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Jerseys - short sleeve
Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens) Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens) Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens) Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens) Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens) Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens) Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens) Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens) Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens)
Ale PRR Arcobaleno Jersey Womens

Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens)

9
by Silversides
UPDATED Fri, Aug 05, 2016 15:45

First Published Aug 5, 2016

1
£90.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Outstanding piece of functional kit for a competitive female cyclist, if slightly garish...
Weight: 
123g
Contact: 
www.paligap.cc
How we test

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The Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey is an ergonomically designed, short-sleeved jersey specifically tailored to the typical female racing build. It's snug fitting, lightweight and breathable, and I love it.

The jersey includes some of Alé's top innovative design features and fabrics, which combine to produce a quality piece of Italian kit. 

> Find your nearest dealer here

The baseline hem is gently curved at the rear for lower back coverage, while the front shaping is specifically cut to prevent the jersey gathering or bagging around the stomach when in a riding position. Alé refers to this as its 'J Stability System', and uses this technology in the sleeve cuff too.

Ale PRR Arcobaleno Jersey Womens - sleeve.jpg

The system includes a band of material made of a thin fabric with some give, though not much! It certainly ensures that the jersey stays in place without being constrictive. An additional silicone band is used on the rear of the baseline hem.

Ale PRR Arcobaleno Jersey Womens - gripper.jpg

The front and shoulder panels of the jersey are cut from a micro-perforated fabric, and they provide excellent airflow to the torso.

Ale PRR Arcobaleno Jersey Womens - shoulder.jpg

The rear comprises a quick-drying material which Alé says is a 'carbon fabric'. I never felt damp from excessive sweat, so the material certainly seemed to be doing its job well. The weave allows the jersey to stretch across the back as required, while giving little along the length to avoid excessive stretch under the weight of bars and gels in the pockets.

Ale PRR Arcobaleno Jersey Womens - riding.jpg

> The best jerseys for keeping you cool on hot rides

My only issue with the jersey was the three rear pockets; the openings sit high up the back, making access awkward. They are, as a consequence, above average depth, so easily hold bars and gels without anything peeping out – supporting Alé's claim that the jersey has been designed with the racing cyclist in mind. There is absolutely no danger of vital energy supplies escaping from these pockets. An additional zip pocket is perfect for keys or other items you can stow away for the duration of a ride.

Ale PRR Arcobaleno Jersey Womens - pocket.jpg

Overall, this jersey is designed for riding fast and it does that job extremely well. If you're in the market for a quality training or racing top, and you don't mind the garish colours – there are quite a few to choose from! – I recommend it.

Verdict

Outstanding piece of functional kit for a competitive female cyclist, if slightly garish...

road.cc test report

Make and model: Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens)

Size tested: Medium

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?

Alé says: "Carbon fabrics and ergonomic fitting work together to achieve the "Pure Performance" jersey which is an inimitable blend of style and performance - specifically engineered for the female body in the bike position."

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

Alé claims that the key features are:

"* Ergonomic fitting

* The front is made of a micro perforated material for breathability

* 'J-Stability system' on the sleeve and bottom hems

* Carbon fabric on the back which is fast drying and improves well-being."

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

This really is a snug fit for an athletic build. I found that the pockets were a little high, so awkward to access.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Excellent for quality training and competitive riding.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No visible signs of wearing to date.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

This medium jersey JUST fitted me. They really are designed for trim athletic figures.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
6/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
9/10

Excellent; very lightweight as would be expected of race wear.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
10/10

Superb. Soft on the skin without being restrictive or tight anywhere.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

A pricey garment but certainly matches up to the quality of jerseys exceeding even this price tag.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Following 30 degree cycle instruction, no fading or any signs of material deterioration in the four weeks I have been using it.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Top marks for an ergonomic fit, and breathability. The sleeves and lower band never shifted or slid during higher intensity riding that required jumps in and out of the saddle and quick body movements to check what other riders were doing.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The snug fit and the way the jersey held its position on the body without feeling in any way restrictive.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The high pockets. This didn't bother me as I don't really access them for short, faster riding. Use the jersey for its intended purpose and the pockets, thanks to a depth greater than with many racing jerseys, will securely hold gels and bars necessary for competitive riding.

Did you enjoy using the product? Loved it.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, if they were a competive cyclist, most definintely.

Use this box to explain your score

It's an excellent jersey for its intended purpose; the pockets are high and that's about the only minor criticism.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 170cm  Weight: 64kg

I usually ride: Road  My best bike is: Carbon road.

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, general fitness riding

Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens) 2016
Alé PRR Arcobaleno Jersey (Womens)
Ale 2016
AG2R LA MONDIALE

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1 comments

Avatar
mike the bike | 8 years ago
0 likes

"..... if slightly garish...."

A post-doctoral level understatement, that is.

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