Scott Trail Vertic LS Jersey: a summer top that’s useful all year long

Long sleeved summer jerseys like the Scott Trail Vertic SL can be a great option that give protection from the sun and trailside foliage. They're also versatile pieces that combine well with baselayers in autumn and spring, or as a baselayer themselves in colder weather. 

Scott’s clothing range is really impressing us this year, but the Trail Vertic LS jersey is a standout item even by its current high standards. Clever cut and neat detailing make it an impressively versatile, practical and stylish riding top if you don’t want to expose your arms. 

Read on for the full review and you might also want to check out our guides to the best mountain bike jerseys and best mountain shorts once you've finished.

Design and aesthetics

The jersey cut looks normal from the front but the paneling gets really clever as it goes over the shoulder. Here various angular intersections join the lightly perforated material which makes up the front, arms, spine panel and separate upper yoke to the more open 3D mesh used for the flanks and outer back.

The result is a close but high mobility fit that doesn’t flap or bunch up under bag straps. There’s loads of stretch in the fabric too so the plain sleeves don’t squeeze your arms even if you’re hanging on down a long, rough descent. The double hem stops the jersey flapping around or riding up and the entire front edge is backed with a narrow soft glasses/goggle wipe. There’s a ‘hidden’ zipped side pocket for keys and essentials as well.

Performance

While some summer jerseys get shredded on the first ride, the material on the Vertic has resisted snagging, and gives extra arm protection without overheating on warmer days. The fabric dries relatively quick too, so while it’ll have to be warm to stop the perforations feeling chilly it still works OK as a base layer under a thicker jersey/jacket or shell. 

The in-built lens wipe is a massively useful feature and having one running across the bottom of the entire front panel is great. However, it is a tad on the narrow side.

Verdict

You pay a bit extra for Scott’s Trail Vertic LS jersey but we reckon it’s well worth it. The mixed mesh fabric makes it cool and dry on its own or boosts the performance of an outer layer when worn as a base layer. The clever shoulder cut works really well in terms of fit and mobility, while the secret pocket and lens wipe are a nice touch, even if the latter could ideally be deeper. 

There’s also a short sleeve Trail Vertic Pro Jersey, a simpler Trail Vertic and Trail Vertic Zip, if you want the same cut with your arms out.   

Tech Specs: Scott Trail Vertic LS Jersey

•  Price: $69.95 / £63.99
•  Colours: Copper orange/midnight blue (tested), Nile blue/smoked green, Tuscan red/dark grey
• Sizes: S – XXL