FastHouse’s Classic Cartel SS jersey borrows some cues from the brand’s motocross tops but comes with a few fresh touches. In practice, it’s a jersey that looks great, is rather comfortable and very breathable, but small sizing holds it back a touch.
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The brand has put quality at the forefront of the Classic Cartel SS jersey’s design by silk-screening the chest graphic directly onto the 100% Polyester fabric. Elsewhere, decals are made with a reflective stretch transfer.
FastHouse has fully dyed all of the fabrics in order to combat colour fade, and has employed a Fast Dri moisture-wicking fabric to keep the wearer sweat-free
The jersey is a classic fit and does come up a little small. I’m usually very happy in a medium, but the Classic Cartel SS is a little slim around the chest. I found the sleeves come up a bit short too. The length is pretty good which is a redeeming factor, enough for me to be reasonably happy to wear it during my regular rides.
Other than the quality oozing from the materials, and its dashing looks, the Classic Cartel SS performs very respectfully too. The panels under the arm and around the back are more mesh-like which promotes airflow, keeping the jersey comfortable and cool, even when it gets toasty out.
This jersey is £50, and considering its build and performance, I reckon it’s worth every penny. However, the Nukeproof Blackline jersey carries a very similar design, with lighter weight panels under the arm and at the back. It’s £5 more expensive, but I don’t think the quality is as nice.
Then there’s the Alpinestars ALPS 8.0 jersey, which struggles to shine a light on FastHouse’s offering. For £65, it comes with clever cooling panels, but the seams make them uncomfortable, although the fit is spot on.
FastHouse has done well to create a high-quality jersey that performs very well in warmer weather. It’s comfortable and cool, but it’s worth sizing up.