Altura Peloton Long Sleeve Jersey

Altura's Peloton Long Sleeve Jersey is a brilliant piece of kit that adds a well-fitting layer to any winter ensemble. The Thermosuede fabric is super-soft, breathable and keeps you warm. At this price, it's a real winner.

As well as being warm, the material is nicely stretchy for a perfect riding fit. The aesthetics are understated and should match any your other kit. I found it excellent in multiple conditions, and easy to pair with other garments.

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The first thing I noticed when putting it on was the fit. It's perfectly contoured, with a shorter front section and lower rear. This gives it a really nice feel when on the bike. It's cut using Altura's ErgoFit 3D patterning, which the company says is 'engineered for a more comfortable riding position'. On the bike, I had no issues with the sleeves riding up my arms – a bugbear of mine – so my wrists stayed nice and warm. The stretch in the fabric also meant fitting gloves underneath was very easy.

I found it was good for riding on days ranging between 15 and 5°C. Below this, I simply paired it with a gilet or rain jacket. The fabric isn't windproof but it does take the sting out of chills. The big benefit of this is that the jersey is very breathable; I've been using it a lot for pre-riding cyclo-cross courses before the race and it's coped very well with hard efforts.

> Read our guide to the best clothing to keep you warm this winter

Altura has included 'strategically located retroreflective trims' as a small safety element. This detailing is located on the back of the arms and torso, and provides just enough reflective material without compromising the fabric's breathability. If you want more, Altura has that covered with its Night Vision Long Sleeve Jersey.

The three rear pockets are made of an elastic fabric, but it's less stretchy than the rest of the jersey, which helped to keep the contents inside the pockets. There is also a zippered pocket, which I found a perfect size for my iPhone (5S) and cash.

The slightly snug fit is what Altura defines as its 'Sport' fit. It's close fitting around both the chest and shoulders, then tapers slightly to the waist, giving a comfortable if slightly relaxed fit. The close fit on the shoulders is helped by the rolled construction and was very good when I was shouldering my CX bike. There's none of that on the road, but it's good to have a versatile jersey.

That's one of the best things about the Peloton Jersey. You can use it from autumn through to the end of spring for many different rides. The fit is close but comfortable and the sleeves are long enough to keep the wrists toasty. As it's not windproof, I had no issues with overheating. The styling is subtle and goes with lots of other kit. It's the perfect jersey for pairing with other kit to suit any situation that the Great British weather can throw at you.

Verdict

Great value jersey you can wear from autumn through until spring, on the road or off, fast or slow...