How to Choose a Cycling Jersey:

The Expert Guide to Fit, Fabric, and Features

Choosing the right cycling jersey isn't just about looking good on the road — it’s about riding in comfort, staying dry, and boosting performance. The right fit and fabric can make all the difference. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about materials, seasonal features, and practical details so you can find the jersey that suits your ride perfectly.

Is Jersey Just a Jersey?

To many – a cycling jersey is just a cycling jersey, right? They all look pretty much the same, a phrase often uttered by the novice about to embark on his first serious bike ride.

But once you dig a little deeper, you’ll realize that there’s a lot more to picking a cycling jersey than simply going for the nicest one you see on the rack. If you want to optimize performance and ensure maximum comfort, there’s a lot to it: suitable materials, fit, sleeve size, jerseys for various rides, and many more.

To help minimize analysis paralysis and an evening of never-ending Google searches, owayo’s expert guide will take you through the fabrics, features, and other factors you should consider before buying a cycling jersey.

Why Choosing the Right Cycling Jersey Is More Than Just Style?

The mistake that novices often make - though even veterans are sometimes guilty of this - is that they go for style over substance. Just because a jersey is expensive, doesn’t mean it’s good. And if you look that part in the mirror, you won’t necessarily be fast.

Instead, focus on quality. Notes that can help you out:

Go For Technical Fabrics

What do we mean by technical fabrics when it comes to cycling jerseys? Unlike the previous era that relied on cotton and wool, modern jerseys are composed of high-performance materials like elastane, polyester, and nylon, engineered to bring together the best properties of synthetic fibers to boost comfort and performance on every ride.

Polyester is the most common fabric in cycling; it’s lightweight, breathable, and dries quickly, ticking all the boxes, and it’s the main fabric used at owayo. Even the most basic polyester jersey will beat your average cotton tee, so there’s little excuse not to invest in one.

The advantages are multiple:

You will stay dry, cool (or warm–depending on the weather);

Your comfort in the saddle will be boosted,

Your performance will be improved,

You’ll minimize chafing (and trust us, this is a great perk!).

In this manner, owayo has a range of materials (to test them out, you can check our informational brochure) combined to optimize comfort and performance, each focusing on a distinct use case:

Ultra.Dry: A designation for fabrics engineered with advanced moisture management properties. Materials bearing the Ultra.Dry label are lightweight, breathable, and designed to efficiently wick sweat away from the body, helping you stay dry and comfortable during intense rides.

R-TEX 3 Ultra.Dry: An advanced version of Ultra.Dry, R-TEX 3 offers enhanced moisture-wicking capabilities and improved elasticity. This fabric provides a snug fit while allowing for greater freedom of movement, making it ideal for high-performance cycling.

CY-TEX Ultra.Dry: Engineered for endurance and comfort, CY-TEX Ultra.Dry combines excellent moisture transport with a soft touch. It's particularly suited for long-distance rides where sustained comfort is crucial.

TS-TEX: A robust, durable fabric designed to withstand the rigors of mountain biking and off-road cycling. TS-TEX offers increased resistance to abrasions and tears, ensuring longevity even in challenging terrains.

RW-TEX: Tailored for cooler weather conditions, RW-TEX provides thermal insulation while maintaining breathability. It's ideal for autumn and winter rides, keeping you warm without overheating.

Looking for jerseys that focus on moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and breathable materials is the ace up your sleeve on every ride.

PRO TIP: Going for UPF protection integrated into the fabric will save you from harmful UV rays on longer rides.

Merino wool is the other go-to for a lot of experienced cyclists, as it’s a natural fabric, odor-resistant, and is a little bit warmer (yet more breathable) than polyester. However, it’s more expensive , and the fabric is not as hard to wear.

The Importance of Proper Fit When Buying a Jersey

A good fit can never be underestimated, especially when it comes to sport performance. You will improve aerodynamics, reduce wind resistance and, perhaps most importantly, you will ride feeling fresh and comfortable.

Before you purchase a jersey, or if you buy one online, spend a fair bit of time assessing the fit of the garment. Don’t think that just because you’re an L in your everyday wear that the same will apply.

The best things to consider:

Try it on, move around, make sure it feels right.

Don’t focus on how it looks, which is a common newbie mistake.

Fit above all, style a distant second.

When it comes to sleeve length, consider the weather. Long sleeves are better for warmth and sun protection, but also offer the benefit of added compression. For super hot days, sleeveless is best. But don’t forget to apply sun block on those arms!

When it comes to cold weather rides, the dress code is: avoid cotton and stay layered! Your layers should be a combination of functional vest, short sleeve jersey, long sleeve jersey and a windproof softshell jacket. This way you will be well protected even when cycling in sub zero temperatures.

Practical Features

Features like a simple pocket can make a real difference to your experience on the road. It needs to be big enough, but not too bulky. Well placed, too, so that it’s easy access. Think of what you’ll need: a phone, tools, snacks perhaps?

The high-quality jersey will integrate pockets without affecting comfort or performance. The material will be lightweight, the zippers smooth and easy to access.

PRO TIP: You may also want to give an extra bit of attention to the zipper situation. Full or half zippers are preferable, as you have options. If it’s getting a little too hot, you can let a bit more air in as necessary.

For safety, especially if you often end up riding at night (commute, for example), think about adding some high-visibility reflective strips to your ‘musts’ list.

Comfort = Performance

But of course, all of this doesn’t mean that you should completely ignore stylistic elements. If you’re part of a club or organization that enters official races, for example, unique designs are compulsory.

And it’s not a bad thing to create something that sets you apart, either. The Owayo 3D designer lets you do just that (with a choice of several performance-driven jerseys!).

Decoding the Different Jersey Types

There is no such thing as a generic cycling jersey, a one-size-fits-all garment that you can take to every single type of event. Depending on the activity, you will need a different jersey:

Road Cycling. This one is all about speed. Close-fitting cuts that ooze aerodynamic performance. This is the type of garment that most people think of when they hear the term cycling jersey.

Mountain Biking. The fit will not be quite as close here, with freedom of movement required to deal with a changing landscape. Fabrics tend to be tougher too, preventing damage from branches and the like.

Commuter/Casual. Versatility, comfort, but in a subtle style that doesn’t scream weekend cyclist. Because cities like London and New York have a lot of commuters, plenty of companies have invested in creating products that blend city style with cycling performance.

Summer vs. Winter

It’s getting closer, a jersey that has automatic temperature regulation, usable in both winter and summer, but we’re not there just yet. Some products come close, but most veterans tend to opt for seasonal solutions.

For the spring and summer, lightweight is the key word you need when shopping. Mesh panels also help, allowing for maximum breathability. For the fall/winter season, thermal, windproof, and water-resistant fabrics will help you deal with anything Mother Nature throws at you.

Caring For Your Cycling Jersey: Making It Last

Our final point is one that many will read, but will sadly ignore. Cycling jerseys are expensive, they’re made of delicate materials, that’s the trade-off when you want performance.

If you stick your jersey with the rest of your gym clothes when doing laundry, the results will be suboptimal, let’s just put it that way.

Instead, treat your jersey with care.

Easy steps you can follow when washing your jersey in the washing machine:

Use cold water;

Put it on a gentle cycle;

Avoid fabric softeners;

Zip up your jersey to prevent any snags, and you’re good to go.

Want to be extra careful? Here’s a pro tip: hand-wash your garment. Once done, air-dry only. Don’t be tempted to speed up the process by putting your jersey in direct sunlight.

That was probably quite a lot to take in, but here’s the takeaway: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is a cycling jersey out there that’s perfect for you. Exploring Owayo’s custom options will help you create a jersey perfectly tailored to your ride, style, and needs.

Image credits: Title image: Unsplash.com; Images 2: Unsplash.com