Santini Delta Berg Polartec Jersey Review: Fighting the Heat

The Santini Delta Berg jersey in Polartec is designed to tackle the hottest summer days, thanks to a specific fabric on the back, which is also found on the bib shorts’ straps of the Karma Delta. Does the outfit live up to its promises in temperatures above 30°C?

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: @3Bikes.fr

The Santini Delta Berg is a mid/high-end jersey available in four colors, but to be honest, not really to our taste. I find the jersey’s colors a bit kitsch, and that’s the case for all four colors offered. But that’s obviously a personal choice, which doesn’t affect the garment’s technical quality.

The jersey is made from a four-way stretch Polartec Power Stretch fabric, providing a comfortable fit and excellent freedom of movement. On the back panel, there’s a Polartec Delta fabric, made from 50% recycled PET plastic, which facilitates the evaporation of body sweat, ensuring quick drying and high breathability.

The Santini Karma Delta bib shorts also feature this fabric on the straps, to facilitate their layering with the jersey. Furthermore, they are made of a very stretchy fabric on the legs with medium muscle compression without being as restrictive as other competition models. At the bottom of the legs, they feature a silicone print to keep the bib shorts in place while pedaling. They also include the GITevo insert, designed for medium and long-distance rides.

Focus on Polartec Delta

This is a recycled fabric that performs its functions in contact with the skin and allows the body to regulate its temperature during exercise. It wicks away most of the moisture produced by perspiration and retains a small percentage in contact with the skin, to limit overheating that generates excessive sweating. For the fabric to function optimally, it is essential that the garment has a construction that perfectly conforms to our body shape.

The jersey is well-fitted, but not as fitted as the aerodynamic jerseys I usually wear. Moreover, I find the pockets a bit too loose, and a large smartphone tends not to be super well-secured.

Comfort is key

At first glance, the Santini jersey and bib shorts are far from my usual standards in terms of feel and sensations. The jersey is not as thin as the aerodynamic jerseys I like to wear, and even less so than mesh jerseys that are usually recommended for very hot days. The fabric on the front, in particular, seems quite thick.

No complaints about the finishes, however; they are top-notch, with very well-secured sleeves and a zipper that has a small flap to facilitate quick zipping.

Indeed, on very hot days, the Delta Berg jersey is best appreciated by opening the zipper to allow air to penetrate. With the jersey closed, there remains a sensation of heavy heat on the chest, due to the thickness of the fabric. On the back, however, you don’t feel soaked or overheated, but the jersey is not miraculous in fighting the heat.

Obviously, without questioning the qualities of the Polartec Delta fabric and its heat-wicking properties, it’s easy to understand that a compromise is needed for the fabric used on the front of the jersey to avoid chills on descents, for example. But for my part, I find this jersey less convincing than a fully mesh model.

Regarding the Karma Delta bib shorts, however, don’t be fooled by the leg fabric, which looks a bit like that of long bib shorts. The model is very comfortable to wear, it doesn’t cause the constricting sensation typical of some overly compressive bib shorts, and the synthetic chamois is perfect in my opinion. It’s really a great model, even for long distances.

In short, this Santini outfit with Polartec Delta fabric blows hot and cold, and the Italian brand should have gone a little further with the concept for it to be completely conclusive. The jersey’s cut will appeal more to touring cyclists or those with curvier figures than to the most seasoned racers. I really liked the bib shorts, however.

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