PEdAL ED Kobe Thermo Jersey

PEdAL ED's Kobe Thermo Jersey is an impressive winter offering. It copes well with the unpredictable British climate and is perfectly paired with a long-sleeved baselayer and shell jacket. It provides a good seal from the elements, keeping me comfortable during a good range of effort intensities. It is very versatile, too; it could be a mid-layer as part of your deep winter kit or a jacket on cooler mid-season rides.

• Pros: Very comfortable, good temperature regulation
• Cons: Pocket layout/ design could be improved, quite expensive

Looks are generally a matter of personal opinion, but I definitely find the aesthetics of the Kobe appealing. To my mind it has the distinctive but sophisticated design typical of PEdAL ED's product range. It seems to work well in both the black and coral (red) colour ways.

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The front of the torso is a windproof fabric with a full-length zip, and it handles a cold wind very well. The zip has a wide baffle underneath, helping to prevent any draughts penetrating. The lining is a fleecy material, which is very soft on the skin and dries relatively quickly.

The back is made with a striped, breathable material and this worked well. I never became too hot or sweaty, and surprisingly, my torso never felt chilly.

Fit

It does come up quite small – I'm normally a medium in most large brands, but a large fitted me perfectly. It's a very nice cut – not too long on the front and plenty of coverage on the back. There is a hardier band on the tail lined with silicone grippers, and this ensures a tight seal from the elements.

The sleeves are a nice length, too, and provide a good, relaxed fit. A breathable strip that runs from the armpit to the inner wrist is a welcome feature during hard efforts, but the cold is noticeable in easier riding with a chilly wind.

The cuff is very well designed. It is edged with a breathable 'collar' that slips neatly under gloves; the windproof fabric of the sleeve then butts up to the edge of the gloves, creating a good seal.

The collar has a good fit, with just enough space for a neck warmer. It is, however, quite low cut, making the neck warmer essential. The soft, thick lining provides a good seal against cold gusts.

Pockets

The only significant downside of the Kobe for me is the pockets. There are two large outer pockets made of a hardy mesh material, and they sit quite high up (I soon got used to this). I'm quite simply not a fan. Although they do keep your banana (or other mid ride snack) cool, they also allow road spray to penetrate through. It is a great design for a dry, crisp winter's day – but not for the mainly wet, muddy, UK roads.

Nevertheless, the crux of my critique lies with the number of external pockets. I'm a strong believer in the classic three pocket philosophy. The heavier items (inner tube, gas canister and so on) can fit snugly in the centre and anything else balanced in the other two. With two pockets, I always found the jersey sagging to one side, no matter how I packed them.

In contrast, the inner zip pocket was a success. It was perfect for my phone – just the right size and kept it warm (saving battery life!) during the colder days.

Value

The Kobe sits right at the premium end of performance clothing, with the likes of Rapha and Castelli. It comes in over £50 more than the Morvelo Kuler and Sportful Moire. It is hard to see where that extra investment goes, although I would argue that the temperature regulation and performance fit go some way to validate it. Conversely, it is hard to see the Kobe compete with the Castelli Perfetto; for only £30 more, you get an 'all in one' garment without the need to buy a shell jacket as well.

> Buyer's Guide: 13 of the best winter cycling jerseys

Conclusion

Overall, the Kobe performed very well. It is by no means waterproof, but does handle a cold wind very well. Its superb temperature regulation and fast drying materials were welcome features during hard training rides. In essence, it is a performance-orientated garment, though it would be nice to see some level of water resistance.

Verdict

High quality, functional garment, but not the best value for money