Road Holland The Edam Midweight Long Sleeve Jersey

There are a few manufacturers out there using Sportwool and similar fabrics to make comfy jerseys and the Road Holland Edam is a good one. It's comfortable and performs well on the bike, and it's pretty hardy too.

Sportwool uses a fine weave of merino wool next to your skin and a thicker polyester layer on the outside. The wool is really good at moisture management, wicking sweat effectively, plus it's naturally antibacterial. The polyester layer is tough and holds its shape better than a pure merino fabric would, which is good news if you like to fill your jersey pockets.

The Edam is available in six colours, with contrasting trim. It has a full length zipper, and shaped cuffs and a dropped rear contribute to a comfortable fit on the bike. At the back the available pocket space is split into two pockets rather than three. If you don't carry much gear with you then your stuff might rattle around in the big pockets, but the flipside is that it's much easier to stow a jacket or something bulky. There's a zippered pocket for your phone too, and reflective piping across the tops of the pockets for after-dark visibility.

Sometimes I like the two pockets better than three, and sometimes I wish there was a central pocket i could fill up without leaving me feeling lop-sided. So I guess I'm ambivalent on whether it's a good thing or not. The faster your ride, and the less you're carrying, the less effective it is compared to the standard layout. The fabric is stretchy but not to the same level as pure merino, so you can load up the pockets without the jersey hanging too low.

I've worn the Edam for a variety of riding and it's a versatile top that's comfy next to the skin and wicks well. Left to breathe as an outer layer, or underneath a good quality breathable shell, it's very effective at keeping you dry even when you're working hard. Cover it with something more barrier-like, a rain cape for instance, and the relatively heavy fabric can get a bit swamped at times. It's not quite as quick to dry as a fully synthetic jersey at times but it's pretty good.

The merino layer certainly cuts down on the smells post-ride, and it's easy to wash on a normal cycle. The tough outer weave it still looking its best after repeated passes through the machine. It's a quality garment, comfortable and stylish. It's certainly not a cheap jersey at not much under £100 but it's not the most expensive Sportwool-type jersey out there, and it's nicely made and lasting well.

A quick word on sizing: I'm wearing the medium which is a good fit on me (1.90m, 93kg). I'm not a medium though, I'm a large. So if you want a close fit, it's probably a good idea to size down.

Verdict

Good quality wool-mix jersey with comfortable fit and lots of pocket space