Torm, manufacturers of affordable Sportwool jerseys, base layers and arm warmers, have endured a rollercoaster ride since entering the cycle clothing market in 2010.
We received Torm’s T6 Jersey to review at the back-end of last year but were asked to hold fire with the words while a dispute with a rival manufacturer was resolved. Thankfully, it now has and Torm are back in business, albeit with a handful of aesthetic changes to their jersey range.
First things first, there’s no getting away from the fact that the original T6 jersey was, in our opinion, Rapha-inspired – not least the added features and arm bands, albeit in the same colour as the jersey, unlike Rapha. And you can’t argue that the design changes on the new jersey seek to differentiate Torm’s jerseys from their more expensive counterpart. But that’s all settled now. Let’s look at the original T6 for what it is.
The long-sleeve jersey is 39 per cent Merino, 61 per cent polyester, which, while light (287g), does a great job at keeping the heat locked in, while wicking moisture away from the skin. That’s the benefit of Sportwool for you. And the T6’s cut is spot on, with an extended tail and sleeves long enough to not ride up while on the bike. The sizing is accurate, too.
The T6 is a versatile number, which can be combined with a short-sleeve or long-sleeve base layer on warm winter days, or with a soft shell on top for when the deep chill sets in. It’s bound to get plenty of use in spring and autumn, too.
The jersey is packed with neat features which are tailored specifically for bike riding, including a drawstring waist, lock-down YKK zip with chinguard, silicone gripper on the rear to keep the jersey in place, subtle reflective strips, three well-sized pockets and two water resistant zip pockets (with looped zips for easy access) for valuables, although we found these pockets to produce a fair bit of condensation on warmer rides.
But what makes the T6 stand out from the crowd is the price – RRP £50.00, and just £44.99 while on sale until February 28. Fantastic value.
So, before you rush out and buy, what’s changed on Torm’s jerseys from the original T6 reviewed?
- All joins on the rear pockets have been reinforced. At each point where a pocket end attaches to the rear of the jersey extra stitching has been added.
- A white panel has been added to all non-white jerseys across the lower half of the pockets.
- The reflective strips on the back of the pockets have been changed from horizontal to vertical.
But the jerseys still ooze style and the superb technical quality remains the same. Torm’s ethos is simple: “Quality and affordability in union”. And you can’t argue with that.
