As the name says, this is a heavyweight top – in fact, it’s more like a jacket, which adds to the bulk. The trade-off is it’s one of the warmest winter tops around, making it perfect for riding in extreme weather.
The Channel Max polyester fabric does a great job of transferring moisture away from the inside, yet it’s really warm, especially as the material is ribbed on the inside to trap air. The cut is close fitting, with no bagginess, and there are three pockets on the rear along with a breast pocket with earphone port. There’s also a rear zip stash pocket and a baffle behind the zip to beat the breeze.
The heavy duty, full-length zip is easy to use even with cold hands or gloves, and useful for temperature control. The high collar makes for a snug and chill-free fit.
It's not windproof, so we've been wearing a gilet on top to keep the cold air out on frosty mornings. It is highly breathable though, so you never get that boil-in-the-bag clamminess on tough climbs.
There's also reflective piping on the hem and shoulders to help get you noticed at night. Although it's far from the most feature-packed jersey out there, it handles the basics well.
