The 700 Warm is a pretty simple jersey. You get a fleece-lined fabric that's warm enough in the spring and autumn down to say 5-6°C with a simple baselayer beneath, and if things drop towards freezing it's thin enough that you can layer it up easily under a jacket. An earlier test sample let some air in via the zip, but I didn't have an issue with that.
The material itself is very soft and feels really comfortable against the skin, plus there are mesh fabric sections under the arms and up the central back to remove some of the heat you generate. You'll get warm if you really push things, but you never feel sweaty or clammy thanks to some pretty decent breathability.
Cut-wise things are also pretty good: it's flattering without being super skinny racer, and with the dropped tail and high neck you don't get any draughts getting through. For comfort there is a zip garage too, to stop any abrasion at the throat.
At the rear you get three traditional pockets with the two side ones sloped for easy access when you're in the saddle. They are pretty deep with the centre one comfortably keeping a mini pump secure, and with the material being taut they don't sag either.
For valuables there is a zipped water-repellent pocket on the outside of the central three, though the water repellencey is only on the body side – stopping bodyheat moisture coming through to your phone, for example. It'd be good to see the same on the other side to stop road spray getting in.
Overall the BTwin is a great cool weather jersey in terms of cut, performance and comfort – and when it comes to value it's really hard to knock. There aren't many jerseys out there of this quality for a penny under 30 quid, plus the fluoro colour gives you plenty of visibility without going down the high-vis route.
Make and model: BTwin 700 Warm Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey
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?
Decathlon says: "This men's, long-sleeved, cycling jersey is warm and comfortable. The full-length zip offers great ventilation. 4 pockets at the back, fitted cut to keep the jersey in place."
The Btwin is a great jersey for single digit temperature use with a baselayer or as part of a layering system when things get colder.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
PRODUCT WARMTH
Ability of a product to offer protection from the cold.It depends on the material's thermal resistance and air permeability.The higher the thermal resistance, the more the product keeps the heat produced by the body while cycling.
BREATHABILITY
To determine whether a fabric is breathable, we measure its evaporative resistance (test based on standard ISO 11092).
The lower its resistance, the more the fabric will let water vapour produced by the body escape, and therefore the more breathable it is.
For example: RET < 9 = extremely breathable fabric.
CARE TIPS
Machine wash at 30°C. Synthetic programme. Turn the garment inside out. Use minimal laundry detergent. Do not add softener. Line dry in a warm, ventilated area. Do not tumble dry. Do not dry clean. Do not bleach. Do not place on a heater to dry.
PRODUCT TESTS
Our team of product designers based at the B'Twin Village in Lille is continuously working to make cycling more comfortable for our users. Our obsession is to create products that meet the specific cycling needs of our users and eliminate hindrances to a good cycling experience.
We then test our products in the field, as we are convinced that only by subjecting them to real world conditions, like the ones you experience on your bike, can we continuously improve our products.
COMPOSITION / ADVICE
COMPOSITION
MAIN FABRIC
85.0% Polyester (PES), 15.0% Elastane
YOKE
83.0% Polyester (PES), 17.0% Elastane
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
8/10
Rate the product for sizing:
8/10
Rate the product for weight:
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
9/10
Rate the product for value:
8/10
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Like most sportswear, it's a simple 30 degree wash and drip dry. If you do get it dirty wash it pretty quickly otherwise the fluoro part could stain.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Can't knock it.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The fit, the warmth, the price.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Very little.
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
BTwin has been delivering great quality kit over the years but its latest batch really seems to be increasing in quality without upping the price. This jersey pretty much sums that up: simple in design, low in marketing guff and just an all-round, high performing piece of kit.
Age: 38 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: Kinesis Aithien
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: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed
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3 comments
I've got a previous version of this jersey and I have to say, I love it. Warm, breathable, great fit, well made. And good value obviously!
Living in France it is the opposite: everybody is wearing BTwin's selection of clothes...
I'm a huge fan of Decathlon's cycle clothing. I have the 700 waterproof jacket and it's absolutely brilliant, even in the very worst weather. It might not have the cachet of Rapha or Castelli, but living in Surrey, it's quite nice to be wearing something different to everyone else.