The Altura Club Short Sleeve Jersey provides a comfortable, relaxed fit and simple retro looks. It's slightly thicker than a full-on race jersey, meaning it's ideal for warm mornings and cool summer evenings, and takes a fair bit of cargo in its stretchy pockets without complaining. While the cut is well judged, though, the sizing is off – you may need to go smaller than usual.
I had good number of compliments while wearing the Altura Club. The simple arrow design looks smart and is repeated on the back, while reflective logo details front and rear help safety in low light. But it's got more to offer than looks; it's practical too, with three expansive rear pockets and a smaller, zipped valuables pocket in its strong fabric.
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I don't use a tool bag on the bike and stuff everything into my pockets, so am often carrying a pump and tools, two inner tubes, a phone, a banana and mini-malt loaves – the Club holds all of it, no problem. The tops of the pockets are also elasticated, allowing a good amount of stretch to keep everything in place.
The Altura Club is well put together, with 100% polyester panels. The overlocked stitching is strong and well-finished. Special mention goes to the rubber-covered zip toggles, as they're a good size, and simple to operate one-handed while riding. The rear side pocket also gets a cord to make it easier to reach and use.
A grippy hem at the back keeps the whole thing from riding up your back, even if you haven't stuffed it with bananas and cake.
The material is slightly thicker than a race cut jersey, and it's maybe 40 to 50g heavier than a hot weather race-cut jersey. That makes it ideal as short sleeves first become wearable in spring, or for sunny evening rides when the air is cooling after a hot day.
I found the ideal temperature range from about 12 to 22°C. I rode a few times in 25 degree heat, which was approaching the wicking limits of the jersey, and started to feel sweat build up on my back. It's not often we get that in the UK though, so the vast majority of the time it was spot on.
The fit is good, with no bunching on the shoulders or around the arms, but the sizing is surprisingly generous. It definitely sizes up big – I normally wear large or even XL, but the Club fitted me fine in medium. For reference I'm 5ft 11in and 90 kilos, with broad shoulders and big arms.
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The care instructions are simple – the usual 30 degree washes and drip drying – and even after 15 washes it comes up like new each time.
At £50, I would say the Altura is spot-on for a quality, sport-cut jersey. Similar alternatives range from about £30 to £70, so the Altura is bang in the middle. Competition includes the Funkier F-Ride Active Jersey at £45, although Steve found the waterproof pocket tended to steam-cook phones. The £45 dhb Blok short sleeve is also a relaxed fit, although arguably lacks the Altura's classy looks.
> Seatpacks v pockets: what's the best way to carry stuff on a ride?
The Altura Club Short Sleeve Jersey achieves everything it claims. The retro print is attractive, while details such as easy-to-use zip toggles impress. I like the slightly thicker fabric, too – it's perfect for early summer mornings and warm evenings. The Club became my go-to jersey throughout the test period, in fact, which should tell you plenty. Just be careful with sizing when you order.
Verdict
A stylishly retro jersey that's comfy, practical and useful – but watch the sizing
Make and model: Altura Club short sleeve jersey
Tell us what the product is for
Altura says: "The Club short-sleeved jersey provides a comfortable relaxed fit and a fresh feel."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Underarm mesh panels
Reflective detailing (2 small reflective patches - 1 front, 1 back)
3 rear pockets including 1 zip pocket
Full-length front zip with neck guard to prevent chafing.
Relaxed fit
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
The Altura Club jersey feels well put together with tidy stitching, and fabric is slightly thicker than a race-cut jersey. The zips are a good size, with rubber toggles.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
This is ideal just as short sleeves become wearable in spring, or for a sunny evening ride. I would say its ideal temperature is from about 12 degrees up to about 22 degrees.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
This suffered the odd very minor thread pull, and a mark from a bike tool poking into the pocket, but nothing untoward. Stitching is overlocked and strong. The hem gripper is still perfectly intact after a month's use and 15 washes.
Rate the product for fit:
8/10
Good. No bunching on the shoulders, under or around the arms.
Rate the product for sizing:
4/10
Sized up big. I normally would wear Large or XL, but this was a Medium and I was surprised how well it fitted (I'm 5'11 and 90 kilos, for reference).
Rate the product for weight:
7/10
Weight is fine, probably 40 to 50 grams heavier than a really light race jersey. But this is why it's good for those slightly cooler days, which we get a lot of in the UK.
Rate the product for comfort:
8/10
Perfectly comfortable, just right around the arms, no bunching anywhere. Zip guard on the neck stops chafing.
Rate the product for value:
6/10
At £50, the Altura is spot on for a good quality, sport-cut jersey. Similar alternatives range from about £30 to £70, so the Altura is middling.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
30 degree washes drip drying cause no problems.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well, plus the pockets are generous and secure (I don't use a tool bag and stuff everything into my pockets – a pump, two inner tubes, phone, bananas and malt loaf.) It fits in no problem.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Retro looks, slightly weightier fabric, stretchy pockets, zip toggles.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
It sizes up big.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
£50 for a stylish jersey with practical features is good value. Similar alternatives range from about £30 to £70, so the Altura is middling.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
The Altura Club jersey achieves everything it claims, fits well and impresses in its details. It became a favourite jersey throughout the test period – it's very good and a deserving 8.
Age: 41 Height: 181 Weight: 92 Kilos
I usually ride: GT Grade My best bike is: Boardman ASR 8.9
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,
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