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Bioracer Vesper Jersey SS Sister Snake

8
£74.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Top quality, comfort and performance at an attractive price
Longer body than many
Quality construction
Longer body than many...
Sizing could confuse
Weight: 
127g
Contact: 
www.bioracer.com/en/cycling/collection/99647/

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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Bioracer's Vesper SS Sister Snake Jersey is a great choice if you're after a performance top that's comfortable, functional and finished to a high standard. Don't assume it's your normal size, however – check Bioracer's charts to ensure the right fit.

The first thing to note with Bioracer is that every jersey in their collection comes with its own size chart. The size I need for their Camo Dot Jersey, for instance, is different to the correct Vesper SS size. Odd, but check the charts and you get a good fit.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Bioracer classes the Vesper as Athletic Fit – a 'tight, competition-oriented cut' – and it's definitely that, plus distinctly longer in the body than the many jerseys. It's ideal for serious sportive riders or committed amateurs.

2020 Bioracer Vesper Jersey SS Sister Snake - riding.jpg

In and out of the saddle, the jersey sits snugly in place; it's supported by a narrow elasticated hem and a silicone gripper strip. The sleeves are raglan cut (no seams over your shoulders), a good length and sit securely in position too. The fit as a whole is very good, with no bagginess or pinching anywhere.

Performance

Bioracer says the Vesper is for 'riding and racing in mild to warm conditions,' and I'd say that's accurate too. While its breathability isn't outstanding – it doesn't, for example, match Assos' Dyora or Lusso's R1 Style Breathe for breathability or drying once damp with sweat – it's still better than many, thanks to mesh side panels which help dissipate heat.

2020 Bioracer Vesper Jersey SS Sister Snake - hem.jpg

The Vesper teams well with an under vest, and I've made good use of it lately as the temperatures dipped. It's certainly not a summer-only garment.

2020 Bioracer Vesper Jersey SS Sister Snake - back.jpg

The three roomy pockets are easily accessible. There's a fourth, water-repellent and zipped pocket for keys or coins, and it's worth making sure these pockets are open after washing, otherwise you'll find them still damp on the next ride.

> How to choose the best cycling jersey — everything you need to know about fabrics, fit, features and more

The jersey is available in four colours: blue, orange, Bordeaux (that I tested) and grey. This certainly gives plenty of choice for those considering visibility.

2020 Bioracer Vesper Jersey SS Sister Snake - zip pocket.jpg

Value

At £74 it's well-price for its impressive quality. Many similarly designed jerseys come with a much higher price tag: Rapha's Pro Team Jersey will set you back a further £46, while Iris's Race Day Catch-Up Jersey is also slightly more expensive at £89.

You can spend less if you're happy to forgo yet more breathability and the finer-finish details: Lusso's Freya SS Jersey is £64.99, and Altura's Icon SS Jersey is £54.99.

2020 Bioracer Vesper Jersey SS Sister Snake - chest.jpg

Overall, I'd say that if quality matters to you, the Vesper Jersey SS Sister Snake offers good value for money. It's comfortable, breathable and exceptionally well-made. Just be sure to carefully check the sizing charts.

Verdict

Top quality, comfort and performance at an attractive price

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Bioracer Vesper Jersey SS Sister Snake

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

Bioracer tells us: "The new and improved Vesper Jersey is our all-round jersey for riding and racing in mild to warm conditions."

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

-2 way stretch Lycra front panel for maximum ease of movement

-Cut proof Lycra raglan sleeves

-1 way stretch Lycra back panel for improved fit

-Coolmax mesh side panels to dissipate body heat

-Water repellent zip pocket with robust, easy-pull zip

-Silicone gripper tape

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Excellent.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Breathability isn't as good as some.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Looking like new after the test period (note: I have Bioracer kit that's over twelve years old and it looks immaculate still).

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

Longer body suits me, but might not be for everyone.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
9/10

Just be sure to check the charts for the different Bioracer collections.

Rate the product for weight:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Quality for a palatable price.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Usual 30 degrees, no softener. Comes out like new.

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

Comfortable with decent breathability. Isn't limited to hot weather riding.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The cut/fit.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing (I'd opt for a brighter colour if I was buying, though).

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's low to mid-range for price, sandwiched between Lusso's Freya at £64.99 and Iris's Race Day Catch-Up at £89. You can get significantly cheaper with Altura's Icon at £54.99 or much more expensive with Velocio's Breton for £142.

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

Quality jersey with decent breathability and a good price. It's not limited to summer riding, either – it's very good, and an eight.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 39  Height: 173cm  Weight: 64kg

I usually ride: Road  My best bike is: Carbon road.

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, general fitness riding, Getting to grips with off roading too!

Emma’s first encounters with a road bike were in between swimming and running. Soon after competing for GB in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Edmonton in 2001 she saw the light and decided to focus on cycling. 

After a couple of half decent UK road seasons racing for Leisure Lakes, she went out to Belgium to sample the racing there and spent two years with Lotto-Belisol Ladies team, racing alongside the likes of Sara Carrigan, Grace Verbeke, Rochelle Gilmore and Lizzie Deignan. Emma moved from Lotto-Belisol to Dutch team Redsun, then a new Belgian team of primarily developing riders, where there was less pressure, an opportunity to share her experience and help build a whole new team; a nice way to spend her final years of professional racing. 

Since retiring Emma has returned to teaching. When not coercing kids to do maths, she is invariably out on two wheels. In addition to the daily commute, Emma still enjoys getting out on her road bike and having her legs ripped off on the local club rides and chain gangs. She has also developed an addiction to touring, with destinations including Iceland, Georgia and Albania, to mention just a few. There have also been rare sightings of Emma off-road on a mountain bike…

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