From lightweight designs made for indoor cycling to cold weather-focused thermal long sleeve options, these are the best cycling jerseys for all conditions.

While you don’t have to lycra-up or wear the best cycling shoes to ride a bike, those in the know will opt for one of the best cycling jerseys when saddling up. You don’t need to be a MAMIL or have the physique of Chris Hoy to see the benefits of a cycling jersey, either. Lightweight, comfortable and breathable, a cycling jersey is designed specifically to make cycling more comfortable, practical and enjoyable.

A good cycling jersey will generally be made from a mix of polyester or Merino wool and elastane. It’ll have optimised ventilation around hot spots, such as armpits, while a front zip allows you to increase or decrease airflow on the move. It will include pockets at the rear for mid-ride essentials like nutrition and roadside repair tools.

Cuts are generally figure-hugging to aid aerodynamics and minimise any fabric flapping around when riding at speed. But they don’t have to be skin-tight and it’s easy to find jerseys that have a relaxed rather than restrictive fit.

Another feature to look out for is UPF protection (built-in SPF) in lightweight summer jerseys, while the natural fabrics like Merino wool aren’t just for winter riding and can keep body odour at bay for longer periods between washes.

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These are the best cycling jerseys in 2024

Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Training Jersey

Best for cool autumn and spring rides

Model wearing Rapha cycling jersey

Men’s Fitness verdict

Rapha’s stylish cold-weather Pro Team jersey keeps the chill at bay on all but the coldest days.
Pros
  • Three large pockets for riding essentials
  • Super soft material
  • Manages body temperature well
Cons
  • No zipped security pocket
  • Fit might be restrictive for larger riders
FeaturesThree large pockets, silicon grippers, anti-bacterial treatment
SizesXS to 2XL
ColorsSage grey and light metal grey / terracotta and rusty red / indigo and dark grey / dark navy and navy / black, carbon grey and white

While not a top to keep the harshest winter chills at bay, Rapha’s cold-weather layer is ideal for cool spring and autumn rides. Made from 88% polyester and 12% elastane, it has a super-soft feel, with an unperforated front to keep the wind off your chest and fast wicking fabric where you need it most. You don’t need that stripe on the left arm to tell you this is a top that oozes quality. All-round performance and superb construction combine to make the Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Jersey our best on test.

Maap Training Jersey

Best summer jersey with UPF protection

Model wearing Maap cycling top

Men’s Fitness verdict

Aussie brand Maap’s short-sleeve training top combines streetwear style with premium performance.
Pros
  • UPF 50+ protection
  • Useful storage (including zipped pocket)
  • Wide range of colors
Cons
  • Aero sleeves might be snug for those with big upper arms
  • Pricey for an entry-level top
FeaturesThree large pockets and zipped security pocket, UPF 50+ protection, bluesign-approved materials
SizesXS to 2XL
ColorsGriffin / musk / rust / deep green / deep blue / mushroom / black / birch / olive green

Aussie brand Maap is something of a disrupter in the cycling apparel space, and its eye-catching jerseys are certainly making waves. This short-sleeve option combines streetwear style with premium performance materials: 70% recycled polyamide and 30% elastane construction creates a light, stretchy and breathable top with an elasticated hem and internal grippers for a snug fit. As you’d expect from an Australian brand, we liked the UPF 50+ UV protection that comes as standard.

Pactimo Merino Cargo Jersey

Best Merino jersey

Model wearing Pactimo cycling jersey

Men’s Fitness verdict

The Colorado-based brand’s Merino jersey is an ideal choice if you want to minimise wash cycles, odours and your environmental impact.
Pros
  • Super soft material
  • Great odour and sweat management
Cons
  • Neck can become restrictive if rear pockets are fulll
  • Loose fit can look a bit dated
FeaturesHalf-zip design, three large pockets and zipped security pocket, anti-bacterial treatment
SizesSmall to 2XL
ColorsMidnight navy

Merino jerseys may seem a bit retro these days, but there’s nothing antiquated about this Pactimo top. The Colorado-based company has created a 45% Merino, 45% Tencel, 10% nylon blend to combine comfort, performance and environmental benefits. The natural anti-odour properties of Merino and an added anti-bacterial treatment allowed us to wear it numerous times before it needed a refresh, and it’s one of the more durable designs on test too.

Le Col Sport Jersey

Best for everyday rides

Product shot of Le Col jersey

Men’s Fitness verdict

British brand Le Col’s entry-level option looks and feels the part and harks back to the halcyon days of road cycling.
Pros
  • Fabric feels nice against the skin
  • Waterproof zipped security pocket
  • Comfortable fit
Cons
  • Cheaper entry-level jerseys available
  • Fabric bunches when riding in the drops
FeaturesThree large pockets, waterproof zipped security pocket, environmentally friendly fabric
SizesXS to 3XL
ColorsNavy and saffron / peacock and cobalt

With its broad stripe and matching collar and cuffs, British brand Le Col’s entry-level option harks back to the halcyon days of cycling. Le Col is a relatively new company, though, but has already made a name for itself by equipping some of today’s pro peloton. The Sport jersey has a more relaxed fit and strikes just the right balance between providing warmth and promoting air flow. We found the waterproof zip pocket a welcome addition to a jersey aimed at riding all day in comfort.

Sportful Bodyfit Pro Thermal Jersey

Best for winter riding

Product shot of Sportful cycling jersey

Men’s Fitness verdict

Italian brand Sportful’s winter-focused Bodyfit Pro long-sleeve jersey can handle all but sub-zero spinning.
Pros
  • Brushed fabric is extremely comfortable
  • Plastic grippers hold the jersey in place well
  • Performance isn’t diminished when wearing a jacket
Cons
  • No zipped security pocket
  • Lack of cuffs on sleeves
FeaturesThree large pockets, brushed fabric, reflective detailing
SizesSmall to 3XL
ColorsBeetle/guacamole, black/galaxy blue, leather/golden oak, scarab/shrub green,
blue denim/galaxy blue, nightshade/huckleberry, red wine/red rumba

This thermal jersey will allow you to ride longer into the colder months thanks to a brushed, breathable fabric that keeps the chills at bay but won’t cook you during the climbs. Italian company Sportful has made this jersey with the pros’ cold training riders of Girona and Andorra in mind so it’ll cope with anything bar sub-zero temperatures. Like previous iterations of this jersey we’ve worn, the 23/24 Bodyfit Pro Thermal promises to provide protection over years’ worth of off-season training miles.

Castelli Insider Jersey

Best for indoor training

Product shot of Castelli cycling jersey

Men’s Fitness verdict

In the Insider, iconic Italian brand Castelli has an indoor-specific top that’s the ideal turbo training companion.
Pros
  • Superior sweat-wicking
  • Great odour management
  • Extremely breathable
Cons
  • Mesh design is quite revealing
  • Two rear pockets limit outside potential
FeaturesSuper lightweight design, semi-open mesh, full-length zip, two rear pockets
SizesXS to 3XL
ColorsDark red / Savile blue

You’d be forgiven for thinking that an indoor-specific cycling jersey is just a niche market too far. But this lightweight, turbo-charged jersey performs exceptionally well during static indoor rides. A 93% polyester, 7% elastane blend creates a jersey so light and breathable that we never felt the need to unzip even during the hottest turbo sessions. Although not really needed indoors, two deep rear pockets help give the Insider summer outdoors potential too.

Endura Cloud Tee Ltd

Best for enduro / downhill

Product shot of an Endura mountain bike jersey

Men’s Fitness verdict

Endura’s Cloud Tee is a great value jersey for those who like their MTB trails pointing downwards. Design and performance are excellent, though the hem could be a little longer.
Pros
  • Excellent sweat-wicking performance
  • Lightweight and stretchy
  • Made from 80% recycled materials
  • Slim fit, unlike some DH jerseys
Cons
  • Hem is a little short at the front
FeaturesLightweight, sweat-wicking fabric; recycled material; limited edition colorways
SizesSmall to 2XL
ColoursBlue steel / Dreich grey

With 80% of the fabric used in the Clout Tee Ltd sourced from recycled polyester, this enduro and DH-friendly tee enhances Endura’s green credentials. It boosts the Scottish bike apparel manufacturer’s reputation in other ways, too, underlining its move away from traditional baggy downhill jerseys in favor of a slimmer, more flattering and aerodynamic cut that’s being adopted now across the sport.

It might only be available in two colorways, but both limited edition designs are pretty striking – with even the grey one I tested standing out amongst my riding buddies. Performance is everything you’d expect from Endura, too, with decent breathability and sweat-wicking properties. All this and for less than £40 has made this one of my favorite MTB jerseys this year.

How we tested the best cycling jerseys

Our testers rode around 150km a week in these jerseys, across a mixture of road, gravel and indoor cycling. Each jersey was tested as part of their regular training schedules, during the period from late summer to the depths of winter. They wore short-sleeve, summer-focused options during my regular urban rides as well as inside on the turbo trainer, while they donned long-sleeve, thermal tops when the weather dropped below 10°C. Each jersey has been through a minimum of three wash cycles to make sure they hold their shape, while pockets were stuffed to the max to ensure they can hold all the mid-ride essentials.

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