A CYCLING JERSEY

1. THE FABRIC

Believe it or not, but the first thing you should take into consideration is the fabric. In most cases, you’ll find that cycling jerseys are made out of some variation of polyester. While you might be inclined to resist polyester and go with something like cotton, you’ll actually be sorry you did. Cotton can be extremely uncomfortable. It soaks up moisture (sweat) and keeps it near your body while riding. Polyester fabrics provide breathability and help to wick or pull the moisture away form your body so you don’t feel cold and wet as you are cycling.

Higher priced jerseys are usually constructed with more panels of fabric. More panels means a better overall fit since the jersey is designed to follow the curves of your body (more on fit below). But more panels also allow for the strategic use of a variety of fabrics to increase the technical performance of the garment. In other words, windproof fabrics can be used across the front and shoulders while wicking or stretchy fabrics are used under the arms and across the back.

2. THE FIT

You might be inclined to choose a jersey that is completely unlike the form fitting ones you see the pros wearing. But the fact is: the better the fit, the less wind drag you’ll experience due to all that extra material. A flapping jersey will only slow you down and on long rides will actually zap some of your energy. So, while you might not opt for a skintight aero skin-suit, you’ll want something that fits well and helps increase your performance on the bike.