Cycling Jersey Buying Guide: Ride in Comfort

If you are reading this article, then you must have recently bought a bike or have found yourself new to the fun and exhilarating sport of cycling. In either case, we’d like to say congratulations! Cycling is a great way to get and stay in shape, meet interesting people, see the countryside in an all-new way and have a ton of fun. But, since this is a demanding physical activity- you need to stay well-equipped and wear proper cycling jerseys. Stepping into the amazing world of cycling apparels can be overwhelmed with the wide product range. If you have no idea where to begin, then check out the elements you need to check before buying a cycling set. How to choose a cycling jersey?

A Cycling Jersey

Making a decision with regard to a cycling jersey can be a bit daunting. There are hundreds of choices with an equally diverse range in prices. The below tips will help you understand what it is you're getting for your money and what a jersey can do for you and your ride.

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 from your body so you don’t feel cold and wet as you are cycling. For winter you’ll want a winter cycling jersey with long-finger gloves and these are available with various amounts of insulation from ‘Ooh, it’s a tad nippy’ to ‘Arctic winter’.

It’s a good idea to spend wisely and invest in a cycling kit designed specifically for cycling and even for the particular type of cycling you’ll be doing (road, mountain, etc.). Your money will be well-spent when you get you a fabric that balances body temperature, improves breathability, and can even incorporate UV protection alongside anti-microbial properties.

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. Similarly, make sure the jersey you select is long enough as well. You don’t want to have to keep pulling it down as you are riding. 

Think about sleeve lengths as well. Longer sleeves are great for cooler temperatures, but you may be more comfortable in shorter sleeves the rest of the year. If your budget limits how many jerseys you can afford, your best bet will be to go with a short-sleeve jersey and use arm warmers and a long sleeve cycling jersey for cooler days.

3. Other Considerations

Zippers are important because you can lower them or raise them providing the right amount of ventilation your body needs, whether it is heating up or cooling down. The important thing is to make sure the jersey you select comes with a zipper, and a good one too. It’s extremely annoying to have to fight a zipper snag while in the middle of a ride. The better designed cycling kit will make their mark with either a nice zipper garage (that bit of material that protects your neck from a zip accident), or by way of a custom, branded zip puller.

4. The Design

Lastly, you’ll want to pick a design that enables you to show off your personal sense of style. Of course, having a well-fitting cycling jersey is key, but looking good is also important to most of us. Jerseys are available in a wide range of colours and patterns to suit all riders' styles whether you want a subtle classy look or want to stand out from the crowd.