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Adidas Supernova LS jersey

5
£70.00

VERDICT:

5
10
Good fabric that keeps you comfy in a range of temperatures, but fit needs plenty of work
Weight: 
250g
Contact: 
www.adidas.co.uk/cycling

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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This Adidas Supernova long sleeve jersey could be a useful bit of kit in its next incarnation. The odd fit needs work, though, if it's going to perform well on the bike.

Made from Adidas Climalite® material this is a thin long sleeve, the idea being that it's good over a range of temperatures and won't cook you if it gets hotter when you're out. It's a fairly standard construction, with a full zip, three pockets (plus a zipped one) at the back and a decent smattering of unobtrusive reflectives. There's a silicone gripper at the back to stop it riding up.

Out on the bike the fabric works well. It's thin enough that it conforms well, and does a good job of wicking away your efforts. It's soft to the touch and comfy against the skin. I've worn it on a couple of early starts and it's been a good choice, temperature-wise: not too cold on a spring morning and not too hot when the sun gets going. The white fabric (other colours are available) probably helps defend you against heating up too.

That's all well and good, but the fit is, well, odd. I'm a big chap at my leanest. At the moment, coming back from injury and carrying a bunch of extra weight from my enforced layoff, I'm bigger still (104kg) but the large test sample was plenty big enough for me. If you're a real giant of the cycling world, in a literal sense, these go up to an XXL. The collar is huge when you'd want it to be a snug fit, and the cuffs are flappy too even on my generously-proportioned arms. It just feels a bit, well, wrong. Except the length, which is okay.

All of which is to say: if you think the fit might suit you, then it's a good spring/autumn top, performance-wise. But the fit won't suit many people.

Verdict

Good fabric that keeps you comfy in a range of temperatures, but fit needs plenty of work

road.cc test report

Make and model: Adidas Supernova LS jersey

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

With Climalite® soft, lightweight fabric The Supernova Long sleeve Jersey is built for superior fit and moisture management. Silicone elastic gripper on hem and folded mesh cuffs offer additional comfort.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Featuring Climalite® soft lightweight fabric

Superior fit and moisture management

Silicone elastic gripper on hem and folded mesh cuffs offer additional comfort Integrated safety with bright silver reflective three stripes and corporate logo

Sport fit

Security zipper pocket for valuables on back

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
6/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
5/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
6/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It was okay, but the fit is off.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Good temperature management for a long-sleeve top.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The fit.

Did you enjoy using the product? No.

Would you consider buying the product? No.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

It could be good, this. it just needs the fit addressing.

Overall rating: 5/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 190cm  Weight: 102kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium 853

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

 

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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2 comments

Avatar
abbeybob | 10 years ago
0 likes

adidas sizing is very inconsistent with other brands. I'm usually a L (or an Italian XL). I first ordered their kit in an L, came up much too large, sent it back and asked for a medium, came up much too large, sent it back and asked of an S. Even these were less than snug. I understand the physical nature of average cyclist has changed the clothing market over recent years with 'larger' MAMILs outnumbering the traditional skinny 'club cyclists' and thus changed clothing companies market but their sizing is very confusing

Avatar
Shamblesuk | 10 years ago
0 likes

I echo these comments, I bought an Adidas Response Winter jersey and the fit and materials were appalling. It was like an old hessian sack. I bought medium and am normally large in Castelli, Rapha etc and it was so baggy it was untrue. And the length was far too long at the back. A definite 0/10.

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