Nalini is a firmly established brand in the pantheon of Italian cycle clothing manufacturers.
We called in a selection of clothing from bella Italia during May, a month in which we took our inspiration from the Giro d’Italia, with three garments from Nalini among those to fall under the microscope.
While we can’t claim to have tested the Camedrio short-sleeved jersey in the range of conditions experienced by riders in the 96th corsa rosa, we’ve worn it on a number of outings, and can offer a considered opinion.
We’d recommend the Camedrio SS jersey without hesitation. It is light, comfortable, and quietly functional.
The 100 per cent polyester construction felt unusually soft, and combined with an almost perfect fit, created a jersey that was a pleasure to wear. Breathability was excellent, and in the increasingly warm days on which we conducted our tests, up in the late teens, the thousands of minute perforations proved their worth.
The three-quarter sleeves were of perfect length,and mercifully free of elastic, silicone, or any other material that might constrict the arm. Instead, Nalini’s reliance on a close cut and the natural stretch of the fabric proved entirely well judged.
The silicone band at the hem performed its role adequately, holding the jersey in place, and preventing it from riding up, without constricting the waist and forcing the fabric above to billow.
The collar, the sole area of the jersey to rest directly against the skin during our testing in conditions that demanded a base layer (almost any, in our experience) was soft and comfortable.
There was a pleasing weight to the cam-lock zip whose plastic tab proved to easy to locate.
The sole improvement we would suggest is more even distribution of width in the pockets. The middle of the three rear pockets was a decent size, but its companions either side provided some difficulty in removing their cargo, even narrow items like energy bars. This, however, is a minor complaint.
A short-sleeved cycling jersey is such a simple garment, it is hard to imagine how so many get it wrong. Nalini have sensibly followed a ‘it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach to features on the Camedrio SS jersey, and deployed a high-quality fabric. Complimenti, Nalini!
The Nalini Camedrio jersey is available in the black with red detailing pictured here, and in white and red, in sizes from small to XXXL. It costs £69.99.
Website: Nalini
UK distributor: Chicken Cycles
