Ekoi Outlast Marbre Red Summer Jersey

Tell us what the product is for

Ekoi says:

When comfort = performance. 'Not too hot ... not too cold ... just right

YOUR BODY ALWAYS AT THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE'

By using Outlast® technology, Ekoi has designed the first generation of jerseys capable of actively and continuously participating in the regulation of your body temperature: when it is (very) hot, the fabric absorbs the excess heat and keeps you cool. When it is cool, the heat previously stored in the fiber is restored and protects you from the temp drop.

Developed for NASA to cope with extreme temperature variations in space, the Outlast® concept, applied for the first time by Ekoï to cycling, extends the thermal amplitude of use: cold starts, heat peaks, exposed climbs, passages in shade, descents of passes, etc. You will go from a cool atmosphere to (very) hot (and vice versa) without feeling the effects (chills, hot flashes). Thanks to its thermo-regulating properties, this jersey is the ultimate weapon for riding whatever temperature changes during your training!

HIGH SWEAT REDUCTION

Another major advantage of Outlast technology: The action on water loss.

By preventing overheating, Outlast® technology leads to a massive reduction in perspiration by 30 to 50% on average*. The body has less need to sweat to self-regulate. By sweating less, you have better comfort and save considerably. This unspent energy remains available for muscular activity: you can plan to ride longer and more efficiently.

MAXIMUM COMFORT FOR INCREASED PERFORMANCE

This comfort is accompanied by increased performance: by reducing the increase in body temperature by an average of 8% (-2°C)**, the fabric with Outlast fiber reduces the heart rate acceleration and also optimizes the breathing control.

By offering the body constant optimal thermal conditions (neither too hot nor too cold, just right), Outlast technology contributes to your performance on the bike: endurance, resistance to effort, fatigue reduction.

APPROVED BY PRO RACERS

Tested, proven and approved by the Israel Premier-Tech team, the jerseys designed with this new technology combine an unrivalled comfort and performance

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Ekoi lists:

Outlast® fabric with microencapsulated wax: continuous regulation of the skin's microclimate. When the skin warms up, heat is absorbed and when it cools down, that heat is released.

Silky fabric for a pleasant feeling in contact with the skin.

Fabric with stretch properties: second skin effect, hugs your silhouette and offers great freedom of movement.

Beveled cut at the front for optimal comfort when pedaling

Flat seams

Self-locking and invisible ZIP

Flared neck

Laser cut on the sleeves

Textured hexagonal pattern (sleeves + back pockets)

Embossed EKOI logo (avoids the risk of wear)

3 back pockets with elastic for excellent support

1 zipped back side pocket

Elastic front support band (front)

Wide elastic band 30mm (rear)

Use

Road.

Ultra climatic versatility: cool temperatures (10°C) to (very) hot.

Worn next to the skin to optimize the OUTLAST effect

Material

90% PES Outlast®

10% Elasthanne

Feels like a pretty standard jersey except for the sleeves, which have this nice hexagonal texture that gives the a slightly fancier feeling. It comes in a few different colours too. However, the fraying of the laser-cut edges was disappointing.

Well, this jersey – in some format – is supposedly used in the Tour de France by riders from the Israel Premier Tech team. Its aim to both reduce and increase temperature was achieved during my test period.

Surviving well after a few weeks of summer rides.

Snug without being restrictive.

As expected – I've got pretty normal proportions and my large size jersey was grand.

155 grams doesn't put this into the super-light category. The Ekoi Graphene, which I also review this month, is six grams lighter at 149 grams and is a good jersey all round.

Fitted nicely, soft-feeling material and I like the high collar.

As with other Ekoi products, a confusing approach to RRP renders the value element a sliding scale. That said, the £167.24 RRP is a serious investment for a jersey, and you will have to be very sure that the features it offers are important to you.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

30 degrees in with all your normal clothes – no issues at all.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Effective in its purpose, which is to create a summer jersey that can also insulate you a little when required.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The material does its job well, offering different levels of insulation.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Ekoi does provide a large range of designs, so there is probably something for everyone, but this particular edition does not do it for me. While the elasticated hem was reasonably effective, I'd have still preferred the usual gripper.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

At the reduced price that the Ekoi is often available for, this isn't wildly expensive – but at its full £167.24 it is a different proposition, and it's price I just wouldn't pay. At that price I'd want a product that appealed to me in every way,  rather than just for its high-tech materials.

Use this box to explain your overall score

To my mind, there are more desirable jerseys available around this price, but if you are a total convert to the marketing of the Outlast material then maybe this couldbe  the jersey for you. The fundamentals are all sound and I don't doubt that it would last you a good while.