A good cycling jersey provides pockets for stashing food (and phones), wicks away sweat, and makes you feel fast and fabulous. To help you find the best ones, we’ve tested, reviewed, and surveyed our community.
The rest of the Femme Cyclist team and I have tested these jerseys on quick after-work spins, Saturday group rides, and the occasional century. We’ve ridden in the heat and the cold and put each jersey through plenty of wash cycles. We’ve included jerseys that are flattering for women of all body types, and offer plenty of technical performance too.
Note that these are traditional-style cycling jerseys. If you are looking for a looser, more casual bike jersey, check out our list of the best women’s mountain bike jerseys. And make sure to review our list of the best cycling shorts to complete your look.
Our Top Picks
| SHORT SLEEVE JERSEYS | What We Love | Price |
| Pearl Izumi Pro | Beautiful fit and color | $200 |
| Samsara Every Ride | Feminine fabrics | $191 |
| Velocio Luxe | Incredibly soft fabric | $189 |
| Shredly Cadence | Adorable prints | $128 |
| Wild Rye Gem Distance | Highly breathable | $159 |
| Terry Actif | Relaxed cut, affordable | $89 |
| LONG SLEEVE JERSEYS | ||
| Samsara Transition | Lightweight and warm | $191 |
| Terry Soleil | Sun protection | $95+ |
Pearl Izumi Pro
Price: $200
Pros:
- Luxuriously soft fabric
- Stunning color and flattering fit
- Rear-only waistband for added comfort
- Excellent breathability
Cons:
- Tight race fit is not forgiving
The Pearl Izumi Pro is one of my all-time favorites, not just for its performance but also for the number of compliments I receive while wearing it. The salmon-esque color is stunning. If salmon isn’t your style, there are several other print and color options.
The material is buttery smooth and feels incredibly comfortable against the skin, making it a joy to wear.
In terms of performance, the jersey excels in breathability. The front and underarm panels have tiny perforations that enhance airflow, making it perfect for hot weather rides. However, the breathability means it’s less ideal for cooler shoulder season days.
The practical design features of the Pearl Izumi Pro Jersey are also noteworthy. It has three rear pockets, including a zippered one for secure storage of small items like keys or cash. The waistband includes a silicone gripper at the back to prevent the jersey from riding up, and the absence of a band at the front ensures comfort without digging into your stomach. Additionally, the long sleeves offer good sun protection with UPF 30 fabric, hitting just above the elbow.
If you’re willing to invest in a high-quality road jersey, the Pearl Izumi Women’s Pro Short Sleeve Jersey is a top contender. It’s beautiful, soft, and fits like a glove, making it well worth the price.
Read Review: Pearl Izumi Pro
Samsara Every Ride Jersey
Price: $191
Pros:
- Unique and feminine prints
- Matching kits (jerseys/shorts/socks)
- Form fitting but forgiving cut
Cons:
- Inconsistent sizing
The Samsara Every Ride jersey has high-quality construction, is made in N. America, and comes from a company that specializes in women’s cycling apparel–all things we appreciate.
The jersey fits well, it is form fitting but not clingy. (If you prefer a tighter fit, they also offer the “endurance jersey.”) The rear is cut longer to help avoid plumbers crack, and the sleeves are a bit longer as well.
This is a great top for really hot days thanks to the mesh panels on the side and up the back. I found it very comfortable for summer riding.
And while the performance features of this jersey are great, what I love most are the beautiful colors and prints. They are feminine, eye-catching, and come as part of a collection so you can match shorts and socks as well.
The only complaint we have is that we have found their sizing to be inconsistent across products and collection years.
Read Review: Samsara Cycling Apparel
Velocio Luxe Jersey
Price: $189
Pros:
- Luxurious, durable fabric
- Bright solid colors
- Flattering cut
Cons:
- Lower neck equals less sun protection
Velocio has, in my opinion, the very best fabric around. The Luxe jersey is no exception. The material is luxuriously soft against the skin yet robust enough to withstand countless washes and rides.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this jersey features a tailored, compressive fit that flatters a woman’s form. The lightweight and breathable fabric wicks moisture efficiently, keeping you cool and dry even on the hottest days.
It comes in a large variety of bright, bold, solid colors. (Look elsewhere if you want fancy designs).
Aside from the high price, the only potential negative is that the jersey doesn’t have a collar. The lower fitting neckline means that there is not as much sun protection.
Read Review: Velocio Luxe Jersey
Shredly Cadence Jersey
Price: $128
Pros:
- Three rear cargo pockets plus a zippered pocket
- Mesh side panels move a lot of air
- Super duper cute prints
- Sizes XS to 3X
Cons:
- Zipper doesn’t lay flat
- Rear pockets are hard to access one-handed
The Shredly Cadence jersey is cut to sit close to the body the way a road or gravel jersey should, and it’s clearly built to be worn as a kit with equally adorable Shredly Biker Bib.
The mesh panels running up both sides are much appreciated on warm rides. I wore this on long, shadeless summer gravel rides around Boise and never got too swampy, helped along by the thin fabric and full-zip front.
Storage is great too: three large rear pockets, all tall enough for my phone, plus a small zippered side pocket for a credit card or car key. The rear pockets have a wide, grippy elastic band that holds everything SECURELY, so nothing’s bouncing out on a chunky gravel descent. The catch is that same grip makes it hard to fish stuff out one-handed while pedaling.
If there’s one place the Cadence gives away that it isn’t a $200 Italian race piece, it’s the zipper. The seams around it never quite lay flat and always looked a little wrinkled. It’s cosmetic and doesn’t affect the ride at all, but it’s the detail my eye kept snagging on. At $128, this is a cute, affordable jersey that pairs perfectly with the Biker Bib—and the prints are, as always with Shredly, super fun.
Read Review: Shredly Cadence
Wild Rye Gem Distance Jersey
Price: $159
Pros:
- Perforated fabric is highly breathable
- Three rear pockets PLUS a zippered pocket, all big enough for a phone
- Silicone hem gripper in back, nothing digging in front
- Slim, flattering fit that isn’t overly restrictive
- Cute feminine prints and colors
Cons:
- Fabric is thin, verging on semi-transparent
- Shorter cut pairs best with bibs or a high-waist chammy
Most of the Wild Rye tops I’ve tested are loose, trail-oriented pieces. The Gem Distance is the exception. It’s a slim-fit jersey built for gravel and road riding (or for anyone who just likes a more tailored look), and it’s become one of my go-tos for fast-moving training days. Between the full-zip front and the tiny perforations scattered across the front and sides, air moves right through it. I never felt like I was overheating, even grinding up a climb.
There are three rear pockets, all big enough to swallow a phone, plus a zippered pocket roomy enough that my oversized phone actually fit. The cut is slim (Wild Rye markets it as next-to-skin with extra compression), but I wouldn’t call it restrictive. It moves with you just fine.
Two things to know before you buy. The fabric is THIN, verging on semi-transparent, which is the tradeoff for all that airflow. And it’s cut short, so it pairs best with bibs or a high-waisted chamois rather than low-waist baggies.
Read Review: Wild Rye Gem Distance
Terry Actif Jersey
Price: $90
Pros:
- Relaxed, longer fit is forgiving and comfortable
- Available in plus sizes
- No elastic at the waist
- Affordable
Cons:
- Bold prints only, no solid color options
- Longer, looser cut may feel overwhelming on petite frames
If you’re not a fan of skin-tight jerseys and want something a little more relaxed, you might like the Terry Actif. It has a loose, longer fit with no elastic cinching at the waist, which means no sausage-casing feeling and no stressing about whether your mid-ride snack is going to show.
The looser cut does double duty on warm days too. Combined with the perforated fabric, airflow is excellent. The SPF 45 fabric means everything that IS covered is well protected, even if the shorter, wider sleeves leave more arm exposed than some jerseys.
Sizing runs relaxed, which is great news for larger ladies. Terry extends the Actif line into plus sizes, which is hard to find with other jerseys. On the other hand, for petite women, the volume and length of the jersey might feel like too much.
The prints are bold and eye-catching, which is either a pro or a con depending on your personality. No solids here, so if you’re a black-jersey-only kind of rider, look elsewhere. But if you like a little personality in your kit, you’ll have fun picking one out.
Read Our Review: Terry Actif Jersey
Samsara Transition
Price: $191
Pros:
- Lightweight and packable
- Warm and cozy
- Works well for layering or on its own
Cons:
- Limited colors/prints
The Samsara Transition is very likely the most worn piece in my cycling wardrobe, particularly during the shoulder months. It is a unicorn jersey–it manages to be both lightweight and packable AND warm.
I often wear this jersey by itself on spring and fall rides, and I use it as one of many layers on winter rides. Even during the summer, this often comes with me on bikepacking trips where I don’t want to carry anything bulky but know that early morning and late evening hours can get chilly.
The inside of the jersey feels fleecy and is cozy and warm. I like the full zip which makes taking it on and off easy, and the large rear pockets. The center pocket has a flap to help keep your cell phone or credit card safely tucked inside.
The only con, in my opinion, is the lack of colors/designs. If you don’t like this season’s, wait until next year.
Read Our Review: Samsara Cycling Apparel
Terry Soleil
Price: $95+
Pros:
- Sun protection (UPF 50+)
- Lots of styles and prints to choose from
- Wide range of sizes
- Large rear pockets
Cons:
- Different fit options can be confusing
The Terry Soleil jerseys are some of our favorites, and a lot of other women’s too! The Soleil comes in long sleeve, short sleeve, and sleeveless versions. It also comes in a diverse range of prints and patterns, ensuring that every rider can find a style that resonates with their personality. From classic solids to vibrant designs, Terry offers something for everyone.
Comfort is a primary focus of this jersey. The fabric is lightweight and moisture-wicking, keeping you dry and comfortable even during intense rides. The fit is more relaxed compared to race-style jerseys, which makes it forgiving and comfortable, even after a hearty meal or a long day in the saddle.
As the name might imply, the Soleil jerseys are made with UPF 50+ fabric to help protect you on long days in the saddle. Our tester, Stacy, swears by the long sleeve version of the jersey. It provides ample coverage for sun protection AND cooler weather, making it a great choice for both summer and shoulder season rides.
In terms of practicality, the Soleil jerseys feature three large rear pockets, providing sufficient storage for essentials like snacks, a phone, and keys. (The only exception is the “Free Flow” Soleil jersey which does not have pockets).
While the relaxed fit is comfortable, it might not appeal to those who prefer a more tailored, aerodynamic cut. For the rest of us with more “average” bodies, the fit is forgiving and appreciated. The jerseys come in two different fits (athletic and flow), so make sure that you pay attention when ordering or you might end up with a different fit than you expected.
Read Review: Terry Soleil
Things To Consider When Shopping For A Cycling Jersey
Here are some things you might want to think about when shopping for a bike jersey, and how the jerseys on our list stack up against each other in certain areas.
Material
The biggest difference you’ll notice between a premium bike jersey and a more budget oriented bike jersey is the quality of the fabric. The Velocio jerseys, for instance, are made with Italian milled-fabric. This higher end material feels soft and luxurious, but not everybody wants to spend the extra coin.
You should also consider the type of weather you’ll be riding in. Don’t expect the same jersey to work equally well year round.
For hot weather riding, I really love the Pearl Izumi Pro. The front of the jersey and the underarms have small perforations for airflow.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Rapha Classic is ideal for wet and cooler weather riding thanks to the merino wool blend. If it’s time to move to long-sleeves, I like the Samsara Transition which has a fleecy interior.
Number And Size Of Pockets
I pretty much always pick a cycling jersey based on the size of the rear pockets. It’s important to me to have plenty of room for all the stuff I want to carry: a lightweight vest, my phone, a credit card, snacks, a C02 cartridge, etc, etc, etc. Of all the jerseys on our list, the Samsara Every Ride and the Terry Soleil jerseys have the most storage space.
That said, pockets may be less important to you if you plan on carrying your gear a different way. If you are using a hydration pack or a hip pack or bags on your bike, you may not need so much room in your jerseys.
Fit and Length
Consider what type of fit you’d like before buying. If you want a looser fit, you’ll be disappointed when you get a tight racer type fitting jersey.
Similarly, the length of your jersey will be dependent on your torso length and whether you are wearing regular bike shorts or cycling bibs. If you’re wearing bibs, you can opt for a shorter jersey as you don’t have to worry about plumber’s crack.
The most forgiving jersey on our list is the Terry Soleil, while the most fitted are the Pearl Izumi Pro and the Velocio Signature.
Zipper
Most cycling jerseys will have either a short zipper at the chest or a full-length zipper that runs the full length of the jersey and comes on and off like a jacket. A shorter length zipper is nice as it tends to have less surface to rub against sensitive skin, while a full length zipper makes getting in and out of bibs easier.
Durability
How often do you bike. A couple of times a month or every day?
The more often you bike, the more often you will be washing your jersey. And the more you wash your jersey, the quicker it will start to deteriorate.
In my experience, it’s worth the extra money to buy a high-quality well-constructed bike jersey. A good jersey can last for YEARS, and may be more affordable in the long run than a “cheaper” jersey.
UV Protection
Many jerseys will come with built in UV protection which is important since we spend so much time on our bikes out in the sunshine. If this is important to you, make sure to look for the feature when picking a jersey. Both the Terry Soleil and the Pactimo Ascent are made with UPF 50+ fabric.
Complete Your Look
About The Author
Kristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.
She’s also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runs Rascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.
She’s been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.
IG: @femme_cyclist
I just ordered a recumbent bike. Where can I find information similar to what you provided here?