Velocio Men’s Merino LUXE Colorblock Jersey

The Velocio Men’s Merino LUXE Colorblock Jersey is a premium, high-end option that stands out from the crowd. The fabric is mainly merino wool, which has a distinct feel, and I think the two-tone top looks stylish – especially when paired with the matching LUXE shorts. It’s not going to be for everyone, but it might just be the right one for you.

> Buy now: Velocio Men’s Merino LUXE Colorblock Jersey for £144 from Velocio

Velocio is a higher-end American clothing brand that makes some of the nicest kit on the market, and this is its entry into the world of merino cycling jerseys.

The fabric itself is a merino blend, which gives it a slightly thicker feel than the average Lycra jersey. But it has a very high proportion of merino in its construction, featuring 71% merino, 18% polyamide and 11% elastane. I found it comfortable, with a good cut that fits the body well. I found it true to size too, with the medium-size jersey fitting as expected.

The jersey has the usual three rear pockets, which are a good size for your essentials.

These are backed up with a small zipped side-entry pocket, which is ideal for your keys and cash.

In spite of being very comfortable there are a couple of minor downsides. The lack of sleeve grippers means that the sleeves can ride up during a longer ride. This didn’t massively affect me, but it may be more of an issue if your arms are less muscular.

And the full-length zip has top and bottom zip garages, the bottom one designed to stop your shorts getting damaged. But I found that it got in the way when I was using it, so I had to hold it clear to properly engage the zip. Yes, it’s a small detail, but one that can be frustrating when you’re in a hurry or trying to zip up on the move.

Our test jersey is quite bright, with an orange top section and a grey lower half, and I think the combination makes it quite visible when you’re on the road. The material, however, seems susceptible to staining, especially from anything greasy. This means a bit of care is required, and you might want to be mindful of what you’re eating or touching before or during a ride.

I think the jersey is a good choice for spring and autumn, the latter of which is just around the corner – the seasons where the slightly thicker merino construction will give you greater protection from cooler air. The fabric provides that much more warmth than Lycra, making it ideal for those mornings before it starts to warm up.

Velocio has gone for a slightly meshed back panel, to aid breathability, which helps.

But even with that, I found that it got quite sweaty during those hot summer rides. And while the mesh does make it breathable to a degree, it doesn’t quite match the wicking performance of a more conventional elastane option during a really hot ride.

If you tend to get warm when you’re riding, or just prefer a more conventional jersey for summer, this might not be the best choice for you.

Value

At £144 this is very much a premium product, which is what you’d expect from Velocio. Yes, you can certainly find cheaper options, but this is a very high-quality jersey, which works especially well with Velocio’s LUXE bib shorts.

Rapha’s Classic Jersey, made from a mix of merino and recycled polyester, was £110 when we tested it, but is now similarly priced at £140. Stu was very impressed with its quality, fit and comfort.

Patrick was similarly impressed with the 7mesh Ashlu Merino Jersey when he tested it back in 2020. This cost £130 back then and, very impressively, it’s still the same price now.

A more conventional jersey, the Santini Eco Sleek Bengal Jersey is still one of my favourites. It’s a lot thinner than the Velocio and is more of a summer jersey, but as with the Velocio I think it offers bags of style and class.

Check out our best summer cycling jerseys buyer’s guide for more options.

Conclusion

If you’re a fan of merino wool and want a jersey that stands out a bit, this is one that’s well worth considering. It’s well-made, comfortable and has some thoughtful features – though the high-quality top comes with a premium price to match. But if you tend to get warm when you ride, you might prefer a lighter, non-merino option.

> Buy now: Velocio Men’s Merino LUXE Colorblock Jersey for £144 from Velocio

Verdict

Well-thought-out and comfortable, though it’s pricey and the merino can make it warm if you run hot

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