Summer-weight long sleeve jerseys are a great option to have on the shelf. You can wear them for added sun protection during the day or on cool mornings. And, for me, they are great as we head into shoulder season as part of a variety of layers at my disposal. The Bontrager Circuit Long Sleeve definitely splits the difference between a short-sleeve jersey and a thermal jersey by taking the edge off cool temps.
Bontrager Circuit Long Sleeve Jersey Features:
- Lightweight polyester knit fabric
- Three rear pockets with single zippered sleeve
- Silicone grip on rear of hem only
- Reflective elements
- Trash pocket on left hip
- 30 UPF rating
- 55-80 degree comfort range
- Fitted profile
- MSRP: $94.99
Racy, summer(ish) long-sleeve jersey
Don’t go sleeping on house brands because Bontrager has some great kits and the backing of the world’s largest cycling brand. The Bontrager Circuit line consists of a variety of apparel, with a helmet and shoes too. In the Circuit line, you get performance, fit and function at a competitive price. At less than $100, the Circuit Long Sleeve Jersey is a great value for a lifetime of cool-weather use.
Fabrics can make or break a jersey and while it would be nice to have a mixture of fabrics to aid breathability, the lightweight polyester knit fabric used throughout this is actually pretty great. The way the fabric is knitted provides for both stretch and structure — depending on the orientation of the fabric on the body. In function, the Circuit Long Sleeve stretches with your muscle movements, but stays taut for proper structure (jersey pockets, for example). The knitting also shows off just how it breathes and aids in moisture transfer. Those pockets of space in the fabric allow airflow and breathability. And on cool mornings, I’m feeling pretty satisfied with how it’s performing.
I’ve worn the Circuit Long Sleeve both with and without a sleeveless base layer. With it, I can extend the low temperature range slightly and also aid breathability. With a base layer, I can comfortably ride down to about 55-degrees and I’d say around 60-degrees without one. The fitted design of the jersey lays well and doesn’t flap around anywhere at speed.
I really appreciate the low-profile collar too. It’s not a collarless design, but has just enough to site nicely while providing a little closure at the neckline. Unfortunately, it’s not quite snug enough for one-handed unzipping. No, I have to hold the jersey with one hand and pull with the other — dang. The long zipper pull is nice and easy to grab though.
The rear pockets are a little small, to be honest. But, it is nice to have a separate zippered phone sleeve. I have found that heavier items (multi-tools, for example) stay put nicely and disappear in either of the three pockets. But, they are a bit narrow, which limits cargo capacity. As an added bonus, the left hip features a trash stash pocket. I heart that feature and wish more jerseys had it. it keeps the rear pockets tidy and free of gel residue that inevitably oozes out of empty packages.
Some jerseys keep the silicone grip all the way around the hem while others only have it on the rear. This one features clear silicone grip just on the rear area of the jersey. It does keep the back in place, but I wished for a little touch of grip on the side and front to keep things securely in place. Sleeve length is just about right for use with or without gloves.
As mentioned, I used this jersey on a variety of rides at temperatures ranging from 42-65 degrees. At the lower end, I wore a sleeveless base layer, the Circuit Long Sleeve Jersey and a Specialized HyprViz Race-Series Wind Jacket on top. It blocked the wind at speed and allowed the jersey to maintain just the right amount of warmth. As the sun rose above the Wasatch Mountains, I removed the jacket and stuffed it into the center pocket (about the max that can fit in there).
Fit: I’m 5’11” and 170 lbs. The size medium fits like a champ.
The Good
- Fits nicely between thermal long-sleeve and summer jersey
- Great color options — classic designs with subtle Trek branding
- Trash stash pocket is awesome
- Efficient, streamlined fit
- Low-profile collar helps from overheating (plus, it has a hang loop!)
The Bad
- Can’t unzip one-handed
- Rear pockets are narrow
- Minimal silicone bits on the front hem would be nice
The Bottom Line: Bontrager Circuit Long Sleeve Jersey
It didn’t take long to work the Bontrager Circuit Long Sleeve Jersey into my regular mix of shoulder-season jerseys. The lightweight fabric is stretchy, comfortable and soft and it maintains just enough warmth to take the edge off when morning temperatures are in the 50’s. Using it with the proper layers can further extend its utility. I dig the pattern of the Radioactive Red/Teal jersey and that trash stash pocket is awesome to have.
Buy Now: Available at TrekBikes.com
