By Brandon Bilyeu
Hot!
- 89% Merino wool fabric
- Great fit and feel on skin
- Machine washable
- Medium weight fabric works great alone or as a baselayer
- Lots of storage with 5 pockets
- UPF 50+
- Men and Women versions available
Not!
- Pockets not as stretchy as others
Cost: $200
How obtained: review sample from company
Available: online
Colors: Black, Bottle Blue, Cinnamon
Website: 7mesh Ashlu LS
RBR Sponsor: no
Tested: 8 hours
Sizing: XS – XXL
Reviewer Measurements and Fit Comments: 5’10” (178cm), 150 lbs (68 kgs), 33″ (84cm) waist, 38” (96.5cm) hips, 33″ (84cm) inseam, 37″ (94cm) chest. I tested size Small. The jersey fits perfectly so the size charts seem true to size.
A Versatile Shoulder Season Jersey
The Ashlu long sleeve jersey is constructed out of a wool blend that is 89% Merino wool and 11% nylon. The nylon adds strength and durability while keeping the Merino wool’s natural warmth and breathability. Wool’s inherent antibacterial properties mean you don’t have to wash the jersey after every ride, but the jersey is machine washable so it’s easy to live with either way. Embroidered logos look nice and won’t eventually flake off like thermal logos.
The lightweight fabric is cut with a trim fit that is a little looser than skin tight, so it works great on its own or as a base layer under a jacket. I’ve worn the Ashlu jersey in temperatures up to 60 F (15.5 C), and while this was the upper limit for me, it dealt with the sweat well and the full zip front worked great for dumping extra heat. And if you’re lucky enough to have shoulder season sun the UPF 50+ rating keeps your skin protected.
In cooler temperatures down to 40 F (4.5 C) I paired the Ashlu with a gilet or shell for a warm and light combination. The wool makes for a great thermal base layer with excellent wicking properties, and it feels great against bare skin. The jersey’s five pockets mean your shell doesn’t need pockets and you have storage available to take off your outer layer if the temperature warms up.
Lots of Storage
The pockets are part of 7mesh’s Anything Panel and are constructed with polyester and elastane so you can stuff them to the limit without worrying about damaging the wool. The Anything Panel is made of 5 pockets sewn to the back of the jersey along the top and both sides. The bottom edge of the panel is free to lift away from your back as you stuff the pockets full of gear. This means the jersey and its silicon grippers lay flat against your back while the pockets still hold all the gear securely with no bouncing.
There are the three traditional outer rear pockets and then two zippered inner pockets that are accessed from the sides. One of the zippered pockets extends behind one outer pocket, while the second zippered pocket is twice as big, extending behind two outer pockets. The traditional three pockets are decent sized but have limited stretch so you can’t stuff them quite as full as with some other jerseys.
Bottom line
The Ashlu jersey takes advantage of Merino wool’s excellent properties to make a long sleeve jersey that is versatile enough to wear as a standalone piece or as a base layer. Five pockets make it great for long days in the saddle and varying weather conditions.
Brandon Bilyeu is an avid recreational roadie who lives in Regensburg, Germany. He’s a year-round bike commuter and is a mechanical design engineer by trade. Click to read Brandon’s full bio.
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