GripGrab Grinta Short Sleeve Jersey

Squarely aimed at gravel riders who prioritise performance, the GripGrab Grinta Short Sleeve Jersey is light, slinky and racy. It comes up pretty small and is quite notably tight, however, while the front is short and the pockets are too tall for easy access. Given its good but not cutting-edge construction, and GripGrab’s lack of standing as an out-and-out luxury brand, the price is a little punchy, too.

Gripgrab Grinta Short Sleeve Jersey – Technical details

GripGrab is probably best known for its cold-weather kit, but the Grinta short-sleeve jersey sits at the opposite end of the spectrum as a premium summer offering.

The main panels use a textured fabric that GripGrab says improves thermoregulation and reduces the need for a base layer. While it lacks some of the more overt aerodynamic detailing seen on rivals – such as ribbed sleeves – the Grinta still feels very performance-focused thanks to the close cut and thin materials.

It’s available in sizes S to XXL to cover chests from 88cm (34.6in) to 124cm (48.8in), with each size spanning a 6cm (2.4in) range. There are only two colours, though: black or olive green with black sleeves, as tested here.

Gripgrab Grinta Short Sleeve Jersey – Performance

Although there is no XS, smaller riders are unlikely to be disappointed, as the sizing comes up noticeably small. I’m usually an XS or S, and the smallest Grinta felt as tight as the closest-fitting jerseys I’ve ever used. My chest is 89cm, which puts me close to the bottom of the size guide, but the jersey still felt very snug. While it wasn’t uncomfortable, I feel like many riders might prefer sizing up.

The fabric is at least highly elastic with plenty of stretch, but this is unquestionably a race-fit jersey designed to sit tightly against the body. I found this easy to get on despite the snug fit, and the zip feels smooth and high quality, with a reasonably sized puller that’s easy to use even in full-finger gloves.

On the rear are three full-size pockets, along with a smaller zipped pocket to the right. Capacity is excellent across all four pockets, although the ultra-thin fabric and laser-cut openings sit very flat, which can make it fiddly to separate the pocket openings while riding.

The pockets are also quite high up. This maximises storage space, yes, but you need flexible shoulders to reach them comfortably on the move. The zipped valuables pocket is discreet, but the zip is easy enough to locate when needed, and there’s enough room for essentials such as a key or bank card.

The collar is low-cut and unobtrusive, which suits an aggressive riding position. Even in a low tuck, I had no irritation or bunching around the neck or chest.

At the rear, the dropped hem’s gripper panel proved very effective at stopping the jersey rising up. The sleeves were similarly stable, despite lacking any grippers.

I rode in this from just above 10 degrees with a base layer underneath to much warmer days without one. The Grinta managed moisture well and maintained a consistently comfortable temperature, particularly during hard efforts.

Gripgrab Grinta Short Sleeve Jersey – Verdict

The Grinta is undeniably expensive, and there are no standout technical features or particularly innovative fabrics to justify the premium price. GripGrab makes aerodynamic claims, but riders specifically chasing aero gains may expect more obvious performance-focused detailing, such as textured sleeve fabrics, which are absent here.

That said, the fit is excellent if you prefer an uncompromising race cut, and the fabrics are very comfortable. It’s up against jerseys such as the Castelli Espresso 2 Jersey, which is considerably cheaper at £135 and available in a wider range of colours and sizes, and the Sportful Supergiara Jersey. The Sportful is cheaper again at £90, while adding practical extras such as mesh side pockets. It looks like you can only get it with a big logo on the front for that price now, however.

That’s not to say the Grinta is wildly out of sync on price – the Castelli Aero Race 8S is £169, for instance, while the Q36.5 Dottore Clima jersey is £220. Unless you want black, which is £250. Both have similarly racy aims to the Grinta, though arguably Q36.5 in particular has a premium cachet to its name that GribGrab just doesn’t.

GripGrab has produced an excellent warm-weather jersey that performs well across a broad temperature range, but the very tight fit and premium pricing narrow its appeal slightly. The spacious rear pockets are genuinely useful, although their positioning and construction make access tricky. Ultimately it’s a highly capable jersey, but one facing strong competition from cheaper alternatives offering similar performance.