Velocio Concept jersey review: a high-quality race option for warm-weather rides

Concept is the new collection from the North American brand Velocio.

It says, “Zero compromises in pursuit of all-out performance and speed. Concept is designed for the sharpest end of the sport, with input from the fastest athletes in gravel”.

However, as far as I can make out, there is nothing particularly gravelly about the jerseys and shorts that make up the range, and in fact the performance aspects of the clothing, similar to many of the best cycling jerseys and the best bib shorts, are equally well suited to on-road use; most of the marketing rhetoric relates to speed, aerodynamics and even skinsuits, so think gravel racers with shaved legs, gels and a thousand-yard stare rather than wild beards, checked shirts and artisan IPAs.

It's the jersey I'm reviewing here, so let's dig into the details...

Design details

Three different fabrics make up the Concept jersey, although precise details are a little thin on the ground. Had it been Assos, then I’m sure each material would have had its own impressive-sounding name, but Velocio merely states ‘93% Polyester, 7% Elastane’ and leaves it at that.

However, the front, shoulders and sides are made from a very light grid-pattern fabric and the back panel is equally light but lacks the grid construction - possibly to increase the protection from the sun? The pockets and two small side panels are made from a lightweight softshell-type material for strength and structure.

On that note, the three pockets are a decent size, but even after extensive searching, the claimed fourth pocket for valuables failed to materialise, although a hidden silicone lip inside each of the pockets should help keep the contents in place. On the plus side, it was nice to see good reinforcement at the pockets, where they were stitched into the lightweight back panel.

The entire bottom hem has a silicone gripper, although there isn’t one on the sleeves, which are, slightly anachronistically, not raw-cut. The collar is low and rather minimalist, taking design cues from the aforementioned skinsuits, no doubt.

A full-length placket behind the zip prevents chest hair from getting caught, and it wraps around the zip top and bottom, acting as a zip garage, while the zip itself is a small YKK number that locks in position. I also like Velocio’s habit of attaching the scratchy care label to the garment with a soft fabric tab, so that when it’s cut out there isn’t a sharp stub remaining.

The Persimmon colour of the test jersey is definitely the brightest option, but there is also Zephyr Blue, Moss Gray and Black available for both sexes, with sizes from XS to XXXL for men and XXS to XXXL for women.

Performance

As is usual with Velocio, the jersey arrived in a non-plastic, compostable bag, which is always nice to see.

Size-wise, the medium was certainly correct for me, and in line with other brands like Castelli, Santini and Assos. It was a snug ‘performance’ fit, but the fabrics used were so light and airy that it never felt claustrophobic or restrictive. Body and sleeve length were good, with the pockets sitting at an accessible height, even with my inflexible shoulders, and the softshell material of them helped phone and food slip in easily. I never did find the zipped pocket mentioned on the website, though.

The weight of the grid fabric meant that this was a warm-weather jersey, with Velocio suggesting 18°C to 26°C as its ideal operating window. Fortunately, a brief period of British summer weather in spring just about crept within those parameters, and I was also able to use it in its more usual habitat, Mallorca, where the temperatures were lovely and warm.

Although I wore the Concept jersey on- and off-road, for me it (and the matching bib shorts) is really road wear. On my gravel bike, I am less bothered about compression and aerodynamics than I am about durability, and I suspect that even without the occasional tumble, trailside vegetation, tight gates and gritty mud would soon make short work of the lightweight fabrics. Of course, others who ride and race much faster than I do off-road would benefit from its fit and features, but I preferred to use it mostly on my road bike.

And as such, it performed very well. Leaving aside the AWOL security pocket, it did everything that you could expect of a high-end jersey. The close fit felt great and didn’t flap in the wind, yet it still had enough give to accommodate a base layer, and the silicone grippers kept it firmly in place. In 30°C Balearic heat, sweat seemed to evaporate as soon as it formed, whether climbing the newly surfaced Col d’Honor or the lengthy Puig Mayor.

In cooler weather, the very low collar and thin fabrics didn’t provide much warmth, and my gilet stayed on a little longer than usual, but that isn’t really a criticism; try the Velocio Luxe Merino if you want a jersey with some extra insulation.

Value

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that a jersey called Concept and billed as zero compromise is not going to be cheap. At £181/ $249, it is certainly at the premium end of the market, although nowhere near its zenith.

Some comfort can be taken from the fact that Velocio is part of the 1% for the Planet scheme and that they offer an unconditional 30-day trial period, and more from the quality of the jersey’s fit, feel and fabrics. Still, we haven’t reached the point where I’m going to say that spending £181/ $249 on one jersey is great value, but it is about par for the course for high-end kit. For comparison, Castelli's high-end Premio Evo Jersey retails for £215/ $300.

If this price range feels reasonable to you for a quality cycling top, then you won't be disappointed by the Concept jersey.

Tech spec

• Price: £181/ $249
• Pockets: Three
• Fit: Race
• Type: Short sleeve
• Colours: Persimmon (tested), Zephyr Blue, Black, Moss Gray
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXL, XXXL