned tag means effortless dropping or raising of the zip should things get a little toasty or chilly and partially unzipped, there’s been no unwelcome flutter, just cooling airflow.

The generous pockets are also well supported. They’ll readily swallow a packable technical jacket or gilet, a bottle, or a compact camera or similar tech without annoying bob, let alone fear of ejection. They were also easily accessed at speed – no fumbling or curse words here and stuffing gilets and micro jackets back inside was similarly straightforward. Even with a full cargo spread across the pockets, there’s been no bunching, or gathering.

Care and durability

If you’re familiar with technical kit, chances are you’ll default to 30°C, minimum detergent and swerve the tumble dryer. Just toss the Galibier Roubaix in with your regular riding kit and you’ll be absolutely fine.

From the machine, it line dried in around twenty-five minutes, but bargain on another fifteen minutes or so if you’ve gone the handwashing route. This is still very practical for bikepacking and touring.

I’ve had a couple of rear flats while bimbling along the back roads and with it some annoying oily transfer to the cuffs. This has largely been dismissed by applying a little degreaser, a quick pre-soak and a longer 30°C machine cycle and it then continued to fade with further wearing and washing. Similarly, there has been no trace of bobbling or loose threads following a steady diet of mixed terrain riding and the inevitable bramble ambush that comes with it. The zips feel solid and other than a nasty spill, or someone whacking the washing machine up to 60°C, there’s nothing to suggest it shouldn’t hold its good looks and lead a long and productive life.

Value

Once upon a time, Merino was in the region of £100 plus and indeed it largely still is. The Endura Men’s GV500 Merino Blend L/S Jersey is a middleweight model, arguably aimed more specifically at gravel audiences and available in four similarly tasteful colours. There is also a water and wind cheating component, which may broaden the appeal. However, merino is only employed within the main body, which even at the reduced price of £99.99 may leave some feeling a little cheated.

The PedaLED Merino Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey is also available in four tasteful colours but is £140 (reduced to £84-105 at time of writing, depending on colour). It is another blend, of which only 30% is Merino.

Rapha’s Merino Classic Long Sleeve Jersey (£150 reduced to £105 at time of writing) is arguably a road orientated middleweight design, with a similar complement of pockets and colours. Again, the merino component is only 36%.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Galibier Roubaix is a really nicely executed merino jersey. It is a solid performer that isn’t genre specific, yet doesn’t feel jack of all trades either. Rather, it offers phenomenal bang for very modest money. Arguably a mid-season garment, the snug fit also allows you to extend its service life through winter, worn as a base layer.

Verdict

Classically styled, nicely priced merino jersey with welcome contemporary features

> Buy now: Galibier Roubaix Merino Jersey for £58.22 from Galibier

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