Trail jerseys should be simple. But if you base your choice purely on the fact that it's blue, or feels like that old T-shirt you love, you’re probably missing some tricks that could keep you more comfortable on the bike.
Everyone knows sweat-wicking fabrics are good. But how fast a fabric dries after moving the moisture away from your skin is important too. Anything that stays soggy for too long will give you the chills once you start to cool down.
Antibacterial treatments are also a useful feature. It’s a sad fact that fabrics designed for excellence in transporting sweat tend to eventually take on some of the smell of said sweat. We’ve all been halfway into a ride and been overtaken by our own armpits – but it doesn’t have to be that way.
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You might also want to think about the weight of the material. Heavier fabrics give more protection but can be warm in the summer months. Lightweight, more open mesh is lighter and cooler but less durable. Some jerseys combine several fabrics to bring together the benefits of each – a regular solid knit through the body, for example, with mesh inserts under the arms or down the sides, and more durable panels on the shoulders and sleeves to protect against pack rub.
The cut may not seem as important on tops as on shorts, because they tend to be more simply styled. But designs with shaped panels that follow the articulation of your arms and body tend to feel right as soon as you put them on and prove more comfortable on the bike too. More basic styles often rely on stretchy fabric and a baggier cut to provide movement and more flexibility between sizes.
Once you’ve determined that the fit is right for you, get on a bike. Some jerseys feel terrible initially, but once you’re in the saddle they magically morph into the perfect shape and feel barely there. Likewise, we’ve tried a few that look cool when standing in front of the mirror but come up short at the back, hang down in swathes at the front or are just generally uncomfortable once you start riding in them.
How we tested
Jargon buster
- Antibacterial: It’s bacteria that break down your sweat and cause it to smell. When searching for new kit, look out for anything that says ‘antibacterial’ because this means the fabric’s been treated to help prevent this and keep you smelling fresher for longer. Do note that this doesn’t mean you can dodge the washing forever though...
- Flatlock seams: These can be identified by a ladder effect of stitching found on the outside of the jersey, sometimes done in a contrasting colour as a design detail. They’re often used at points of contact because they lack the bulk of a conventional seam and so won’t cause chafing, particular if you regularly ride with a pack.
- Mesh inserts: Lighter fabrics or more open knits are often used under the arms and through the sides to increase airflow. If you ride with a pack, look for a mesh back for hot weather use.
- Printed back-of-neck label: Everyone hates an irritating size label. Most bikewear brands now print all the information you need to know directly on to the fabric of the jersey.
- Raglan sleeve: A construction that gives better freedom of movement because there’s no seam circling the shoulder to potentially cause restriction when you reach forward on the bike. Raglan sleeves can be identified by the diagonal seam that goes from the armpit to the neck on both the front and back of the jersey.
- Taped neck seam: A smooth-taped back-of-neck seam and printed product details rather than a stitched-on label reduce irritation and the opportunity for chafing.
- Wicking: When people talk about ‘breathability’ they mean the ability of a garment to keep you cool and it’s the wicking action that does this by moving sweat away from your skin to the outside surface of the jersey.
Best trail jerseys
Pearl Izumi Big Air – best jersey on test
Bontrager Rhythm
Endura MT500 Burner II S/S
Race Face Indy SS
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Top budget choices
Altura Mayhem Short Sleeve
Madison Flux Short Sleeve
One Industries Atom Lite Icon
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Fox Indicator L/S
POC Trail
Troy Lee Designs Ruckus
Also tested
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