I’m currently mostly riding XC MTB and tend to wear lycra kit for this - I find it’s much better for temperature regulation and sweat management in our Aussie summers (which we are most definitely not experiencing right now! ). I also often wear a race-style hydration pack for longer outings, and I find the lycra kits work much better with that.
Having seen the zipperless jerseys that the XC pros use, I like the idea of them. Trail tee but with a performance fit and rear pockets. Natch.
Googling reveals a few offerings from Velocio (weird soccer jersey syle), Ciovita (limited colours), Voler, Pissei (both a bit naff) and Assos (nice, but typically expensive, even on their outlet store). Ostroy used to offer a few in some cool styles, but now only show one style and that is out of stock.
Are there any others out there that are worth a look?
Hi. Just checking with you - you are interested in “zipperless” jerseys (as per the content of your post) and not “sleeveless’ jerseys as per the heading/subject of the post? (I’m wanting to be helpful rather than being seen as too pedantic… )
I hear you, and I often wondered the same - but I ride MTB in trail jerseys (basically tech tees) a lot and never wish I had a zipper, so I figured the same would apply here. They’re often super light weight fabrics too.
That said, weirdly I don’t think I would wear one on the road for exactly this reason - I feel like I’d be missing something without a zip on a road jersey…
I live in Phoenix, AZ and I have come to like zipperless jerseys for hot rides. The increase in breathability by eliminating the zipper is surprisingly noticeable. Here’s summary from Chat GPT that seems pretty accurate but excludes an offering from Giordana that I like. I have experience with the offerings from Voler, Assos, Giordana, and the Velocio Signature Zipperless. I can elaborate on pros/cons of each
Brand
Model
Fit
Key Features
Assos
Equipe RSR Superléger S9Equipe RSR S11
RacingFit (aero, tight)
Ultra-lightweight; bonded seams; Hill Rombo fabric; no zipper at all
Santini
Pelle
Pro-fit (unisex)
Welded seams; silicone grip; raw-cut sleeves; zero zipper
I have been using the Pas Normal Studios Zipless Mesh jersey and have been absolutely loving it. They aren’t the easiest to get on, but it’s so much cooler than a regular jersey, and more comfortable. It’s definitely a race fit with a short front, and I wish the back pockets were a bit higher up, but overall a fantastic jersey that I will be switching most of my summer kits out for.
Thanks - they look good, but not quite what I’m after. Despite not being a skinny racing bean, I would prefer a tighter fit, and that single zippered pocket won’t be enough. Looks like a great trail jersey, though.
Can you elaborate on the Assos one? That looks good, but I’m struggling to understand the pocket situation from the pics online?
Also, the Santini one looks good. Seems to be less of a super light weight fabric - is that a fair comment?
It seems I looked at that but dismissed it. I’m guessing price was the reason! Looking again, I like it, and it seems a local seller has a sale on them. Could be worth a second look. Thanks for the reminder!
I also just reminded myself of this from Soomom (website can be a bit buggy) which is a much more wallet-friendly, and they also do a long sleeve ‘winter’ version - although the neck on that doesn’t look like it’ll keep you particularly warm!:
The S9 one from assos has 1 single pocket in the center. The S11 one has traditional 3 pocket layout.
I dont have the Santini one so I cant comment.
I forgot about Pas Normal. That one is awesome but beware it fits tight, even tighter that the Assos and combined with the see through mesh fabric its the closest thing to a negligée you can find in a cycling jersey. Could be a pro, could be a con. Its all about perspective.
Just ordered an S11 to try as I had a discount code that made it cheaper than the S9 was on sale, and I prefer the 3-pocket setup - although the purple S9 with the round neck is still on my radar! Will report back when it lands…
…which it did already - two days ago now in fact. Impressive service for one thing!
Glad I ordered the 2XL. It’s snug! I’m ~88kg and 179cm and I hover between M and L in t-shirts size depending on brand, just for reference.
In skivvies it’s borderline obscene, but I suspect it’ll look more acceptable over a base layer & bibs. I plan to drop some ballast (don’t we all?!), so hopefully that will happen and help even more.
…and that just landed too. I can’t deal with wearing the S11 yet because my choice of colour means it’s still pretty revealing despite being 2 sizes bigger than my usual jersey size (eeek)! The purple-to-black fade on the S9 will (and does) disguise my hopefully-temporary curves a lot better…
I prefer the finish of the arms and the round neck of the S9, but I also prefer the more traditional 3-pocket setup on the S11. In fact I’m not confident that my phone will stay put in the pocket on the S9, and, despite the sizing of the two jerseys being almost identical, the single pocket seems to sag quite a lot with only a bit of weight (my phone) in it. Going down a size or two would have sorted that, but the XL is out of stock and the L would look bloody awful!
I have 2 solutions now, although 1 of those won’t get used until I’m a bit lighter - on that basis I’m still looking…
I have the Santini one and the fit is great. It’s like a second skin and no annoying bunching unlike a lot of zipped jerseys I try. It’s also reasonably priced.
). I also often wear a race-style hydration pack for longer outings, and I find the lycra kits work much better with that.
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