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review
£120.00
VERDICT:
High-quality aero jersey with great comfort and good attention to detail
Weight:
190g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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- Appalling
Le Col is a youngish clothing company that has gained a lot of interest from cyclists over the years, managing to stand out in a very crowded market with good design, Italian construction and some bold patterns. The Pro Jersey is a tight-fitting aero top that is extremely comfortable if you're interested in riding fast and hard.
It's obviously a summer jersey but paired with arm warmers and a gilet it's wearable in the autumn, which it most definitely is at the time of writing. Since it's probably targeted at people who might wear it for racing, I've been testing it in some local cyclo-cross events where the aero fit and high comfort have been perfect for an hour of flogging around a playing field.
> Find your nearest dealer here
The Pro Jersey is pitched as Le Col's fastest jersey. It's made from a fabric that is 90% polyamide and 9% elastane, with a lighter-weight Borgnini fabric for the sleeves to provide increased breathability. The sleeves are fashionably long with a wide band hem that exerts just enough pressure to keep the sleeves from moving about. Of course, I have no way of accurately testing how fast it actually is, the road.cc testing budget not stretching to a wind tunnel.
Like all Le Col clothing, the jersey is made in Italy. And it's finely made, with flatlock stitching throughout and a very nice premium feel to it. Details include three good sized rear pockets, and I like the inclusion of a small side zipped waterproof pocket, big enough to swallow a phone or the car keys. There are covered edges at the collar and a zip guard to prevent irritation. An elasticated waistband with a silicone gripper tape keeps the jersey in place even when you're hunched over the drops, there's no riding up at the back to speak of.
The blue camo sleeves and matching pockets are an acquired taste. I'll happily admit to liking the look of this jersey quite a bit. Is camo even in fashion at the moment? I thought it had had its time a few years ago. Fear not, there are other colour options including some muted choices if you don't want to make a fashion statement when out on a ride (though the two camo designs are currently reduced by £20). There's also a big vertical reflective stripe on the rear pocket, a nice touch to help you stand out in low light.
For riding fast and racing, there's a lot to like about this jersey. It's a close-fitting number with no excess fabric to billow in the wind, and the body and sleeves are a generous length. It feels fast when you're wearing it and that's no bad thing. It's really nicely made, has that feeling of high quality that you'd expect at this price, and it's stood up to some cyclo-cross racing, which admittedly isn't its target, but if it can survive that it can survive anything.
> How to get more aero without spending a fortune
Of course, you don't have to race to be interested in this jersey. If you just want a slim fitting, aero cut jersey that is well made and looks sharp, the Le Col Pro Jersey is a fine pick.
Verdict
High-quality aero jersey with great comfort and good attention to detail
road.cc test report
Make and model: Le Col Pro Jersey
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?
Le Col says:
"Le Col's fastest cycling jersey. Developed and proven in the pro peloton for a more competitive on-the-drops position. It's the most aero jersey that Le Col have ever made and is designed for high performance riding.
The Pro Jersey utilises a combination of fabrics for a lighter & sharper aero fit for those riders focused on speed and a more aggressive ride. The 2017 edition features a longer sleeve in keeping with the latest race jersey design with an upgraded lighter Borgnini fabric on the sleeves to keep you cool at the higher riding intensity.
Inside the seams are flat locked, with covered edges for the collar & zip guard. The pro jersey features a quality lock down zip puller for ease of use at high speeds, a silicon gripper at the waist hem to hold the aero jersey firmly in place and an ergonomic cut on the collar to remove bunching of fabric whilst in a fast riding position.
Additional features include the hidden 4th waterproof security pockets on the back, embroidered logos and the distinctive reflective stripe for safety on the back middle pocket.
This Pro jersey is Pro Racewear available to all. Most suitable for races or competitive club rides."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Le Col lists:
Fabric:
91% Polyamide
9% Elastan
Construction:
Cooler sleeve fabric for intense efforts
Ergonomic collar
Lock down full zip & zip guard
3 large rear pockets
1 zipped waterproof security pocket
Reflective stripe and tabs
Care instructions
Machine wash 30deg with no fabric conditioner and rinse well
Do not bleach, tumble dry or iron
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
It's a very nicely made jersey and has that premium feel.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
If riding fast and racing are on your agenda, this is a good jersey for that.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
It's passed my rigorous cyclo-cross race testing just fine.
Rate the product for fit:
8/10
It's as if Le Col measured me and made a one-off jersey, it fits that well. Very comfortable at the same time.
Rate the product for sizing:
8/10
Echo my comments in the fit box above.
Rate the product for weight:
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
8/10
The fit and the fabric – soft next to the skin – makes it a very comfortable top to wear. There's no restriction of movement despite the aeroness.
Rate the product for value:
5/10
It's currently discounted to £100 and yes that is still a fair chunk of money, but I feel comparable with other jerseys of a similar construction and attention to detail.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Goes through a regular wash just fine.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Perfect for racing and fast riding, comfortable, well fitted and details like the reflective stripe and waterproof zipped pocket ensure it's nice to ride in.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Great fit, camo, zipped waterproof pocket, breathable.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
I'm struggling to find anything to fault really.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
A really well made, high-quality aero racing jersey with great attention to detail; there's a lot to like here. And in this camo number, ironically, you'll definitely stand out.
About the tester
Age: 31
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, mountain biking
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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3 comments
Sleeves look short for an aero jersey.
Because short short-sleeves = Lance = Evil.
£50 off if you join their Strava challenge and ride for a whole 5 hours.