Neon Velo Pro Fit Aero Jersey

Neon Velo's Pro Fit Aero Jersey is the British company's top-end jersey with a slim race fit, lightweight fabrics and styling that is modern and fresh. The price is high, but it's lower than other high-end kit, and the quality is really good.

• Pros: Modern style; sleek race cut; comfortable; construction quality
• Cons: Long sleeves might not be to everyone's taste

Head online and you can easily spend some serious money on boutique and high-end cycling kit. One of the latest brands to emerge in this high-end part of the market is Neon Velo. You can't say that it's holding back. The design that I've got here is clean but bold and I really love it. Put that together with a great fit and solid construction and you've got a great race jersey.

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The jersey is made using several different fabrics. The front and sleeve outers are Lycra, with a very open mesh design on the underside of the arms, continuing down the ribs to the hem. The back is a lightweight half mesh fabric with three pockets made from a less stretchy fabric. A hidden zipper pocket and hem gripper round out the jersey.

This is definitely a summer jersey and we've only had a few days when the temperatures have been high enough to get out without a jacket and baselayer on. I can't comment on the performance in really warm weather, but riding in mild weather highlights the lightweight feel of the jersey. You've also got the added bonus of SPF50+ protection from the fabric.

For an aero jersey, even this size small was comfortable on me, though I would like to see Neon Velo removing the collar for a more comfortable fit at the neck. The stretch in the rest of the jersey means that despite the closeness of the fit, it's very comfortable. That said, this is aimed at performance cyclists so you'll need to be relatively trim to get the best fit.

The shape is as you'd expect for a pro fit aero jersey. The front is short and the tail is dropped slightly, giving a better fit when tucked over in a forward riding position. When stood up off the bike, the front comes up pretty short, but thankfully for everyone in the cafe, the belly button is still covered – and the fit on the bike is the most important thing. It's great to see that Neon Velo has paid particular attention to the fit while on the bike, as so many brands seem to design theirs to be walked around in.

The construction is a real high point, and after testing some kit that feels badly made, it's refreshing to find kit where the quality matches the price. The laser cut sleeves are great. They give a modern style while still being comfortable. They might be too long for some, but I think they look great.

Neon Velo's pocket design is also very good. The lack of stretch in the pocket material means there is no sagging. I was able to stow my phone in the zipped pocket, then food, a gilet, a pump and arm warmers in the other pockets with a little extra space left over. Everything was held securely.

Value is pretty good too. You're getting a well-cut, well-constructed and comfortable jersey that looks great. It's a fiver less than the (£125) Le Col By Wiggins Pro Gold Stripe Jersey, and I prefer the styling of the aero sleeves. Dave tested Rapha's Pro Team Aero Jersey in 2017, and that is now £145. You can spend significantly less, though, and the Lusso Depart jersey is a great option for just £65.

> Buyer's Guide: 20 of the best summer cycling jerseys

Overall, I'd say this Neon Velo Pro Fit Aero Jersey is a very good buy despite the rather high price tag. You get a fresh design that is clean and modern, with a great fit, and I'm a big fan of the aero sleeves. It's also available in a variety of other colours.

Verdict

Great fit and brilliant comfort for an aero jersey, with clean, bold and modern styling