Nema Vaga Jersey
By James Sharp

Clothing can make or break a ride. Back in the day a simple t-shirt used to be enough for any ride, then I tried my first jersey. Instead of soaking through and staying wet, the jersey would actually speed moisture transfer away from my body and keep me cooler. Some have pockets in the back and a zippered front. Most are made out of synthetic materials. All of them keep the cyclist more comfortable and are cut to fit the riding position.

Nema knows clothes. We have reviewed a number of their looser fitting stuff, and recently we have had the chance to try a more serious jersey, the Vaga. What sets the Vaga apart from other jerseys? Well, for one thing, Nema’s Four Pocket System in the rear of the jersey. With it you get the usual three pockets across the back, the outer two with elastic, and you get a smaller zippered fourth pocket in the middle. Why is this great? Now you don’t have to worry about pulling your keys or money out of your pocket when you are fishing for a packet of Gu on a long climb, or you can put your spendy shades in a pocket without worrying that your keys are going to scratch the lenses. Personally, this is my favorite feature in the jersey.

In addition to the fourth, zippered, pocket the Vaga uses Nema’s Translink fabric which wicks away moisture. Pretty much your standard keep-you-dry-when-you-are-sweating-to-beat-the-band type of fabric. Nema tends to leave clothes loose, they don’t seem to like the use of elastic where they don’t absolutely need to, and the Vaga is not exception. While this is a serious jersey, equally at home on the single track or on the Saturday morning club ride, they didn’t put elastic in the arms. Let me stand up and say Thank-You. This isn’t to say that the sleeves flap in the breeze, because they don’t. The sleeves are just designed to fit right using the built-in elastic properties of the material, without the need to add more elastic that can bind and be uncomfortable.

Summary: Jersey’s, like all articles of clothing, are a personal choice. Not everyone is built the same and what works for one person might not work for others. That said, the Vaga jersey seems to have something for everyone. It has classic looks and is well made. The features are well thought out, without too much flash. It just works. The Vaga retails for $60.

James Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
NEMA International
16651 Gothard St, Suite E
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714)841-8384
info@nema-usa.com
www.nema-usa.com