Reviews

HOY Vulpine Senko short sleeve jersey – review

Great performance and stylish looks on a jersey built for speed, but the pockets could be bigger

HOY Vulpine’s Senko jersey is a stealthy, no frills jersey, perfect for blasting around at speed. Great performance coupled with stylish looks makes the jersey a top choice, though it could use a little more storage for longer rides to give it more versatility.

HOY Vulpine, a collaboration between Sir Chris Hoy and British apparel brand Vulpine, launched the Senko range new for summer 2016. The race-inspired range sits top of their collection, which also includes a more affordable Sportive line-up of clothing.

The jersey takes its name from Keirin racing – the discipline in which Sir Chris won two of his six Olympic gold medals – and refers to a rider with superior endurance, capable of leading the group out and still sprinting to victory.

And that is the crux of the jersey – it is built for speed, with a close fit, but breathable CoolMax panelling which will keep you cool at the same time.

The HOY Vulpine Senko jersey comes with a close, race fit

As a partnership, HOY Vulpine pride themselves on high performance and classic looks, and the Senko jersey certainly lives up to the billing; a simple, darker-angled block colour makes for a great look.

Specification
Price: £99.99
Sizes: XS-XXL
Size tested: S
Website: Vulpine

This isn’t a case of style over substance, however. The jersey is a pared down, effective and comfortable number for fast riding – perfect for a short, intense ride or some racing.

The fit, as mentioned, is close, and I was a little surprised to be comfortable in the size small that arrived to test – I usually ride medium kit for most European brands, except for Italian clothing, which has its own rules.

The jersey is incredibly breathable, thanks to the CoolMax paneling and lightweight fabric which almost feels as though it’s not there. It’s not just a hot-weather special, either, as with additional kit it will serve you well across the summer and into autumn.

In fact, on one rainy muggy ride, the lightweight fabric dried quickly and didn’t hold water – an unexpected bonus, and particularly useful for the changeable British summer weather.

A minimalist jersey does have one downside, however – if you’re aiming to ride a sportive or an all-day long-distance ride, you will find pockets lacking a little, as they’re neither very deep nor especially stretchy. There is also no zip pocket for your valuables.

Do consider the pump you carry, or even your smartphone as the pockets aren’t big, and the fabric is quite slick, so if anything isn’t stuffed in well, you may find that something jumps out on rougher surfaces.

Elsewhere, the full-length front zipper is also very minimal but it’s a branded YKK piece and so, despite concerns over how robust it would be, I found it up to task. It’s easy to undo after fast riding, but proved a little tricky at times to catch and close. It does lie very flat with the jersey, however, maintaining the sleek looks.

Pocket space is minimal if embarking on a long ride

The arms are close, and the deep grippers on the hemmed sleeves ensure everything stays put, while still allowing for enough flexibility and movement. Personally, however, I’d prefer something a little less tight on the ends of the sleeves, particularly given the good race fit of the rest of the jersey.

Finally, the jersey has subtle branding on the chest and arms, which are well positioned and nicely sized. There is a large central reflective logo on the back centre pocket, handy for visibility.

The hem stays put mainly due to the fit, and the obligatory silicone grippers work well – especially as it’s nigh on impossible to overload the pockets.

Conclusion

The Hoy Vulpine Senko is the the type of jersey that encourages speed and sprinting for village signs with your team-mates or riding buddies. It is a stylish jersey, with a close, racing fit that’s design for speed – though be wary if you’re after something for a longer ride.

Pros

Comfortable but race-inspired fit, perfect for short, intense rides
Breathable CoolMax mesh panels to keep you cool
Stylish but subtle looks
Lightweight fabric is also quick-drying – perfect if you’re caught out by a quick shower