The Tarn Merino Shift t-shirt from Mons Royale takes the cool features of the Tarn Merino Shift Wind jersey but boils it down into a more summer-friendly top. The jersey’s premium price is well-justified thanks to its impressive moisture-wicking and beautifully soft fabric. Though some seams can be felt and this colourway isn’t for everyone.
Mons Royale Tarn Merino Shift t-shirt – Technical specifications
Like its long-sleeved counterpart, the Tarn Merino Shift is built to cope with the rigours of bike park and freeride days. To hit that aim, it gets Mons Royale’s latest Merino Shift fabric, which is comprised of a blend of merino wool, polyester, and nylon fibre, We’re told that this combination results in a material that wicks quickly, is durable, and takes advantage of merino’s known thermoregulating and anti-odour properties.
Bolstering the feature list, the Tarn Merino Shift is cut with a relaxed fit and a lengthy drop tail for coverage against spray and back wheel flung nastiness. Then inside, there’s a hidden glasses wipe.
Mons Royale Tarn Merino Shift t-shirt – Performance
As mentioned before, the Tarn Merino Shift has received a relaxed fit, and relaxed it certainly is. It hangs loosely off the body with a generous, but not too big size with lengthy sleeves that provides plenty of coverage against the sun without becoming cumbersome. I’m a fan of the T-shirt’s length too, as it stretches far below the waistline, ensuring there’s no gap between T-shirt and shorts.
Mons Royale has done an excellent job of creating its Merino Shift fabric as not only is it a super comfortable and soft fabric, but it wicks moisture very quickly. Rarely has the top felt damp or sodden from sweat, which is a massive plus for a jersey of this money.
Because of this, this is an excellent jersey for all kinds of spring through to autumn weather, thanks to the Merino’s thermoregulation. The fabric is plenty breathable enough to keep cool in warmer temperatures but when things cool down a little, the fabric effectively keeps heat in.
Though the fabric itself is soft, the jersey is cut with perhaps too many panels, as the lighter weight, almost perforated rear panel joins a shoulder panel. This shoulder panel drapes the top comfortably over the shoulders, but the seam that joins this panel to the back can really be felt. It’s almost as if the designers over-designed a little too much in a place where simplicity can really be key.
Thankfully, there is a good selection of colours available as this red is seriously loud. It’s safe to say that you’ll easily be found after an excursion into the hedges wearing this. For me, it’s a little too much but it comes in black, which is more my style, tan and purple, as well as women’s fits. So there’s definitely something for everyone.
Mons Royale Tarn Merino Shift t-shirt – Value and verdict
As Mons Royale is more of a premium brand, the Tarn Merino Shift jersey is priced accordingly and I reckon it’s well justified. That’s entirely down to the fabric chosen as it’s soft and comfy, but it wicks moisture very effectively.
It stacks up incredibly well against Rapha’s Trail Merino Short Sleeve, priced at £90 (here’s a review of the Trail Merino Long Sleeve). But it’ll stain fairly easily if it’s anything like the long sleeve version.
However, 7Mesh, another premium brand, trumps Mons’ offering in terms of price as its Desperado Merino Short Sleeve comes in at £65. Although, its merino fabric isn’t quite as sophisticated.
Even though there’s a bit of an issue with over-complication of the Tarn Merino Shift t-shirt, Mons Royale has done an excellent job in the blend of its fabric. That alone makes it comfortable but importantly, a very effective moisture wicker that’ll hold its own throughout the height of summer. Though this colourway is rather bright, there are a bunch of others to pick from.
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Product purpose:
Build extra:
Drop tail for extra coverage
Hidden sunglasses wipe.
Fabric: Merino Shift
Weight: 140gsm
Blend: 52% Merino Wool 35% Recycled Polyester 13% Nylon
Product construction
Product construction extra:
Product performance
Product performance extra:
Product comfort
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product value
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