Your jersey is the piece of kit that really allows you to show off your style. Now that we're finally into the hot weather (we assume) it's time to roll up the gilet, peel off the armwarmers and head out in a short-sleeved jersey and bibs, with sunglasses on, not forgetting to apply sunscreen of course.
It may feel like buying a summer jersey is more much straightforward than making decisions about multiple technical winter layers that keep out the cold and wet, but finding a jersey that can help you stay cool in the summer sun is just as important. A jersey needs to be able to wick sweat and draw moisture away from the body, it needs to fit properly so that it's aerodynamic without being restrictive, well placed and good sized pockets need to be part of the equation and of course it has to look great.
These are our favourite jerseys of 2024 – we've rated them for all of the above and have put each one them through its paces out on the road.
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
Style and substance in equal measure from the cool Copenhagen brand that everyone is talking about
This was my first time testing out the fashion-centric kit from the Copenhagen brand and I was happy to find that it’s not only pleasing to the eye but also works technically very well.
The Essential range is designed for all-day comfort and more leisurely café rides, and the jersey was perfect for that thanks to its buttery-soft, super-stretchy fabric, which made it extremely comfortable. One thing I liked in particular was the slightly shorter cut, which is more flattering compared to jerseys that sit on the hips – but it does need to be worn with bibs that have a higher waist (like Pas Normal Studios’ Essential bibs). However, the shorter body makes the rear pockets slightly harder to reach.
The jersey has extended sleeves which reach the middle of the upper arm, and even though the sleeves do not feature any grippers, the sleeves remain in position. The hem of the waist has a gripper on the inside. In my usual size small the Essential jersey was very true to size. The fabric is claimed to be high-wicking and quick-drying; I tested this jersey on some of the UK’s hottest days and can attest to this being true. The jersey is also said to be resistant to corrosive agents in sun creams, which I thought was a great benefit.
I wore the check petroleum colourway but there are plain options and more bold, eye-catching designs.
Price: £125
Pros
- Great fit
- Soft stretchy fabric
- Eye-catching design
Cons
- Hard to reach pockets
Shop now at Pas Normal Studios
Reviewed by India Paine
Rapha Pro Team Aero
The fastest jersey that Rapha has ever made, designed for a compressive fit, aero gains and breathability
The Rapha Pro Team Jersey has a clear design purpose: riding and racing fast. That’s obvious just by looking at it – the collarless design and aerodynamic material used on the sleeves is all part of the aim to refine the construction of the jersey, helping it cut through air as seamlessly as possible.
Made from Rapha’s proprietary Italian Clima fabric, the Pro Team Aero jersey has plenty of credentials when it comes to performing well in the wind tunnel, but it still does a good job when out on the road. The material is especially breathable in hot conditions, wicking sweat well and ensuring no build-up of moisture. The fit is compressive which could verge on uncomfortable for extremely long days in the saddle, but Rapha does market the Pro Team Aero jersey as a race fit.
The colourways of the Pro Team Aero jersey are limited to just black and white options, which won’t be to everyone’s taste, especially if you are looking for something to stand out from the crowd. At £185, Rapha has priced the Pro Team Aero model at the top end of the scale for the British brand’s jerseys, but this is palatable considering the garment is highly-technical. If you’re someone who frequently races or is looking for those aerodynamic gains over intense efforts, then the compressive and sleek Pro Team Aero jersey is a perfect choice.
Price: £185
Pros
- Compressive fit
- Aerodynamic gains
- Breathability
Cons
- Only two colour options
- Too tight for long rides
Reviewed by Rachel Jary
Castelli Espresso
A versatile jersey that's designed to be your go-to for every type of riding – 'your new favourite jersey' in the Italian brand's words
The new Castelli Espresso jersey was designed by the Italian cycling apparel brand to be “your new favourite jersey” and I have to admit it comes high on my list. Not only is the jersey extremely lightweight, but it's also very breathable and on the hottest days I've found myself wanting to wear it. Castelli’s Air_O fabric was designed specifically for the new Espresso collection: it has good aerodynamics while being comfortable, moisture-wicking and light.
The fit is not restrictive but is still close and tailored – the perfect middle ground between race-cut and regular. I wore a size small and found it to be true to size. The raglan sleeves are suitable for all shoulder widths (mine are quite broad) and they have a raw-cut hem, further enhancing the comfort of the jersey.
The waist of the jersey also sits nicely just above the hips and is elasticated with a silicone gripper along the back hem. The three rear pockets and one rear zippable pocket were easy to reach and held plenty of items in each of them.
The jersey’s branding is minimal with only two small Castelli logos on the shoulder and the middle rear pocket. I tested the Espresso jersey in the colour purple mist, which is a great colour for summer rides, but it also comes in eight other colours, all with a size range from XS to XL. The retail price is £125, which for a jersey of this calibre is quite reasonable. There’s little to fault with it.
Price: £125
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable
- Comfortable
- Smart look
Cons
- If you prefer a block colour jersey, this fabric is slightly sheer
Reviewed by India Paine
Velocio Concept SE
Velocio’s race-ready jersey isn’t as compressive as other aero kit but it ticks all the boxes for comfort and durability
Velocio has a marked focus on cycling kit for women. It was originally founded solely as a women’s cycling apparel brand, and has since branched out into men's kit too. This means that when it comes to the cut and fit of Velocio’s flagship Concept SE jersey, it ticks all the boxes for female cyclists. The design is flattering and extremely comfortable, with an extended size range to make sure there is something for everyone.
While Velocio markets the Concept jersey as ‘race-ready’, it feels more like a jersey that would be worn on long training rides. The hem of the jersey and cuff of the sleeves doesn’t follow the raw-cut trend seen in most aerodynamic jerseys, though Velocio does use a low-profile collar which helps with ventilation and breathability. The sizing also is more forgiving in Velocio jerseys (while I wear a medium in Rapha, I wear a small in Velocio), so this is something to keep in mind if purchasing. The reinforced pockets at the rear of the Concept jersey are a great feature to ensure the jersey doesn’t sag even when loaded with snacks, but these are another reason why I’d say the jersey is more suited to training rides or all-day adventures than racing.
When it comes to aesthetics, Velocio has hit the mark here with stunning silver reflective logos and a unique yet understated choice of colourways. At £149, the Concept jersey fits in the higher-end bracket of cycling kit, but it feels extremely durable and is versatile enough to be used in a range of riding scenarios. Velocio might not be your brand of choice if you're looking for the most compressive and aerodynamic kit, but it’s a good option for most of us – especially when considering the brand’s sustainability focus and credentials.
Price: £149
Pros
- Reinforced pockets
- Stunning aesthetics
- Well-designed fit and plenty of sizing options
Cons
- Material could wick sweat faster
- Hem is slightly bulky
Reviewed by Rachel Jary
Le Col Pro Jersey II
A race-oriented jersey that's aerodynamic and comfortable
Le Col’s new Pro Jersey II has been designed with racing in mind and is form-fitting for optimal aerodynamics. I went for my usual size small and found it was a very close fit but not restrictive in any way. The four-way stretch allowed for freedom of movement on all my rides and improved comfort, plus the stretchy fabric gave the jersey an almost silk-like feel on the skin. One thing this jersey did superbly was wick away sweat, keeping me dry throughout my entire ride, even when doing some harder efforts.
The sleeves are longer in length, just above the elbow, and are secured in place by a band with a silicone gripper. There’s a silicone gripper at the waist too, but I round the front of the jersey did tend to ride up slightly.
The three rear pockets provided plenty of space and kept all my items secure. The zippable valuables pocket has a very useful waterproof lining, which I really liked. The front zip of the jersey was easy to use out on the bike and the high neck added an extra layer of protection from wind chill on slightly cooler summer days.
There are three colours – black, navy and purple – from XS to XL. I tested the purple colour, which I felt offered a nice alternative to your darker options, but was susceptible to showing sweat marks more. It retails for £145 which is at the higher end for a cycling jersey, but does tick a lot of boxes when it comes to a good summer cycling jersey.
Price: £145
Pros
- Quick drying
- Minimal aesthetics
Cons
- Front can ride up in the cycling position
Reviewed by India Paine
Santini Redux Speed
With aerodynamics as a focus, Santini’s Redux jersey marks a step up in performance standard for the brand
Santini might not be the brand that immediately comes to mind when considering buying the most aerodynamic jersey, but the Italian company has struck a good balance with the new Redux range between aero gains and real-world comfort. Ribbed material on the back and sleeves of the jersey plus the raw-cut hem and compressive fit, all work together to ensure the jersey glides smoothly through the wind.
These aero considerations don’t make the jersey uncomfortable to use on a regular basis out on training rides, however. The deep back pockets provide ample space for snacks and spares, while the thermo-welded hem also ensures that the Redux jersey doesn’t ride up and stays firmly in place even on all-day adventures. Reflective detailing on the rear of the jersey ensures visibility even in low light conditions, making it versatile for a range of riding conditions.
Santini has also got it right with the female-specific cut on the Redux jersey – it is flattering and streamlined, though it should be noted that the fit isn’t as tight as most jerseys which are marketed as aerodynamic. There are multiple colour options available for the Redux jersey and the branding is subtle and classy. I found it to wick sweat well even on the hottest days, though the lilac colourway does show sweat patches if that’s something you are worried about.
At £160, the Santini Redux jersey is reasonably priced considering the technical elements of the garment, and it can be used in a variety of scenarios.
Price: £160
Pros
- Practical for real-world use
- Flattering cut
- Fast-drying
Cons
- Visible sweat marks
- Sizing could be more accurate
Reviewed by Rachel Jary
Maap Alt_Road
With its focus on durability and storage, this is a jersey that has gravel as well as the road in its sights – as the name suggests
Gravel riding is a discipline that only seems to be growing and it’s easy to see why – a lack of traffic and hours alone in the wilderness is an attractive proposition to most cyclists. Specific kits for gravel riding are becoming more of a trend in the sport, and Australian brand MAAP has recently thrown its hat into the ring to this with its Alt_Road Jersey.
The Alt_Road Jersey certainly has a different feel compared to many lightweight summer road jerseys, with MAAP placing a clear focus on durability and storage. The jersey is made of MAAP’s proprietary lightweight merino wool blend with the all-natural fibres, which is said to be renewable and naturally odour-resistant while remaining breathable. On multi-day adventures where washing kit wasn’t an option, I was impressed by how fresh the jersey was, and the material was also resistant to any snagging when going through sections of sharp trees off-road. The extra zip pocket and roomy back pockets also makes this jersey great for when you need to take plenty of snacks and spares.
The material is certainly thicker than a normal jersey, and this is something to keep in mind when riding in extremely hot temperatures, but I didn’t have any issues on a British summer day with overheating. I did find that the jersey was slightly longer in the arms and body than other jerseys from different brands in the same size, but the fit was overall compressive without being restrictive. The huge range of colour options and MAAP’s usual stylish design are also strong points of the Alt_Road Jersey.
Price: £170
Pros
- Excellent durability
- Plenty of storage
- Stunning aesthetics with a big range of colour options
Cons
- Not as lightweight as other options
- Fit could be better
Reviewed by Rachel Jary
