Lusso Merino Short Sleeve Jersey

Merino has its disciples, others are less convinced; Lusso's Merino Short Sleeve Jersey aims to combine the good points of merino with the best features of modern synthetics and it's a cracking result. Its merino/synthetic mix gives a luxurious feel without sagging like 100 per cent merino can.

• Pros: Great fit and style, a good price and a versatile performer
• Cons: None really

Several manufacturers have started putting out garments labelled as 'merino' without telling you that they're actually a merino mix. Lusso is upfront about this. This jersey is 35% wool and 65% polyester, and it's a proportion that works very well, with a lovely, soft-feeling fabric that gives manmade technical materials a good run for their money in the performance stakes.

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The droopy cut of all-wool jerseys, and their tendency to sag under the weight of anything in the pockets, is the main reason I don't tend to wear 100% merino on the road bike (though it's good for touring and winter mountain biking). The Lusso has a close fit that, so far, after a few weeks of wear and several washes, shows no sign of sagging.

For typical cool UK conditions, the Lusso Merino proved very versatile. The wool content makes it snug and it mated well with various baselayers, arm warmers and over-layers. I experimented with a few different baselayers, which are bound to interact with the jersey in different ways, and had good results with all of them.

Even on days over 20°C, this jersey was pleasant to wear. Wool seems to work as well in warm as in cool conditions (I've never seen a sheep sweat). Ventilation is good, with a full-length zip and a central panel let into the back made of aerated fabric. I found this kept dampness down the back to a minimum.

The same fabric is used for the arm grippers which are comfortable and, while not the stretchiest, hold the sleeves in place. Lusso might also like to think about incorporating some aerated panels in the armpits for even better warm-weather performance.

The black-and-white pattern on the aerated fabric gives the jersey a classic, cool style and is good for contrast and visibility. (The jersey is also available in Grey and Plum.)

Three vertical back pockets look a little wrinkly when empty but have plenty of carrying capacity without sagging. A fourth, zipped pocket can take keys or a modest-sized smartphone, though it does encroach a bit into the space used by the right-hand pocket.

The waist hem is a fairly simple elasticated strip, flat-stitched into the garment and with a continuous Lusso-branded silicone gripper inside.

Construction, all done in Manchester, was generally tidy – just the odd stray thread poked out of the zip stitching. The zip itself is from YKK and has a small but robust pull-tab that's big enough to grip easily, provided you aren't wearing thick gloves. It parks tidily at the collar.

Eighty quid for a jersey isn't to be sneezed at, but in comparison to other good quality merino mix tops out there, the Lusso isn't bad value: dhb's Aeron Ultralight Merino Short Sleeve Jersey also mixes wool with synthetics and has an rrp of £85, Rivelo's Barbondale Merino (50/50 merino/poly) is £100, while Rapha's Classic Jersey II is £110. Specialized's RBX Drirelease Merino Short Sleeve Jersey retails at £80.

> Buyer's Guide: 12 of the best winter cycling jerseys

Sizing was spot on. My medium was just a little small for me (Lusso's size guide recommends I go for large and I'd agree with that). That manifested itself in a little tightness under the arms but I didn't really notice in use. If you follow the size guide you'll be fine. If you really want a figure-hugging top for time trialling or racing, this won't be for you, but for general riding and touring there's enough give to fit well without showing every bulge.

Verdict

Combines the softness of wool with the good fit of synthetics and the performance benefits of both: a versatile garment