SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Specification
 Available in a choice of eight colours, the jersey is made from recycled polyester – grand for green cred – designed to wick away moisture. There’s a full-length YKK Vision zipper, to further facilitate temperature management. The inner lower back is a lightweight mesh on the inside – that climate management theme again –with a strong weave on the outside to keep those pockets firm and prevent sagging when you stuff them full because you don’t want to cart around a seat-pack. There are the traditional three rear pockets with an additional zipped security pocket. Collar and hems are neatly cut and a gripper strip completes the package. 

 

Rather like the Castelli Espresso 2 short-sleeved jersey Castelli Espresso2 Jersey | cycling-not-racing that I recently tested, the POC cadence is a sporty cut but not their sportiest. Frankly, you won’t be out of place in the peleton, but neither will you feel overdressed on the club run or solo day out. Think sporty, but not skinsuit. UPF20 protection is given, but that can be a bit of a discussion point, especially since the jersey has short sleeves. 

Size and fit 5/5

I am not the sportiest shape any longer and dithered a good deal over the sizing chart. Eventually, I decided on the XL, which turned out to be spot on. OK, I could have gone for XXL, but that would have defeated the point of the jersey. I’ve several jerseys which are baggier – which I quite like –but they are aimed more at the general cycling venture. So accept the sports-cut – and I expect that, at this price point, you’ll either be putting in some miles or ramping up the pace – or go a size up. However, again, at this price point, I’d be measuring two or three times and following the chart on the website.

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Care and durability 4/5
Care is easy. The usual 30c max machine wash. Likewise, there are the regular no-no warnings; no bleach, no ironing, best not to tumble dry, line dry ideally out of direct hot sun, and best not to hang it over the radiator or apply direct heat. Truth is, it won’t take long to dry after machine washing. On a breezy day, ours was wearable within half-an-hour; Line drying outdoors after a hand wash took a couple of hours, but still pretty quick. Indoor, say in a hostel or hotel on tour, overnight drying should suffice.

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Very light material like this can seem fragile, but in the context of its natural habitat of the road, it should last for many-a-mile. I’d be cautious about hitting overgrown trails with brambles, gorse, and other spiny opponents, but this isn’t really where it belongs. Even so, it has managed to survive a couple of unwanted scrapes with hedges when large vehicles have forced me to squeeze in on country lanes.

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Performance 4.5/5
So, we were fortunate enough to have some very warm spring weather. True, not the spiralling 30C plus which would really put this to the test, but warm enough work up a decent sweat on the rolling hills and moors of Devon, Somerset, and Dorset, where I have been lucky enough to have been in the last few weeks. Wicking is excellent, even under another technical garment, such as the Castelli Espresso 2 Vest The Castelli Espresso2 Vest | cycling-not-racing, or a Stolen Goat Jersey on a chilly spring-time start. As a single layer I have barely noticed a build-up of sweat when working hard on steep hills. Chilly on the way down? Well, yes, but testing has taken place in late spring in the UK when things are not really hot to start with.

Temperature regulation is really very good. That mesh panel that lines the jersey along the line of the rear pockets gives a really cool feel and seems to clear away heat and moisture that can build up in the small of the back. That’s a definite plus, whilst the user-friendly zip is rather more commonplace, but equally effective. The zip is easy to use when on the go, and seems robust enough to deal with my fat fingers.

 

You aren’t likely to be using it when full-finger gloves are needed. The gripper strip around the waist is perfectly adequate, although, in my opinion, not as grippy as some (the Castelli Espresso 2 Jersey, for example). However, whilst it feels that riding up may be an issue, there has, in practice, been no problem. Even less of an issue if, as may well be the case, you are combining these with bib shorts.

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Saggy pocket syndrome was once a feature of heavily laden pockets on those days when my stripped-down speedster hit the road on a beautiful summer day. Whilst I tend not to overstuff so much as I once did, it is still gratifying that phone, wallet, coins, mini-pump, patches, tyre levers, and multi-tool can be carried around the lower back rather than drooping around my bum and catching on the saddle every time I pull up at a junction.

Value 3.75/5
Were there a recognised syndrome for the condition of gasping at prices, it could well be named after me. £110? Well, I have to get my head away from the sale rail in the nineteen-seventies bicycle shop and bite the bullet. Fact is that, today, technical advances and design features offer really high-quality garments, bringing significant advantages to cyclists. The question is how much these are of value to you and whether your pocket is deep enough. The POC Cadence Jersey is well-made with great features and suits me down to the ground. It does, however, have rivals and many of them.

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I’ve recently tested the Castelli Espresso 2 Jersey and the comparisons are obvious. I feel that the gripper is stronger around the waist – not something everyone will appreciate. Both perform very well; both are aimed at a similar audience for a similar purpose. Your decision may come down to colour choice and potential online deals.

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Rapha’s Pro-Team Jersey will set you back around £190, if you pay the rrp. Serving the same temperature range, with some nice features, but slightly cheaper than the POC Cadence is the Lusso Paragon Jersey. Even cheaper, at £80, but still a strong contender for your attention would be the Stolen Goat Kalahari Jersey at £80. It covers the same temperature range and has similar feature the others discussed here.

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Summary

Really good warm or hot weather jersey which offers a good choice of colours and features that make it a really good choice for those seeking a modern design with up-to-date features combined with those timeless rear pockets. Is £110 worth it? Well, that is your choice, but I don’t think you will feel let down if you fork out and hit the road as the weather hots up.

Steve Dyster

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​Verdict: 4.5/5 great quality jersey for warmer weather.

https://poc.com/

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