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MAAP Alt_Road Ride LS Tee 3.0

8
£75.00

VERDICT:

8
10
A comfortable fit and impressive performance from a highly versatile jersey
Impressive wicking
Soft enough to wear against the skin
Highly breathable
Not cheap
Weight: 
160g
Contact: 

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MAAP's Alt-Road Ride LS Tee 3.0 is designed for those rides where speed isn't important, but performance still is. The Polartec material is high wicking and covers a wide temperature range, so the Tee won't spend much of the year in a drawer, while the fit still minimises any flapping. It's a big investment, but it's the type of top you can wear day in, day out, in comfort.

Looking to beat the heat? Check out our guide to the best summer cycling jerseys.

> Buy now: MAAP Alt_Road Ride LS Tee 3.0 for £75 from MAAP

Last year I reviewed the short-sleeved version of the MAAP Alt-Road Tee 2.0 and I was impressed overall – and I continue to be. It's a top that I've worn under a jacket through the cooler months and have been using in spring for steady rides on the gravel trails.

Apart from the long sleeves here, this Tee 3.0 is very similar to the 2.0, using the same material and having the same general overall fit, although that has been revised ever so slightly.

2023 MAAP Alt_Road Ride LS Tee 3.0 - shoulders.jpg

There are new side panels that run under the arms all the way down to the wrists, and the rear hem has been scooped a little.

2023 MAAP Alt_Road Ride LS Tee 3.0 - side panels.jpg

The fit is great. I found it close around the shoulders and chest, and a bit more relaxed elsewhere while still retaining its shape and reducing flap as you ride into the wind.

The material has a good amount of stretch for movement on the bike, while the sleeves fit naturally when you are on the tops, hoods or drops. There is never any bunching around the inside of the elbow and there is plenty of length so they can be tucked inside the cuffs of your gloves in colder weather, leaving no exposed skin at the wrist.

2023 MAAP Alt_Road Ride LS Tee 3.0 - cuff.jpg

As you can tell by the name, the jersey is aimed at rides that take you away from the road, so your gravel, adventure, towpath commuting or just general bimbling around, and the cut is aimed at that. That means the rear section isn't as low as you'd find on a road jersey – not a major issue unless you tend to have quite an aggressive riding position, which I do on my gravel bike. When in the drops it rides a little high, although it wasn't a problem for me as I wear bib shorts beneath any baggy shorts, but if you don't then it's something to bear in mind to avoid a draught on colder days.

2023 MAAP Alt_Road Ride LS Tee 3.0 - back.jpg

MAAP offers the Tee 3.0 in six sizes from XS to XXL, and if you aren't sure on what size you need, the guide on its website seems spot on.

Moving on to the material, the Tee 3.0 uses Polartec's Power Dry which is designed to be worn next to the skin. I usually wear a baselayer all year round but shunned it to try out the MAAP and I was very impressed. It feels very soft against the skin, but the highlight is how well it wicks sweat away from the skin. I always felt fresh and dry while wearing the tee, and with a suggested temperature range of 13°C to 23°C it'll have you covered for the majority of the spring, summer and autumn.

2023 MAAP Alt_Road Ride LS Tee 3.0 - back detail 1.jpg

The material (50 per cent of which is made from recycled yarns and bluesign approved, meaning any manufacturing bi-products are safe for the environment) also dries quickly, from rain or sweat, and shows no signs of bad smells when worn consistently over a week's riding. This makes it ideal for packing light when out on a bikepacking adventure or tour.

The quality is very good overall. The construction is to a high standard with no loose threads or missed stitches anywhere, and the material has stood up to general wear and tear from the outside elements and wearing a rucksack over the duration of the review period.

2023 MAAP Alt_Road Ride LS Tee 3.0 - back detail 2.jpg

Three different colours are available, including black and dark blue alongside this 'Dark Desert'.

Value

Priced at £75, the Tee 3.0 isn't cheap, but my initial feelings are that because of its durability and performance it will stand the test of time and see a lot of miles covered.

Competition-wise, the first one I thought of was Rapha's Explore Long Sleeve Pullover, although it looks as though Rapha has now dropped that from its line-up. It now has the Explore Long Sleeve Zip Neck Tech T-shirt, which it describes as a lightweight long-sleeve for hot conditions. It's more expensive than the MAAP at £90.

If your budget is more limited, the dhb Trail Long Sleeve jersey – DriRelease is a decent choice. I bought a couple a while back for general riding and heading out on the gravel bike, and I'm generally impressed. The MAAP's fabric is better at wicking, but then the dhb only costs £45 (and is currently half price).

Conclusion

Overall, the MAAP is very well made, and its performance, especially its wicking capabilities, are impressive, even when the temperature starts to ramp up into the mid-20s. It's not a cheap garment, but it's versatile and durable so you'll definitely get your money's worth.

Verdict

A comfortable fit and impressive performance from a highly versatile jersey

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road.cc test report

Make and model: MAAP Alt_Road Ride LS Tee 3.0

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for

MAAP says, "The Alt_Road Ride Long Sleeve Tee 3.0 is the ideal combination of technical apparel that can perform for miles with a more casual look and feel, suitable for wherever your ride takes you."

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

MAAP lists:

NEXT TO SKIN Polartec® Power Dry® Engineered to deliver superior mechanical wicking and next-to-skin moisture management

Lightweight, fast drying, highly breathable, odour resistant

Revised fit for improved on-bike functionality

Scooped rear hem for additional riding coverage

External reflective transfer strip

Bluesign® APPROVED fabrication

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

It's not as expensive as Rapha's equivalent, and it's more technical than dhb's cheaper Trail top.

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

No issues after countless washes. It maintained its shape and colour.

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

It's a high-performance jersey that works well in a wide range of temperatures.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Great comfort against the skin.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The rear can be slightly short when using the drops.

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

It's cheaper than Rapha's option, while dhb's long sleeve Trail top is cheaper, but not as technical in terms of fabric.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

A very well made garment whose fabric works well in warm conditions, and it can be used on its own or as part of a layering system. It's not cheap, but it'll last and you'll get plenty of use out of it. I think it's very good.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 44  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

As part of the Tech Hub here at F-At Digital, our senior product reviewer Stu uses the knowledge gained from putting well over a 1,000 products through their paces (including hundreds of bikes) to write in-depth reviews of a huge range of kit. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 160,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. Although, as he spends a fair bit of his time reviewing ebikes these days he's becoming an expert in letting the motor take the strain. He's also waiting for 23mm race tyres to make a comeback!

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