Best cycling jerseys 2024 ridden and rated
The best cycling jerseys will keep you comfortable, whether it's for a hot summer ride, a ride in cooler conditions or a turbo session indoors
Cycling jerseys are integral to any cyclist's wardrobe. Paired with the best cycling shorts and the best cycling base layers, you can enjoy a comfortable ride for many hours.
Of course, the best cycling jersey depends on the context and weather you're riding in. In summer, short sleeve jerseys wick sweat away, minimize sunburn and provide cooling airflow. If it gets chilly, you can always add the best arm warmers for more comfort.
Autumn and spring riding will require the best long sleeved cycling jerseys. Typically, these will come with a flocked inner fleece which provide extra warmth with good ventilation. Cold weather cycling will definitely require some extra protection against the elements—so be sure to check out our guide to the best winter cycling jackets.
Indoor cycling is becoming increasingly popular too, especially since the advent of Zwift and modern turbo trainers. Now, there's even a range of indoor cycling clothing available designed for just that.
Our team has tried, tested and selected some of the best cycling jerseys on the market. Our selections are based on a variety of factors, including performance, comfort and value for money. However, if your looking for cheaper cycling clothing then you'll want to check out our round-up of the best affordable options.
Many of the jerseys are are available in male and female options but look at our guide on the best women's cycling jerseys for women's-specific fit options.
Best Cycling Jerseys
You can trust Cycling Weekly.
Best long sleeved jerseys
Best Eco Friendly Long Sleeve
The Endura Pro SL Long Sleeve Jersey II stands out with it's innovative design that balances warmth and breathability, so much so that it won Editor's Choice in 2020.
While the jersey is lacking a fleeced backing, it still provides great insulation, especially when paired with a base layer. "Eco" is not just a buzzword here either; Endura have constructed this jersey using entirely recycled materials—impressive right?
It features a close, aerodynamic fit, with sleeves that eliminate wind flap, although they might be too long for some. We think this jersey is deal for cool weather, it regulates temperature well and works as a mid-layer for colder rides.
Read our full review of the Endura Pro SL II long sleeve jersey.
Best Lightweight Longsleeve Jersey
The Pearl Izumi Pro Thermal jersey impresses with its thin Thermal+ material, designed to keep you warm in cooler conditions without the bulk of thicker jerseys. Ideal for spring and autumn rides, it also works as a low-bulk mid-layer under a jacket for colder days.
Features like a stiffened collar, six pockets, thumb loops, and reflective accents add functionality. The snug fit and long sleeves enhance comfort, while the breathable fabric maintains warmth without overheating. Though slightly pricey, its versatility and performance make it a standout option for temperatures between 10-20°C.
Read our full review of the Pearl Izumi Pro Themal jersey.
Best Premium Longsleeve Jersey
Rapha's Classic Long Sleeve Jersey combines a refined, eco-conscious design with modern updates, featuring the RPM190 fabric made from 36% merino wool and 64% recycled polyester. This blend offers warmth and breathability for versatile wear across seasons. The cut is close yet relaxed, ideal for long rides, while the pockets are positioned to prevent sagging. Despite its lightweight feel, it performs well in temperatures as low as 5°C, making it great for layering. Sure, it's on the more expensive side of the spectrum but we think it's justified by the premium, durable quality which won Editor's Choice in 2021.
Read our full review of the Rapha Classic Long Sleeve Jersey.
Best Indoor Cycling Jerseys
Best Indoor Jersey for Heat Regulation
Bioracer’s Speedwear Graphene Jersey blends advanced fabric technology with sleek performance features, incorporating graphene webbing for optimal heat regulation. This innovative design helps dissipate body heat during intense indoor sessions or warm-weather rides.
The fit is aerodynamic yet comfortable, ideal for fast-paced efforts, with mesh rear pockets that ensure ventilation isn’t compromised. While the aero sleeves contribute to a race-ready feel, the jersey is best used with a fan to maximize its cooling potential. Though it may feel warmer at first, it cools rapidly during recovery. At £118.72, it offers solid value for a jersey with cutting-edge materials and aerodynamic elements.
Read our full Bioracer Speedwear Graphene Jersey review
Best Indoor Jersey for breathability
The Castelli Insider Jersey is the brand's lightest, designed primarily for indoor training but versatile enough for hot-weather rides. Made from a semi-open mesh, it offers modest coverage while remaining breathable and lightweight. With two rear pockets for convenience, it's also suitable for outdoor use, though it lacks SPF protection. The fit is snug across the chest and shoulders without being restrictive, though the hem's tightness can feel noticeable. We think the Castelli Insdier is a solid option for turbo sessions and hot summer days.
Read our full review of the Castelli Insider jersey.
Best Minimalist Indoor Cycling Jersey
The Assos SS Superléger Skin Layer is a premium, ultra-light base layer designed for indoor cycling, though versatile enough for warm summer rides. Weighing just 65 grams, it offers impressive moisture-wicking and compression despite its delicate, mesh-heavy construction. While it lacks pockets and is a base layer rather than a jersey, it keeps you cool and dry during intense sessions. It's not cheap either but we think its long-term durability makes it worthwhile. Use it for both sweaty indoor training and warmer outdoor conditions.
Read our full review of the Assos SS Superléger Skin Layer.
Best indoor cycling jersey for versatility
Le Col’s X Wahoo Indoor Training Jersey combines the feel of a base layer with the functionality of a high-quality hot weather jersey. Made from ultra-lightweight 3D wicking mesh, it excels at keeping you dry during intense indoor sessions or scorching outdoor rides. With features like a low collar, sleeve grippers, and three rear pockets, it mirrors Le Col's Pro Air road jersey. Although the grippy sleeves can feel a bit sticky, its incredible moisture management—even in 43º heat —makes it a great option for indoor and hot-weather training. We think this is an excellent choice for any serious cyclist.
Read our full review of the Le Col X Wahoo Indoor Training Jersey.
Best Summer Cycling Jerseys
Best summer jersey for pocket space
The dhb Aeron Ultra Short Sleeve Jersey is a standout for long-distance cyclists, offering comfort, durability, and practicality in one sleek package. Built from Revolutional Energy fabric with Coldblack technology, it reduces fatigue, provides UV protection, and keeps you cool, even in the heat. The mesh panels definitely enhance breathability, we'd still recommend wearing sunscreen for the open back panel. Complete with five pockets it's a snug yet flexible —ideal for bike-packing or extended rides.
Read our full review of the dhb Aeron Ultra short sleeved jersey.
Best summer jersey for a retro look
The Rapha Brevet jersey blends retro style with modern performance, making it perfect for long-distance rides. Paying homage to vintage cycling jerseys, it uses a 64% recycled polyester and 34% merino wool blend, offering great sweat-wicking and quick-drying capabilities, especially in cooler conditions.
However, the heavier fabric can feel sticky and uncomfortable in hot, humid weather. Its relaxed fit and five rear pockets—three standard, one mesh-lined for extra storage, and a zippered pocket for valuables—ensure practicality. Ideal for British summers and shoulder seasons, it's best avoided in extreme heat but excels on multi-day rides with a stylish, classic look.
Read our full review of the Rapha Brevet jersey.
Best summer jersey for a luxurious feel
The Le Col Hors Categorie Jersey is a premium option, designed for comfort on long rides. Made from a luxurious blend of 91% polyamide and 9% elastane, it feels silky and slightly thicker than typical jerseys. The figure-hugging cut avoids excess fabric while allowing unrestricted movement. It features silicone grippers at the hem and along the arms to keep everything in place, though the arm grippers can feel a bit much. Breathable and quick-wicking, it's ideal for UK conditions. The three rear pockets stretch to hold essentials, plus there's a zipped, water-resistant pocket for valuables. There's no doubt this is a premium product product and would suit a cyclist with the budget for a high-end choice.
Read our full review of the Le Col Hors Categorie jersey.
Meet the testers
After winning the 2019 National Single-Speed Cross-Country Mountain Biking Championships, Stefan swapped the flat-bars for drop-bars and has never looked back. Since then, he’s earnt his 2nd cat racing licence and Everested in under 12 hours. But Stefan's favourite rides are multiday bikepacking trips, with all the huge amount of cycling tech and long days spent exploring new roads and trails - as well as histories and cultures.
Chris first started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2013 and has since become a regular name in the magazine and on the website ever since. Obsessed with mountains, he was previously found playing and guiding in the Canadian Rockies, and now mostly lives in the Val d’Aran in the Spanish Pyrenees where he’s a ski instructor in the winter and cycling guide in the summer
Buyer's guide to what to look for in a cycling jersey
Looking for other kit to pair with your jersey? Check out our guides to the best cycling shorts, best gilets, best arm warmers and best leg warmers and knee warmers.
What fabrics should I look for?
A cycling jersey has to perform well in a range of conditions, so you can find jerseys designed for really hot rides as well as ones that bring you to the brink of winter, when you're likely to want to reach for one of the best winter cycling jackets instead.
That means that there are a wide range of fabrics used. Polyester is popular for its wicking qualities, meaning that you won't feel sweaty however hard you ride. It will also dry quickly if you do get caught out in a downpour.
Merino wool is another great option, often found in jerseys for cooler weather, although you can also buy merino blend jerseys for warmer rides. It has the advantage of great warmth that isn't affected by getting damp. It is less prone to getting whiffy than polyester too.
What is the advantage of a fleeced material?
Whereas summer and indoor cycling jerseys will be lightweight and often be made of mesh to accelerate cooling, once the temperature gets below the mid-50s F / 12 C, you will probably need a bit more insulation on your ride.
That's where a more dense surface weave paired with a fleeced backing can really add warmth. Fleeced fabrics used in cycling are typically labelled Roubaix or Super-Roubaix.
How many pockets do I need?
The classic cycling jersey has three rear pockets. With a little organisation and if you're not trying to carry too much or can move some of your kit to one of the best bike saddlebags, that should be adequate for most day rides. Look out for pockets that are deep enough that items won't fall out if you do have to load up and that avoid pocket sag under heavy loads.
A zipped valuables pocket is useful, to keep keys and money safe as you are riding.
With the increased popularity of ultra-endurance and gravel riding, jerseys have sprung up that add lots more carrying capacity. Even if you're not contemplating a huge ride, just having somewhere separate to keep used food wrappers away from your other items is really useful and avoids mess.
Why does my cycling jersey need to be skin tight?
Most modern cycling jerseys tend to have a close fit. That's because windflap can ruin your aerodynamics, even if you're riding the best aero bike. A closer fit also helps keep the fabric in contact with your skin and assists moisture management, as this allows sweat to be wicked away efficiently, rather than staying on your skin.
If your riding is more relaxed, you might not worry about aerodynamics so much, so a looser fitting jersey might be more comfortable and gives a more classic look.
Most cycling jerseys are cut shorter at the front and longer at the rear too, to fit better in the riding position and ensure that you don't have a cold spot at your lower back as you ride.
What additional features should I look for?
In a summer jersey, mesh panels as the sides can add some extra airflow and cooling. A UPF rating of 30 or above will help stop sunburn. although you should apply sunscreen to your exposed skin and also under your jersey if it's a very lightweight mesh number.
In a cooler weather jersey some front side windproofing will make your jersey feel a lot warmer without extra bulk. Also look out for a high collar and close cuffs. Often, cool weather jerseys are DWR coated to help repel light rain and moisture, although they will usually wet out in a heavy downpour, when a rain jacket will be more useful.
How we test
We have a dedicated team of testers here at Cycling Weekly, whose job is to review a whole range of cycling products and to write objective reviews of their experience of using them day in day out in a whole range of conditions.
With huge experience, they're really well placed to compare products, identify their strengths and weaknesses and bring you an honest, unbiased assessment of how they perform.
When it comes to testing jerseys we look at a variety of factors depending on the products. For long sleeve jersey's designed for cooler weather and long distance riding we evaluate their warmth-to-weight ratio, degree of breathability and storage capacity. For summer jerseys, the latter two are also important considerations, as is the jersey's material ability to offer protection against the sun. Of course, comfort reigns supreme and we consider the success of elements such as sleeve and hem grippers, zippers and other details that can cause a jersey to be less than comfy on the road.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.
- Sonny EvansWriter
-
'Our costs are going up but customers can’t pay more': Community bike shops are making cycling affordable, but can they afford to keep the doors open?
Not-for-profit setups designed to make cycling accessible are feeling the pinch - but the communities they're designed to serve can keep them alive
By Isobel Duxfield Published
-
Small Cost, BIG Features | Is This Indoor Training Platform Worth The Switch?
icTrainer costs 9x less than the market leader but this indoor training platform is still jam packed with features
By Sponsored Published