Jerseys aren't just about looking good. These will keep you comfortable in summer and winter, with plenty of high performance technical features and fabrics, and options to suit all budgets.
The best mountain bike jersey for you will depend on a few factors; what discipline you ride, weather conditions, personal comfort and of course personal style. But whatever you go for, rest assured that the following jerseys have been thoroughly ridden and tested by us, so if they’re on here, they’re guaranteed to be good.
If you’re looking to refresh your whole riding wardrobe then slide on over to our guide to best mountain bike shorts. We’ve also got buyer’s guides for the best mountain bike waterproof jackets as well as the best riding pants/trousers and best mountain bike shorts.
The Rapha Trail Technical T-Shirt is subtle but classy.
1. Rapha Trail Technical T-Shirt
Best technical riding jersey
Weight: 111g | Sizes: XS – XXL | Colours: Purple, light grey, dark grey, navy, green | Rating: 9/10
Reasons to buy:
- Subtle
- Stylish
- Breathable
- Comes with repair patches
Reasons to avoid:
- No pockets or glasses wipe
- Gets a bit smelly
Rapha has brought its signature armband styling to the mountain bike market, and while we were ready to scoff at a roadie brand trying to compete with the likes of Fox and Troy Lee, it has proved us wrong with a sold line-up of excellent garments. One of those being the Technical T-Shirt that blends casual styling with technical fabrics. We loved the wicking properties that stopped us getting clammy and sticky on sweaty days, while the fit was comfortable with a slight tailoring to the riding position. Best of all, the price is competitive and the patch kits and repair service bring an extra element of sustainability that we love. Rapha also produces a women’s version of the Trail Technical t-shirt, which comes with a different cut, sizes and colour options.
Read our full test review of the Rapha Trail Technical T-shirt
7Mesh always produces quality garments, and the Roam SS shirt is no exception.
2. 7Mesh Roam SS Shirt
Best quality summer jersey
Weight: 115g | Sizes: XS – XXL | Colours: Black, bottle blue, cinnamon, douglas fir | Rating: 9/10
Reasons to buy:
- Fast drying and cool
- Well made
- Brand has strong ethical values
Reasons to avoid:
- Low on features: no rear pocket or optics wipe
Designed and developed in Canada, 7mesh’s Roam short sleeve shirt is lightweight with an athletic cut and mildly tailored fit. It’s still very much in the casual camp though, and looks and feels good both on and off the bike. Technically the fabric is excellent, with impressive breathability on hot summer days, drying quickly if any sweat builds up. There’s also a SPF 50 treatment against UV light, although we missed the lack of a pocket – useful for a car key or snack.
A comfortable and durable jersey: the Patagonia Merino 3/4.
3. Patagonia Merino 3/4 sleeve jersey
Best natural fabric riding jersey
Weight: 139g | Sizes: XS-XL | Colours: Black, orange, brown | Women’s version: Yes | Rating: 9/10
Reasons to buy:
- Doesn’t get smelly
- Great in a range of temperatures
- Durable
- Soft fabric
Reasons to avoid:
- High price (but worth it)
- ¾ sleeves ride up
When we tested it, Jamie didn’t mince his words : “The Patagonia Merino 3/4 sleeve jersey is one of the best jerseys we’ve tested”, he proclaimed. So why the gushing prose? Well, Patagonia’s Merino fabric feels super comfy against bare skin in a range of temperatures, and the natural anti-bacterial qualities of Merino mean it doesn’t get smelly if you forget to wash it after a ride – on a back-country tour or riding holiday for example. It’s also great as a base-layer, although the 3/4 length sleeves are annoying, not covering enough of your arm to protect from scratchy bushes, and they ride up most of the time anyway. Not cheap, but this jersey should last for ages.
Read our full review of the Patagonia Merino 3/4 sleeve jersey
Rab Cindercrino Zip Tee has a more XC-orientated styling, but makes sense in hot weather.
4. Rab Cindercrino Zip Tee
Best premium jersey
Weight: 145g | Sizes: XS – XL | Colours: Light khaki, Orion blue, Sahara | Rating: 9/10
Reasons to buy:
- Soft against skin fabric with great cut
- Long front zip is very useful
Reasons to avoid:
- Expensive
- Longer arms can cling to limbs
- Material can snag on foliage
Rab’s recent entry to the bike market has produced some excellent garments, like this Condercrino Zip Tee. A blend of polyester and Merino wool, there’s a lovely comfortable softness and stretch to the XC/gravel-orientated cut. The zip front was really useful for regulating airflow on hot days, and the thin side panels also help direct airflow and let heat escape. A great top that doesn’t excel in any one area, but does everything to a high standard.
Read our full review of the Rab Cindercrino Zip Tee
The Endura Singletrack Core Tee II is basic but effective.
5. Endura Singletrack Core Tee II
Best back-to-basics design
Weight: 119g (L) | Sizes: S – XXL | Colours: Tangerine, Aubergine, Black, Blueberry | Rating: 8/10
Reasons to buy:
- Reasonably priced
- Unfussy design
- Recycled fabric
Reasons to avoid:
- Basic cut and fabrics
- Can wet out easily if you sweat a lot
- Gets stinky
Alongside a focus on sustainability, Scottish brand Endura uses feedback from its sponsored riders – including Danny MacAskill and the Athertons – to improve the performance of its designs. Cut back to the bare bones, the simple Core Tee II is just a t-shirt made from a technical fabric that wicks moisture, dries fast and breathes better than standard cotton. The cut is pretty baggy, but the fabric performs effectively, with a kind of micro-mesh weave that promotes airflow. Not the best wicking properties around, but a decent jersey for the price.
Read the full review of the Endura Singletrack Core Tee II
6. Troy Lee Designs Skyline Short Sleeve
Best for trendy styling
Weight: 141g | Sizes: S-XXL | Colours: 10 options | Women’s version: No | Rating: 8/10
Reasons to buy:
- Lots of style and colour options,
- Easy care
- Comfortable cut
Reasons to avoid:
- Pricey for the spec
Troy Lee Designs is one of the most aspirational clothing brands for mountain bikers, and the Skyline short sleeve jersey is one of its most popular garments. The casual panelled style and graphics make this a jersey that’s equally cool off the bike as on it. Made mostly from polyester, there’s a slight stretch to the fabric and a nice soft feel against bare skin. In terms of features, TLD has stripped back the Skyline – although a lens wipe can be found sewn into the back panel. While not the most effective jersey at wicking sweat in really hot weather, it feels comfortable and cool in most conditions, and has proved durable over many rides and wash cycles.
Read our full review of the Troy Lee Designs Skyline Short Sleeve jersey
The Fox Ranger DriRelease Long Sleeve jersey works great as a mid-season jersey
7. Fox Ranger DriRelease Long Sleeve jersey
Best long-sleeve jersey
Sizes: S – XXL | Colours: Grey, red, blue, black | Rating: 9/10
Reasons to buy:
- Drirelease fabric wicks well and feels natural
- The cut and styling are brilliant too
Reasons to avoid:
- No zippy pocket for your car key
The Fox Ranger jersey uses the Drirelease fabric to dump heat and wick moisture on hot days. With long sleeves, you get protection from sharp bushes creeping into the trail, some extra warmth, and coverage against fierce sun. It looks great, Fox has nailed the fit, and the fabric feels nice and soft against skin – a bit like a cotton t-shirt without the damp, clingy feel on a sweaty day.
Read our full test review of the Fox Ranger DriRelease Long Sleeve Jersey
Sweet Protection Hunter LS
8. Sweet Protection Hunter LS
Best for big upper bodies
Weight: 157g | Sizes: S – XL | Rating: 8/10
Reasons to buy:
Good looking jersey that’s lightweight and breathable.
Reasons to avoid:
Loose fitting arms and threads can start to pull.
Some testers found the Sweet Protection Hunter LS to be on the baggier end of the spectrum, that’s no bad thing for riders who carry a bit more body mass to them. Particularly if you’re blessed with – or spend hours hitting weights to get – big biceps and forearms. Having said that, it’s possibly a good idea for slimmer riders to size-down from their usual size. The body and arms are generous in length so down-sizing shouldn’t result in any undue exposed skin. All in all, the excellent polyester fabric makes it great for summer riding for those who really don’t like to wear short sleeves when mountain biking.
Read our full test review of the Sweet Protection Hunter LS
Madison Flux Enduro Women’s jersey
9. Madison Flux Enduro Women’s jersey
Best women’s jersey
Sizes: 8 – 16 | Colours: Red or blue | Rating: 9/10
Reasons to buy:
- Lightweight and wicking
- Stretch fabric means good freedom of movement
Reasons to avoid:
- Not the trendiest design or fabric
The Madison Flux Enduro Women’s Jersey is a comfortable, lightweight jersey that you can easily wear all year round. We loved the well considered cut, with just a little bit of extra length at the rear, so you’re not exposed when leaning forward. It also looks and feels great – totally recommended. Read our guide to the best mountain bike clothing for women.
Read our full test review of Madison Flux Enduro Women’s jersey
How we tested the best mountain bike jerseys
Comfort is key here – we’re looking for discrete, unobtrusive seams and breathable construction. The only way to put these to the test is by riding them for long distances. we also tested all the jerseys with backpacks and hip packs, because it’s hard to tell if a jersey rides up or chafes until you get on the trails and start pedalling. Recent warmer weathers allowed us to really put the breathability to the test.
Additional detailing like a glasses wipe or zippy pocket for your key also impressed us, but it’s not everything. Style also placed a decent nod towards style – who doesn’t want to look good when riding?
A good jersey needs to offer freedom of movement, good wicking properties, and feel soft against bare skin.
What to look for in the best mountain bike jerseys:
Mountain bike jerseys can either be tight-fitting with a traditional cut, a zip collar and three rear storage pockets, or loose, motocross-inspired jerseys, often with no pockets.
A classic crew neck collar is popular on mountain bike jerseys. Printed brand details reduce aggravation too
Both styles are usually made from lightweight, breathable polyester, often with with other materials blended in to improve the fit, help wick sweat away or to reduce odour. Jerseys are relatively simple to produce, so can be bought for as little as £20, with the most high-tech designs costing upwards of £50.
Quality jerseys will often vary the fabric weights and weaves depending on the location
Fabrics
Polyester is the material of choice for its sheer strength. It’s also cheap, light, and good at wicking. Plenty of brands then add in extra material like elastane for its stretch, or natural materials like bamboo, silver, merino wool, drirelease cotton, or even charcoal to reduce odour.
Cut
The best cut for trail riding is loose fitting without being overly baggy. A jersey should be shaped to allow a good and comfortable riding position on the bike, and often that means it’s made from multiple panels.
A front zip can be useful for dumping heat on long climbs
Ventilation
XC jerseys usually have zips down the front for increased airflow. Trail jerseys for hot weather can use perforated material under the arms or on the back, while some feature laser cut holes or mesh back panels.
Sleeve lengths
Counterintuitively, long sleeves can work well in summer as well as winter, giving you protection from both the sun (plenty come with inbuilt SPF) and spiky foliage. Three-quarter sleeves are a decent compromise between keeping cool and staying scar-free.
Glasses wipe
This is either a separate microfibre wipe on a tag in a pocket, or sewn under the hem at the front of the jersey and is designed for cleaning goggles or glasses.
Anti-odour
Lots of jerseys have bamboo, charcoal, metallic elements, or special compounds mixed in with the fabric to prevent odour build-up.
Lightweight mesh fabric can aid ventilation and speed up drying times
Mesh back
Mountain bikers often ride with a pack, so to increase wicking in this area, some jerseys feature a more breathable or lighter weight back.
You’ll often see a small unobtrusive zipped pocket to hold a car key or similar
Pockets
Not essential, but definitely useful, these are perfect for car keys, small change or a phone. If they’re deep you don’t need zips.
Correct fit on a mountain bike jersey
Fit can be quite a difficult and personal factor. But the main point is the right sized jersey should not restrict your movement when on the bike. Correspondingly, a jersey that is either too tight will restrict movement, while a jersey that is too big can flap about distractingly and get caught on your saddle or bars. The right jersey should be long enough to cover your lower back when riding in an active position on the bike – like in the picture below. Many brands will produce jerseys for men and women, the main difference usually being the cut of the jersey and colour options.
Rocking the 3/4 sleeve look
What type of riding do you do?
Downhill (DH), all-mountain/trail riding and cross-country (XC) racing all demand different things from your mountain bike jersey.
DH jerseys tend to be long sleeve, with room for body armour underneath, but fitted for aero benefits.
Downhill specific jerseys are lightweight, airy and very loose in order to fit body armour underneath. The evolution of the DH jersey owes a lot to motocross clothing in both style and fit. A DH jersey might also incorporated reinforced patches in areas that might suffer in the event of a crash. Other features might include a goggle/glasses wipe inside and a neck shape that avoids interference when wearing a neck brace.
Enduro/trail jerseys are generally casual in design, but using technical fabric.
Enduro or trail riding jerseys encompass the widest variety of styles and technical features. Brands combine features taken from anything from road riding to motocross. Normally made of thicker fabrics than a DH jersey but still incorporating vented, or lighter weight panels, for moisture management and temperature control. Cuts can be as simple as basic t-shirt style jerseys to ones that incorporate multi-panelling, multi-pockets and zips for added ventilation.
XC jerseys are more fitted, and often come with zip necks and rear pockets.
XC Race jerseys are usually very similar to road cycling jerseys, being very closely fitting to eliminate flapping of material and as to not hinder the rider. Rear pockets are a must to carry spares and nutrition.
A good jersey is perfect for wearing down the gym too
Varied weather means different mountain bike jerseys
As with any type of clothing, demands change dependent on weather and seasonal changes. During colder or wetter rides a jersey becomes a vital mid or under-layer in conjunction with a more protective outer jacket. Then a thermal or windproof jersey is an ideal choice to retain body heat and also stay comfortable next to the skin. Most thermal jerseys feature full or half zips and a much thicker textile. Hot weather obviously requires thinner and more ventilated fabrics with most riders opting for short sleeves.
Mountain bike jerseys and temperature regulation
Every one of us have specific ‘optimum operating conditions’, what we mean by that is we all feel temperatures differently and most of us know if we feel the cold or overheat given a certain scenario. It’s the reason why you might see one rider wearing a single layer when riding in the snow, compared to another wrapped up in four layers on a sunny day. If you wear a one of the best hydration packs then a jersey with a mesh back panel and without pockets is the most comfortable style to go for. If you like keeping it minimal with a bottle, then you might want a jersey with one or two pockets for the essentials.