Best cycling jersey 2024: Quick links
01. Best overall
02. Most comfortable
03. Best premium
04. Best for daily rides
05. Best lightweight
06. Most durable
07. Best cold weather
08. Best windproof
09. Best for women
10. How to choose
11. How we test
12. FAQ
The best cycling jersey can not only make you look and feel great—which in itself is powerful and not to be underestimated—but aero benefits can improve speed, valuables will be kept safe in well-designed pockets, and body temperature regulation will be helped with clever use of materials.
The cycling jerseys listed here are packed with features to enhance your performance and comfort, whether you're facing rain, shine, or even snow.
From cleverly designed pockets for storing essentials to strategic ventilation for optimal airflow, these jerseys have it all. Say goodbye to uncomfortable flapping fabric – these tailored garments fit like a (cycling) glove, reducing drag and ensuring a smooth ride.
Don't forget to layer up and stay visible with the best bike lights (and best bike rear lights) for added safety. After all, it's better to shine bright than to blend into the winter gloom.
And if you're in need of a new set of wheels to match your fresh cycling jersey, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best road bikes and gravel bikes. Happy riding!
Best cycling jerseys to buy right now
Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best overall
The Rapha Core Lightweight Jersey is an excellent value cycling top, and it also scores highly with others who’ve been seduced by its charms, judging by the overwhelming number of positive reviews on the Rapha website. There are compromises with the design of this jersey, such as the lack of storage, and we found the zipper a little fiddly to get started. Nevertheless, there’s no quibbling with the quality here and, all things considered, we’d say the Rapha Core Lightweight Jersey is a must-have accessory for summer rides.
Read our full Rapha Core Lightweight Jersey review.
Most comfortable
This Copenhagen-based produces some of cycling’s most coveted gear, but as well as looking the part, all importantly we found in testing it lives up to expectations on the wear and performance front.
Sitting squarely in their mid-range, it’s a great choice for regular everyday use and training. It's very comfortable, with attention to detail, such as guarded zip ends and really nice fabrics.
The construction is top-quality (it feels like it would last a long time), and the nice body-hugging fit isn't too compressive. The 14% elastane adds a nice level of stretch to accommodate different body types.
The neck is slightly higher—in contrast to aero jerseys, which see this cut away altogether—and the sleeves are a good length, perhaps on the longer side. The inch-wide gripper around the bottom of the jersey does its job nicely and keeps it in place around your bibs.
On the back are three elasticated pockets, with a concealed zippered pocket on the right-hand side - which does the job just fine - and ‘Pas Normal Studios’ branding position centrally on the back,
Available in twelve colours, eight of which are block colourways and four quite psychedelic patterned options for those who like something more eye-catching.
Best premium
A long-standing jersey in Rapha’s top-end race collection, this is the brand new 2024 summer version. If you’ve got an eye for great-looking gear and want top-end performance with it - helping to eke out every last drop of speed for your watts - look no further than this.
As expected for an aero jersey, there’s no collar, and the body-hugging fit is almost a touch compressive (not in a bad way). It certainly feels fast! Shoulders, pits, and arms are made of a waffle-type fabric, and the remainder is a conventional-looking smooth fabric.
The positioning of the Rapha logos—angled at 45 degrees on either side of the rib cage—looks fantastic, particularly in the off-Silver Gray colourway. We think it's great, and for those whose style is more ‘stealth’, the two other colourways on offer are black and a deep blue / purple.
Despite being an aero jersey, the Pro Team Aero Jersey is still practical. Three pockets securely hold belongings (phone, etc.) and a small zippered one for keys or a credit card. This is a fantastic jersey for summer use, with a high build quality to last.
Best for daily rides
There is very little to criticise about the Le Col Sport Jersey II. This high-quality cycling jersey features flat-locked seams and a full-length lock-down zip and zip guard so you can ride and ride and ride for hours in maximum comfort. The silicone hem gripper will keep the jersey in place no matter what pose you prefer to cycle.
The stretchy polyester fabric is lightweight and super comfortable to wear, especially during the spring season when the weather is not quite warm enough to make you sweat bucketloads but warmer than how it was in the previous six months when all you did was ride the turbo trainer, staring at the wall.
As for storage, the Le Col Sport Jersey II has three main pockets at the back and a smaller, waterproof security pocket on the right-hand side (also on the back) for storing stuff you don't want to get wet, possibly your smartphone. This last zipped section is not huge by any means and might not fit larger phones, mind. Other than that, we can't think of any other issues with this superb jersey!
Best lightweight
The Gore Wear C7 Jersey is the ultimate good weather cycling jersey for people who appreciate craftsmanship and comfort above all. The jersey's front and back are made of a dense mesh fabric to protect you from the wind, while the sides – under the arm – have an open mesh construction for added breathability.
On the back, you'll also find the customary pouches for bottles and gels, but there is also a zip pocket if you need to make sure your phone and keys stay in place as you ride. The pockets have reinforced seams, so it is harder to rip them open – although you don't necessarily want to test it, just for the sake of it.
On the arm hem, the silicone lining holds the arms of the jersey in place as you ride: you could also say the arms won't ride up as you pedal (pun intended). Please do bear in mind, this is a warm-weather jersey, and as much as the Gore Wear C7 Jersey would protect you from the wind, it won't protect you from the cold. Just stating the obvious here.
Most durable
The latest addition from the Melbourne-based cycling brand to their ‘Alt_Road’ range is a high-end jersey with brilliant attention to detail, perfect for long and hot summer rides.
More unusually, it's made from the brand’s proprietary ‘NATURALMATCH’ material - this is a merino wool blended with synthetic polyamide which means it handles sweat (or road spray) well, is durabile, and is antimicrobial and anti-odour, so you could get away with wearing it successive days on the trot. It feels really nice on the skin and makes a very welcome change to synthetic fabrics that tend to dominate.
To the rear are three really practical storage pockets, made from thicker and highly durable ripstop Cordura fabric. There’s also a zippered stash pocket.
It’s lower cut around the neck, so it doesn’t have much of a collar, but this is a trend seen on SS24 jerseys, and it’s unquestionably great looking—complete with reflective features on zipper tabs, patch, and logo—pulling inspiration from more of a gravel background.
Available in fifteen colourways, we particularly like the ‘Shadow’ grey with striking pink zippers (pictured).
Best cold weather
The Trasparente V Jersey is a thermal cycling jersey. By featuring the Polartec NeoShell technology at the front of the jersey, Castelli made it so you can ride in conditions that would normally call for an extra vest layer or even reach for a light winter jacket.
The Castelli Trasparente V Jersey is water and windproof, and the 4-way stretch provides a snug and comfortable fit for performance bikers. The fabric at the back is the Nano Flex Xtra Dry, which has warmth and water repellency.
Functional details have also been considered: front and rear reflective panels, three rear pockets that make space for essentials, and a zippered chest pocket, so you don't have to tuck your money and keys in your socks when you're out and about.
Best windproof
The cold weather-friendly shape and high-tech construction of this Sportful top come together to make it a great ally against chilly winds and light rain and our overall best jersey for cycling. The longer-than-average arms hit just above the elbow to cover without restricting, and the high neck and extra reinforcement around the shoulders and upper arms are designed to keep biting breezes at bay.
Reviewers commented on the impressive waterproofing, saying that lighter rain beads and runs off were chuffed with its great value weatherproof performance. The only downside is the lack of pockets, so if you’re on a long ride with lots of kits, consider layering up with a lighter pocketed jersey underneath.
Best for women
The dhb Classic Long Sleeve Jersey has been designed to keep you on the road as temperatures drop. Using a breathable, wicking polyester fabric, a warm microclimate is created. The fleece traps warm air while perspiration is transported away from the skin to keep you dry and comfortable.
If you find yourself too warm during harder efforts, you have the full-length front zip to expel warm air and allow for extra air circulation. An internal silicone gripper holds the hem in place when in your riding position and seals the jersey effectively, keeping warm air in and cold air out.
The dhb Classic Long Sleeve Jersey is a performance fit garment. To keep you on the road for longer, at the back, you'll find 3 vertical pockets - keeping all your ride essentials easy to hand - plus a secure zipped pocket for your valuables.
How to choose the best cycling jersey for you
Zips can become deeply unpleasant torturers of your Adam's apple over long rides, so look out for jerseys with 'zip garages' (yes, really) if you put in big mileage. These are fabric flaps that cover the zip when it's done up.
Most jerseys have pockets at the back, but make sure they're the right size to hold whatever you habitually carry when riding without breaking for freedom at every bump in the road, but loose enough to retrieve items on the move easily.
All of our picks will keep you mobile and flexible, as well as cool and sweat-free on warm days and protected against the most biting winds on colder ones. Still, if you’re looking to keep cycling into the colder months, then it may be worth investing in a long-sleeved jersey or one with extra wind-proofing and thermal properties — we’ve listed the seasons to which each jersey is best suited.
Finally, we’ve described the fit so you can find one that’ll both flatter your body and work around your workout.
While you don’t want something that’ll flap around you dramatically in the wind like Batman on a Boris Bike, buying a cycling jersey, needn’t mean donning something that’ll slowly crush your internal organs.
If you’re serious about cycling, a super close-fitting race-fit jersey will suit you, keeping you lean and aerodynamic with no excess material to slow you down. If you take things a bit more casually or have the habit of stopping for cake after a long ride, a more relaxed performance-fit cycling jersey will do the job nicely.
FAQ
What is the best brand of cycling jersey?
The best cycling jersey brands include Rapha, Le Col, Shimano and Castelli, among others. Some in-house brands, such as dhb by Wiggle, also produce decent cycling apparel, although you might want to look at the more 'premium' offerings from these if you need a garment that'll last.
We compared to lightweight bike jerseys to see which one is best and the results are in: Pearl Izumi Pro Air vs Shimano Evolve Jersey.
What is the best colour jersey for cycling?
Dark colourways may absorb slightly more heat, but any difference between that and a lighter version is likely to be very marginal, so don’t let sway your decision making process - go for whichever is in keeping with your style, sizing and budget.
How do I choose a good cycling jersey?
This will depend on the type of riding you intend on doing with it. For training rides, this is likely to be a slightly more comfortable fit along with more durable fabric and robust build quality - after all it’ll be getting regular and hard wear. If you’re cycling in hot climates, choose the more moisture wicking and lightweight materials, and if performance is your objective, a body hugging aero jersey will help you cut through the air with as little drag as possible.
Should you wear anything under a cycling jersey?
When riding in colder conditions, this is strongly advised, as it’ll help keep a significant amount of warmth next to skin. In the summer months, it’s largely down to personal preference. Some riders will wear a cycling base layer even in hot weather - helping to wick moisture and regular body temperature, however many riders won’t. The latter seems to be the case for the pros if that’s any useful yardstick.
Is it Ok to wear a yellow cycling jersey?
The yellow jersey is worn by the leader of the iconic Tour de France. It’s of course totally fine for normal riders to wear yellow, however it is a more unusual choice - particularly in the more bright golden yellow - given its strong association of being worn by the best road bike rider in the world.
