Lining up as the most expensive short sleeve jersey we’ve reviewed this year, the Q36.5 Dottore Clima is packed full of innovative fabric technology that keeps the temperature just right when it’s roasting outside and equally when the evenings get a little cooler. Throw in a snug fit, some graphene in the mix, plus some smart reflective flourishes and you’d think it would breeze through without fault, but the handcut, unhemmed headphone port is a little disappointing for the price, which isn’t exactly insubstantial (though it’s currently on offer).
> Buy now: Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey for £140 from Q36.5
On initial inspection of the Dottore Clima, the textures on offer were a little unsettling, somewhere between a lace doily and lattice of chiffon (or tulle for those who are fabric aware). This was while the jersey was in its passive state, folded up, with tags attached.
It has to be said, the tags attached showed the RRP and it’s not for the faint hearted, but Q36.5 does say this jersey can be used while descending without the need of a vest, so maybe things balance out…
Smooth & comfortable
What followed was a bit of a journey of ‘wows’ and ‘huhs’ of wonder and intrigue. After passing each of my arms through the fairly traditional looking ‘micro-perforated’ sleeves, I then felt the complex ruffles and textures quickly dissipate as though it had been pressed smooth, stretching evenly into a very comfortable fit indeed.
The lattice effect is not merely an aesthetic choice (and a slightly see-through one) but part of a well-considered construction process to help regulate body heat when riding in higher temperatures, which is all down to the Graphene Yarn Technology that Q36.5 has developed.
This infuses graphene into the weft of the material, the horizontal weave, which Q36.5 says contributes to more efficient moisture wicking, heat dissipation, and overall comfort, and it really does deliver in this regard: following intense hill intervals I was left cool and not so steamy.
What surprised me further was its ability to deliver on another bold claim… Q36.5 states that while remaining ultra lightweight (120g for a medium, so not as light as some, but not exactly heavy), and super breathable (verified above), this jersey will also provide thermal protection while descending or after the temperatures drop as the day draws to a close.
Singularly good
So, towards the end of a blowy but warm summer evening I purposely rolled out the door with no leg warmers, no baselayer and no arm warmers, and I was very happy to have the jersey somehow thermoregulate me as long as required.
Where my arms and legs took the brunt of the chill, and goosebumps became par for the course, my core remained balanced, and in fact a little warm to be perfectly honest.
The well-considered addition of full-length reflective trim on the zip also ensures that while your body is warm it is also seen as the sun drops, not only that but some other reflective flourishes offer a 360-degree smattering of visibility.
That full-length reflective zipper tops out under the chin, pulling together two elasticated panels wrapping around the neck to further snug in the jersey’s tight fit.
The breathability of the jersey doesn’t stop at the body itself either, the pockets also help with cooling by way of being mesh all the way across.
There’s also zipped storage for those more precious belongings like keys, cash and cards. The detailing on this zipper pull is a nice touch too, seemingly ergonomic, with a rubber strip in the middle, plus long enough to actually grab comfortably without searching for a tiny piece of metal while scrambling to get the keys out when it’s chucking it down at the front door.
Despite the jersey abounding with high-end fabric technologies and modern solutions for your cycling comfort, the offering of a headphone port tucked in the zippered pocket is a nod to those who enjoy music via more traditional means. I don’t often listen to music while cycling, but when I do it absolutely is via the magic of cabled headphones. What isn’t so good here is the finish on this little cutout; it seems a little slapdash in its execution, as though it was an afterthought, leaving the fabric prone to being torn after heavy use.
Value
While this jersey comes with a fairly hefty price tag, it does combine pro-level tech and features I didn’t know I wanted to look out for until now. That Graphene Yarn Technology, for example, is remarkably effective, both breathing during efforts and then buffeting the wind and cooler temperatures to help maintain a consistent core temperature.
But only a handful of jerseys we’ve reviewed come close to the same realm of pricing, many of which also hail cutting-edge tech and supreme breathability, such as the Outlast jersey from Ekoi – and that still comes in at around £40 less, with a lot of the same results.
The closest comparable jersey in terms of cost is possibly the Rapha Pro Team Aero which, retailing at £185, still leaves a bit of change to zip into the rear pocket safely, but its focus is on aerodynamics rather than breathability.
If you’re interested in a tech-savvy solution on a tighter budget, for ‘just’ £130 the Assos Equipe R Jersey S11 would certainly tick a lot of the same boxes, and leave enough cash to spend on a decent gilet or new tyre even.
For more options at a variety of prices, check out our guide to the best cycling jerseys for hot weather.
Conclusion
The Dottore Clima is one of the most expensive jerseys we’ve reviewed to date, and while it sits at a price point that makes most everyday riders’ wallets shake the thread out of the leather, the development that has gone into making it, and the results off the back of it, make it surprisingly easy to say it’s worth it.
> Buy now: Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey for £140 from Q36.5
Verdict
It’s spendy, cool, warm, light, and looks good… high-end kit with a high-end price
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey White/Black
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for
Q36.5 says: “Our most advanced hot weather jersey ever, the Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey for Men weighs just 105 g and is made from a unique graphene-polyester material that exploits graphene’s conductive and heat dissipation properties to keep you drier and cooler than you have ever felt before in equivalent lightweight jerseys. What truly distinguishes the jersey, though, is the way in which it has been engineered. Though ultra lightweight and super breathable, the jersey nevertheless maintains the protective properties of heavier jerseys, ensuring that even when descending without a vest or when the mercury suddenly drops, it still provides thermal protection. This versatility across different temperature ranges is the distinctive signature of our high performance jerseys.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
The jersey makes use of some high-end fabric weave technology to remain light, breathable and oddly protective against the chill.
Q36.5 lists:
Technical Features
Weight M Size
105 g
Body Temperature
Stability Guarantee
+18°C
60 % Polyester
28 % Elastane
12 % Polyamide
All the seams are very comfortable, and nothing sits proud to leave an impression or indent, an issue I have had with other tighter fitting jerseys. The headphone port could be better finished, though.
It delivers exactly as promised; it is light, and the lattice construction stretches evenly to provide a thoroughly breathable and comfortable jersey that leaves you feeling ready to put in the effort.
The build feels good and the materials are reassuringly strong. The only sticking point is that rather unfinished-looking headphone port.
On the first wear, it was snug and felt like I was being hugged evenly all over, with no pinch points. I have a fairly broad diaphragm and short torso and this jersey held position well on my shoulders, chest and waistline.
I think maybe I am on the larger side of a medium, so snug is a fair statement.
Not as light as some, but wildly warm and breathable for the weight.
Snug, soft, cool and with no catchy materials to cause discomfort.
Yes, it’s an expensive item, but it’s a technical garment that honestly delivers. It’s not for everyone, but if you are keen to enjoy those hot summer days, holidays to the Canaries or fast days in sunny climes, it’s worth the money.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Very easy to throw in the machine at 30, no issue in drying, in fact it’s remarkably quick to wick off the wet and be ready fairly sharpish if you have a breeze and a little sun.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Looks good, feels great and is breathable enough to ensure z5 efforts in 25°C are hard but not more of a sweatfest than they need to be.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
I think it’s the desire to produce something that is technically innovative which actually delivers on its promises.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The finish of the headphone port in the rear pocket seems somewhat incongruent with the high spec and price point.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It’s expensive. Only a handful of jerseys we’ve reviewed sit even close to the same realm of pricing, many of which also hail cutting-edge tech and supreme breathability, such as the Ekoi Outlast, which still comes in at nearly £40 less, with a lot of the same results.
The Rapha Pro Team Aero jersey at £185 also leaves a bit of change to zip into the rear pocket safely, but has a focus on aero over breathability.
The Assos Equipe R Jersey S11 is another tech savvy solution, for £130.
Did you enjoy using the product? Absolutely
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
I would love to offer a perfect 10 for this jersey from the future, but the price is a sticking point, and aesthetically the lattice look still hasn’t fully grown on me, even knowing its existence allows the jersey to deliver in all the ways that it does. The rather unfinished headphone port is a bit disappointing, too.
So a solid 9 out of 10 seems fitting. I imagine down the line this tech will become a bit more accessible.
About the tester
Age: 37 Height: 5ft 10 Weight: 79kg
I usually ride: Specialized Diverge Gravel Bike My best bike is: It’s the Diverge. Always
I’ve been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, mtb, Ultra Bike packing races
