[Words by Rhian Atherton]
Made with a soft wool/polyester blend, the PNW Ozone Women’s Trail Jersey is very comfortable to wear as a first layer and is ideal for both on and off the bike adventures. The wool gives it a casual look that wouldn’t be out of place on a mid-ride cafe/bar stop, but it struggles to control sweat on a warm spring/summer day.
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The Ozone Trail Jersey’s fit is generous, with a medium allowing extra room for movement. I’ve found the shoulders are a little baggy but this isn’t a problem at all when in the riding position, as it allows for plenty of space for unrestricted movement when on the bike. Though, something to bear in mind is that the jersey can shrink a touch after its first wash.
I like the longer short sleeve length because I feel they offer more protection from the elements, and they stay where they should be even when tackling rough terrain. The seams are flatlock and soft next to my skin; there isn’t any itching or irritation while moving around. Many of my short-sleeved tops end up with the sleeves riding further up under my armpits, but it is not an issue with this jersey.
The length is long enough to fall over the top of my trousers and shorts, and if I tuck it in for a more secure fit, the jersey stays there without it popping back out. The small PNW logo features at the hem, which is as subtle as branding goes on this jersey.
I have used Ozone Trail jersey in mixed weather conditions. In cooler and breezier days, the jersey did a great job of regulating temperature. On the sunny rides, however, the fabric struggled to keep my armpits dry. Once damp, it doesn’t dry quickly, making it uncomfortable. There are small vent holes in the typical sweat zone under armpits. The sweat would quickly distribute further afield if it weren’t there.
The overall look is quite simple and smart. The colour options are Eclipse – the colour I tested – or Alien, which is a cool name for the colour green. Being a simple, one colour design with no lairy pattern, either colour will look good with most of your other kit options. The size range starts from an XS to XXL.
The price of the jersey is £43, which to me is very reasonable when looking at the quality and design. It was a challenge to find a similar jersey with a wool/polyester mix to compare. Yeti does a jersey very close to the Ozone, Retailing at £68 and is called the Monument Merino Short Sleeve Jersey, and it is more or less the same other than it consists of much more wool content and includes a lens wipe. Another jersey in comparison is the dhb Trail Womens Merino Short Sleeve M130 Jersey retailing at £70. For almost £30 more, you get specific wicking technology and a small zip pocket.
In summary, the jersey is very comfortable with a woolly, cosy feel and offers plenty of room to move. Longer sleeve length is good even with elbow pads. But the downside is that even with the laser cut vent hole underneath the armpits, the wicking performance isn’t great, especially if it was even slightly warm. It is a great jersey at a very reasonable price if you’re not fussed about a lens wipe or pocket.
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