dhb Vaeon Roubaix long-sleeve jersey – £69.99

The most stylish garment in the box, the dhb Vaeon Roubaix jersey offers an understated design in the cut we like: a close fit that dhb describe as ‘form’ to distinguish from its looser, ‘sportive’ fit. The chances of this figure hugging garment flapping around in the wind are slim to none, we’d say, but testing will reveal all.

Despite the closeness of the fit, the jersey isn’t short. The hem clears the waistline by some distance at the front, and the droptail almost completely covers the buttocks. The sleeves feel a little long off the bike, but it’s on-the-bike performance that interests us more. We’ll let you know.

As the name suggests, the Vaeon Roubaix jersey is cut from the same fabric as the Vaeon Roubaix three-quarters that we have on test: one fashioned from an 85 per cent nylon, 15 per cent elastene mix known to dhb as Lombardia. Early fittings suggest an impressive degree of stretch, and the lining is brushed to a light fleece which should prove insulating; one present and correct throughout the jersey, even into the collar.

Other features include three rear pockets, the middle of which,  at 140mm, is 10mm wider than the pockets either side. There’s a zipped pocket too, on ‘top’ of the centre pocket, which has a lining finished with a narrow slot for a headphone cable.

Narrow strips of reflective material on the chest and at the shoulder blades, and a reflective logo may go some way to catching the eye of motorists on darkened roads, but should never be considered a substitute for lights. The same is true, of course, of the bright red in which this jersey is also available.

Any other business? There’s a full-length YKK zip up front, a silicone gripper band at the waist, and slim, 10mm deep elasticated cuffs. dhb recommend layering with a merino base layer for colder conditions, and as we have one of theirs to hand, we’ll do just that.

The dhb Vaeon Rouabix long-sleeve jersey is available in six sizes from X-Small to Extra, Extra Large, and in black and white or red and white. It costs £69.99.