A summer cycling jersey has a variety of functions to perform: it has to keep you cool, dry and comfortable, it has to be lightweight and aerodynamic. It has to be able to store ride essentials in rear pockets that are exactly the right depth and don't sag. And it goes without saying that it's got to have a stylish cut and an attractive aesthetic.
Over the last few years we've seen technical fabrics increasingly deployed, with jerseys often featuring more than one type placed at strategic places where they can do what they're designed to do best, whether that's letting in air for cooling or helping it to stay attached to the rider's body to lower drag.
Brands use fabrics and configurations depending on their designers’ preferences and their own test results as well as on the temperature and conditions for which they’re optimising their jerseys. Sustainability is increasingly on riders' wishlists – cycling can't be regarded as good for the planet if we're not doing our best to minimise our impact on the environment with our clothing and equipment.
Here's Rouleur's pick of 2024's summer jerseys, which we've tested at home and abroad over the last few months – we've covered the kilometres to put them all through their paces.
In some of our articles you will find links to buy products from various external retailers. These links contain an affiliate code, and it means that Rouleur may receive a small percentage of the money you spend if you choose to buy that product via the link. This does not affect the amount you pay. All products are independently reviewed and selected on our judgement of them, not on whether they offer us affiliate revenue.
Pas Normal Studios Essential
The ultra-desirable Danish brand’s practical and comfortable jersey for everyday riding
The Essential collection is Pas Normal's lower-priced range: the flagship Mechanism and Mechanism Pro jerseys are lighter, tighter and “meticulously calibrated for pro performance” whereas the Essential is “perfectly suited to competitive races or fast-paced training days while remaining a staple for your everyday summer rides”. I’ve worn both Mechanism and Essential jerseys and prefer the fit and the aesthetic of the cheaper one. When does it ever work like that?! The Mechanism is incredibly tiny with skin-tight mesh whereas the Essential is more traditionally sized, doesn’t have mesh panels and has a more classic look – though the fabric is still very stretchy (size small in this picture). As ever, the Pas Normal branding is loud, which is part of its ID.
The Essential jersey is short in the torso with a wide and grippy silicone-backed waistband. The raglan sleeves keep the shoulders wrinkle free and the cuffs, although not raw cut, have a hem that sits flat against the arm and stays in place without silicone.
There are three rear pockets plus a zipped compartment, and they are higher than average, but it’s still possible to reach into them with one arm while in the riding position.
I’ve had this jersey for a year now; it’s been through countless wash cycles and still looks perfect, with none of the lettering peeling.
Weight: 149g
Price: £125
Pros
- Classic but close fit
- Stylish aesthetic
- Durable
Cons
- Big branding not for everyone
Reviewed by Simon Smythe
Isadore Alternative
Good for the planet with its eco credentials – and good for being seen, too
The Velits brothers, who are Slovakian ex-pros, place a big emphasis on sustainability with their Isadore clothing brand. The Alternative jersey is constructed mainly from three different fabrics that are made from 100% recycled materials. The first fabric, on the front and back, is very breathable and covered in a grid of tiny perforations. The sleeves use a more textured mesh fabric with a squashed hexagon pattern. The three pockets are a stiffer, thicker, more papery fabric that’s designed not to sag under load – and there’s a fourth zipped compartment too. Even the YKK Natulon zips are recycled.
I like the fact that Isadore is willing to go a bit further than other brands not just with the eco credentials but with the aesthetics too. While the current trend – as spearheaded by Pas Normal – is for earthy colours that have been compared to Le Creuset crockery, Isadore unapologetically deploys bright greens and purples to great effect. This jersey is available in no less than eight colour ways.
I got on very well with both its fit and performance. Isadore describes it as an “ultralight jersey with an aerodynamic fit” and it has the requisite aero collar and textured sleeves. But it’s not too tight (medium here on me, 178cm and 69kg) for more leisurely, longer riding. This jersey stands out from the crowd in all ways.
Weight: 125g (size medium)
Price: £145
Pros
- Eco credentials
- Nice design
- Flattering fit
Cons
- None – an excellent jersey
Reviewed by Simon Smythe
Santini Redux Speed
A feature-packed, full-on aero jersey that’s still practical and comfortable enough for all-day riding
Santini calls the Redux Speed jersey “a garment designed with aero performance in mind and packed with just the right details to make it so cool it will be hard not to get noticed” – and sure enough it did get compliments when I wore it in its native Italy (it’s also made in Italy) for a pre-Maratona dles Dolomites training ride around the Sella Ronda with the helmet brand Kask.
The fabric is that latest very lightweight papery type that the Castelli Premio Black is also made from. There are three variations of it: a plain front, a micro mesh panel down the back and ribbed sleeves and shoulders. There’s no extra reinforcement for the pockets but, as with most modern aero jerseys, they don’t sag due to the short torso and snug fit. There’s no zipped compartment, which might disappoint some.
Santini has got the collar, sleeves and waistband exactly right: no untidy rolled hems or wonky stand collars – it’s all super sleek. Like with the Specialized Prime and the Castelli Premio Black, the elastic of the waistband is only at the back and sides, with the front of the jersey finishing in a bonded hem at the bottom that doesn’t dig in when pedalling. The Santini performed very well both around the Sella Ronda and the Surrey Hills too.
Weight: 117g
Price: £190
Pros
- Aero ribbed fabric
- Premium look
- Comfortable
Cons
- No zipped compartment
Reviewed by Simon Smythe
Sportful Bomber
A modern and stylish aero update for the Italian brand’s competitively priced jersey
A modern and stylish aero update for the Italian brand’s competitively priced jersey
The Bomber jersey is, in Sportful’s words, “technical, comfortable, light and breathable, to help you train and race hard.” Although it’s not as technical as some more expensive jerseys, this is still a fair description – it’s made from a very lightweight polyester with 10% elastane and has raglan sleeves with very tiny ribs designed to improve aerodynamics that extend down to just above the elbow. While the front is smooth, the back has a micro mesh texture that makes it more breathable.
The Bomber is designed to be close fitting – Sportful’s ‘Aero’ fit – and achieves this via a well judged cut rather than very stretchy fabric. For me this makes it feel airier in warm weather than the clingy type – and the thinness of the fabric makes it perfect for the hottest days.
The three rear pockets are deep enough and although they’re made from the same fine mesh fabric as the back of the jersey, don’t suffer from sag thanks to the fabric not being too stretchy and also due to the close fit – the same things that make the Bomber successful overall.
The size M was ideal for me – 178cm and 69kg. I liked everything about the Bomber – the performance, the fit, the aesthetic and of course the reasonable price.
Weight: 102g
Price: £100
Pros
- Good fit
- Very light
- Eyecatching design
Cons
- None – a great jersey for the price
Reviewed by Simon Smythe
Assos Mille GT C2 EVO
An updated, less restrictive fit for the endurance-orientate Mille GT – but the same Assos quality
Assos says that for this generation of its Mille GT jersey – which is its entry-level collection – it “opened the front of the collar and updated the fit across the chest and throat, relieving pressure for easier breathing and less restriction.” Aimed at comfort rather than race performance, the fit is a little less aero – and Assos has revised its sizing so that now medium actually means medium. It’s also much longer in the body than Assos jerseys traditionally have been. I found the medium a little too big, which is unheard of.
Assos says the sleeves and collar feature a new material that shaves 15g (size medium) off the previous jersey’s weight while retaining the highly elastic, wrapping fit and active moisture-management. There’s a new bonded hem and zipper aimed at reducing friction between layers.
The fabrics have a premium feel – the main body is made from Assos’s Big Dual, which is a textured interlocking knit, while the raglan sleeves and collar are made from a stretchier material that Assos says is fast drying.
Even the zip with its heavy Assos logo puller has a feel of quality. Although the cut might be slightly unfamiliar, the quality is unmistakably Assos. This is an excellent jersey for more casual coffee riding, and the price is very competitive too, but this time if in doubt, size down.
Weight: 150g
Price: £110
Pros
- Classic fit
- Stylish aesthetic
- Quality feel
Cons
- Long in the body
Reviewed by Simon Smythe
Velocio Concept Radiator
Innovative design and fabrics that really do stop you from overheating in the hottest conditions
Designed for the very hottest summer days, the Velocio Concept Radiator uses very lightweight, 3D Polartec Delta mesh on the front of the torso and sleeves which is intended to wick moisture more effectively since the texture increases surface area (like a radiator’s fins).
It’s soft, very stretchy and has an almost cotton-like feel against the skin, which means it doesn’t get clammy when it has a lot of moisture to transfer – and the air rushes straight through in any case. The fact that it’s a very fine mesh and is designed to fit closely – and therefore stretch – does make the front slightly see-through.
The back is made from a finer, less see-through mesh and the rear pockets (which include one zipped compartment) are lined and are quite heavily reinforced to avoid the dreaded sag – Velocio calls them ‘stability pockets’. They’re perfectly placed and sized – nice and high but not so high that your phone can’t be easily accessed for an on-the-fly snap.
The size small was ideal for me. The sleeve length is well judged - long but not too long - and they stay in place via their stretch with no need for silicone grippers. - and well reinforced so that they don’t sag.
For really hot conditions this is my go-to jersey.
Weight: 118g (size small)
Price: £161
Pros
- Very effective cooling
- Super comfortable next to the skin
- Great pocket stability
Cons
- See-through front
Reviewed by Simon Smythe
Castelli Premio Black
High-end aero jersey that's incredibly lightweight with a low collar that works well as an air intake
Castelli says the Premio Black jersey is designed for both maximum comfort and performance – one jersey to rule them all, in other words. It’s made from super thin, paper fabric on the body while the sleeves are textured with a ribbed construction. Both the polyester stretch woven fabric of the body and the woven mesh of the sleeves are made from recycled materials. This jersey is designed to be worn with the Premio Black bib shorts, which we’ve reviewed in the shorts buyer’s guide.
Like the shorts, the Premio Black jersey performs extremely well. It’s so light at a smidge over 100g for the medium – yet not too tight so that it feels almost invisible. The low aero collar – really a crew neck or even collarless – is ideal for hot rides, letting in air but not flapping and losing watts.
The three pockets and zipped compartment are made from the same fabric as the body, but so that they can expand without stretching too far, there’s a small section of extra fabric discreetly sewn in at the bottom that folds flat against the elastic waistband when the pockets are not in use.
The fabric doesn't let as much air through as a mesh – like the Velocio Concept Radiator – so although it's super light it's not the most ventilated.
It's priced at the upper end but it’s got performance, style and comfort all covered.
Weight: 101g (size medium)
Price: £185
Pros
- Super light
- Aero collar that's also cooling
- Very comfortable
Cons
- High price even though performance is excellent
- Fabric is not the coolest for the very hottest days
Reviewed by Simon Smythe
Le Col Pro II
Chic, sleek, single-fabric jersey that works in northern European summers as well as the sunnier climes
The British brand’s latest version of the Pro jersey doesn’t combine different-performing fabrics like others here. Instead it’s made from a single “superior lightweight fabric with fast-wicking properties [which] works to pull sweat quickly away from your body to the exterior of the jersey, keeping you comfortable and dry as you pick up pace.”
I am a big fan of the sleek single-material aesthetic, which is designed to be form fitting like the others here, and I found it cool enough for Mallorca/25°C+ despite the lack of actual mesh. I’ve also found that back in the UK the Le Col jersey is suitable for rides in temperatures a few degrees lower, meaning it’s not limited to just the hottest days or riding abroad.
Le Col’s size guide put me on the cusp between small and medium. I went for the small, which was the right decision. The pockets are made from the same lightweight, stretchy fabric as the rest of the jersey without the additional reinforcement that Velocio uses to great effect, but the smaller size avoids pocket sag, and the pockets don’t sit too low, either (plus there’s a zipped compartment).
This is a smart, chic jersey that’s made in Italy, has Le Col’s distinctive style and can do slightly cooler northern European summer days as well as the southern scorchers.
Weight: 124g (size small)
Price: £145
Pros
- Simple, stylish use of one fabric
- Perfect proportions
- More versatile than pure hot weather jerseys
Cons
- Stretchy pockets may sag if you don’t size down
Reviewed by Simon Smythe
Specialized Prime
Easy-to-wear jersey with an attractive cut and thoughtful design
Like its new Prime bib shorts, Specialized’s mid-range jersey has an excellent fit, is made from quality fabrics and has some original design features.
The Prime fabric is extremely stretchy and form fitting; the jersey barely wrinkles at the chest when in the bike position. The jersey is made of this fabric front and back but includes panels of stretchy mesh under the arms and in a strip below the rear pockets – not where you’d usually expect to find a mesh strip, but it works well to reduce sweat-logging where pockets overlap shorts.
Despite the midrange pricing, the cut of the Prime jersey is very ‘pro’ – short, finishing high up the waist, with long sleeves. The size small was perfect for me (178cm, 69kg), though if you wanted an even more aero fit you could size down. The pockets don’t have any particular reinforcement, but thanks to the jersey’s short body, they didn’t sag.
The waistband is elasticated and silicone backed at the rear and sides only, leaving a softer, flexible front that doesn’t dig in when you’re pedalling. The sleeves don’t have any cuffs or silicone at all, just a rolled hem, and I found they looked a little lumpy: here a raw-cut end would improve the aesthetic. The stand collar didn’t quite fit my neck, but Specialized can’t be blamed for that.
The branding is minimal so the Prime jersey can easily be worn with clothing and equipment from other brands. Despite the collar and cuffs not being exactly right, this has been one of my most-worn jerseys this year.
Weight: 131g (size small)
Price: £100
Pros
- Form fitting cut
- Comfortably stretchy
- Minimal branding making it versatile
Cons
- The neck and cuffs could be a little sleeker
Reviewed by Simon Smythe
