PBK Montagna Jersey

The PBK Montagna cycling jersey is a high quality short sleeve staple with a lovely cut, a lot of features, and attention to detail that was unheard of at this price point only a few years back.

Part of the core range, it's a racing cut designed to hug your contours for a flattering and practical cut. PBK describes it as being the fusion of classic design and innovative fabrics, an everyman jersey capable of taking club runs, races, audax and gran fondos in its stride.

Materials

In a time when many garments are made in the Far East, this one is designed and produced in Italy. Jerseys have also become slightly thinner in recent years, though judging by regular bridleway blasts, this weave seems very rugged. It's resisted thorny foliage with no hint of fraying, bobbling or similar damage thus far.

It's tempting to scoff when you learn this is our old friend polyester, but as with most materials, polyesters aren't created equal. In this instance it's a micromesh 'ball' blend, chosen, we're told, for its tactile, temperature-regulating, fast-wicking properties.

Features

The Montagna is laden with features, many of which you can't see. For starters, the fabric is impregnated with a permanent anti-bacterial, which keeps things socially acceptable on longer rides. The factor 50 UV protection is another welcome and increasingly popular touch – though don't forget to add a stout factor on exposed skin.

Flat seams and raglan sleeves continue the unrestricted feel. PBK has also kept scratchy labels – a pet hate of mine – to a minimum. A full-length hidden zip gives a clean look while crucially allowing easy climate control – and letting some of us show off our medallions like an 80s pro.

On the zipper tag front... while it isn't too fiddly on the fly when wearing mitts, a larger tag would be welcomed, especially since I often wear summer jerseys during early spring and late autumn when the temperature can fluctuate (with a long-sleeve baselayer): full-finger gloves and slimline tags can be a frustrating combo when you're clipping along at a decent pace.

A silicone strip runs around the hem and does a decent job of preventing it from riding up, even when hunkering low in the drops or on tri-bars for long periods.

Round the back, we have the usual terrace of pockets. In common with several other contemporary jerseys I've tested recently, these are relatively shallow but are blessed with a reasonable amount of give. Throughout the test period, I've carted a 5-inch smartphone, super zoom travel compact camera, and a big bunch of keys on and off road at a fair lick without anything being ejected. Admittedly, it took a few rides before I truly relaxed. A zippered 'valuables' compartment built into the right pocket is a useful parking spot for cards, notes and so on, or even spent energy bar wrappers.

Sizing

I'm much broader across the shoulders and shorter in the torso than my measurements and weight would imply. Until recently, large had been my default, but increasingly, medium is the best option. The Montagna in a large felt almost tailor-made. The cut doesn't leave much to the imagination yet still manages to flatter those regions we're slightly self-conscious about.

Comfort/moisture management

As a package, the Montagna looks and performs in excellent proportion. The fibres don't feel overly synthetic, and compared with similar jerseys it seems to retain a more ambient temperature, wicking moisture before that familiar clamminess has chance to strike.

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Though not the sweatiest or smelliest of riders (I don't think!), I've deliberately worn mine for several hours a day for a whole week in between washes to see if I could tax the anti-bacterial. As you – and more local neighbours – would hope, it passed with flying colours. It also seems unaffected by regular 30-degree machine washes – and an accidental tumble drying!

To sum up, it's a decent value top that does a decent job. A few tweaks here and there – bigger pockets, for one – would bump up the score.

Verdict

Attractive, feature-laden summer jersey at a decent price but I'd appreciate slightly deeper pockets and a bigger zip-pull