Sportful SRK jersey review- Good performance at a reasonable price, but the cut won't suit everyone
The Sportful SRK Jersey undercuts a lot of rivals on price without skimping on performance or features, but it will only fit riders with a relatively short body

A decent value option from Italian brand Sportful, with good fabrics and features. However, the jersey is short and the pockets are high, so check that the dimensions work for you before committing to it.
-
+
Breathable fabrics
-
+
Good fit over the shoulders
-
+
Deep pockets
-
+
Good colours
-
-
Very short
-
-
High pockets
-
-
Needs a rear hem gripper
You can trust Cycling Weekly.

With many premium cycling jerseys costing well north of £100/$150, it's always nice to find a product that costs less but still purports to offer good performance. Sportful’s SRK jersey is just such a piece.
SRK is a small collection for men and women that includes short-sleeved jerseys, shorts and a thermal jersey. Sportful says that it is designed for versatility, and will work both on and off-road with a slightly more relaxed fit than their aero options.
There are six colours available for men with sizes from S to 3XL and six for women from XS to 2XL.
Construction
The jersey is made up of two main fabrics; a very light, airy material on the arms and sides, with a less open weave on the main body. The arm hems are raw cut and elasticated but don’t use any silicone grippers and neither does the tonal elastic on the rear hem. The front hem is a simple Lycra edge.
At the front is a nice chunky YKK zip in matching green (although there is no zip garage/chin protector) whilst the rear security pocket zip is white. The three pockets are in the same lightweight material as the sleeves, again with simple Lycra edging.
Three rear pockets with Lycra edging and a zipped security pocket
Should you suddenly feel curious about the jersey’s origins before going for a ride, on the left pocket is printed ‘A jersey designed with a vision to create a product for all, embodying the essence of fun and the true testament to our love of cycling’. So now you know. Post-ride, you can use the hashtag on the right sleeve and inside the collar to upload images to Sportful’s Instagram should you wish to - #moregreatdays.
Just in case you were wondering...
The ride
Despite Sportful’s intention that the SRK jersey has a slightly relaxed fit, I would say that it was still pretty racy. Sizing is more ‘Italian’ than some of Castelli’s more recent offerings for instance, and my usual size medium was certainly pretty snug on my 186cm/74kg body.
Out on the bike I found the SRK jersey short, even when worn with the appropriate SRK bib shorts, there was still a rather unsightly gap between the jersey and the bibs for my pale belly to make an appearance. Bent over on the bike I found myself frequently rearranging the jersey to help it sit better, and the lack of silicone gripper around the hem didn’t help as this allowed the jersey to ride up at the back too. On the flipside, I found the gripper-less sleeves worked very well, sitting nicely in place.
The pockets are both high and deep, with the tops sitting 4cm higher than the pockets on Castelli’s Espresso Jersey - good for storage, less so for access. In fact, while I admit my shoulders are not the most flexible, I could barely reach into the pockets whilst stationary, let alone when riding the bike or stiff after a few hours in the saddle.
The pockets are quite high and were awkward for me to reach
Aesthetically, apart from its ability to cruelly expose my muffin top, I really liked the SRK. The green colour grew on me and I was impressed with the fabric’s ability to stay dry. Sleeve length was good and the jersey stayed taut around my shoulders and neck without bunching up and I liked the slightly higher collar which provided a little more protection against the wind than low-cut jerseys.
However, as well as the pockets being hard for me to access, they also went slightly against the slick look of the jersey as the lightweight fabric rucked and wrinkled easily - less of a problem if stuffed full though.
Value and conclusion
With the rather large caveat that you need to check the fit, then the SRK Jersey does offer good value with its £75/ $89.99 RRP. The fabrics work well, the colours look good and all the expected features are present and correct.
I would really like to have seen a gripper of some sort around the rear hem, and for my body shape I needed the jersey to be 3cm longer and for the pockets to sit commensurately lower too. I’ll knock one star off for the fit on me, but if it fits you well, then it has the potential be a worthwhile product.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Tim Russon is a writer and photographer who has worked in the outdoor and cycling industry for over 20 years. He can’t remember a time when he didn’t own a bike and has road, gravel, mountain and retro bikes in the shed. His favourite place to ride is the Dolomites, a simply stunning area which has breathtaking views and incredible roads combined with lovely food and great wine.
He prefers long, hot climbs in the big mountains, but as he lives on the edge of the Peak District he has to make do with short, cold climbs most of the time instead.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.