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Sportful Bodyfit Thermal Jersey

8
£80.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Warm, effective and comfortable winter jersey
Weight: 
0g

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.

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The Sportful Bodyfit Thermal jersey isn't cheap, but the design and quality make it worth the initial outlay.

Doubtless there will be some ranting about the inclusion of pink in the design of Sportful's Bodyfit Thermal women's long sleeved winter jersey, which coordinates with the rest of Sportful's range, but it's worth looking beyond the cosmetic appeal (or lack thereof if you're anti-pink) on this one. Made from Sportful's Thermodrytex Plus fabric, it's designed to wick moisture away from the skin quickly and efficiently, leaving the body a stable and happy temperature with reduced risk of windchill.

It's a fairly standard winter jersey design, made from stretchy fuzzy-backed fabric, with three rear pouch pockets, silicone gripper logos along the hem and shaped snuggish cuffs. Personal preference says I'd have liked to have seen some sort of zipped pocket somewhere on the jersey but there wasn't one, perhaps in expectation that the wearer would also be wearing some sort of shell or gilet layer, which isn't unreasonable.

The fit was neat and athletic, meaning if you're borderline you may want to consider going up a size (a size large was roughly equivalent to a UK12-14), but with good length on the body and sleeves, so taller women will be pleased. The jersey stayed put when riding, and the fabric was comfortable, warm and kept me feeling a good temperature throughout the ride. At this price it's nudging towards being expensive, but the quality of the fabric and comfort levels do mean it would be a safe investment, especially if you can find it in the sales somewhere.

It's also available in a purple and black option, although still with the pink stripes.

Verdict

Warm, effective and comfortable winter jersey

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Sportful Bodyfit Thermal Jersey

Size tested: na

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?

Aimed at female riders looking for performance and comfort for cold conditions.

Sportful says:

Whether you are layering up or riding in a cool climate, the Bodyfit Pro Thermal Jersey is made to keep your core warm while providing excellent stretch and fit in the arms.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Made from ThermoDraytex Plus and ThermoDrytrex XP fabrics for moisture transport and fast drying with thermal properties

Bodyfit Pro construction for great race fit

ThermoDrytex Plus fabric on shoulders and sleeves for high-stretch warmth

ThermoDrytex XP body for extra core warmth and moisture management

YKK® Vislon® zipper

3 high capacity rear pockets

Silicone gripper elastic

Three rear pouch pockets

YKK Zip

Silicone logo grippers at hem

Available in sizes XS-XL

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Very well made from good quality fabric

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Performed very well, particularly when used as part of a layering system

Warm, didn't get clammy and kept the body a good temperature

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Should last very well. The only aging downside will be odour accumulation.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

A good weight for a layering item for cold weather use.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Very comfortable.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Not bad value, but a little on the steep side.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performed very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Shape, fabric, comfort.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Price, lack of zipped security pocket.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly in the sales.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Probably.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

A reliable, effective and well considered cold weather jersey option.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: Boardman Hybrid Fi  My best bike is: Specialized Ruby Elite

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,

 

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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1 comments

Avatar
crikey | 9 years ago
0 likes

A properly cut cycling jersey!

When you are not on a bike it looks too tight across the chest, too baggy across the shoulders and the collar appears stretched.

Get on a bike and it all fits well.

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