RaceFace’s Diffuse Long Sleeve Jersey offers subtle styling whilst also being one of the most light weight jerseys on the market right now.
Can a lightweight long sleeve cut the mustard during the shoulder seasons? Ben has been finding out with RaceFace’s Diffuse long sleeve offering.
Photos by Dave Price.
Key features:
- Collar design sits flat against chest
- Mesh underarms and side panels
- Goggle wipe
- £49.99 RRP
- RaceFace.com
The Diffuse LS is about at light weight as you can get in terms of a jersey material. As soon as you go to pick it up and put it on you can feel how light it is and when you wear it, you could almost forget you had a top on, helped in part by the soft fabric against your skin.
The cut is what I would call, ‘classic trail’ in that it is neither tight and racy and nor is it loose and baggy. It features a squared off neck line that is supposed to keep it sitting flush on your chest. It does look a little odd at first and I have never found normal round neck lines to ruck up, but it was comfy and I soon forgot about the unusual styling.
With mesh sides and pits this is a lovely and cool jersey that also offers good protection from the sun and from trailside bushes. Having said that, a black and grey jersey is always going to be hot when riding in direct sun.
Being so light and well ventilated it would be easy to pigeon hole this jersey as summer only, but being so light makes it an ideal choice for cooler, wetter rides where you want to wear a jacket too. Even the best jackets make you pretty hot on the climbs, so wearing a vented jersey like the Diffuse LS will minimise sweating and keep you comfy on cooler rides.
What do we think?
The Diffuse LS is super comfy at a reasonable price. Despite its light weight it is a versatile jersey for year round use.
We Love:
- Great material
Could Do Better:
- Neck looks odd