Best long-sleeved cycling jerseys 2026: all tested for warmth and comfort when temperatures fall
A cyclist's wardrobe staple, our experts take protecting against cooler temperatures on the bike seriously with these six top-rated long-sleeved jerseys
The best long-sleeved cycling jerseys are far more versatile than their sleeve length would otherwise suggest, and can work across all four seasons when layered correctly. Use one as a lightweight layer in Spring and Summer to take the edge off cool early-morning starts, or over thermal layers in the Fall and Winter.
There’s a vast range of long-sleeved cycling jerseys to choose from, with some featuring a fleece inner lining that adds warmth, while others feature panels that guard against wind and rain. Some even work similarly to a softshell jacket, offering enhanced protection more commonly associated with the best packable jackets or best winter cycling jackets.
Since the entire Cycling Weekly team is located in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in regions like the UK and the Pacific Northwest known for their cold and wet weather, we have ample opportunities each year to test the best long-sleeved jerseys across a wide range of conditions and almost every season. However, its is the Castelli Perfetto RoS Long-Sleeve which takes our best overall crown, for living up to its name by being near 'perfetto'.
Best long sleeved cycling jerseys 2026 - all ridden and rated
It's been around a while, but the Castelli Perfetto ROS Long Sleeve Jacket still lives up to its "perfect" name, offering impressive protection and comfort in wet, windy conditions. It combines the feel of a long-sleeve jersey with water resistance akin to a rain jacket.
Read Tom's full Castelli Perfetto ROS review
Pros
- Impressively waterproof
- Highly breathable
- Great fit
Cons
- Lack of sensible colours to choose from
Bridging the gap between long-sleeved jerseys and jackets, the Q36.5 Dottore Hybrid Que LS jersey offers the best of both worlds and makes a compelling case for not needing to own both.
Read Andy's full Q36.5 Dottore Hybrid Que Review
Pros
- Combines jersey and jacket performance
- Wide operating temperature range
- Impressive at excess heat dissipation
Cons
- Expensive, but, could replace two garments in your wardrobe
Castelli’s Espresso Thermal Jersey is a no-frills example of doing the basics exceptionally well. A great option for spring and autumn rides on its own, or acting as a foundation layer when teamed with other pieces, as conditions dictate. The fabric is warm and breathable, with the cut offering comfort without restriction on the bike.
Read Tim's full Castelli Espresso Thermal review
Pros
- Cosy fabric
- Great fit
- Classy looking
- Zipped security pocket
Cons
- Token reflective tab
Pedaled’s entry into the fashionable long-sleeved jersey category is nicely made, well-cut and minimalist. It occupies a narrow window between short-sleeve, arm-warmer weather and conditions that require a bit more protection. Basically, a good Spring/Fall option.
Read Tim's full Pedaled Element review
Pros
- Great fit
- Nicely made
- Good attention to detail
Cons
- Fairly high price for infrequent use
- Narrow operating window
Like the two considerably more expensive options ahead of the Madison DTE Isoler, it is ideally suited for days when a jacket is not needed, bridging the gap between a thin long-sleeved jersey and a full winter jacket, all at a considerably lower price point.
Read Tim's full Madison DTE Isoler review
Pros
- Reasonable price
- 'Adjustable' sleeve length
- Warm Isoler fabric
Cons
- Limited colour choice
- Odd fit below the pockets
- Not as warm as some alternatives
The Maap Drome Thermal is a great jersey, with soft, insulating material, a great fit, spacious pockets, and high recycled-material content, making it comfortable, stylish, and reasonably practical. It just lacks something to stand out from competitors and justify its high cost.
Read Andy's full Maap Drome Thermal review
Pros
- High use of recycled materials
- Looks incredibly sleek
- A very good insulated jersey
- Pockets are highly spacious
- Great fit and comfort
Cons
- It’s quite expensive for what it is
- No additional weather proofing
The Rapha Brevet Long Sleeve Jersey is a versatile and durable option ideal for long rides, touring, and bikepacking. Its breathable yet warm merino wool will also keep odours to a minimum and is ideal for easy layering with base layers or jackets.
Read Tom's full Rapha Brevet review
Pros
- Comfy
- Lots of pockets
- Great features to improve visibility
- Soft and warm material
Cons
- Very relaxed fit – you may need to size down from your usual size
- Not very strong elasticated cuffs
The Le Col Pro Aqua Zero Long Sleeve Jersey is crafted from a soft, thermal fleece-lined Lycra, offering excellent windproofing and water resistance in mist, drizzle, and cool conditions. It dries quickly and handles autumn and mild winter rides well with just a base layer.
Read Tom's full Le Col Pro Aqua Zero review
Pros
- Great fit
- Warm
- Comfortable
- Stylish
Cons
- Water repellent quality not as high as other products
How we test the best long sleeve jerseys
At Cycling Weekly, we have a dedicated team of testers whose role is to evaluate various cycling products and provide objective reviews. They base their assessments on their extensive daily experience using these products across diverse conditions.
With their extensive experience, they are well-equipped to compare products, recognise their strengths and weaknesses, and offer a sincere, objective evaluation of their performance.
When testing the best long-sleeved jerseys, we evaluate several key factors, including their warmth-to-weight ratio, breathability, and storage space. Above all, comfort is essential, so we also assess features like sleeve and hem grippers, zippers, and other details that might affect comfort during rides.
Since comfort and performance in clothing are highly subjective, we leave it to our testers to decide how they evaluate each jersey. This involves using the jersey in a variety of temperatures, conducting durability tests by washing the jersey several times, and assessing whether the garment aligns with the manufacturer's intended use and performance metrics.
For more information on how we test, visit our full 'How We Test' products and scoring guide.
Meet our testers
Though Andy may no longer compete at the international level, he still loves to jump into the fast rides at the local club whenever he can. Between running his coaching business, consulting on aerodynamics, and being one of our fantastic product testers, his schedule is full! That's why he makes the most of every moment to ride whenever time permits. Living in the UK means he's often riding in mixed and changeable conditions.
Tim is based in the Peak District but often travels to the higher peaks of the Alps, Pyrenees, or Dolomites. Considering the distances he covers and his location, it's common for him to also ride in all conditions and certainly in the Peak changeable conditions. His passion for climbing means Tim needs a versatile wardrobe that can keep him cool on climbs and during long, sustained efforts, but also work well in a layering system for the cold descents.
After previously working in higher education, Tom joined Cycling Weekly in 2022 and hasn't looked back. He's been covering professional cycling ever since, reporting on the ground from some of the sport's biggest races and events, including the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix and the World Championships.
His earliest memory of a bike race is watching the Tour on holiday in the early 2000's in the south of France - he even made it on to the podium in Pau afterwards. His favourite place cycling has taken him is Montréal, Canada.
How to choose the best long-sleeved cycling jersey
What is the best material for a long sleeve cycling jersey?
Are you wanting to make a cool or cold weather purchase?
If you are just wanting to take the nip out of the cool morning air, or add a layer during a warm up, then all you'll need in a thin fabric similar to that of a short sleeved cycling jersey.
At Cycling Weekly we find these a kit bag staple, ideal for warming up ahead of a race or event. Added over a short sleeve jersey with arm warmers or a thermal base layer will extend its temperature range.
For mid temperatures, the best long sleeved cycling jersey for you will probably have a soft brushed inner and high breathability properties.
If you're looking for something to take you below the 12 degree mark then you'll want a jersey with thermal credentials.
Look for fleece, soft brushed inners and close weave outers. High collars will keep the cold wind from whistling down your back. By layering up or down, the level of protection you'll get from the best long sleeved cycling jerseys in this category can be huge, from just above zero to low teens.
The best long sleeved cycling jerseys of this kind often come with additional weather protection features, such as a durable water repellent (DWR) coating or wind cheating capabilities.
All styles mentioned above - thermal or lighter weight long sleeved cycling jerseys - can easily have their temperature range extended via layering, such as adding a base layer, gilet or a packable waterproof jacket.
In really cold weather, you can even pair a long sleeved jersey with a winter cycling jacket, meaning that there’s a lot of use to be had from just one piece of kit.
Fleece linings will help trap air, natures best insulator.
Should a long sleeve cycling jersey be breathable?
All of the best long sleeved cycling jerseys that we recommend will have good breathability and sweat wicking capabilities.
It's important however to ensure that you've chosen the right level of protection for your ride and matched it with the right base layer. Some brands will even provide their own base layer recommendations to ensure you get the maximum benefit from the model.
If you decide to layer up, just bear in mind that this might impact on both breathability and sweat wicking functions. It's a bit of a trial and error to see what works well together, but if you are popping a waterproof cycling jacket over the top or a long sleeved jersey, you might want to avoid any that have water or wind proofing already as this can hinder breathability, overwhelming even the best moisture management systems.
How should a long sleeve cycling jersey fit?
The ideal fit for you will depend on the riding you do and personal preference.
If you're looking to just simply keep warm, you may want to consider a looser style of fit in order to layer up underneath. High collars will also be on your tick list.
If staying aerodynamic is more important, then consider tighter aero fits, lower neck lines and low profile pockets to ensure they don't billow in the wind when in the racing tuck.
Cuffs are the only other consideration fit wise as you are likely to want to pair your jersey with gloves at some point. It's horses for courses in terms of gloves over or under sleeves, but whatever you choose, slightly too long is better than slightly too short.
Some brands will have a few versions of similar models to choose from, so pay attention to fit guides.
The fit of the best long sleeved cycling jersey will depend on when you want to wear it.
What are the important features of a long sleeve cycling jersey?
As already mentioned, the warmer long sleeved cycling jerseys will come with more functionality.
Wind and water protection will be the most common additional feature. Be aware though that for even the best long sleeved cycling jerseys any water-repellency will be in the form of a DWR coating which will need reapplication over time. It's simple to do, but does require you to keep on top of it after every wash.
Other features to look out for across long sleeved cycling jerseys will be reflective details for low light levels, and roomy rear pockets for stowing rain jackets and gilets as well as spares and ride snacks.
