Cycling jersey or technical T-shirt: fabric, cut and pockets

A cycling jersey is cut for the position you ride in: longer at the back than the front, with pockets on the back and a zip for ventilation. A technical T-shirt uses the same sweat-wicking fabric, but has a straight cut and no rear pockets. For short loops and easy rides a technical T-shirt is enough; from about an hour, in a sporty position or when you want to carry food and a jacket on you, a jersey is more practical.

What's the difference between a cycling jersey and a technical T-shirt?

Four things. The cut: on the bike you lean forward, and a straight T-shirt rides up at the back. A jersey has a dropped tail and is often held in place by a silicone gripper at the hem. The pockets: three or four pockets on the back take energy bars, your phone and a gilet without getting in the way as you pedal. The zip: open it on the climbs and close it for the descents, so you can control your temperature without stopping. And the fit: jerseys are closer-fitting and flap less in the wind.

In terms of fabric, the two are similar: polyester or blends that wick moisture away from the skin and dry quickly. Cotton, by contrast, soaks up sweat, gets heavy and chills you on the descent. More in technical T-shirt or cotton and fitness clothing materials.

Short or long sleeves? The long-sleeve jersey is meant for spring and autumn, often with a brushed inside that holds in more warmth. In summer, short sleeves are enough; on changeable days, combine a short-sleeve jersey with a gilet (wind vest). In winter the long-sleeve jersey becomes the mid layer under a jacket, see cycling clothing for autumn and winter.

Which cycling jersey suits road or touring rides?

For long rides in a sporty position, the classic close-fitting jersey is the usual choice. The Craft Essence jersey for women is soft and stretchy, wicks moisture well and has four rear pockets, one of them zipped, a full-length front zip with chin guard, a silicone gripper at the hem and UPF 25+. For cooler days there is the Craft ADV Bike Essence long-sleeve jersey in recycled polyester with a brushed inside, four rear pockets and YKK zips.

Are there cycling tops that don't look like road racing kit?

Yes. Between the jersey and the T-shirt there are looser cycling shirts that bring the advantages of a jersey but do not stand out in a beer garden either. They are popular above all for mountain biking, touring and everyday riding.

The CMP women's cycling shirt in grey, in polyester jacquard with four-way stretch and a floral print, has a full-length zip, a rear pocket, Dry Function and an anti-odour treatment. The CMP women's cycling shirt in Bitter Granata has a half zip and two large mesh pockets on the back, plus one with a concealed zip. The Craft Core Offroad XT jersey is made for MTB and gravel, with mesh on the sides, a short zip and a rear pocket. Which shorts go with it is covered in MTB shorts or tight cycling shorts.

When is an ordinary technical T-shirt enough?

On short trips, when cycling at the gym or on a turbo trainer (indoor trainer), and when you have a bag on the bike. Then you do not need rear pockets, and a straight cut hardly matters in an upright position. The only thing that counts is the fabric: it should dry quickly.

The Erima Celebrate 125 technical T-shirt is made of light, quick-drying box mesh with a regular cut. The CMP Freebike shirt for men is a technical cycling shirt in four-way stretch with a T-shirt look, a chest pocket and odour control. As a base layer under your jersey on cool days, the Craft Cool Mesh Superlight works well, a mesh base layer weighing 85 g/m².

How should a cycling jersey fit?

• In the riding position the hem covers the waistband at the back and does not ride up.
• The sleeves do not end just at the shoulder but sit against the upper arm without cutting in.
• The collar does not rub your neck with the zip closed.
• You can reach the rear pockets with one hand without the jersey shifting.
• A close-fitting jersey can sit snugly without creases; a loose one should not flap in the wind.

Sizes vary from brand to brand; CMP uses German numeric sizes, for example 36 to 46 for its women's shirts. Try the jersey on in the position you ride in, and put something in the rear pockets as a test.

If you are between two sizes: a jersey for sporty rides can fit on the snug side, a cycling shirt for touring and everyday use on the loose side. In both cases, make sure that full rear pockets do not sag and pull the hem down.

Why choose colour and reflective details on a jersey?

A bright or strongly coloured jersey is noticed sooner in traffic than a black one. Some models also have reflective elements that light up in headlights. How to be seen in the dark months is covered in being seen on the bike.

The quick decision

• Short trips, upright position, bag on the bike: technical T-shirt.
• Rides of an hour or more, carrying food on you: a cycling jersey or cycling shirt with rear pockets.
• Mountain biking and outings with a café stop: a looser cycling shirt with a zip.
• Cool days: a long-sleeve jersey or a mesh base layer under your jersey.
• No cotton if you sweat or are out for a long time.