POC Motion Air Long Sleeve MTB Jersey

The POC Motion Air Long-Sleeved Jersey is a beautifully tailored trail riding jersey with a clean aesthetic. The polyester mesh construction wicks moisture quickly, which has made it a cracking warm-weather jersey to wear, and it’s not scared of overgrown trails, as durability is excellent.

POC Motion Air Long Sleeve MTB Jersey – Technical details

The lightweight technical fabric of the POC Motion Air Long-Sleeved Jersey is constructed from a 100% recycled polyester mesh material. Designed to be durable, highly moisture-wicking, breathable and quick-drying, it’s aimed at warm-weather trail riding, and it’s darn pretty.

It’s designed to accommodate light body armour but still hold a tight enough silhouette without any protection. Where most jerseys opt for the tried and tested raglan cut sleeve, the Motion Air goes solo with a saddle shoulder instead. This panel of material runs flat across the line of the shoulder, giving it lovely crisp lines and adding to the tailored look. It’s an interesting choice, and I’m intrigued to see if this one’s fashion over function.

There’s a subtle curve to the slightly dropped rear, and arm and hem length on my size medium are spot on. Sizing runs from S through to XXL, and there are seven colourways to choose from.

POC Motion Air Long Sleeve MTB Jersey – Performance

Pretty much any rider will be guilty of going for looks first over functionality; if a garment can fulfil both, then you’re on to a winner. Luckily, the POC nails both.

I’ve tested the size medium in Apatite Navy – which uses a darker tone of blue material for the arms, which weirdly almost gives it the look of a raglan cut jersey. A quick swizz at the POC website confirmed that the sizing is right for me, and it is, and it’s excellent. The hem length is long enough to accommodate riding with a hip-pack, with enough material to stop it riding up; the arm length is also great, with enough material to work for a multitude of arm lengths. I love the look and colour of this jersey, and it easily satisfied my designer’s aesthetic for muted tones and low-key logo placement. There are no pockets, no glasses wipe, no frills, just a fabric that feels good next to the skin.

Although I don’t trail ride with body armour, I did try it with my Troy Lee Design Stage Pro Elbow pads, and although there is only a small amount of stretch to the material, they fit without any restriction on movement. I’d be happy for a few percent Elastine to be added to this jersey if only to allow me to hoick up the arms a bit for extra airflow, but the material doesn’t allow for it, so it’s full-on long sleeves the whole way.

But that was no issue riding, even on really hot days, as it really does wick moisture quickly away; it also doesn’t seem to saturate much, which meant the jersey mostly felt light and airy and, most importantly, dry. Dry means comfy. I like comfy. I can’t say that I felt the difference in the saddle shoulder construction, compared to a raglan cut, as it really didn’t feel at all restrictive.

POC Motion Air Long Sleeve MTB Jersey – Verdict

£85 is a little steeper than the average jersey price, but then Swedish brand POC are in the premium price bracket with the likes of Rapha.

Talking of Rapha, I can’t recommend their Trail L/S Technical T-shirt enough – whatever the sleeve length! The long-sleeved jersey will cost you £75, and the material feels fantastic next to the skin, wicks sweat away quickly and dries really rapidly.

The Leatt Jersey MTB Gravity 2.0 Jersey £55 is a bargain. The Tencel fabric, which is a semi-synthetic fibre made from wood pulp, is blended with polyester and nylon to achieve a soft cotton-feel, which is lovely next to the skin. It wicks sweat effectively, is a good option in warm weather, and the styling is great.

The POC Motion Air Long-Sleeved Jersey is a real looker; simple in its styling, with a fantastic cut, it goes big on moisture-wicking and breathability, making it a very smart choice for hot weather riding.