Aussie brand Maap’s short-sleeve training top combines streetwear style with premium performance, impressing seasoned cyclist Charlie Allenby…
Maap Training Jersey
$165 / £130, maap.cc
Pros:
- UPF 50+ protection
- Useful storage (including zipped pocket)
- Wide range of colours
Cons:
- Aero sleeves might be snug for those with big upper arms
- Pricey for an entry-level top
Fit: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Breathability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
If Rapha is regarded as the company that disrupted the staid lycra cycling clothing of old, then Australian upstart Maap is the manufacturer that has picked up the stylish mantle and run with it by creating fashion-focused performance wear. The Maap Training Jersey another great jersey to pair with the best cycling shoes.
Its training jersey does much more than look good though. It features UPF50+ protection for summer rides and reflective graphics for after-dark spins. So it’s crafted for year-round use. However, its lightweight design is probably best paired with arm warmers or a cycling jacket on colder rides.
But how would the southern hemisphere-designed jersey handle the heat in the UK? I donned the training jersey for some indoor and outdoor sessions to see.
Maap Training Jersey performance
The training jersey is the least performance-focused in Maap’s range, but it still has all the hallmarks of a modern, racing-inspired top. A svelte, figure-hugging design and elbow-grazing sleeves are a nod to aerodynamics. And a wide, elasticated hem with internal grippers keeps it firmly in place on your cycling bib shorts. That’s useful when you’re riding tucked into your road bike’s drop bars.
Although I wasn’t able to put the fabric’s headline UPF 50+ feature under the microscope (the sunny days of Britain’s summer a distant memory during my testing), I was able to see how its moisture-wicking capabilities and breathability faired during some high-intensity indoor cycling rides on the turbo trainer. Even in the humid conditions of my makeshift pain cave, hot spots were kept to a minimum, allowing me to complete my workout comfortably and without drenching my turbo trainer mat with sweat.
Maap Training Jersey fit
Unlike Rapha’s Pro Team line-up, the Training range from Maap doesn’t assume you have a pro-level physique. While it’s certainly no sack, its recycled fabrics have enough give in them to enable you to move around freely – allowing you to rummage around in one of the three rear pockets to find an energy gel without having to stop and pull over. Although it wasn’t an issue for me, one thing to note is that its arms could be on the tighter side if you have bulging biceps.
Maap Training Jersey value
As an entry-level top, the Training Jersey is at the premium end of the scale (RRP $165 / £130), with the equivalent range from high-end rivals Le Col ($140 / £105) and Rapha ($128 / £105) slightly cheaper. But with an eye-catching design that will make you stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons, it might just be a price worth paying.
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