Altura Peloton 2 Short Sleeve Jersey

The Altura Peloton 2 jersey is a good mid-range addition to the wardrobe of cyclists with an eye for style. Its technical fabric feels smooth to the skin, and with a more relaxed fit than many it's very comfortable, especially when paired with a quality baselayer. It would be a good pick for those entering the sport.

Being made from a technical, sweat-wicking fabric, the Peloton jersey helps to keep you cool and dry, avoiding the pitfall some cheaper jerseys fall victim to of being comfortable for 30 minutes until the sweat really starts pouring. I was impressed.

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With a fit that's more relaxed than aero, the jersey wouldn't be top of my list for racing – Altura's Podium Elite line would be more suitable for such use. For recreational riders and those not obsessing over their average speed and W/kg, the Peloton 2 makes a lot of sense. You stand out from the Castelli and Rapha crowd who seem ubiquitous at sportives and the like these days, while saving a pretty penny – 15 quid over Rapha's £75 Core jersey.

While the performance and fit are maybe not comparable, many cyclists don't really want a super-tight top that isn't particularly flattering, especially to those with larger builds. There was a bit of flapping, but not enough to be annoying.

Altura's sizing seems well aligned to what size you would wear in casual clothes from the high street – a welcome departure from the 'European' ultra-small sizing many brands follow. That said, I found the jersey a bit short for me, even though the medium was the best size for my slim 6ft build (it's not me in the photos). It also doesn't have as dramatic a dropped back as some, but should fit well on those who favour a more upright riding position.

Having three large pockets on the rear as well as a smaller zipped one gives a good amount of cargo space, and I wouldn't hesitate to use this jersey on long rides because of the comfort and space for food, rain jacket and so on.

The full-length zip has a fabric baffle behind that protects your skin from rubbing and a covering/garage at the top stops it irritating your neck. Silicone grippers along the bottom hem stop the jersey riding up and, being broad in the shoulders, I found the raglan sleeves adequately wide so the sleeves stayed in position. Perfect for building up even tan lines.

In terms of quality, I was pleased to see flatlock stitched seams – often reserved for more expensive tops. This helps both with comfort and durability. I have had a thread pull on the stomach area where a thorn caught the fabric while riding off-road, but that's to be expected. After a month or so of testing, none of the stitching is coming undone. It feels like the Peloton 2 Jersey is built to last.

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In this red and black option it stands out against the in-vogue all-black jerseys that many companies offer. It is also available in a stealth black and grey as well as a light blue. I like the pattern, too, which strikes me as being flattering to all body shapes.

In all, I can't find much to fault with this jersey. It's a perfectly decent summer top for more recreational use. At £60 RRP and available for less than £40 online at the time of writing, I was impressed with the quality and breadth of features. In a stylish colourway and flattering shape, this is a good buy for those wanting to look cool, and being made from wicking material it helps you stay cool too.

Verdict

A simple, stylish short-sleeved jersey with full-length zip and plenty of stowage space