The short sleeve jersey is a staple of any rider’s wardrobe for summer laps, evening spins and for milder Autumn and Spring days at the trails.
We have been riding six jerseys all summer long to see which one stands out above the rest.
Photos by Dave Price.
When reviewing these jerseys we are looking at a number of factors. The most important is overall comfort out on the trails. The level of comfort comes from a number of other factors including the cut, material and additional features like mesh and ventilation.
It is always hard to say which is the best jersey as these days we are super lucky that the quality of product from most brands is really high. It is more about figuring out which is the best jersey for different situations or conditions and then looking at how that stacks up against the price of that product.
The real take away that we found doing this test is how far the fabrics have come along in the last few years. Gone are the scratchy polyester DH-styled jerseys of the early Naughties, and instead they are replaced with garments so soft that you could wear them as pyjamas. It really is a great time to be a mountain biker.
RaceFace Trigger SS Jersey
Buy online at Cyclestore for £42.26.
Key features:
- Raglan sleeves.
- New lighter fabric with matte finish and improved wicking.
- Fade-free sublimated graphics.
- £46.95 RRP
- RaceFace.com
The Trigger jersey is a nice, simple short sleeve jersey that feels more like a tech-T than a full on race top. Its low key styling will be popular with older riders and it means that you don’t look too weird at the grace when you stop for petrol on the way to riding. The lightweight fabric makes it comfortable on a hot day and I had no issues with any seams rubbing.
We love:
- Simple, comfortable jersey
Could do better:
- Quite pricey for a simple jersey
100% Celium Jersey
Buy online at Cyclestore for £49.49.
Key features:
- 4-Way Stretch construction
- Laser-cut rear venting
- Drop tail
- £54.99 RRP
- 100PerCent.com
The Celium is packed full of features that will keep the most demanding riders and racers happy. It is a very comfy jersey, thanks in part to the stretchy fabric and flat-lock seams and aided by the light material and multiple ventilation points. It is a more athletic (snug) fit than the others on test which will suit some riders, but others may want to size up. Overall it is a top performer and one of the jerseys we kept reaching for on hot summer rides.
We Love:
- Racy, fitted style.
- Stretchy material.
Could Do Better:
- Most expensive on test.
Madison Zenith SS Jersey
Buy online at Rutland Cycling for £34.99.
Key features:
- Dropped tail cut
- Discreet mesh panels under the arm
- Features a micro suede optics wipe
- Wicking fabric
- £34.99 RRP
- Madison.cc
The Zenith jersey has some nice features, like the under arm vents and lens cleaning wipe, but unfortunately was let down by the big seam that runs across the chest which made the jersey unconformable to wear. Other than the strange seam, the styling is nice and it is available in a range of different colours, including a low key black version. It was nice and cool, thanks to the light material and vented arm pits.
We love:
- Competitive price
- Cool on hot rides
Could do better:
- Uncomfortable seam across the chest
Royal Racing Core Jersey
Buy online at Chain Reaction Cycles for £29.99.
Key features:
- Low key tech riding t-shirt
- Polygiene anti-bacterial treatment
- Quick-dry material
- £29.99 RRP
- RoyalRacing.com
The Core from Royal Racing is the least racy and most casual looking jersey reviewed here. Royal are going for a relaxed style for bike park laps and for riders who don’t like the 90’s motocross look out on the trails. Don’t let the low price and lack of fancy features fool you though, as this is a solid MTB jersey that is super comfy and almost as cool as the lightest jerseys here. It is really versatile and you could easily just wear it off the bike as an everyday t-shirt as well as down the local trails.
We Love:
- Low key style
- Cotton feel fabric
Could Do Better:
- A little warm on the hottest days.
Specialized Enduro Air SS Jersey
Key features:
- VaporRize lightweight fabric
- 100% Recycled material
- Subtle graphics and styling
- £50.00 RRP
- Specialized.com
Every time you pull on the Enduro Air jersey from Specialized it feels like a bit of a treat. The material feels so soft and comfy against your skin and you immediately forget you have it on. Specialized describe the fit as being generous and comfortable, but I found it to be quite athletic and sporty, similar to the 100% Celium.
This is the lightest fabric on test and it is super cool on a hot ride, quickly drying and keeping you comfy all day. We were also stoked to see a 100% recycled jersey. The styling is bang on with its low key camo design around the hem. Some riders may not want Specialized across their chest when riding other bikes, but it doesn’t matter to us.
We Love:
- Comfort and fit
- So, so soft
Could Do Better:
- The Specialized logo could be smaller
Troy Lee Designs Flowline SS Jersey V2
Buy online at Leisure Lakes Bikes for £40.00.
Key features:
- Available in 4 different designs
- Ring spun, quick drying material
- Understated design
- £40.00 RRP
- TroyLeeDesigns.com
The Flowline V2 from Troy Lee Designs brings the classic styling that the Californian brand are known for and delivers it in a simple and high quality package. Whilst it is certainly a modern riding jersey, it does look and feel a bit closer to being a tech-t and for a lot of riders that is exactly what they are after. It is middle of the pack in terms of ventilation and temperature management with a quality feel to the material and a relaxed fit similar to the Madison and Race Face jerseys.
We Love:
- Troy Lee Design style and design
- Stretchy material
Could Do Better:
- No ventilation panels
Leatt DBX 3.0 Midsleeve Jersey
Key features:
- Mid length sleeves
- Stretch fit design
- MoistureCool quick drying fabric
- £43.99 RRP
- Leatt.com
The DBX 3.0 from the South African neck brace kings is a really solid and versatile jersey. The main difference between it and the others here is the 2/3 sleeves that cover the elbows. This does not make much difference to temperature regulation, but it does protect your elbow from bushes, branches and most of your arm from the sun.
The material is noticeably coarser than the other jerseys tested here, but it is still comfy and never rubbed. It is a little heavier as well, but it is well vented meaning it is about average in terms of hot weather performance. We really liked the jazzy, ‘Ink’ colour and design, and it is also available in 3 others, including a low key black version.
We Love:
- Protection from bushes and the sun
- Styling
Could Do Better:
- Not as soft as others on test
Test Winner: Specialized Enduro Air SS Jersey
It was a close run affair with the 100% Celium, but it was the material on the Specialized Enduro Air that won us over in the end. It would be easy for a mega-brand like Specialized to pump out some generic jerseys with their logo on and probably still sell a load. Instead they have produced a top quality product that stands up against anything from the brands that specialise in clothing rather than bikes as their main business.
Value: Royal Racing Core Jersey
Yes, it is the cheapest, but we just loved riding in it as well. Super comfy, looks great and we would probably pay £5-£10 more for it and still be happy. Looks good away from the trails as well.
