Spring is here, and with it my bare forearms are beginning to emerge from their arm warmers into the sweet May sunshine. The Sugoi RS Pro Jersey has been my companion throughout this year’s warm Spokane spring.
Sugoi RS Jersey Features:
- Updated RS Jersey now has clean finished seams, and updated sublimation graphics
- FinoPro sleeves for superior fit and finish
- Full length zipper for maximum ventilation
- Price: $110
RS Pro is sleek and cool
The RS Pro line is just one tier from Sugoi’s top-of-the-line, so I had high expectations of the jersey. Naturally I wanted something with a good aero fit, refined features and a comfortable fabric. I’ve been riding the RS Pro during some 80-degree days in Spokane and my natural sweatiness has placed high demands on the fabric.
Sugoi’s FinoPro fabric has an inbuilt architecture that aids in moisture transfer and evaporation. It’s not like a hydrophilic coating that will wear off over time, but rather a fabric that’s designed from the ground up to breathe well. In my experience, it did just that – I rarely was too warm in the RS Pro, and even when I was warm, the fabric didn’t feel oppressive. What’s more, Sugoi included a full-length zipper to provide virtually unlimited venting potential. Even when I was sweating heavily, though, the fabric never felt heavy and floppy.
Staying true to their philosophy, Sugoi built the RS Pro with a full slate of features that is tailored to the modern cyclist. There are three stuff pockets along the jersey’s generous drop tail, including a fourth zippered pocket for securing valuables. The hem of the jersey has a silicon gripper around the full circumference of the jersey — not something that you’ll always find.
The “Pro Fit” of the jersey is spot-on. I’m 5’11” and 185 lbs., and the size Large that I tested fit like a glove. There was some excess flappy material on top of the shoulders, but the rest of the jersey was smooth and aero. Sugoi designed the RS Pro to fit ideally when in the riding position and it’s noticeably comfortable on the bike.
The Good
- Excellent base fabric, very comfortable
- Mixture of fabrics throughout worked well together
- Full length zipper vents well, pulls easily
- Reflective accents are a necessary touch
- Zippered pocket comes in handy
- Overall fit is excellent, especially the way the drop tail lays
Bad RS Pro:
- Excess material on top of shoulders caught the wind
- Zipped collar is tight when all the way up
The Bottom Line: Sugoi RS Pro
Sugoi knows how to build a cycling jersey and that’s evident in the RS Pro. No doubt the RSE collection offers a step up in some ways, but at $110 the RS Pro offers tremendous performance-to-value. I’ve enjoyed the jersey in the warm temps thus far and I have no doubt it’ll be my go-to once Spokane climbs into the 90’s.
Buy now: Available from Backcountry.com
