Utility is all about pockets and features. Jerseys should have large pockets in the rear to store your extra gear and items like your phone, ID/credit cards, or energy bars. It’s also good to look for high-visibility colors or reflective patterns.
If you’ve recently gotten into cycling or if you are looking to upgrade your cycling game, choosing a cycling jersey that’s right for you is a great way to start. Here, we’ll take a look at and review each of the four things that make a great, lightweight cycling jersey: fabric, fit, closure, and utility out on the road. We’ll also take a quick look at some of MYN’s best tops for cycling that check all of these boxes!
Lightweight Cycling Jersey Fabric
Any extra bulk during cycling needs to serve a purpose, and this rings true for cycling jerseys, too. For example, even though chamois creates more bulk, it is lightweight and serves a very important purpose: to make your ride more comfortable. Just as chamois is a critical piece of your cycling wardrobe, so should a high-quality jersey made of lightweight fabric.
When choosing a cycling jersey, be on the lookout for fabrics like polypropylene, polyamide, and elastane (also known as spandex); these are all synthetic fibers that will dry quickly and weigh less when damp than cotton and other fabrics. Some lightweight cycling jerseys will include mesh-like fabrics and will be a bit more breathable than the full fabric ones.
How the Cycling Jersey Fits
There are two different and opposing camps when it comes to the fit of your lightweight cycling jersey. Some riders prefer an aerodynamic and compressing “sport” or “race” fit, where the jersey sits tightly on the body; others prefer the jersey to be a bit more loose and flattering. If you’re looking for a looser fit, look for keywords in the product description like “loose” or “standard.”
What Type of Closure Does it Have?
In choosing a cycling jersey, the closure is fairly important, too. Being able to adjust how much breathability your jersey has is an incredibly valuable tool. Jerseys with full zippers may cost more, but that ability to completely open your jersey with one hand - without taking the whole thing off - is priceless when on a bike.
For example, imagine you are out on a long ride in the sun when it’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 C). You may not have come prepared with sunblock, so you really need the coverage of your jersey; however, you’re sweating profusely and need a reprieve. Unzipping your full-zip jersey all the way would allow critical ventilation while also protecting your skin from the sun!
The Utility of Your Cycling Jersey
Most people think that lightweight cycling jerseys are simply for covering up their top half while cycling. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, as we’ve hinted above, choosing a cycling jersey has a lot more involved in it than you might, at first, think. The final consideration we ask you to make when choosing a cycling jersey is utility. Selecting a lightweight cycling jersey that has rear pockets for things like energy bars, your ID, and your phone is more important than you might realize.
MYN Sport: The Best Tops for Cycling
If you’re on the hunt for lightweight cycling jerseys that will last, our men’s collection contains products like FLASH and our women’s collection contains jerseys like SNOBY. Each of our cycling jerseys is made from the highest quality materials and is designed to withstand each and every mile you throw at it. Check out our collection today!