Alé PRR Bering Long Sleeve Jersey

The Bering Long Sleeve Jersey from Italian clothing manufacturer Alé is part of its PRR performance range, making that transition from summer race kit to winter training gear and back again practically seamless. With a bit of tactical layering you can make it work over a large temperature range too.

By adding a gilet over the top or with a change of baselayer I've been comfortable from 4°C to 15°C. The beauty of the Bering is just how thin the material is for a long-sleeve jersey. It has so little bulk to it you can make it a part of any layering system.

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In the low teens the Bering jersey is in its element; pairing it with a summer baselayer leaves you feeling plenty warm enough and highlights the Alé's breathability – it's yet to be overwhelmed even on the climbs.

There isn't anything overly special about the fabric, it's a pretty basic polyester and elastane mix (85/15%), with enough stretch to give a close-fitting jersey without restricting movement. The inside is fleecy, which helps to trap warm air, though there is no windproofing so an extra layer can be necessary to block a windchill effect.

I mentioned the PRR racer's cut, and it's really the thing that defines the Bering. According to the manufacturer, its designers studied the typical bike positions of pro athletes as the basis for the PRR design to take into account aerodynamics.

To keep the jersey flat and in position Alé uses what it calls the J-Stability System. Around the back you get the usual silicone gripper on the hem but around the sides and front you get a double-layer elastic fabric to secure the jersey all the way round. The front is cut high in relation to the dropped tail, but there's no danger of draughts as it doesn't ride up at all, even when you stand up to climb, and because the material is so flat you don't get any uncomfortable bunching.

The sleeves are a perfect length for me too, with the top of the angled cuff stopping at the end of my wrist when at full stretch, while a more upright riding position didn't cause bunching at the elbow.

We often say you need to try before you buy, especially with European-made clothing as they can come up a little small, but the medium I've been testing was pretty much spot on. I'm a medium in virtually everything I wear on the bike, except for a couple of Italian brands where I'm borderline medium to large.

> Check out our guide to the best long-sleeved jerseys

Other key points are how deep the pockets are. Once your phone, pump and tools are in there they aren't going to come out, even when you're crouched down in the drops. There are three of them, as is the norm, plus you get an additional zipped one for security.

The full zip has a little garage at the top to stop it rubbing the underneath of your chin, and other little details such as reflective strips on the pocket and another garage at the bottom of the zip finish things off.

There are a lot of jerseys on the market, and the Alé comes in at the more expensive end of the range. That £115 buys you a well-made jersey, which feels tough and robust, as well as a little bit racy...

Verdict

Performance kit for the cooler months with a quality fit