With the Men’s Trail Long Sleeve Jersey, Specialized has broken the technical jersey norm creating a soft fabric devoid of any bold branding. It’s comfortable, manages humidity rather well and looks. But is it a worthy consideration among the best men’s mountain bike jerseys?
- Best winter cycling gloves
- Royal Racing Core Long Sleeve Jersey review
- 10 pieces of essential mountain bike clothing for beginners
Specialized Men’s Trail Long Sleeve Jersey – Technical details
Specialized’s Men’s Trail Long Sleeve Jersey may be subtly designed but it’s got some handy tech. That comes in the form of the MiniR fabric that’s designed to keep the rider cool by reflecting Near Infrared Light – From 65-75% says the brand. It also has a UPF 50+ rating, so it can work like sunscreen. What’s clear though, is that this fabric is remarkably unlike what’s used on many other jerseys. Instead, it’s beautifully soft and it’s more than akin to your favourite house t-shirt.
> Buy now: Specialized Men’s Trail Long Sleeve Jersey from Rutland Cycling for £55.00
This jersey has been designed to clothe the backs of anyone riding from trail to downhill mountain biking and Spesh has nailed things – it’s neither tight nor loose in terms of fit. I’ve had the medium size on test and there’s plenty of length and fabric for it to protect from spray without becoming restrictive.
Specialized has gone so far as to add special panels around the shoulders to offer a bit of articulation.
Specialized Men’s Trail Long Sleeve Jersey – Performance
On the trail, I’ve really enjoyed the Specialized Trail Long Sleeve Jersey but it must be said, because of its soft but thicker than usual fabric, it’s one best left for cooler days. It also works excellently as a mid-layer, underneath a jacket where it boosts thermal properties, even though it’s not a full thermal jersey. Though even on warmer, autumnal days, the jersey has kept me perfectly cool.
Jerseys made of a similarly soft-feel fabric often show their sweat, like the PNW Components Ozone Trail Jersey. But that’s not an issue here – moisture is wicked effectively and if it wasn’t it might actually blend into this jersey’s faded colourway.
While comfort generally is impressive, the panels that stretch from the shoulders down to the wrists don’t have flat seams. Because of this, they can be felt but it’s a niggle that’s quick to get used to.
Specialized has gone in the right direction when it comes to the jersey’s styling, too. I’m a fan of the green/teal/blue fade and the incredibly subtle logos. Even though I don’t ride a Specialized bike, I feel comfortable and happy wearing this aboard my Canyon.
The jersey doesn’t come in many colour options, however, so unless you like Harvest Gold (a mustard yellow) or the Tropical Teal Spray (tested), you’re a bit stuck.
Specialized Men’s Trail Long Sleeve Jersey – Verdict
In terms of pricing, £55 is a happy medium for a jersey and, when you’re paying for the quality, looks and comfort of Spesh’s Trail Jersey, I reckon it’s worth every penny.
Nukeproof’s Outland DriRelease Hooded Long Sleeve Tee is along a similar vein to the Trail Jersey but it comes with a hood. However, Pat believes that its material feels a little weighty. It does cost £45 and it has the looks to become a casual top, too.
There’s then Altura’s Esker Long Sleeve Trail Jersey but this one gets Polartech insulation for the same money. This makes it more suitable for winter riding but limits its abilities through the warmer months.
Thanks to its indistinct style, comfortable but tech-filled fabric and great fit, I’ve really enjoyed the Specialized Men’s Trail Long Sleeve Jersey and will continue to right through to summer. It is a bit pricier than many jerseys of its ilk but it’s worth the cash due to its quality build. And because the logos are so small, you don’t have to ride a Specialized bike.
You might also like:
- The 11 gravel-specific products you never knew you needed
- off-road Opinion – E-bikes aren’t a menace, it’s all about trail etiquette
Product purpose:
Build extra:
Relaxed Fit is generous and comfortable.
Fabric Content: SHELL A: 80% Polyester – 14% Cotton – 6% Spandex – SHELL B: 87% Recycled Polyester – 13% Spandex – SHELL C: 80% Polyester – 14% Cotton – 6% Spandex
Product construction
Product construction extra:
Product performance
Product performance extra:
Product comfort
Product comfort extra:
product value
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.
