Specialized SL Pro Jersey

The SL Pro Jersey is Specialized’s flagship top. It has some good features and performs well on warm days, but the sizing is slightly odd so make sure you get it right when buying.

According to Specialized’s size chart, girth-wise I’m a Small but length-wise I’m a Large or Extra-Large, depending on whether you believe the US or International size charts. Specialized does a ‘Tall’ version in S, M and L, which could be the one for you (or me). With the SL Pro being cut to ‘provide a precise, second skin level of fit that’s ideal for hard days out, aggressive training, or top-level racing’, getting the right fit is critical as there’s not much forgiveness.

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The SL Pro in Medium on me felt restricted across the shoulders/arms (remembering I’m supposed to be a Small), had a perfect sleeve length and grip mid-bicep, and could be a bit could be longer at the rear (it’s not me in the photos). Standing up, it was very tight under the arms and across the chest; on the bike it felt better but still a bit tight. Ironically, the chest fabric then felt too loose, flapping at speed. Standing tall, the front ended just below my belly button, which felt OK bent over on the bike. So very much a mixed bag on the fit front. Try and buy with care.

I’m a sucker for sleeves that are the correct length, that don’t bunch up, and allow the maintenance of a proper tan line. The SL Pro’s do just that, with their welded (not stitched) edges.

The pockets are deep enough to completely swallow a hefty mini-pump, a mobile in a waterproof case, and a rolled-up shell, and the zipped valuables pocket is side-opening, zipped from the bottom up with a subtle yet effective reflective trim, to match the trim on the outer edges of the left and right pockets. It’s apparently ‘sweat-proof’, but I wouldn’t bet a £500 smartphone on it.

As befits a ‘Pro’ jersey, inside the valuables and central pocket there’s an aligned headphone/earpiece hole so you can stay in touch with your DS on that HC climb when the road narrows and everyone else on the sportive is blocking their line to get you that critical gel or bidon. Or, more likely, so you can get Google Maps directions to the Sunday morning cake stop. Inside the jersey there are three cable loops to keep wires in place. The pocket corners are reinforced, a necessity when the fabric across the back is so light and breathable.

The lightness of the fabric does mean if you load the pockets it pulls back on the rather high-fronted collar, making its presence felt around the neck in my case. The jersey already felt tight across the chest on me, though this might not be the case for other body shapes. The zip’s presence was exacerbated by there not being a zip garage – an omission on a £100 top. Likewise, construction lacks flatlocked seams, which seems a bit stingy, but overall it’s a well-finished garment that has survived a few months’ washing to look like new.

During a two-hour ride in overcast, muggy 24°C weather, wearing a Lusso Dryline baselayer and the matching SL Pro Bibs (review to come), I didn’t feel the need to unzip – even with repeated one-minute uphill all-out trips to maximum heart rate.

During this throwing about the place, the sleeves held fast. I had the very good Endura SL Pro shell in the left pocket, pump/tools in the centre, a Pocpac with cards/cash in the zipped valuables, and finally my mobile in the right. All this cargo was forgotten, and I didn’t need to pull down the back at any point.

> Check out our guide to the best summer jerseys

That said, I was aware of the tightness across the shoulders and the high-fronted collar pulling backwards. This was less obvious when not carrying a shell in one pocket, and I did also pause during a ride to pop the pump into the frame bracket to lighten the pocket load, transferring the tool pouch to the left pocket to better relieve the issue of the collar pulling backwards. Having worn other lightweight high-end jerseys where pocket weight has not been an issue, I can only surmise it’s the combination of a high collar and sub-optimal shoulder/chest fit making this an issue here.

Overall, the build quality of the SL Pro is high and it has good features – especially the sleeve length and pockets – going a long way to justifying its £100 premium RRP. You do need to make sure you get the fit right, and with the ‘Tall’ option available that shouldn’t be hard to do.

Verdict

Get the sizing right and this jersey should do you right for fast, warm rides

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