Fitness Training
11 cycling jerseys to get your pulse racing this summer
Pack away the thermals and prepare for warmer conditions with these great cycling jerseys for men and women.
Summer is the season that cycling really gets good. Sure, there’s something romantic about battling the elements through the spring and autumn, and an epic quality to riding alongside snowdrifts in the winter, but summer’s really the one. Warm weather cycling kits are best too, allowing you to get your legs and arms out in sunlight, and to show off some extra cool jersey designs.
From loud statement prints and aerodynamic designs to lightweight and extra-breathable materials, there’s plenty to look for in a good summer jersey.
The best of the bunch will include decent UPF protection, zippered pockets with a waterproof lining to keep your phone safe from sweat, and – of course – a flashy colourway to draw some looks.
Not sure where to start in the search for the best summer cycling jersey for you? Below are some of the top ones available in 2020 for all budgets and (ahem) tastes…
1. Dhb Classic Short Sleeve
At $60, this jersey from Wiggle's in-house brand is a steal
© Dhb
Price: $60.62 CAD (on sale at the time of writing)
Gender: Men's
This jersey round-up is getting started with a gorgeous cycling jersey from the good folks at dhb. As Wiggle’s in-house brand, dhb is always going to deliver on value, coming in with a performance-oriented piece of kit that will look great on summer rides and available for just over $60. The techy mesh panels provide a bit of breathability in the heat, but most of all, it’s in for the dreamy, marine-inspired ‘High Tide’ colourway.
2. Rapha Core Jersey
The Core also comes in a femae-specific version
© Rapha
Price: $110
Gender: Men's and women's
You probably never thought you’d see a Rapha jersey in the budget-friendly end of a product round-up. And yet, that’s exactly what the new Core jersey is all about; bringing the famously pricy quality of Rapha to the masses. The Core jersey has been revamped this year, with better shoulder seams and the iconic white band around the sleeve. There are nine colourways, but the 'Medieval Blue' (pictured above) is easily the best of the bunch. The fabric is soft and breathable and has enough stretch to create a really nice fit without the sometimes-unflattering ‘painted-on’ effect.
3. La Passione Cell Jersey
Micro mesh fabric helps keep you cool in the hottest conditions
© La Passione
Price: $105 USD
Gender: Men's
Micro mesh side panels are the standout seasonal feature of this brilliant white jersey from Italian masters La Passione. The breathable sides are ideal for feeling the fresh summer breeze tickle your ribs as you sprint down the road. The cut is right in line with the current trend for longe - allegedly more aerodynamic - sleeve lengths. And the rounded scoop collar is ideal if you’re wanting to copy the aesthetic of an Italian professional rider on the Riviera.
4. Milltag Dope
The brand has a 'looking dope, not using dope’ philosophy
© Milltag
Price: Approx $137 CAD
Gender: Men's and women's
Milltag’s Dope jersey has become something of an icon, having seen several reissues over the years, it is now available on a permanent pre-order basis through the brand’s website. Milltag has always espoused the ‘looking dope, not using dope’ philosophy and this summer is the season you should join them. It’s available in both men's and women’s versions, with bib shorts also on the menu – so you can go fully suited. Despite its black colour, the ‘carbonmesh’ fabric that the jersey is made from does the bulk of the heavy lifting when it comes to making this jersey summer-friendly, with active and effective moisture-wicking for continual freshness.
5. Chapeau Club Pro
Although autumnal in colour, the Club Pro jersey is the ideal summer jersey
© Chapeau
Price: Approx. $155 CAD
Gender: Men's
This vibrant and zesty jersey is about as close to autumn as the fair-weather cyclists feel like getting right now. The name for this colourway is presumably inspired by the gorgeous shades of burnished orange to be found in the fall foliage and not the dreary and rainy days that usually accompany it. The jersey boasts UV protection, an impressively light overall weight, and that much-needed moisture-wicking ability – all of which are essential in a good summer jersey. Don’t fancy this particular colour and pattern? Chapeau just dropped a comprehensive summer collection that includes 27 different prints alone for the Club Pro jersey.
6. Primal Helix 2.0
The fabric contains silver ions that destroy bacteria and eliminate odor
© Primal
Price: Approx. $155 CAD
Gender: Men's and women's
Rather ride in the Tropics than in the unpredictable Canadian summer weather? Good. This is the statement summer jersey for you.
Don’t get completely hung up on the tropical print, though (the women’s version comes in an aqua print theme). Primal’s Helix 2.0 Jersey is quite the star performer ‘under the hood’ as well. It uses a gridded texture on the fabric to break surface tension, which allows you to move ever-so-slightly faster through the air. And it fits like a second skin, helping promote blood flow while removing moisture from your skin. Oh, and it's odour-resistance. Just the jersey for steamy rides.
7. Iris Peloton Jersey by Sue
Love a unique design? This rare masterpiece is a must for you
© Iris
Price: Approx. $140 CAD
Gender: Unisex
This super-rad, illustrative jersey is a collaboration between upstart apparel brand Iris, and the fantastically named Dutch illustrator Sue van Gageldonk. Just picture it, you rock up confidently at your pre-ride meeting point, a hush falls, and you hear someone audibly whisper, ‘I think… I think that’s a genuine van Gageldonk.' Worth the $140 alone!
Up until now, the brand, which is the brainchild of former elite pro rider Iris Slappendel, was heavily focused on women’s designs, but this jersey is one of the first to employ its new unisex fit.
8. CHPT3 Fragile
Founded by ex-pro David Millar, CHPT3 makes high-tech kit for the masses
© CHPT3
Price: Approx. $205 CAD
Gender: Men's
Picture a panda. A suave panda. Not one of those bumbling viral video pandas always falling off logs. So, picture a suave but summery, stealthy panda dipped in ink and riding a bicycle. Give that panda a graduated fade design and some smart technical features. Now, imagine that panda was a jersey. What you’re picturing is probably nothing like CHPT3’s Fragile jersey, but luckily, this piece of super-smart cycling apparel is much better.
Soft against the skin and with a fit that sits perfectly between ‘shrink wrap’ and ‘irritating wind flap’, it’s one you’ll reach for time and again through the long-riding summer months.
9. Le Col Pro jersey
The jersey's race-ready fit makes it suitable for the whippets out there
© Le Col
Price: $205 CAD
Gender: Men's and women's
Stylish navy with gold detailing makes this jersey from Le Col the immediate go-to choice for anyone who appreciates a simple-done-well design.
Le Col say, “it’s a lightweight, breathable layer designed to wick sweat fast and keep you performing at your peak in the most intense race situations”. In other words, it’s there to keep you feeling fresh, non-stinky, and fast.
10. Cafe du Cycliste Laureline
This loose laid-back number will definitely turn heads on the gravel trails
© Cafe Du Cycliste
Price: $204 CAD
Gender: Men's
For when you have to ride some gnar gravel in the morning but don’t want to look out of place at the pool party in the afternoon, Cafe du Cycliste gives you the Laureline. Don’t be fooled into thinking this shirt is merely some thrift shop treasure though; it’s made with super technical fabrics and has three rear pockets like a regular jersey. Oh, and it has a brilliant design to boot.
11. Assos Equipe RS Aero SS
For cutting through the air like a knife through butter, it has to be Assos
© Assos
Price: $249 CAD
Gender: Men's
The philosopher Nelly once said, ‘it’s getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes’. Obviously, he hadn’t tried the Assos Equipe RS Aero, which is actually the ideal thing to be wearing when the mercury soars. This is actually an update to the always-awesome Swiss apparel maker's enduringly popular Equipe jersey.
The new-and-improved aero version is built out of amazing, technical words like ‘bi stretch’ and ‘3D knit’ and promises to make you go even faster. Crucially, although it’s wispy thin and light to wear, the jersey offers UPF 50 protection from the sun, so you won’t have a red back to go with your red face after those hotter rides.
