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review
£79.99
VERDICT:
A really nice winter jersey with some well thought out design features
Weight:
283g
Contact:
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 meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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The Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey is the first autumn/winter offering from the Hoy Vulpine partnership after their decent summer collection was released earlier this year. It brings together really good thermal qualities and is very comfortable, making it ideal for this time of year. The fit on the arms is slightly odd, though, and the pocket openings are strangely sized.
As an autumn/winter piece, the first place to look on this jersey is its thermal qualities. With a thin fleecy inner, it provides a really good level of warmth, but without being too hot for effective high intensity riding. To help with this it has a fairly good level of wind protection, although this is not a specific windproof fabric.
> Find your nearest dealer here
A decent level of wicking moves your sweat fairly quickly, so you don't get the moisture sticking in the fabric like you can with some materials. This makes it very comfortable to wear, helping which is the lack of labels throughout, so no scratchy surfaces on your skin.
The jersey has a racing fit, but with the fabric being fairly stretchy it isn't uncomfortably tight. Quite the reverse in fact, it's very comfortable, and the elasticated and silicone-lined hem means it stays in place well, not riding up as you're pedalling.
One part of the fit that is a bit strange, though, is the sleeve length: it's very long. It's around 10-12cm longer than regular fitting jerseys. That said, much of this excess can be 'lost' further up the arms, so you don't get excess bunching at the top or bottom.
At the back there are the traditional three pockets, but sized differently to the 'norm': a large middle pocket with a zipped valuables pocket on the outside, then two small pockets on each side. The openings aren't tiny, but are certainly smaller than traditional pocket designs.
They do flare a bit towards the bottom, which makes them larger for storing things, but that can sometimes make it more difficult to get items out. That said, I have used far worse pockets than this in the past; these are smaller than most, but not a huge inconvenience.
> Check out our guide to the best winter cycling jerseys here
The jersey's rrp of £79.99 is a decent price for a comfortable piece that performs well. It's comparable in quality to others in this price range, and some above this too.
Overall, I think the Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey performs admirably and represents good value. The fit is excellent on the body, and the material is very comfortable and warm, even over long distances. The only aspects I would like changed would be the sleeve length and perhaps the size of the two side pockets on the rear. That said, these aren't game changers for what is a really nice jersey.
Verdict
A really nice winter jersey with some well thought out design features
road.cc test report
Make and model: Hoy Vulpine Men's Long Sleeve Roubaix Jersey
Size tested: Medium, cobalt
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 says: "A close fitting cool weather jersey with awesome against-skin comfort. Flexible and superbly plush for long long rides in cool to freezing weather. We've flattened the seams and removed scratchy labels, so nothing is going to irritate you as you ride through low Autumn sun or freezing winds. Three rear pockets are on hand for stashing a waterproof, tools and snacks, with a zipped valuables pocket for extra security. High detailing, maximum comfort."
It is aimed at serious riders who are looking to go out in colder conditions, either as an outer layer in milder temperatures or a mid layer when the temperature really starts to drop.
I think that for riding in these kind of conditions it's a very good option. It has good thermal qualities and a strong, comfortable construction. Looks pretty good too.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Thermal roubaix stretch fabric
Zip guard to chin
Flatlocked seams for against-skin comfort
Three back pockets with additional reflective central zip pocket
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Well made with strong stitching, and the lack of labels inside means there is no chance of unnecessary chafing when out on longer rides.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Works well, fairly breathable without sacrificing the warmth that you need from cold weather jerseys.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
The stitching is strong and with little on it to fade, it is likely to still look good a few years down the line.
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
10/10
Decent breathability and warmth combined with a lack of anything to chafe means it is supremely comfortable to wear.
Rate the product for value:
8/10
You could easily pay double this for a jersey of this quality, a worthwhile investment.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well, kept me warm when the mercury dropped but without making me overly sweaty when it rose again.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
To be honest, my favourite part is the look, I think it is a real eye catcher.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The sleeve length was a bit strange, even if the excess could be lost further up the arm.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
Really strong performing cold weather jersey. I used it as an outer and mid layer and it performed equally well. Get the sleeve length right and open up the side pockets a little more and this would be even better.
About the tester
Age: 27
I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Evo 6 My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking
George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between.
Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.
Latest Comments
- wtjs 1 hour 7 sec ago
In SE London, psychopath riders are the majority of people on bicycles Oh dear! another festive stealth anti-cyclist ☃️
- wtjs 1 hour 5 min ago
Well, you know the BMW drivers' saying: knock that house (hospital, social housing, care home, hospital...) down, could save 30 seconds on the trip!
- belugabob 1 hour 59 min ago
“It’s all very well to spend millions on facilities but if there’s no money for maintenance, it’s a waste of public money."...
- Spangly Shiny 2 hours 40 min ago
I had the pleasure of owning two of the featured builders here, in my history. When I joined the Army in 1971, I took with me my curly Hetchins:...
- Username 3 hours 45 min ago
Could Siobhán paint it red and noone would notice it?
- Spangly Shiny 18 hours 34 min ago
To paraphrase Field of Dreams, "Build it right and they will come: and use it!"
- Rendel Harris 20 hours 56 min ago
And a Happy Christmas to you, road.cc staff!
- Rendel Harris 21 hours 43 min ago
The odds of not being able to find a single pedestrian - just one, note, "any pedestrian" - in an area containing more than about ten of them who...
- bikeman01 23 hours 23 min ago
I love how wannabe racer reviewers talk about fork flex under braking like their tyres are made of glue. I find traction gives long before fork flex.
- hawkinspeter 1 day 30 min ago
They don't make them like they used to
Add new comment
2 comments
I got one in the sale this week. Medium as I'm a 40" chest.
As stated the arms are long. Very long. And very tight. I couldnt get them past my watch.
Chest is very tight - but the neck seemed a bit loose.
The most disappointing part is that its so thin. Not a roubaix jersey as I understand it.
There are better fitting and warmer jerseys out there.
Those pockets look the same design as on the Vulpine merino jerseys, which I absolutely love.. except for those side-pockets. I love the zipped middle pocket. The side pockets, not too bad for storing gels and a banana, but they are narrow and not very deep. I've had the odd issue with a minipump jumping out. They could do with being just a little deeper, or some other pump retention mechanism.
On other jerseys, I can store my pump in the middle pocket, where it's less likely to jump out. Side pockets just experience more bumping or something.