Reviewed by: Road.cc, 29 March 2019.
Products reviewed:
FINDRA Caddon Merino Jersey
FINDRA's Caddon jersey is an all-British offering, designed in Scotland and manufactured in the UK (although the merino is New Zealand's finest). With a dropped back, thumbholes and a drawstring cowl neck, it's a stylish, lightweight and soft option for both on and off the bike.
Pros: Lightweight, soft, seamless.
Cons: Expensive, limited colour options.
The Caddon is FINDRA's mid-layer offering, although its lightweight weave means it would work equally well as a baselayer. Interestingly, it weighs a few grams less than the baselayer we have also reviewed. During the winter it was tested much more as a baselayer, but it looks good enough on its own during a cake stop in a warm cafe.
The fit is quite slim, with a decent drop at the back to keep out the chill and the sleeves with their thumbholes are more than adequate for riding in the drops.
The Caddon comes in a range of neutrals – three greys, an oatmeal and a dark navy; the slate grey review sample was easy to pair with blacks and colours alike. There is a discreet stripe at the wrist, and a subtle curve to the shape at the waist.
The cowl neck looks good worn loose, but you can use the accompanying drawstring to tighten it against the winter chills; to give you an idea, it reaches up to cover your nose, should you forget a neck warmer on a cold day. The whole jersey is seamless, which makes it really comfortable to wear.
The New Zealand merino wool used for the jersey is deceptively light, and despite frequent washing over two months of almost daily wear, very few bobbles have developed. There are a few snags where the wool has caught, but nothing that significantly detracts from the look of the top. All in all, it's been more robust than expected from such a lightweight fibre.
Like all good merino, this jersey is great at both wicking moisture and keeping the smells at bay. Not being Lycra also makes it much less obvious that you've just stepped off a bike, if this is important at your destination.
Although expensive, the Caddon is a jersey that could see a lot of use, so the price per wear would be relatively low. It's certainly not the only fine merino with a near-£100 price tag on the market, and the British manufacture is notoriously expensive but should be celebrated.
Verdict
Super-soft, lightweight jersey that works equally well as a base or mid-layer as the seasons change.
