ashmei Men's Breton Cycle Jersey

The ashmei Men's Breton Cycle Jersey looks good, wicks moisture well and is even windproof too. You do have to pay a premium for the high performance though.

• Pros: Excellent wicking, good looks, windproofing
• Cons: Expensive

A windproof jersey isn't something you would normally consider for summer riding, but this ashmei design might change your mind. One of its key elements is the choice of material, which sets it apart from the pack. It's unlike almost any other fabric I have seen used in a jersey, with almost a rubberised feel. It also has an impressive amount of stretch, which means it sits comfortably regardless of your body type.

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The jersey is made up of three main panels, all using the same material: the back of the jersey and the two front panels joined with a full zip. On many modern jerseys this is not the case, with different fabrics used in different areas for a variety of purposes, to increase breathability or suchlike.

What sets this jersey apart is that this is unnecessary because of the performance of the material, and that it can be used in a wide variety of conditions.

First off is its breathability, which, despite the fabric's windproof qualities, is impressive. I used this during the 38°C heatwave and although I don't think there is any jersey in existence that would have been completely comfortable, this wicked moisture away well and let heat escape better than most jerseys I have used.

The odd thing, though, is that it also offers a degree of windproofing, which means that in addition to using this in searing heat, you could quite comfortably stick some arm warmers on and have a good spring/autumn jersey too. With the wind protection combined with its breathability, where I would normally consider putting on a lightweight jacket for a descent I could comfortably just keep going.

At the back ashmei has included four pockets – three regular and one zipped. Having tested older ashmei jerseys which only included two pockets, I'm pleased to see that it has made this move given the struggles I had fitting everything in previously. The pockets themselves are a good size and I managed to fit in everything that I needed for a long summer ride.

Other features include a thick silicone gripper around the bottom which works well to keep everything in place, and a durable YKK zip that's ideal for when the mercury really starts to rise and you want to increase airflow. Another thing to note is that the material is UPF 50+, so even in the intense sunlight I could maintain my razor-sharp tan lines.

Value

It's an expensive jersey, slightly mitigated by the the quality of the fabric and that it can be used for three seasons. It's only £4.01 more than the Gore C7 Race Jersey, which also boasts an impressive fabric (and Spartacus helped in the design) but doesn't offer the same multi-season use. Alternatively, the Nalini AHS Mortirolo Jersey that I looked at last year is £9 cheaper but again, despite an amazing design and fabric, it doesn't have the same multi-season potential of the ashmei.

> Buyer's Guide: 22 of the best summer cycling jerseys

Overall I was very impressed with this Breton jersey. It offers impressive performance, an innovative fabric, and the ability to use it for the majority of the year. The price is going to put many off, but because of its versatility you would probably have to buy two jerseys to fulfil the needs met by this one.

Verdict

An excellent jersey that can be used for most of the year, but this level of performance comes at a price