Troy Lee Designs Flowline LS jersey review

Well established as a stalwart clothing and helmet producer, Troy Lee Designs needs no introduction, and its stylish kit has proved popular for generations of riders.

Its kit has been fairly pricey in the past, though, which is where the Flowline series comes in. TLD claims it offers the same quality, fit and feel as more expensive TLD ranges but with fewer features to save on costs.

• Best mountain bikes under £1,000
• Best enduro mountain bikes

Troy Lee Designs Flowline LS jersey details

The Flowline jersey has no pockets, mesh panels or rubberised hem grippers, its only notable features are claimed quick drying and sweat wicking finishes, as well as a screen-printed logo on the jersey’s tail.

The TLD Dura Knit Fabric is Bluesign certified, which means the fabric’s been made in a sustainable and responsible way where workers’ safety and environmental considerations are key. Other brands, such as Patagonia and Vaude, also wear the Bluesign logo with pride.

Troy Lee says the fit of the torso and arms is fairly relaxed, and it is traditional in length. It’s available in five sizes, from small to extra-extra-large.

Troy Lee Designs Flowline LS jersey performance

The Flowline’s material felt soft and smooth against my skin, proving to be exceptionally comfortable even on long, sweaty days in the saddle.

Its cut is true to TLD’s word and felt fairly baggy and relaxed, striking a good compromise between not restricting movement or being so baggy that it flaps in the wind, like a drying pillow case.

The stretchy fabric helped increase its airy-to-wear feel, despite it being a fairly weighty jersey compared to others I’ve tested recently.

The fabric dried well once it was wet with sweat, but also remained more comfortable and softer than other synthetic jerseys.

I liked the fit of the long sleeves, which sat just above my wrists when they were rolled down. The cuffs were tight enough to keep them in place when rolled down or up and didn’t suffer from long-lasting stretch fatigue from rolling up, returning to their original form.

The jersey’s well suited to trail and enduro, but less appropriate on the downhill bike if you wear significant amounts of protection. There was enough space under the jersey for a back protector but not quite enough to comfortably fit full body protection, especially under the sleeves.

It’s probably too baggy for most people to consider for XC riding, though.

Troy Lee Designs Flowline LS jersey bottom line

The key to the Flowline’s success is its simplicity and how comfortable it is to wear in a host of riding scenarios, even when it’s saturated in sweat. The price tag might be a stumbling block for some, though.