MAAP Alt_Road LS jersey 2.0 review: an off-road and adventure specialist

Now in its second iteration, the MAAP Alt_Road LS jersey 2.0 looks to improve on the previous jersey's performance while maintaining its credentials as a reliable piece of kit for adventure and off-road riding. But will warrant a place as one of the best long sleeved cycling jerseys?

Construction

The Alt_Road jersey now uses 36% merino wool alongside the polyester. This is designed to enhance breathability, insulation, and moisture wicking to provide better temperature regulation across a wider range of temperatures. Merino also has antimicrobial properties. A gridded structure has also been used to further enhance breathability.

Interestingly MAAP suggests this jersey be used between 18-30˚C, which seems high for a long sleeved jersey even with greater breathability. MAAP has used the Core fit for this jersey, which is a bit looser than the Race fit found on jerseys such as the Pro Race previously tested. YKK zips have also been used on the main zipper as well as on the rear stash pocket.

Pockets wise, the standard three cargo pockets are used at the rear which are nicely deep enough to fit the largest of smartphones or packable waterproofs.

Something a bit more novel is the rear valuables pocket, which rather than being confined to the side of the rear right pocket, now extends at an angle across the rear covering the right and central pockets. This is more of a stash pocket now for larger items, while the angle has been chosen to make it easy to both open and close.

Four colour options are available, while sizes range from XS up to XXL.

The ride

Fit wise the MAAP Alt_Road LS jersey is ideal on my 190cm frame in a size medium. The sleeves are a good length so that they can meet gloves to keep the cool out, while also being loose enough to roll up slightly if you need a bit more ventilation. The rear stays nicely in place thanks to the waist gripper when the pockets are not full, but on my it doesn’t have quite enough grab to stop the rear moving when pockets are unevenly full.

The construction certainly is on the more relaxed size for fit and movement in the jersey, however it’s certainly not flappy and baggy. This makes it suitable for riding on the road at higher speeds, while a non-skin tight fit is preferable for off-road and adventuring. Another construction element that I like is the use of the aforementioned merino fibres. Firstly, this is a natural fibre rather than artificially made, so there are some ecological bonus points there. Secondly merino has a wonderful capability to be both breathable and insulating, making it highly effective for temperature control across a broad range of conditions.

Other components of merino that are helpful and work well on this jersey are the fast drying and antimicrobial properties. It’s certainly not weather proof in any capacity, but if it does get wet the jersey dries out quickly. This is also useful in warmer weather when sweating. Antimicrobial properties come mostly to the fore when multi-day adventures are undertaken. Frankly, it's difficult to clean kit well when doing ultra treks, and you don’t want kit to get stinky and full of bacteria. A very unscientific test with the Alt_Road was how it smelt the next day after some long rides in warmer temperatures. To put it bluntly, it smelt far better than kit normally does.

A big upgrade against the previous version in my books is the removal of the extra side panel material. This is still there in terms of aesthetics and stitching, but it is no longer a thicker panel of material that appeared to serve no real purpose. This aids the total breathability of the jersey, which means even in higher mid-teens Celsius temps it doesn’t get too hot versus a tighter fitting polyester option.

I do think MAAP could have been bolder on the aesthetic though. The muted natural tones are very on trend at the moment, and scream gravel and adventure riding, but I’m a big fan of MAAP’s bold aesthetic on its road kits, and wouldn’t mind seeing some similar options in the Alt_Road range.

My favourite feature though is the rear zip pocket. The three main cargo pockets are spacious enough and work well, but this zip pocket has a very different geometry to most. It goes across the rear right side and across to the centre, while the zip is slightly cambered down. This makes it easy to pull open with the left arm, or pull closed with the right due to the angle your arm is pulling from. It’s been perfect for stashing layers, gloves, or large food items, while the spaciousness and looser fit at the rear means there is no pulling or compressing against your back. For big adventure days, it’s far easier to use than bar bags or even frame bags when it comes to having layers readily available, and is honestly my favourite feature of this jersey. My only gripe with this area is the fit around the waist being looser meaning that pockets can shift around a fair bit. My waist is narrow though compared to my hips so my personal fit may likely exaggerate this problem.

Value & conclusion

At this price point, the Alt_Road 2.0 actually has a fair bit of competition within the same sort of price range. The Le Col ARC LS jersey uses merino construction and comes in at £180 / $250, with a similar focus on looser fit and all-day gravel adventure riding. The Café du Cycliste Claudette LS is another merino LS jersey but uses a lower amount of the material.

Merino does have a quantifiable benefit when it comes to moisture wicking, fast drying, and anti-bacterial properties, which is great for long days in the saddle or multi-day adventures where kit washing is not easily accessible. This does give it an advantage in this field ahead of more traditional polyester jerseys which are often cheaper. There are also certain environmental benefits to using natural fibres such as merino over polyester alternatives.

There are a few outliers that come in cheaper even with merino, the Rapha Classic LS is £150 /$220 and performs brilliantly across all the same areas with a bit more of a road fit. However the Alt_Road 2.0 does feature some great additions that really do help for adventure gravel riding. This looser fit around the waist also helps when wearing cargo shorts with rear pockets, giving more room without pressure. It’s certainly a specialist piece of kit, but for the purpose it is designed for, it is genuinely great. For more general riding, you can afford to go for a cheaper item to get many of the benefits.

Compared to other long sleeve cycling jerseys, the MAAP Alt_Road 2.0 LS jersey is a solid performer. In that category itself, it doesn’t really offer anything particularly special, save for the merino fibres used which make it versatile across a broad range of dry temperatures.

Where the Alt_Road starts to shine is when it is put to the test on longer adventure type rides in the saddle. For multi-day exploration the antimicrobial elements are fantastic, while the cargo storage is incredibly neat and effective to the point it really helps it stand out.

For road use only, there are likely better suited and better value options. But for adventure riding and wanting a jersey that is versatile in a range of conditions and allows storage for additional layers, it’s a really great performer boasting practicality and comfort.