A very good jersey for the UK Summer
What are those very good features of which we speak? First, the Jersey has a full-length zip, and you can't beat that for maximum air circulation on hot, sweaty climbs.
The zip in question feels like one that's going to last the distance rather than one of those that's going to fall apart at the slightest provocation, and it locks firmly in place wherever you want it. A fold of fabric at the top of the zip means it can't irritate your neck.
Around the back you get three deep pockets with elasticated tops to keep all your stuff from flying out, along with a zipped fourth pocket. This one is large enough to take one of the new generation of large mobiles like an iPhone 6, and it comes with a reinforced port for an earphone cable.
The tops of the sleeves – the orange panels on our review jersey – are made from stretchy Lycra Shield, the back of which is covered with hundreds of little silicone dots. These give the fabric a tacky feel and, more to the point, they keep the sleeves perfectly in place. Even when you sweat loads, they don't ride up at all. Spot on! A silicone strip inside the elasticated waist does a similar job down there.
The quality of the Italian workmanship is well above the norm, with excellent seams, taping around the inside of the collar and binding at the edges of the zip. These are little things but they all add up. The logos are embroidered rather than heat transferred on so they're not going to crack and gradually flake away. The reflective stripe that runs down the central pocket is a heat transfer, but it's showing no signs of ageing after a couple of months of use and many washes. All in all, I think the Hors Categorie Jersey is going to maintain its good looks for ages.
The main fabric is a polyamide (91%) and elastane (9%) mix from Jersey Lomellina. I'd say it's a medium weight for a summer jersey. I've known fabrics that shift moisture and dry considerably quicker, but I've been very comfortable wearing this in temperatures around the mid-20s centigrade. You might want something lighter and more airy if you're heading up big Continental climbs in hot weather, but it's a decent option for most UK conditions.
The fabric stretches massively both widthwise and lengthwise, so although the jersey is cut slim, it'll suit many riders of a medium build as well as stick-thin racers.
VERDICT
Strong features and high build quality make this a very good jersey for the UK summer