The Sportful Classic Jersey is a conventional three-pocket affair with an easy-to-use main zip. It’s understated, light and comfortable, and a solid option for long summer rides if you don’t require a zip pocket.
> Buy now: Sportful Classic Jersey for £60 from Sportful
I reviewed Sportful’s SRK jersey last year and I rather liked it. I found it to be comfortable, airy and possessed of all the basic qualities that so many seem to lack.
It’s a little ambiguous within the context of a clothing review to say that the Sportful Classic is cut from similar cloth – but the statement pretty much holds no matter which way you read it. Again, it’s comfortable, airy and functional, and the literal fabric isn’t wildly different either – it just has a slightly lower percentage of elastane.
That particular shift in emphasis means the garment isn’t quite so stretchy, and is a little less clingy. While the difference is minimal around your torso, it’s looser and less springy at the neck and hips, and most noticeably at the sleeves, where the SRK is fully skintight.
It’s a more uniform construction, devoid of airy side panels or anything like that. Classic, you might say, which is – as the name suggests – clearly what Sportful is shooting for here.
Predictably then, you get three pockets. And they’re all the same size. What you don’t get is a zip pocket.
But on the subject of zips, the main one’s excellent – a chunky one-hander, I’d call it. There’s no fiddling around trying to get the damn thing moving when you’re riding along. You can just reach up and raise and lower it with ease.
I’m not sure the colours quite qualify as ‘classic’, though. Black probably does, cream might, but teal’s a push and you can make your own mind up about ‘shadow lime’ (a sort of pastel yellow). The teal I tested is, however, a lovely colour to my inexpert eyes. All four options are solid colour and devoid of fripperies bar a small reflective logo at the rear.
The Sportful Classic is pitched as being for temperatures in the range of 15-35°C, which seems reasonable without having tested it above 25°C. The main fabric features a lattice of pinholes and you can actually see through it to a surprising extent if you hold it right up to your eyes. Fortunately, the threat of quasi-nudity proves unfounded once you’re actually wearing it. I typically wore it with a baselayer, but it was perfectly comfortable without. There’s no rough stitching or anything – although there’s no fabric behind the zip, if that’s a thing that bothers you.
Fit
At 1.85m and a little under 80kg, I default to large jerseys. Sportful’s size guide agreed and I’m confident that was the correct option.
Predictably, the Classic is billed as being a ‘regular’ fit. It is, however, a smidge looser than the ‘relaxed’ fit of the SRK, particularly around the chest and arms. Personally, I’d have those two fit labels the opposite way round.
It’s a steady, long ride sort of cut. It wasn’t skintight anywhere on me, but nor was there any significant superfluous fabric flapping about. I’d have been happy if it were a touch longer, but I think that’s just personal taste as I seem to say that about most jerseys.
Value
The Sportful Classic is priced at £60, which away from the budget brands and discounts certainly doesn’t qualify as eye-wateringly expensive. It’s £15 cheaper than the SRK for a start.
The Vanelli Proline Jersey is a brasher alternative at the same price, albeit with a snugger fit, while the Madison Roam is a similarly relaxed fit, but in a slightly thicker material, and again £60.
If you want something tighter and lighter, the dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight SS Jersey costs £90.
A cheaper option is the Boardman Mens 9 Series Short Sleeve Jersey at £50.
Check out our favourites in our guide to the best summer cycling jerseys.
Conclusion
The Sportful Classic is a solid, three-pocket jersey. It works nicely for long summer rides if you don’t feel a zip pocket is a necessity.
> Buy now: Sportful Classic Jersey for £60 from Sportful
Verdict
Solid and stylish summer jersey for those days when speed is at best a secondary concern
All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Sportful Classic Jersey
Size tested: Large
Tell us what the product is for
Sportful says it is “made for every rider” and that it is “a clean-looking jersey, pairing comfort with performance”.
“The Classic Jersey allows ease of movement on the bike with its flattering, regular fit. It is also highly breathable and very efficient at sweat management, so you’ll stay dry and comfortable all ride long.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
From Sportful:
94% polyester 6% elastane
UV Protection
3 back pockets
Fulfils its job description.
No issues with the fabric and the stitching has so far remained entirely intact.
Neither loose nor unflatteringly ‘aero’.
I’d say fairly typical and the size guide seems accurate.
It’s the same price as some very similar alternatives. You won’t struggle to find more expensive jerseys, but basic three-pocket designs can certainly be acquired for less.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
No issues so far bunging it in at 30 or 40 degrees.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Comfortable without being at all baggy and the zip is easy to operate one-handed.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The zip, the fit, the look.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing to object to.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
The Vanelli Proline Jersey is the same price, albeit with a snugger fit. The Madison Roam Jersey is a similarly relaxed fit, but in a slightly thicker material, and again £60.
The dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight SS Jersey is tighter and lighter for £90, while the Boardman Mens 9 Series Short Sleeve Jersey is a cheaper option at £50.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
The Sportful Classic doesn’t aim to do anything spectacular, but ticks every box it sets out to without being overpriced.
About the tester
Age: 44 Height: 185 Weight: 78
I usually ride: Giant Defy Advanced Pro 3 My best bike is:
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: A few times a week I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: general fitness riding, E-bike/utility
1 thought on “Sportful Classic Jersey”
Not really sure what you want
Not really sure what you want or what your logic is.
“It’s looser and less springy at the neck and hips, and most noticeably at the sleeves” is what younsay about thhis jersey.
But the other Sportful jersey you compare it to got marked down by you for having tight sleeves.
Make your mind up.