Spatzwear Squadron Jersey Review

The Spatzwear Squadron jersey is advertised by the brand as being both aero (for road cycling) and perfectly suited for gravel use. This duality is intriguing, as is the placement of slightly windproof panels on the upper part of the garment. Nevertheless, this jersey, discovered by chance during the summer, was used until early October, with particularly interesting performance in a segment known to be highly competitive.

Text: Olivier Dulaurent – photos: 3bikes.fr, www.spatzwear.com

Indian summer has extended once again this year. With temperatures still exceeding 25°C in Northern France until October 10, the short-sleeve jersey season now tends to stretch over six months almost everywhere in France. This allows for more enjoyment of the Spatzwear Squadron jersey, a short-sleeve jersey that the brand intends for use beyond mid-summer.

A little history

The idea behind the Spatzwear brand comes from Tom Barras, a professional cyclist who later became a professional team manager. When he was still a professional (in 2006), Tom felt the need for a solution for his regularly cold and wet feet when training around his home in England. Initially, he developed his own prototypes, but the suitable materials (truly waterproof) were not yet performing well enough for his taste. The project was abandoned until Tom Barras retired from pro cycling. 10 years later, during a rainy ride with a triathlete, and while the 10th prototype version covered Tom’s feet, his riding companion, whose shoes and feet were soaked, wondered how such a difference was possible. The brand was born. Naturally, it first built an excellent reputation for truly waterproof overshoes, before expanding the range for rain and cold, then for summer, which is our focus here. It’s worth noting that the brand equips Team Alpecin – Fenix, and the most attentive observers will have noticed that Mathieu Van der Poel and his teammates ride the Flemish classics with Spatzwear products.

However, as mentioned in the introduction, recent months haven’t really called for the use of cold and rain products. These will be tested soon in 3bikes.fr.

A particularly broad specification

The Squadron jersey tested here is one of the two short-sleeve jerseys in the current range. The brand presents it as an all-rounder jersey, from gravel to criteriums, where its aerodynamic properties should allow it to cut through the air without showing any creases around the cyclist’s torso. To meet these needs, the focus was first placed on a fitted but not overly tight cut. In this regard, the size guide on the product page is well done and corresponds to reality, knowing that on this basis, Spatzwear advises taking the next size up for “comfort” or to better match the gravel image one has of a jersey. But for the purpose of this test, the road was the jersey’s playground, and for a rider of 1m90/72 kg with a 95 cm chest circumference, size S allowed for accumulating kilometers. This chest circumference is right between two sizes, but the larger size (not tested) does not seem necessary. Conversely, smaller riders might even find that an XS size is missing, both in torso height and chest level.

A clear emphasis has been placed on the pockets. There are an unusual eight pockets: three classic pockets, “extended” by three others in mesh fabric, another on the right bicep, and finally the now traditional zippered waterproof pocket.

In practice, this extends the garment’s capacity itself. Indeed, for full-day rides or multi-day events requiring a complete load, the Squadron proves its worth. It can be paired with the brand’s short bib shorts in the same spirit, namely the Convoy model, which also offers pockets, three in this case.

While riding, real effectiveness

When reading the marketing aspects that accompany every product on the market, I am always wary, and this was the case once again for the Squadron jersey, which was supposed to be the do-it-all jersey: breathable but effective against the wind, aero but not too compressive for obvious comfort reasons, usable from a short-distance race where efficiency is the priority to a multi-day raid, Spatzwear seemed to be trying to square the circle.

But in use, it became clear: this is a product truly capable of performing everywhere. The comfort is excellent, so much so that the cyclist will completely forget they are wearing a rather fitted jersey because it doesn’t crease, especially on the torso. It is difficult, if not impossible, within the scope of the test to “quantify” the watts gained thanks to the jersey, but it certainly doesn’t flap in the wind. Nitpicking, it’s possible to point out a few creases around the biceps, but that’s probably due to a lack of muscle mass there… The sleeve length might bother some users who are not used to this “norm,” but by definition, jerseys released in recent years have longer sleeves in this aspect.

The fabric used on the lower torso and back does its job in terms of fit and sweat regulation, while the top of the jersey (black parts) offers an undeniably effective windproof effect. This doesn’t provide a total barrier against the wind like a windproof vest – whose membrane by definition implies less breathability – but cooler days around 13-18°C don’t necessarily require adding another garment. However, if the thermometer drops further, and this is where the vest will find its place, it’s possible to keep the jersey paired with arm warmers for temperatures around 10°C or even less for those who aren’t sensitive to cold. In this case, the long sleeves, still benefiting from this slight windproof effect, are appreciated.

Still in this context, for example in the mountains with large temperature variations requiring different layering for the ascent and descent, the Squadron demonstrates its full relevance. Indeed, it offers the possibility of carrying a vest, a long-sleeved waterproof jacket, long gloves, and a cap or hat, in addition to the usual load (phone, food, inner tube).

Another small bonus, rare on jerseys but more often present on vests to allow good access to the back pockets, is the presence of a zipper with a double slider. This promotes superior ventilation by partially opening the jersey from below, without the contents moving around.

To summarize, the Spatzwear jersey has all the characteristics of the ideal jersey for riding from 13/15°C (without a vest) up to around 30°C. Above this temperature, there are more suitable jerseys that are even more breathable.

Aesthetically pleasing, very well cut, with numerous pockets and effective for a cool start and a return from a ride for lunch without necessarily having to carry a vest and/or arm warmers, it will also be an excellent road companion, whether for a lunchtime training session at work or for a long day gravel ride requiring significant refueling. The advertised price of €149 is very high for a jersey, but the services rendered extend the capabilities of a more traditional short-sleeve jersey, and promotions are regular, as at the end of this “summer” season with -60%. In this regard, it is important to be attentive because stocks are not systematically replenished and some references are not always available.

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