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The Scott Women's Trail Storm long sleeve shirt is for braving properly cold weather. The soft fabric is far thicker than the average jersey's, fending off the chill well when paired with a baselayer. It is niche and expensive, but if you ride hard in the winter you'll be glad you have it in your wardrobe.

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Made from polyester and elastane, the Trail Storm shirt is thicker than any other jersey I've worn – think thin softshell, though not windproof, and you're there.

The stretchy fabric is comfy and supremely soft against the skin, though only actually quite this thick on the front panel, the rear and the tops of the arms. The underarms and parts of the side panels are thin mesh to allow dispersion of heat. 

The cut is long too – this Small size is verging on too long for 160cm-tall me – and it's a shaped, if not particularly slim overall fit. The sleeves are plenty long enough and the V-shaped neck sits pretty high, further keeping warmth in. 

​Elsewhere there is a side hem zip pocket with an integrated glasses wipe. 

Whilst the fabric isn't windproof it certainly retains warmth well, and when working hard the 'DRYOxcell' fabric wicks well and doesn't become saturated. It dries quickly too.

I used this (principally with a longsleeve base) on dry days where I might have usually looked for a gilet to keep the cold air at bay. I've also worn it under a jacket on cold e-bike night rides – it works well as an insulating midlayer, something that increasing numbers of brands seem to miss a trick on.

Without a hood or excess bulk, this jersey does a grand job of maintaining body temperature as a midlayer. When drenched with rain, or even if the rear hem gets soaked with mud however, it can get a tad heavy.

It's not cheap – £80 for a jersey is steep, especially for one you might only wear for half the year, but if you ride in all conditions you'll find yourself reaching for this number more than you expect. It is a great piece of fuss-free winter kit. 

• www.scott-sports.com

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