Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to REVIEWS
review
Jerseys - short sleeve
Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey
HOY Vulpine Akita City Jersey

Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey

9
by Caven O'Hara
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jul 13, 2015

0
£54.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Quality and stylish jersey that is equally at home on and off the bike
Weight: 
205g
Contact: 
www.vulpine.cc
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.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

Vulpine's range of clothing encompasses more race orientated apparel through to more casual looking kit. Their collaboration with Britain's most decorated Olympian, Sir Chris Hoy, combines Vulpine's technical know-how and attention to detail with Sir Chris's years of experience, and one result is the Hoy Vulpine Akita City jersey. 

The Akita City is a jersey with a contemporary slant. At first glance it's similar to many others on the market, but the difference is in the finish and the feel.

Buy this online here

Made from a super-soft brushed jersey fabric, it has a very soft feel when worn next to the skin without a base layer. Anti-bacterial properties help combat odours (no problems here, unlike the women's version tested a few weeks previously) and deal with moisture transfer; it copes well in harsh conditions, when you sweat a lot, and doesn't leave you feeling too damp. Worn for consecutive days doesn't faze it either.

Flatlock stitching on the inside helps with the comfort, and the jersey fabric has plenty of stretch, avoiding too racy a fit and feel. It's cut long at the back to provide enough coverage when you're in the drops, and the looser feel allows you to move around without it feeling restrictive.

To reduce any risk of itching, the information normally consigned to a label is printed onto the jersey, something more manufacturers are doing - a simple but effective way of dealing with this age old issue.

The collar and cuffs have a ribbed finish and the short YKK zip looks stylish and works well for easy use. (Again, no problems here, unlike with the women's jersey.) Track stripes on the zip pull are another nice detail, in reference to Sir Chris's success in that arena.

There are no obvious pockets on the rear as you get with a traditional cycling jersey, but there is a concealed side pocket for your valuables. The only tell tale sign is the YKK zip pull.

 

The Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey isn't cheap at £54.99, but you can pay a lot more for similar designs, and on the plus side you get a top that can be worn with plenty of style on and off the bike.

Verdict

Quality and stylish jersey that is equally at home on and off the bike

road.cc test report

Make and model: Hoy Vulpine Akita City 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?

Vulpine say: "A modern take on cycling jerseys of the 1950s, this wonderfully soft style classic is fast drying and odour defeating.

"Suitable for commuting, touring and ordering drinks.

"Suggested temperature range, 12°C - 30°C."

For those who perhaps want a different jersey when riding locally or around town or maybe just casually off the bike.

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

Super soft brushed jersey fabric
Anti bacterial, odour fighting and moisture wicking
Flatlocking stitching throughout for comfort and stretch
HOY V contrast embroidered branding
Trackstripes authenticity tab
No scratchy labels, all information is printed onto inside of garment
Ribbed funnel neck collar and cuffs
YKK collar zip with trackstripes zip pull for ease of use
Concealed side seam valuables pocket with YKK zip

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

A well made jersey that has maintained its shape and feel after many wears and washes.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

The Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey has worn well and copes with warmer conditions. It absorbs sweat without feeling too heavy and deals with odours or other nasty niffs well. Zips work well too.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

After many wears the jersey has maintained its form and shape. It has been through several washes and the material is box fresh. The zips are still working well with no obvious hiccups.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

The Hoy Vulpine Akita City Jersey is not going to feel the same as your lightweight Lycra race jersey. But it offers a better option for off-the-bike use as it feels more substantial without being a burden.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

The super-soft brushed jersey fabric is soft and smooth. Comfort is enhanced by the flatlocked stitching and lack of labels.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Not the cheapest, but you are paying for quality and detail. The jersey is on par with, if not cheaper than, many other 'off the bike' options that are now coming to the market.

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

Top notch in that it wears well on or off the bike and has proved very durable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The fit and style.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Although it is available in three colours, none of them are hugely inspiring.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Quality and style are to the fore in this simple but effective jersey.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 178cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Currently riding a Pinnacle Evaporite Three  My best bike is: As above

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, mountain biking,  and looking to dip my toe in the world of TT

 

HOY Vulpine Akita City Jersey
Hoy Vulpine 2015
Hoy Vulpine

Latest Comments