Specialized Activate Long-sleeved Jersey Review - BikeRadar

Specialized's Activate jersey is a perfect match in situations such as cyclo-cross where you’re generating a lot of heat, but it might not offer enough warmth for casual autumn spins.

The medium-weight polyester fabric and high collar provide protection as the temperatures dip. Open mesh panels down the centre of the back and in both armpits allow a fair bit of air to move through - whether you want it to or not - plus there’s a full-length zip in case things start to warm up.

The silicone rubber hem does a good job of keeping the bottom of the Activate in place and the full complement of four rear pockets was welcome as we loaded up for uncertain weather. There’s just enough room underneath the suitably snug fit for a base layer and the stylish contrast piping and silicone rubber accents elicited positive comments from most. A touch of reflective detailing on the rear pocket helps you get noticed at night, too.

Durability left us rather disappointed, as the relatively loose-knit fabric tends to snag on anything sharper than a watermelon. We picked up four major snags in just a few weeks of riding and were only able to fix one, which is a particular shame since there is so much else about the Activate that we really like.

Potential buyers should consider this a replacement for a short-sleeve-jersey-and-arm-warmers combo or an excellent single piece for harder workouts where breathability is still a key concern. Those living in terrain riddled with pointier foliage will certainly want to pass, though. At present the Activate is only available in the US.

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