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review
Jerseys - short sleeve
Primal Onyx Black Label Men's Jersey Primal Onyx Black Label Men's Jersey Primal Onyx Black Label Men's Jersey Primal Onyx Black Label Men's Jersey
Primal Onyx Black Label Jersey

Primal Onyx Black Label Men's Jersey

8
by David Arthur @davearthur
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Sep 8, 2014

4
£39.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Thoughtfully designed jersey that works really well at an impressive price
Weight: 
181g
Contact: 
www.primaleurope.com
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

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  • Average
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  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

Primal's Onyx Black Label is a stylishly understated jersey that packs a great performance with a really low price tag of just £40.

Primal have used a combination of HexaDri and Venta fabrics in the jersey. Fancy names indeed, but the double knit polyester fabrics do a stellar job of pulling sweat and moisture away from your skin or base layer and keeping you dry. I used the jersey on some pretty hot days and have to say it really did an excellent job, effortlessly rivalling jerseys costing three times as much.

The fit of the jersey, which Primal call 'sport' is on the loose side rather than a skintight fit. That's perfect for cyclists who don't want a figure-hugging jersey but it is a casual fit, rather than baggy. If you are of the skinnier build and want a slightly closer fit I'd suggest going down a size.

It's a tricky thing judging the fit of a jersey but Primal have got it just about right for the 'club rides, long tours, mountain biking and commuting' market they're pitching it at.

There are raglan sleeves which fit well around the shoulders and don't provide any restriction of movement. Three regular pockets give you plenty of stowage capacity for any length of ride. The jersey is finished with flatlock reflective piping throughout which is a really nice detail, and something to appreciate at this time of year as the evenings start to draw in.

The only potential downside to this otherwise brilliant jersey is the choice of colours: any you like as long as it's black.

Verdict

Thoughtfully designed jersey that works really well at an impressive price

road.cc test report

Make and model: Primal Onyx Black Label Men's Jersey

Size tested: Small, Black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The jersey features a technical, double knit performance polyester fabric called HexaDri. This has a push/pull effect that wicks sweat away from the body to keep you cool and comfortable on the bike. This moisture management system works by pulling perspiration from the surface of the skin and pushing it off the face of the jersey.

Sport Cut Fit

Based on performance analysis, Primal Sport Cut Jerseys feature a slightly relaxed fit that lies close to the body's natural lines without being too constrictive, while still providing essential moisture management. A raglan sleeve extends from the arm cuff and is sewn at the collar. Primal Sport Cut Jerseys are perfect for club rides, long tours, mountain biking, commuting, centuries and gran fondos.

Wicking

Primal Jerseys are designed to wick and disperse moisture from the surface of the skin causing it to evaporate and lowering the overall body temperature. This moisture management system not only makes the garment more comfortable, but also allows the body to perform at its peak. All Primal jerseys are designed by cyclists for cyclists with graphics that resonate on or off the road.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Sport cut (slightly relaxed fit), raglan sleeve

HexaDri and technical fabrics

Full length YKK hidden zipper

Reflective flatlock stitching

3 rear cargo pockets

Tagless label system

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Brilliant price backed up by brilliant performance. A few more colour choices would be nice though.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

 

Primal Onyx Black Label Men's Jersey
Primal
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

Add new comment

4 comments

Avatar
sithlord | 10 years ago
0 likes

Fast becoming a fan of Primal - innovative products, good quality and a nice brand. 41 41 41 Well done guys, Now any chance of a free Jersey or the Hi Viz fusion would be good please - http://www.primaleurope.com/p-2072-hiviz-race-cut-fusion-jacket.aspx 1

Avatar
fukawitribe | 10 years ago
0 likes

These are going for 30 quid over on Stolen Goat at the moment..

http://stolengoat.com/product-category/clothing/jerseys/?filter_product_...

..well worth having a look at their own, gorgeous stuff while you're there.

Avatar
The _Kaner | 10 years ago
0 likes

..aha...I see what they did there....rogue...rouge...onyx...black....looks like it's got decent deep pockets too...

Avatar
wrevilo | 10 years ago
0 likes

I have one of these in red. Confusingly the different colours have different names - the red is the Rogue.

It's my first cycling specific jersey and appears well made. I'm pretty happy with it.

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