From lightweight designs made for indoor cycling to cold weather-focused thermal long sleeve options, these are the best cycling jerseys for all conditions…
While you don’t have to lycra-up or wear the best cycling shoes to ride a bike, those in the know will opt for one of the best cycling jerseys when saddling up. You don’t need to be a MAMIL or have the physique of Chris Hoy to see the benefits of a cycling jersey, either. Lightweight, comfortable and breathable, a cycling jersey is designed specifically to make cycling more comfortable, practical and enjoyable.
A good cycling jersey will generally be made from a mix of polyester or Merino wool and elastane. It’ll have optimised ventilation around hot spots, such as armpits, while a front zip allows you to increase or decrease airflow on the move. It will include pockets at the rear for mid-ride essentials like nutrition and roadside repair tools.
Cuts are generally figure-hugging to aid aerodynamics and minimise any fabric flapping around when riding at speed. But they don’t have to be skin-tight and it’s easy to find jerseys that have a relaxed rather than restrictive fit.
Another feature to look out for is UPF protection (built-in SPF) in lightweight summer jerseys, while the natural fabrics like Merino wool aren’t just for winter riding and can keep body odour at bay for longer periods between washes.
These are the best cycling jerseys in 2024
- Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Training Jersey – rapha.cc
- Maap Training Jersey – maap.cc
- Pactimo Merino Cargo Jersey – pactimo.com
- Le Col Sport jersey – lecol.cc
- Sportful Bodyfit Pro Thermal jersey review – sportful.com
- Castelli Insider jersey – castelli-cycling.com
Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Training Jersey
Best for cool autumn and spring rides
$152 / £125, rapha.cc
Pros:
- Three large pockets for riding essentials
- Super soft material
- Manages body temperature well
Cons:
- No zipped security pocket
- Fit might be restrictive for larger riders
Fit: 4.5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Breathability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
| Features: | Three large pockets, silicon grippers, anti-bacterial treatment |
| Sizes: | XS to 2XL |
| Colours: | Sage grey and light metal grey / terracotta and rusty red / indigo and dark grey / dark navy and navy / black, carbon grey and white |
While not a top to keep the harshest winter chills at bay, Rapha’s cold-weather layer is ideal for cool spring and autumn rides. Made from 88% polyester and 12% elastane, it has a super-soft feel, with an unperforated front to keep the wind off your chest and fast wicking fabric where you need it most. You don’t need that stripe on the left arm to tell you this is a top that oozes quality. All-round performance and superb construction combine to make the Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Jersey our best on test.
Read our full Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Training Jersey review
Maap Training Jersey
Best summer jersey with UPF protection
$165 / £130, maap.cc
Pros:
- UPF 50+ protection
- Useful storage (including zipped pocket)
- Wide range of colours
Cons:
- Aero sleeves might be snug for those with big upper arms
- Pricey for an entry-level top
Fit: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Breathability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
| Features: | Three large pockets and zipped security pocket, UPF 50+ protection, bluesign-approved materials |
| Sizes: | XS to 2XL |
| Colours: | Griffin / musk / rust / deep green / deep blue / mushroom / black / birch / olive green |
Aussie brand Maap is something of a disrupter in the cycling apparel space, and its eye-catching jerseys are certainly making waves. This short-sleeve option combines streetwear style with premium performance materials: 70% recycled polyamide and 30% elastane construction creates a light, stretchy and breathable top with an elasticated hem and internal grippers for a snug fit. As you’d expect from an Australian brand, we liked the UPF 50+ UV protection that comes as standard.
Read our full Maap Training Jersey review
Pactimo Merino Cargo Jersey
Best Merino jersey
$139 / £105, pactimo.com
Pros:
- Super soft material
- Great odour and sweat management
Cons:
- Neck can become restrictive if rear pockets are full
- Loose fit a bit out of date for some
Fit: 3/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Breathability: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
| Features: | Half-zip design, three large pockets and zipped security pocket, anti-bacterial treatment |
| Sizes: | Small to 2XL |
| Colours: | Midnight navy |
Merino jerseys may seem a bit retro these days, but there’s nothing antiquated about this Pactimo top. The Colorado-based company has created a 45% Merino, 45% Tencel, 10% nylon blend to combine comfort, performance and environmental benefits. The natural anti-odour properties of Merino and an added anti-bacterial treatment allowed us to wear it numerous times before it needed a refresh, and it’s one of the more durable designs on test too.
Read our full Pactimo Merino Cargo Jersey review
Le Col Sport Jersey
Best for everyday rides
$140 / £105, lecol.cc
Pros:
- Fabric feels nice against skin
- Waterproof zipped security pocket
- Comfortable fit
Cons:
- Cheaper entry-level jerseys available
- Fabric bunches when riding in the drops
Fit: 3.5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Breathability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
| Features: | Three large pockets, waterproof zipped security pocket, environmentally friendly fabric |
| Sizes: | XS to 3XL |
| Colours: | Navy and saffron / peacock and cobalt |
With its broad stripe and matching collar and cuffs, British brand Le Col’s entry-level option harks back to the halcyon days of cycling. Le Col is a relatively new company, though, but has already made a name for itself by equipping some of today’s pro peloton. The Sport jersey has a more relaxed fit and strikes just the right balance between providing warmth and promoting air flow. We found the waterproof zip pocket a welcome addition to a jersey aimed at riding all day in comfort.
Read our full Le Col Sport Jersey review
Sportful Bodyfit Pro Thermal Jersey
Best for winter riding
$140 / £120, sportful.com
Pros:
- Brushed fabric is extremely comfortable
- Plastic grippers hold the jersey in place well
- Performance isn’t diminished when wearing a jacket
Cons:
- No zipped security pocket
- Lack of cuffs on sleeves
Fit: 4.5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Breathability: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
| Features: | Three large pockets, brushed fabric, reflective detailing |
| Sizes: | Small to 3XL |
| Colours: | Beetle/guacamole, black/galaxy blue, leather/golden oak, scarab/shrub green, blue denim/galaxy blue, nightshade/huckleberry, red wine/red rumba |
This thermal jersey will allow you to ride longer into the colder months thanks to a brushed, breathable fabric that keeps the chills at bay but won’t cook you during the climbs. Italian company Sportful has made this jersey with the pros’ cold training riders of Girona and Andorra in mind so it’ll cope with anything bar sub-zero temperatures. Like previous iterations of this jersey we’ve worn, the 23/24 Bodyfit Pro Thermal promises to provide protection over years’ worth of off-season training miles.
Read our full Sportful Bodyfit Pro Thermal Jersey review
Castelli Insider Jersey
Best for indoor training
$124.99 / £90, castelli-cycling.com
Pros:
- Superior sweat-wicking
- Great odour management
- Extremely breathable
Cons:
- Mesh design is quite revealing
- Two rear pockets limit outside potential
Fit: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Breathability: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
| Features: | Super lightweight design, semi-open mesh, full-length zip, two rear pockets |
| Sizes: | XS to 3XL |
| Colours: | Dark red / Savile blue |
You’d be forgiven for thinking that an indoor-specific cycling jersey is just a niche market too far. But this lightweight, turbo-charged jersey performs exceptionally well during static indoor rides. A 93% polyester, 7% elastane blend creates a jersey so light and breathable that we never felt the need to unzip even during the hottest turbo sessions. Although not really needed indoors, two deep rear pockets help give the Insider summer outdoors potential too.
Read our full Castelli Insider Jersey review
How we tested the best cycling jerseys
Our testers rode around 150km a week in these jerseys, across a mixture of road, gravel and indoor cycling. Each jersey was tested as part of their regular training schedules, during the period from late summer to the depths of winter. They wore short-sleeve, summer-focused options during my regular urban rides as well as inside on the turbo trainer, while they donned long-sleeve, thermal tops when the weather dropped below 10°C. Each jersey has been through a minimum of three wash cycles to make sure they hold their shape, while pockets were stuffed to the max to ensure they can hold all the mid-ride essentials.
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