Velobici Van Vinden Winter Jersey Review

The Vélobici Van Vinden jersey is marketed as the ‘next generation of cold and wet weather jerseys’, marking itself out as a serious competitor to the Castelli Gabba 2, and possibly the Rapha Pro Team Softshell, and is priced within a similar range.

The jersey stylings are in keeping with the rest of the Vélobici range, maintaining the classic signature Vélobici 5 pocket design, 2 of which are zipped and waterproof, and including the easy-access hip pocket. The jersey is predominately black with a highly Reflective ‘Vélobici’ top pocket, sleeve cuff and hem binding, rubberised ‘vb’ logo badges on the chest and centre rear are also reflective.

Lightweight and windproof fabric keep you comfortable on those cold crisp days.

The full length zip and pocket zips are made from neoprene which, on paper, offer the jersey additional waterproofing at these potentially water-ingress points. The sleeves are cut long and have reinforced thumb loops, and the rear hem is dropped, with a seamless silicone gripper, for additional comfort and protection from the elements.

The jersey fabric is developed using the new VB/Pro-Shell fibre which Vélobici claim is 100% Waterproof and Windproof yet breathable. The fabric is made up from three layers consisting of VB/Pro-VR1 for inner and outer, plus a middle layer which is made from a high-tech flexible PU membrane. The three layer laminated jersey reads as though it will be a bulky, but the finished article is a supple fabric, slightly thicker than your long-sleeve jersey fabric perhaps, but otherwise a lightweight jacket, which by my scales show the jacket at 400g (compare the Gabba 2 published weight of 343g).

Waterproof, windproof and breathable fabric will keep you dry and warm through the winter months

The three layers are weaved together to create a resultant fabric that looks like a single piece that is then patterned, cut and stitched into the jersey as described above.  The outer layer of the laminated fabric also has a DWR (durable water repellent) coating designed to help precipitation bead up and roll off the fabric for that added assurance of water resistance. DWR is all well and good, but will wash out of any garment eventually , though you can buy wash in weather resistant treatments to reapply if you feel it necessary – I’ve yet to fully investigate this.

I find the fit, in the medium, is a tailored and close fit across the arms, shoulders and chest with just a little room allowed across the lower back, the pockets and stomach area, with the hem line close fitting across the hips – as I mentioned earlier, the rear hem is slightly dropped to add additional protection across the backside.

It’s a nice comfortable fit, and allows a good level of layering underneath depending on the weather conditions and temperatures – I’ve used the jersey in below freezing temperatures up to about 14 or 15 degrees centigrade and have felt comfortable. I find the reinforced thumb loops slightly uncomfortable, so I don’t bother using them, and anyway the jersey sleeves are long enough and secure enough to not really warrant them at all, in my opinion.

High Collar and dropped rear hem to keep out the chill

The neck is a slightly higher than normal, and fits just under the chin to keep the weather out – it’s comfortable and there’s enough room to add a buff if necessary without feeling like you’re being strangled. The hem line also keeps the weather out and feels secure. The pockets are a generous size with the hip pocket, which has a waterproof liner, most used for quick access to my phone.

The jersey will keep the weather out – wind, rain, sleet, snow, and will keep you insulated and warm and in that respect performs much better than expected, remarkably so in fact. However the breath-ability of the jersey has its limitations.

Generous sized pockets, two of which are zipped and fully waterproof

You will sweat in it, as you would expect to sweat with any physical effort – the Jersey is fairly breathable, you won’t boil or over heat, but it does have its limitation in moving the ‘precipitation particles’ out of the jacket. Personally I’m more interested in staying warm, than worrying about sweat (you sweat for a reason), and the jersey definitely keeps you insulated and warm and exceptionally well protected from the outside elements. A decent base layer will do much to absorb and keep any sweat away from the skin and help regulate your core temperature inside the jersey, and so far the jersey, after several washes still has that new fabric smell.

Long sleeves with thumb loops and reflective piping

The Vélobici Van-Vinden jersey is a garment that will help to convince you that winter riding is something you can actually enjoy, despite the elements, and keep you protected from the weather for those long and steady winter base miles.

For a small, home grown company like Vélobici – their garments and fabrics designed and manufactured here in the UK, with a growing number of retail partners in the UK and across the world – and because of its relative size, and local control and relationships with the east midlands based production companies and machinists, still maintains a very direct and personal touch with customers. The Van Vinden jersey is a truly remarkable piece of technical winter clothing which I would highly recommend for your 2015/16 winter wardrobe. Invest now before the weather closes in! Vélobici Van Vinden Winter Jersey – £195.00

Velobici

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