If you like your jerseys long, loose fitting and loud then look no further; the Tora jersey from Swiss technical clothing company Zimtstern has it all.
Zimtstern are an established name in snow sports clothing, but also have an extensive women’s MTB clothing range. It’s bright, designed for a variety of MTB disciplines, and most of it features the Zimtstern star logo, which I rather like the look of. (Fun fact: in Switzerland, a zimtstern is a star shaped cinnamon flavoured biscuit. They’re really tasty.)
[Like the bright shorts? Check out the Zimtstern Loft Women’s MTB Shorts Review.]
The Tora jersey is part of their relaxed fit range, designed primarily for downhill riders, but great for trail riding too. It comes with a loose cut, to allow you to wear body armour underneath. I tried it with a back protector and there was plenty of room in the Medium jersey for a size 12 me, but if you were going for full body armour I’d go up a size.
Worn without impact protection, and the jersey still looks great on. If you want something a little more fitted with this style, then go down a size.
It’s a simple but effective jersey. Raglan cut sleeves mean no seams on top of your shoulders, which could rub when wearing a rucksack, and the shoulder seams are flat lock stitched.
The other internal and hem seams aren’t flat lock stitched, but as the jersey is loose I didn’t experience any rubbing. To go with the loose fit, the jersey is also long of body. I’m 5’8 and it came down past my hips, so it’s a great option if you are a tall rider, or like your jerseys loose. It’s got a slight drop tail to keep your lower back covered when crouched over the bike.
The neckline is a high V-neck, which personally I liked as it gave me extra sun protection around the neck and chest area. The inside back of the neck has a soft cover over the seam, again to prevent chafing, which it did very effectively.
The jersey is made of a technical mesh fabric, that is stretchy and wicks away sweat effectively. It’s also treated with ‘Sanitized’ antimicrobial treatment, and it successfully managed to remain blissfully unstinky after a long day up a mountain. The fabric is also Bluesign approved, which is a sustainability and environmental impact accreditation for the textile industry.
As this jersey is designed more with the park in mind, it doesn’t have any pockets at all, so you’ll need to rely on the carrying capabilities of your pack or shorts for stowing trail treats.
Of course, one of the most noteworthy elements of the Tora jersey are the colours; bright purple with a flouro yellow Zimtstern print across the chest, and matching Zimtstern fabric star on the left hip with corresponding trim. It’s loud, and you won’t be hard to spot when wearing it! Personally I love it, particularly with the exceptionally bright Loft MTB Shorts. Don’t worry if that’s not quite to your taste, as the jersey also comes in Blue and Black.
Check out our review of the matching Zimtstern Loft Shorts.
VERDICT
A loose fitting bright and simple jersey that’s at home in the park or the trail. A great option for tall women or those who like a loose fit.
PROS
– Bright colours
– Long length
CONS
– No pockets
Price: €59.95 or approx. £49.70
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Colours: Dodger Blue, Black, Purple (Pictured)
More info: Zimtstern
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