The Giro Roust women’s short sleeved jersey is a light and breathable jersey. It doesn't have any features to set it apart from the crowd but despite this, it's a versatile piece for the summer and shoulder seasons.
The Roust is a warm weather jersey made with moisture-wicking fabric, mesh back and side panels, sun protection factor 20 in the front panel and with short sleeves that are still long enough to cover the tops of elbow pads. The fabric does a good job of keeping the body cool, the rear mesh and side panel wicking sweat away effectively.
As seems popular at the moment the fabric is ‘bluesign’ approved meaning Giro ensure the entire textile supply chain it uses has a reduced impact on people and the environment. The bluesign system also makes sure the fabric doesn’t include any harmful substances whilst also ensuring that the manufacturers of this material stick to using safe processes for its workers.
The jersey is supposed to be of a loose cut but I found it to be quite fitted. This was no bad thing though, I liked the way it fit, not dissimilar to the Troy Lee Skyline I tested earlier in the year, although that one uses an even lighter fabric. For reference, I am a size 8 top dress size and wore a size XS so there is plenty of room to size up if you want a roomer fit.
The sides of the jersey are cut tapering across the front of the body slightly to shape around the hips which works very well and results in fewer seams down the side. There aren't any raglan cut sleeves to prevent rubbing (the men's jersey does get this and for the same price too) and no dropped hem, which I think are oversights. The jersey didn’t ride up, with or without a pack worn, but it would be nice to have a bit more protection and be safe in the knowledge that the back will be covered whatever circumstance. Elsewhere there is a large lens wipe on the lower hem which proved useful to rid glasses of summer dust.
I wasn’t overly enamoured with the pattern of the fabric and I felt the neckline could do with some work to add a bit more style to the jersey but that is just personal taste. As it is the round neck is subtle, covering the top of the chest well and protecting you from the sun/other elements. There are also three other designs to choose from, all louder in style than the one I tested!
At £49.99 the Roust is pretty expensive considering its similarity to the Morvelo Friday jersey which comes in at £45. The Roust is not a bad choice for a summer jersey but if you are after a thin material, the Troy Lee offering is lighter for the same price. The Roust doesn’t do anything to stand out from the crowd but despite this it’s a solid performer that will also team well with a cosy base layer in winter, making it a versatile all-rounder.
