Primal Axios Helix jersey

This Primal Axios Helix jersey is a classily restrained looking racing top, but the American Company Primal certainly have some interesting jersey styles in their catalogue with the likes of their Rock and Roll album cover range or the Brewery collection depicting your favourite tipple.

To be fair the standard collection is pretty colourful too - the Tattoo'd jersey features 'Asian, American and classic tattoo designs from the past and present'. All well and good for the not-so-serious riding.

For quicker days though, Primal's Helix range, of which the Axios jersey is part of, uses the company's top-end fabrics and a more race orientated cut. The front and back uses what Primal call SLR Ion fabric, lightweight and designed to vent cool air to the skin's surface; while the arms use Z29, a fabric that is dimpled on the surface by reducing drag. Think golf ball effect. Side panels are normally used for dispersing body heat and its no different here with the Axios Helix using AE Elite mesh is the fabric which is also found on the shoulder panels.

Finishing things off are a full length zip and three deep rear pockets. Price, £69.99.

The first thing you notice about the Axios when you put it on is how well it fits. It's figure hugging without being restrictive and moves with you as you change position on the bike with no bunching at the zip.

The pockets are angled which makes placing or retrieving things easy when you're on the move. They are a decent depth too, easily holding your tubes, tyre levers etc, without any sign of sag.

Warm days have been few and far between so far this spring but on the odd occasion the temperature has been nudging the high teens the Axios has done a decent job of keeping me cool. The shoulders and back barely got clammy at all even with a rucksack in place.

It feels like a good quality jersey too with decent stitching and a tidy finish. It's seen plenty of machine washing, with mud and oil marks easily washing out of the front and rear panels.

I'd say the 70 quid price tag is about right considering the performance, fit and material spec and compares to its competitors. Sizing ranges from S-XXXL and is spot on to their sizing chart as the medium fitted me exactly as it should. The blue/white/black is the only colourway available but there are matching shorts. If you buy the two together you get a discount of about £15 for the pair.

Overall the Axios Helix jersey is a race quality garment which manages body heat a lot better than some lighter weight competitors. The materials are soft against the skin with no irritating seams and longevity certainly doesn't look like an issue. The fit is brilliant with no bunching of the material whether in the drops or sat upright.

Verdict

Sensibly priced performance jersey with a great fit and wicking properties.