Santini Aero Race CC Short Sleeve Jersey

The Santini Aero Race CC Unisex Short Sleeve Jersey is a brilliant choice for speedy summer riding and racing. In addition to being cool and well-fitting overall, it’s competitively priced. Considering its low environmental impact, that’s all very welcome.

Features and fit

The most notable thing about the Santini Aero Race jersey is its material. Santini says Polartec Power Dry with Recycled Carbon, which makes up 90 per cent of the jersey, reduces carbon emissions by up to 66 per cent compared to alternatives made from virgin polyester.

CO2 is captured from steel mill emissions before entering the atmosphere, recycled into polyester yarn and then turned into Polartec Power Dry, a highly breathable fabric often used in base layers.

Recycled materials are increasingly common in cycling clothing, but according to Santini, the Aero Race is the first bike garment to be made from captured carbon. This is all the more impressive considering its generally high quality.

Santini says the Aero Race jersey offers a ‘sleek fit’. This is its closest-fitting cut, and size large was nearly spot on for me. The sides could have been tighter to my flanks, but the length of the arms, front and back was ideal for an aggressive riding position.

Thanks to Santini’s broad unisex size range, which runs from 2XS to 4XL, you can size down for a full-on race fit.

The elastic hem runs all the way round the jersey and the bottom half of it is covered in a dotty, grippy pattern.

Ribbed aerodynamic material makes up the sleeves, which are raw-cut and lined with an adhesive strip to keep them in place. Polartec Power Dry forms the body of the jersey and strips of this also run under the arms, essentially creating armpit vents.

There are three rear pockets, which are generously sized for a race jersey. It’s understandable that none are zipped on a jersey as light as this (136g). Reflective tabs on the edge of the left and right pockets add a little visibility.

Performance

Santini claims to have ‘developed and refined’ the Aero Race Jersey in the wind tunnel. It doesn’t supply any data on its aerodynamic performance, but the way it feels and fits suggests speed.

Besides that bit of bagginess on my flanks, the jersey sat flush to my body without creating wind-catching creases. The hem never rode up, even on bumpy gravel or when leaning forwards into an aero tuck, and nor did the sleeves slip.

I was disappointed to see exposed stitching at the junction of the two arm materials. The loose threads faced outwards, so they didn’t irritate my skin, but on a jersey this expensive I’d like a tidier finish.

I needn’t have worried about overheating in this black version of the Aero Race (a lighter shade is available) because its ventilation is superb. A close look at the Polartec Power Dry fabric reveals why.

It’s made of small squares with a tiny hole in each corner. What you’re seeing here is bi-component knit technology. Polartec says yarns of differing surface areas create more space for water removal from the outside of the jersey and this helps wick moisture from the skin.

However it works, it works well. I stayed dry during hot interval sessions and didn’t experience that unpleasant damp sensation after long climbs.

Value

Other high-tech, aero jerseys tend to cost a similar amount to the Santini Aero Race and often more.

The Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey, which majors on ventilation rather than aerodynamics, costs a whole £60 more at £220, while a closer competitor like the Rapha Pro Team Aero Jersey is also pricier at £190.

At a similar price, the Castelli Aero Race 8S jersey impressed Matt, apart from its tendency to ride up.

Alternatively, if you’re shopping for a fast road riding outfit, you might consider the Santini MADSS V4 Aerosuit, because for an extra £60, you get quality bib shorts as well. I tested the V3 last year.

> Best summer cycling jerseys

Conclusion

With the Aero Race jersey, Santini has shown that top performance and low environmental impact can go hand-in-hand. Although the arm stitching could have been neater, its fit, features and ventilation impressed me enough to conclude it must still be one of the best aero jerseys you can buy.