Lusso Women's Merino Plum Jersey

The Lusso Women's Merino Jersey is a really good British made performance-cut top, ideal for autumn and spring and cooler summer days. It's a simple, non-fussy design with great breathability and wicking properties.

• Pros: Merino feel and breathability/wicking properties
• Cons: Not a lot!

I have been testing the jersey for a month or so in a mixed bag of weather, from rainy rides and chilly days to full-on sunshine! I did have to add a selection of layers at times – arm warmers, gilet and jacket on a few occasions – but despite the varied weather the jersey performed really well.

> Buy this online here

The material used is 35% merino and 65% polyester, which Lusso classes as mid-weight. The merino gives the jersey odour resistance and high wicking ability and it certainly seems to work: you don't overheat, even on the tough rides.

Although I would normally wear a medium in most brands, the small I was testing fitted very well as a performance jersey. I was very happy with the close fit, which wasn't restrictive anywhere, but if you want it more relaxed I'd say you can stick with your usual size when choosing.

The jersey feels supersoft and comfortable against the skin. I started testing it while it was still about 13-14°C and paired it with a lightweight race baselayer and arm warmers as it was a tad windy. The jersey performed very well; it's very breathable, and I never overheated on the hills. It didn't stop the wind but it's not that sort of jersey. With its wicking ability it's a good choice for some decent efforts, or if you're prone to sweating.

Down the back of the jersey there's a panel of fabric that is a little more lightweight than the main fabric, making it even more breathable.

On chillier days I wore a gilet over the jersey and still felt comfortably warm without overheating.

If things do get a bit warm there's a full length front zip so you can add a bit of ventilation, and there's a zip garage at the top to stop irritation if you have it done right up.

The jersey has the classic three pockets on the back, one with an additional small zip pocket on it for valuables. The pockets are a good access height while on the bike, and you can fit everything you need in them quite easily.

There's a gripper on the hem which does its job well, comfortably holding the jersey in place. I had no issues with the jersey riding up at any point during my rides.

Overall quality is very good – some flatlock seams, some overstitched, all holding together well after plenty of wearing and washing.

There is a tiny amount of reflective detail too, with a Lusso logo on the centre pocket at the back and on the chest. The jersey is also available in black as well as this plum colour.

> Read more road.cc reviews of women's cycling jerseys here

At £69.99 it's pretty good value for a merino jersey, comparing very well against 7Mesh's Women's Ashlu jersey and Rapha's Classic, both of which will set you back £110. It's also £5 cheaper than dhb's merino jersey.

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

Overall, I'd say it's a very good three-season jersey, ideal for spring, autumn and summer with its breathability and wicking properties. Below 13-14°C it gets a little chilly and you'll want to layer up. I can't fault its performance as a classic short sleeve jersey, though, and I really do like the merino properties.

Verdict

Well-priced UK-made jersey ideal for spring, autumn and summer, with good breathability and wicking