In The Drops: [...] Matchy’s Ultra Jersey

Matchy, a French apparel brand based near Lake Annecy, has released an ultra-race-specific jersey that looks like it's fit for every kind of long-distance riding where speed and practicality are both vital. The fit has been concocted to make riders more comfortable for longer. There are minimal seams to reduce the chance of any irritation, while Matchy says it has used fabrics that allow for both a compressive fit and freedom of movement.

I've been loaned a prototype to test out and it is packed with handy details. There are trip ridges on the material, presumably for aerodynamic reasons, and pockets galore. As well as capacious stash points on the back of the jersey, there are also open chest pockets and a zippable valuables pocket: somewhere to keep your marbles when you're slowly losing them on a dark Moroccan trail at 4am.

In line with blaero packs and the like that are coming to market as hydration solutions for endurance racers who thirst for sweat-warmed water on demand, Matchy offers the Ultra Jersey with a vertical rear pocket that you can slot a water bladder into. You'll never have to stop again. Plus, if there's some agua left over at the end of the journey, it'll be the perfect temperature for a cheeky post-ride shower.

Matchy is rightly proud of the fact that the entire jersey has been designed and made within 150km of Lyon, and the need to wear a reflective overvest has been negated by the inclusion of diagonal hi-vis detailing. Sure, it costs a pretty penny, but can you put a price on warming your own bath water at high speeds? I don't think you can.

Laurence Kilpatrick

Voir l'article en entier