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review
Jerseys - short sleeve
Sportful BodyFit Pro Summer Race Jersey Sportful BodyFit Pro Summer Race Jersey Sportful BodyFit Pro Summer Race Jersey
Sportful BodyFit Pro Summer Race Jersey

Sportful BodyFit Pro Summer Race Jersey

8
by David Arthur @davearthur
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jul 3, 2013

0
£85.00

VERDICT:

8
10
A smart looking and very comfortable fitting jersey ideal for riding in warm weather.
Weight: 
98g
Contact: 
www.c3products.com
How we test

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.

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Light, very breathable and quick-drying, the Sportful BodyFit Pro Summer Race Jersey is a close-fitting top that works well when the mercury rises.

The Sportful BodyFit Pro Summer Race Jersey is a new item in the Italian clothing company's range and is designed for warm days when you need a jersey to stay cool in.

It's based on an update of the Bodyfit Pro jersey we tested last summer, with several key changes that have improved its aero performance. Sportful reckon its their lowest drag jersey ever produced.

The main body of the jersey is made from a DryPro Lite, a 100% polyester fabric, treated with titanium dioxide to reflect ultra-violet rays. The shoulders are made from an Aero Stretch Mesh fabric that boosts the ventilation, allowing excess heat to float away when you're working hard.

This mesh also contributes to the very snug fit around the shoulders. This snugness has allowed Sportful to do away with traditional stitched sleeves and employ raw-cut sleeves instead. This provides very high comfort, there's no stitching or silicone and the sleeves, due to the tightness of the fabric, don't shift about.

It's a very racey fitting jersey but despite that still manages to be extremely comfortable at the same time. The lack of weight makes it feel very light on the body.

The jersey tapers in nicely at the sides and there's a silicone gripper elastic at the waist. The three rear pockets have enough compression to ensure that no matter how heavily you load them, they don't sag down to your buttocks.

In hot weather it's a very breathable jersey, and the full-length zipper gives you added ventilation options. When you do get sweaty, this jersey manages to dry very quickly. You really notice it on the after a long arduous climb, the jersey dries out rapidly, so you don't suddenly feel chilly as the wind hits the sweat-infused fabric.

It's available in three colours, including black and white if the yellow here is a bit bold for your tastes.

Verdict

A smart looking and very comfortable fitting jersey ideal for riding in warm weather.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Sportful BodyFit Pro Summer Race Jersey

Size tested: yellow, small

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?

Signing that contract with Team Saxo – Tinkoff is for but a talented few. So with that in mind Sportful developed BodyFit Pro, the same apparel that Alberto and co wear. The sponsor's logos and designs have been switched out for some Italian styling but the material technology, fit and cut remains the same.

As the name suggests this jersey was designed for warm weather riding. It's the most complete and technically advanced jersey that Sportful have made. The jersey provides the aero advantage without compromising comfort or breathability. The lightweight fabric excels in the hot weather and dries rapidly when wet, the pros even chose to wear it on rainy days.

With a combination of Dry Pro Lite in the torso and Aero Stretch Mesh in the shoulders ensures a form fit. Wind tunnel tested – this jersey is fast! Seamless arm openings ensure the fabric lays flat against the skin for a smooth transition between rider and jersey.

The fabric includes titanium dioxide, to reflect the sun's rays and provide a high level of UV protection.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Ideal for hot weather or mountain riding.

DryPro Lite main body is extremely light and quick drying.

Aero Stretch Mesh over shoulders for great fit and keeping you cool.

Full length zip.

Silicone g ipper elastic.

3 external rear pockets.

The most aerodynamic jersey we've ever tested.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

The raw-cut sleeves produce a very comfortable fit, with no irritation

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

The fit and use of fabrics makes for an excellent jersey for warmer weather. Hard to test the aero claims but the snug design gives a skin tight fit

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Has been through several washing machine cycles and the yellow is still very yellow

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

It's sub 100g so very light and you barely notice it when riding

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

The fit gives good levels of comfort, and the raw-cut sleeves are comfortable on the arms

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

There are more expensive and cheaper jerseys around, but the Sportful looks great and is really well designed

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Ticked the boxes

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The raw-cut sleeves and the yellow colour scheme

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing really

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

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, mtb,

 

Sportful BodyFit Pro Summer Race Jersey
David Arthur @davearthur

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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