Top 6 Cycling Jerseys for Women (Look Good on Your MTB)
Women's cycling is a great way to get out and exercise and to get from A to B. Some cycle out of necessity, some for fun, but nobody wants to look silly on their mountain bike. Let’s face it, we’ve all seen someone out on their bike and wondered why they chose their outfit—and some of the cycling gear out there is less than flattering.
Fortunately, women's cycling jerseys do a very good job of being practical and sensible when you are riding, but also don’t make you look ridiculous. Most of these are made out of materials like polyester rather than Lycra. You may be lucky enough to have the body to pull of Lycra, but let's face it, for a lot of us, Lycra will serve to highlight any unflattering areas of our body, making women everywhere self-conscious in the process.
What you choose to wear when you are out cycling is important for numerous reasons. Choosing a cycling outfit needs to incorporate your style, but also be functional and have the features you’re looking for when exercising, even if exercise isn’t the main reason you cycle.
From a functional standpoint, the features you’ll need to consider when making your choice of women's cycling jerseys and other cycling apparel include:
Material. As we’ve already mentioned, Polyester is the most popular material, but there are other materials out there such as Merino Wool. Polyester is great due to being antibacterial as well as stretchy and breathable, but you may have another preference.
Fit. Only you will know what sort of fit you are looking for. Do you want an aerodynamic, skin-hugging design of jersey or are you looking for something a bit comfier that won’t show your figure quite as much?
UV Protection. Many jerseys offer UV protection due to the fact that so many of us cycle in the sun all day. It is possible to get burned through some fabrics and this can do you serious harm so is worth thinking about depending on where and when you do most of your cycling.
Breathability and moisture-wicking. These are some of the features you will be most glad of if you are cycling long distances or if you live somewhere hot. Many jerseys are built to be ‘breathable’ and allow air in, as well as to wick away sweat. If you are going straight home then sweat may not be an issue, but if you’re cycling to work it certainly can be. These properties are where the jersey wins the day over anything cotton, which will simply absorb any moisture.
Pockets. Where you put your valuables, your MP3 player and anything else you need to carry on your person. There is not much more annoying than having to worry about whether your possessions are safe while you’re out on your bike, so ensuring you have zipper pockets to keep things safe is a good call. Some models even have hidden pockets.
Sleeves. Short or long sleeves that is the question for a lot of cyclists. It is a matter of personal preference and may depend on where you live along with the time of day you cycle and your preference in the heat.
Visibility. Wearing hi-vis colors certainly won’t do any harm and if you regularly cycle at night it is an advisable feature.
The way jerseys look is definitely the exciting part of purchasing a cycling jersey, but function has to be considered too.
Recommended Jerseys
Przewalski Women’s Cycling Biking Jersey, Short Sleeve/Long Sleeve Bike Shirt
This is a well-designed cycling jersey for women, which isn’t too tight fitting, so it is popular among those who want a looser fit which doesn’t show off every bit of you!
This jersey has reflective logos designed to be hi-vis and one of the color options is even a bright yellow. It has been dyed using clever technology which is designed not to fade even after numerous washes, so you won’t have to worry about losing your visibility on those evenings on the road or track.
A design that incorporates two zipped pockets also makes sure your belongings can be kept safe, giving you peace of mind through even a longer journey.
Available in both long sleeve and short sleeve, the Przewalski jersey is designed with a mesh material that won’t stick to your skin even on a sweaty session. It is also very good at letting the air in and ensuring your jersey doesn’t turn into the equivalent of a hot towel around your body.
Many of the other consumer reviews for this jersey are very positive, with many people praising how comfortable and functional it is. The price point of this jersey also makes it a popular point as it won’t break the bank and the durability when you consider how much money you can save is very impressive.
The design is understated. It is more on the functional, hi-vis side and certainly not as lively as some of the competitors. Therefore, if you want to look sleek and simple when out on your MTB and aren’t worried about patterned designs, this jersey could be the one for you.
SILVINI Cycling Jersey for Women Road & MTB Mountain Bike
If you are looking for more of a professional grade model, the Silvini jersey could be your answer. Made with a polyester and elastane blend, this is an extremely comfortable fit.
Italian design has always stood out for women's clothing and this seems to have extended to cycling! The slim cut which widens at the hips is perfect for a female shape and means you will keep your femininity while out on your bike as well as functionality.
The brand is popular among pro cyclists and even Olympic champions—and it is easy to see why. This extremely lightweight and smart looking jersey is extremely easy to slip on and off and wear for long journeys with no irritation.
The black and red designs are simple without making too much of a statement. Elegance is not a word you would always associate with a cycling jersey, but this could be as close as we have seen.
Pearl iZUMi Ride Women's Ultra Star Jersey
The Pearl iZUMi is similar to some of the other models to make this list; it has three pockets, is made of polyester and designed with a breathable mesh fabric, so ticks a lot of the boxes in terms of features. It is available in short and long sleeved options and is currently one of the best-reviewed cycling jerseys we’ve seen. So, what sets it apart?
For a start, it is super comfortable and flexible with your size and body shape. The fabric and 10-inch zipper serve to stop you from overheating whilst riding and the fact that you can choose between six different sizes means you are very likely to be able to find the perfect fit for your unique body. The quick-drying fabric means that washing your jersey is a simple process too.
The iZUMi’s design is both professional looking and simple, but one of the reasons it is so popular is surely the ability to choose from 12 gorgeous colors. Beautiful marl designs mean that you can choose anything from “Aqua Mint” to “Purple Haze” or even have multiple colors if you are so inclined.
SANTIC Women's Full-Zip Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey
Among the top sellers on Amazon for women's cycling jerseys, this certainly wouldn’t look out of place on a professional cyclist riding their MTB. As well as the standard features we’ve come to expect like being breathable and having secure pockets, the Santic jersey has some clever extras.
A short sleeve design and a full-zip, this is one of the more unique jersey’s we’ve mentioned. The zip is great for allowing some air in and retains a comfortable feel in the process. Reflective areas ensure high visibility in low light and at night and our favorite feature is anti-skid tape around the hem; this is in place to stop the jersey from riding up or digging in and making for an uncomfortable ride.
The designs of the Santic jerseys are certainly a little more out there! You can choose between some sporty looking designs or you can opt for something flowery with bright colors and make sure you make a statement about your cycling clothes.
Morvelo Women’s Marley Short Sleeve MTB Jersey
This is one of the more expensive and professional jerseys, aimed at those who are serious about their cycling, and it certainly makes a statement in the amazing features. Morvelo has thought of everything.
It is made with bio-active Polyester which has antibacterial properties, great for when you’re on a sweaty, muddy cycle ride. It has an incredible SPF of 50, so even when you are out on sunny journeys, you can rest assured you won’t end up with sunburn from the day’s hot sun beating down on your back and neck.
The design incorporates panels with a mesh material at the side for coolness and to allow air in. Clever flatlock stitching has been used to attach the panels and this creates a very tough design that should last a long time even after being used in treacherous conditions.
This is a brand to be impressed by and a lot of attention to detail has gone into this and all of their designs. It is available in short sleeve or long sleeve and is designed not to be too tight. You can see that a lot of their jerseys resemble something you might wear in a sports team rather than a gymnastics team.
You may pay a bit extra for the features on offer here, but the durability means that if you plan to take your mountain biking seriously, then the Morvelo Marley could work wonders.
Baleaf Women's Space Dye Short/Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey
A bit of a variation on most of the other products on our list, but an equally great option, the Baleaf Space Dye Jersey is the only product we’ve recommended in this article which uses Spandex as part of the fabric—though it is still 90% polyester.
More of a tight-fitting option than some jerseys, it is made with quick dry moisture management to ensure that sweat doesn’t stick and make your journey uncomfortable.
The space dye name comes from the design that looks great. It has a lowered back to give more coverage and avoid the jersey riding up and showing your skin at the back. In terms of color, it is available in a variety and some lovely blues and simple pinks and purples have been used, but the lining is done in a brighter, reflective fabric which helps you to stand out in low light.
A sun protection factor of 30+ and a full-length zipper to let you vent and stay cool round off a simple but well thought out design which isn’t overly expensive.
Conclusion
There are six great options above to cover all the bases, whether you want a tight fit with short sleeves or a loose fit with long sleeves. Choosing absolute favorite would be an impossible task, as well as an unnecessary one, as everyone has their own unique needs and preferences for style.
The most professional of these is probably the Morvelo, perfect for real competitors and those who are serious about their MTB and like the sports jersey look. If you’re on a budget, however, it may be that the Baleaf or Przewalski take your fancy, and they won’t see you far wrong, especially considering how much money they could save you.
The key to a good ride is not only to be competitive but to be comfortable. This means not only staying at the right temperature in something that feels good, but also knowing that you look your best whilst out on the road, too. What’s more, these very stylish cycling jerseys mean you don’t have to sacrifice looking great just because you are out there being active.
