For those who don't want to look shrink-wrapped in a pro jersey nor wear a baggy, flapping top, the Specialized RBX DriRelease Merino is a happy medium. Made with a blend of polyester and soft wool, the RBX DriRelease Merino has what Specialized calls its Standard Fit, which sits between Form Fit and Loose. For those of us without narrow, bike-racer shoulders, Standard Fit is a good thing.
The material is light, soft and not restrictive, more like an old T-shirt than a race jersey. Yet on the bike it holds its shape just fine, with a gripper on the lower back hem and doubled-over material at the arm cuffs.
Mindful of the soft material, Specialized ran a pair of stitched braces the length of the back to support the pockets.
Reflective tabs are sewn into the outer sides of the far pockets, and the back of each sleeve.
A valuables pocket with a hidden zipper sits on top of the central pocket. This pocket has a sweatproof liner facing the body, but it isn't waterproof to the outside. Should you want to run headphones off your phone, there is a little inner hole in the valuables pocket and loops up along the inside of the jersey to the collar.
In a retro move, there is also a hidden zippered chest pocket. I have no idea what you would put in here.
Some might see this jersey as a Rapha knockoff or a riff on Giro's now-discontinued New Road line. Whatever the origins, I found it to be a comfortable, understated jersey. Besidse this version, it also comes in black, baby blue/navy and mustard/carbon.
Specialized also sells a longsleeve version of the RBX DriRelease Merino, and a skintight SL DriRelease Merino version as well.
