PEdAL ED Okabe Jersey

The PEdAL ED Okabe jersey is a traditional style jersey which feels soft and fits very well. The jersey has been designed for comfort on long journeys and it works a treat. It isn't cheap coming in at £99 but you do get a lot for your money, style, fit and something a little different.

PEdAL ED was founded in 2007 by Hideto Suzuki, with the aim of making stylish yet functional clothing for people who love cycling. In less than eight years they have created quite a range, from racing clothing to more urban garments, boots and accessories.

What sets the PEdAL ED Okabe apart is the detail. It is one of the most comfortable jerseys I have tried in a long time.

The jersey frontage is quite normal. The half zip has a snug feel and closes into a recess in the collar to keep it tucked out of the way. The collar itself is about an inch tall. There is a small chest pocket to keep valuables close to hand.

On the rear is where things get a little more interesting. Down the middle of the back is a mesh strip that adds style but has the useful function of providing ventilation. Despite this strip the jersey does give you thermo regulation and a sun protection factor of 50+.

The pocket setup is also on the unusual side. The pocket is full width but it isn't divided into three as you might expect, rather there is one normal sized pocket and the other side is double width. They're only separated at the top of the pocket, whereas on most jerseys the pockets are split into compartments from top to bottom. On the Okabe it is only at the top so if you want to fit something in that requires more space it can be slotted in quite easily. Your pump can easily be swallowed without protruding over the top.

On the outside of the jersey is a full-width zipped pocket which is more than deep enough for today's large mobiles. There's a waterproof layer between the inside and outside pockets and keeping all this in place is a wide hem. The neat finishing touches include a styled badge on the rear at the bottom.

The sleeves are not overly long with a fitted opening that sits well on the upper arm. From a performance point of view the Okabe jersey is just what you would ask for if you were sat down by a designer and told to give them your key factors.

It is sleek but fits really well as the mix of polyamide and elastane allows the jersey to move with you, but at the bottom the gripper prevents the jersey from riding up. The pockets are useful and the chest pocket a bonus.

The materials allow the PEdAL ED Okabe jersey to breathe and even if you do work it harder than it is able to deal with the feel is still sleek and smooth. The seams are flat and don't cause any irritation. From a durability perspective, the Okabe continues to look as if it has come straight from the packaging, with all the Italian style you would expect.

Verdict

Expensive but stylish and comfortable; one of the best jerseys tested in a while