Van Rysel Racer 2 jersey review: The best budget cycling jersey on the market

Pro level fit, but you can still tell it’s a budget jersey

Van Rysel racer 2 jersey
(Image: © Will Jones)

Cyclingnews Verdict

Pro level fit in a budget friendly package, only really let down by slightly-too-small pockets.

Pros

  • +

    Thoroughly modern fit

  • +

    Very comfortable

  • +

    Simple, minimal branding

Cons

  • -

    Finish isn't of the highest quality

  • -

    Pockets too small to hold a modern smartphone

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Van Rysel has really come on leaps and bounds in recent years. A subsidiary of sports hyper-retailer Decathlon, it has done well lately to silo itself off and build a slightly more premium reputation than the other cycling gear in the Decathlon family. A sponsor of Cofidis for a couple of seasons now for clothing, and now a title sponsor for Decathlon-AG2R, including bikes, clothing and accessories, it’s no great surprise that more people are taking an interest in the brand, especially given it still seems to be maintaining a commitment to some pretty low prices.

The Racer 2 is Van Rysel’s unisex, do-it-all road jersey. While you may see Cofidis and Decathlon-AG2R in Van Rysel Jerseys, those are more premium offerings and appear to only be offered in like-for-like team replica colours. The Racer 2 is likely what you’ll be steering towards if you’re coming to the site looking for a well-performing bargain. 

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Testing scorecard and notes
Design and aestheticsModern fit, with extra hip pockets, and a good mix of mesh and solid fabrics.8/10
Thermal managementNot the most breathable, but noticeably better than older versions. 8/10
StorageThe pockets are on the small side, though you are getting two extra one on the hips.7/10
Comfort and fitSuper comfy, with an excellent fit that belies the RRP.9/10
ValueNothing else comes close really. Race ready gear for under £50 is nuts. 10/10
OverallRow 5 - Cell 1 84%

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Will Jones
Senior Tech Writer

Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He’s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He’s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn’t ever ride indoors he’s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.