At a glance An elegant but expensive women's short-sleeved MTB jersey that offers a rich, Merino wool content and a simple uncluttered, quarter-zip design.
Tested by
Jane Conway, tester for The Bike List
Performance
Known as the Cottonwood Jersey in the states and on the www.smartwool.com website, the Women's Mountain Jersey is a simple, short-sleeved MTB shirt with a high Merino wool content of 75%. Because the idea is you'll be wearing a rucksack or hydration pack, there are no rear pockets to clutter up the back, but for small essentials like cash or credit cards, there is a secret, zipped pocket at the front, sewn almost invisibly into the side seam. This features a small, reinforced hole on the inside, in case you want to thread earphones through the jersey and use the pocket to stash an MP3 player. Unlike many riders, though, I'm not an iPod user when I'm on the bike. I never get bored of the sounds around me, and I really like to hear what's going on - especially when I'm on the road.
The Mountain jersey features a quarter-length zip for venting as well as making it easier to put on and take off, and the contrasting side panels are made of a lighter mesh-style fabric so you keep cooler on hot climbs. This is a nice design touch, as a shelf-bra vest or sports bra adds an additional layer under a jersey, so extra ways to cool down are always welcome for girlies. The main fabric on the front and back is a tighter, more wind-resistant weave than at the sides, but it's by no means windproof, so there's a decent airflow coming through while you ride.
The fit could be described as 'performance-casual'. It's not second-skin tight like aerodynamic racing kit, but it's tight enough not to flap about in the windrush of a descent. Because there are no cycling specifics like rear pockets, the Mountain Jersey doesn't look too out of place in the pub with a pair of jeans, so those looking for all-purpose outdoor kit or a general purpose short-sleeved base layer can't go wrong with this. I'm a size 10 in everything else, and the fit is perfect. If you're a large size 10/small size 12 you might find it a bit tight, so it'd be worth trying the next size up as well to get the kind of fit you like best.
A great advantage of the natural Merino wool fibres is the fact that they're not very good at retaining odours. This means that even after long, hot rides and a fair amount of perspiration, the Mountain Jersey simply isn't very good at smelling bad. As a campsite staple or a winter base layer this is great news, and though it doesn't mean that you don't need to wash it, it does mean you can get away with an extra ride or two between washes, and that you'll be more popular than your synthetic wearing friends!
On the subject of washing, the Mountain Jersey and other Merino garments are designed for a 30ºC cold wash, and it dries out pretty quickly, too. You can't wear it straight out of a spin dry like some man-made tops, but it'll air dry overnight without any problems. It's also good for handwashing, so if you're touring or on a multi-day ride, it's easy to keep it clean in the B&B washbasin or the loo block at the campsite.
Apart from a very small logo, there are no retro-reflective flashes to help you be picked out by car headlights at night, so with no rear pockets and no extra features (save for the seam pocket) the Mountain jersey is rather expensive at £65. It's lovely to wear, the fit is good and the Merino fabric performs well, but it does seem a bit steep for what's essentially a quarter-zip t-shirt in a performance fabric. There's no knocking its quality, but there's a lot of high-end competition out there at this price point, and much of it has extra features and functions, like pockets and reflectives.
Merino addicts and lovers of classy, understated styling will not be disappointed by performance or the looks of the Mountain Jersey. Just be warned that the price is steep for what it is.
Buy from UK stockist: 01753 497190
Smartwool says:
The Cottonwood Jersey is our new women's mountain bike jersey, offering a 1/4-length front zipper, mesh side panels, a zip back stash pocket and a side seam pocket. Made with our new SmartWool Technical Knit Merino fabric, the jersey's fit has been improved, keeping you comfortable on the trails. Made in Vietnam of New Zealand Zque™ Merino wool.
- 75% Merino wool
- 25% Polyester
- Colours: Electric Blue, Juniper (Green)
- Sizes XS-XL
Find out more www.smartwool.com
