A More Comfortable Ride For Bike Jerseys

What to Consider
Intended Use
When choosing a cycling jersey, consider the primary type of riding you’ll be doing. Are you looking for a form-fitting jersey for aerodynamics on fast road rides? Something looser for all-day comfort on a gravel tour? Do you want a classic mountain bike look, or a more styled road-jersey fit? For hot rides, a lightweight, sweat-wicking jersey with short sleeves is important for moisture management, but windy or cooler rides will be more comfortable with a heavier material that can be layered under a wind jacket or over a base layer.

Features
Most cycling jerseys will have a few main style and feature options to choose from. Look for full-zip or half-zip styles depending on how much venting you’ll need, take note of sleeve length and style, choose between high-neck or scoop-neck styles for wind protection, and decide on the number and placement of pockets you’ll want for stashing snacks and soft-flask bottles.

Material
Every jersey on this list is sweat-wicking and built for high-output activity, but the percentage of specific materials used varies from style to style. If you want something more form-fitting with added stretch, a higher percentage of Spandex or Lycra is a good bet. Fully polyester jerseys will have a more casual fit. Some jerseys are built with specialty fibers from 37.5 and PolarTec, which increase the comfort and cooling, but those materials can drive the price up.