BAM men's bamboo cycling jersey review

bam, bamboo, jersey, cycling, sleeve
Cycling Weekly Verdict

A very comfortable jersey perfectly suited to anyone carrying a bit more weight than they might like. So perfect for those MAMILs we keep reading about in the daily papers. It will also keep your conscience clear

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Environmentally friendly

  • +

    Soft feel

  • +

    Stretchiness

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Not for lean mean racing machines

  • -

    Few colour options

If you care about where your clothing comes from and what affect the making of it had on the environment, this bamboo jersey could float your boat. Word of warning though, if you like your cycling kit skin-tight and aerodynamic, this isn't for you.

The BAM jersey has a loose cut without too much tapering at the waist or tight fit around the arms or neck. It's also extremely stretchy. While this means it isn't suited for the racers out there, it is a great option for anyone who doesn't like squeezing themselves in to an Italian made jersey meant for the real light weights out there.

This shouldn't come as a surprise as BAM isn't a cycling clothing company. The British firm makes casual and sporty clothing and this cycling jersey is their sole cycling offer, rather than being part of a complete cycling range.

That will lose the jersey points for cycling specific fit and technology, but it is an extremely comfortable piece of clothing. How something made from 68 per cent bamboo can be so soft and stretchy is impressive. Like merino wool it is also warm and wicks moisture away from the skin very well. Not as much as a technical garment, but far better than a standard cotton top.

There are also many benefits to buying a top made from a source as renewable as bamboo, all of which are listed on BAMs website (link below). Bamboo also naturally combats bacteria and therefore the smell that can ruin a top that has to cope with lots of sweat. 

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Simon Richardson
Magazine editor

Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.