Is it so much to ask to be cute AND comfortable while shredding the trail?! Why no, no it’s not. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice style for performance when it comes to a mountain bike jersey, and we’ve rounded up 9 jerseys that prove that you can have both.
These are jerseys that we’re wearing, our girlfriends are wearing, and heck, even the pros are wearing. If you want a mtb jersey that fits well, offers bang for your buck, and will stay comfortable on all day epics, give one of these faves a shot.
Women’s Short Sleeve Mountain Bike Jerseys
| Jersey | What We Love | Price |
| Club Ride Deer Abby | Rear pockets | $60 |
| Wild Rye Sandia | Flattering fit | $75 |
| Showers Pass Apex Jersey | Merino wool blend | $75 |
| Dakine Roslyn | Stink free, wrinkle free | $40 |
| Fox Women’s Ranger | Simple design | $50 |
| Troy Lee Designs Skyline | Environmentally sustainable | $55 |
Club Ride Deer Abby
Don’t buy the Club Ride Deer Abby jersey unless you want to buy a couple. Not because they wear out quickly, but because you’re going to LOVE it so much you’ll want more.
And you’re in luck because the jersey comes in an array of soft, feminine colors so you can have more than one. The jersey is soft, stretchy, and has adorable cap sleeves.
The other thing I love about this jersey is that it has POCKETS — something that’s almost impossible to find on mountain bike jerseys. If you don’t want to wear a hydration pack, this jersey is a great pick for stashing Cliff bars.
Read Our Review: Club Ride Deer Abby
Price: $60
Wild Rye Sandia
Wild Rye makes my favorite mountain bike shorts, and their jerseys are pretty darn cute too. If you are tired of boxy, unflattering or overly clingy mountain bike jerseys, you’ll appreciate the Wild Rye Sandia short sleeve mountain bike jersey. (It also comes in a long sleeve version).
It’s long enough you won’t have plumber’s crack, loose enough that you won’t feel claustrophobic, and pretty enough that you’ll be able to wear it to the pub patio after your ride.
The only thing to be aware of is that the fabric did have a tendency to snag–so be careful when doing laundry.
Read Our Review: Wild Rye Sandia Jersey
Price: $75
Showers Pass Apex Merino Tech T-Shirt
The Shower’s Pass Apex jersey is a merino wool blend tech tee. If you’re not familiar with merino for mountain biking, you should get familiar.
Thanks to the fabric, this jersey stays stink-free, wrinkles shake out, and it stays dry even in sweaty or rainy conditions. We tested and used this jersey in hot summer conditions, but it would work well for layering with a flannel in cooler weather as well.
The fit is looser and does a good job of hiding any belly rolls. But the loose fit doesn’t mean it looks frumpy. It fact, this jersey could easily be worn around town as well.
The only bummer is that it is truly designed like a t-shirt, and doesn’t have any jersey pockets.
Read Our Review: Showers Pass Apex Merino Tech T-Shirt
Price: $75
Dakine Roslyn Jersey
Long torsoed ladies rejoice! The Dakine Roslyn jersey is long enough to provide coverage to even the tallest ladies.
It won’t ride up, wrinkle up, or stink up. The jersey is made with Polygiene® odor control technology which we’ve found to be super effective.
It’s also simple and affordable–a good staple to have in your mountain bike wardrobe.
Price: $40
Fox Women’s Ranger Jersey
Everybody in my family has a Fox Ranger jersey–my husband, my son, and me too. It just works well and looks good regardless of gender or age.
Unlike previous women’s jerseys that Fox has made, the Women’s Ranger isn’t too snug and fits well even for larger-chested ladies. The fabric is lightweight and stays cool and dry on hot days.
There’s nothing too fancy here. Just a tech tee style jersey that looks good and gets the job done.
Price: $50
Troy Lee Designs Skyline Jersey
The Troy Lee Designs Skyline jersey is a top pick for sweltering summer days. The fabric breathes well and side mesh panels allow air to flow through.
And the fabric isn’t just functional, it’s environmentally friendly as well. All of the Skyline line of jerseys (including the longssleeve version) are made of environmentally sustainable Bluesign approved fabric.
Price: $55 at Backcountry.com
Women’s Long Sleeve Mountain Bike Jerseys
| Jersey | What We Love | Price |
| Machines For Freedom Trail Jersey | Flattering fit, extremely soft | $138 |
| Singletrack Supply Co Tevis | Merino wool | $85 |
| Fox Defend | Protection at the bike park | $70 |
| Kitsbow Lory Merino Henley | Merino, lots of color options | $125 |
| POC Resistance 3/4 | Durbale, high quality piece | $160 |
| Pearl Izumi Versa Long Sleeve | Casual style, longer cut | $75 |
Machines For Freedom Trail Jersey
Mountain bike jerseys have a tendency to look frumpy, but the Machines For Freedom Trail Jersey is anything but. This is like the little black dress of mountain bike jerseys.
The Trail Jersey is flattering and incredibly soft and comfortable. In fact, since I first tried this jersey on, I haven’t wanted to wear anything else.
It’s a great choice for shoulder season riding. The 3/4 sleeves help provide a little extra warmth, but the neck snaps wide open once things warm up. It also does a good job of staying dry and swicking wet, which is particularly important in fall and spring temps.
Price: $138
Read Our Review: Machines For Freedom Trail Jersey
Singletrack Supply Co Tevis Jersey
We love supporting small businesses, and Singletrack Supply Co is one of my faves. Their longsleeve Tevis jersey is made of Merino wool and is one of those peices that you’ll keep forever.
The jersey works well for mountain biking but can also double as a ski shirt, or any other conditions that require being warm AND dry. Your purchase also helps support trail advocacy–something we all care about.
Read Our Review: Singletrack Supply Co Gracie Jersey
Price: $85
Fox Defend Jersey
For long days at the bike park, we love the Fox Defend. This is the jersey that Tahnee Seagraves has been rocking, and we trust her judgment.
The material is thin and breathable but still offers plenty of protection. There are strategically placed abrasion-resistant zones that will help save your bacon when flesh meets trail.
Price: $70
Kitsbow Lory Merino Henley Jersey
Functional AND cute, the Kitbow Lory Merino Henley checks all of our boxes. It’s made of merino which is warm even in cool and wet weather, is breathable, and is odor resistant.
The fabric is crazy soft and doesn’t itch or scratch at all. This is a mid-weight merino and works best for spring or fall riding (not winter unless you layer it). Because of the wide and low neck, it also works better alone or as a base layer than as a top layer.
We really appreciate that Kitsbow cuts and sews their clothing in the USA. They also have a crash repair policy where they will do their best to fix (or replace) a jersey if it’s damaged in a crash.
Read Our Review: Kitsbow Lory Merino Henley
Price: $125
POC Resistance 3/4 Jersey
We swear by all things POC thanks to their durability and high-quality construction. As we would expect, the POC Resistance jersey is equally top shelf.
The material is stretchy and forgiving so you won’t spend time adjusting your jersey. You also don’t have to worry about the sleeve interfering with your hands and gloves because the sleeves are cut short at a 3/4 length.
It’s mid-weight making it a favorite jersey for autumn and spring days.
Price: $160
Pearl Izumi Versa Long Sleeve Jersey
The Pearl Izumi Versa jersey is cut long in back so you don’t ever have to worry about dreaded plumber crack. As of that wasn’t enough to make you fall in love, we also love the sweat-wicking fabric. It looks casual enough for a post-ride beer but don’t be fooled-this is high-performance top.
Price: $75
Comparison Chart: Women’s MTB Jerseys
| Jersey Name | Longsleeve or Short-sleeve | Price | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club Ride Deer Abby | Short-sleeve | $60 | 92% Polyester / 8% Spandex |
| Wild Rye Sandia | Longsleeve / Short-sleeve | $75 | Recycled Polyester |
| Dakine Roslyn | Short-sleeve | $40 | Quick Dry polyester, Polygiene Odor Control |
| Fox Women’s Ranger | Short-sleeve | $50 | 100% Polyester |
| Troy Lee Designs Skyline | Short-sleeve | $55 | 92% Polyester / 8% Spandex |
| Singletrack Supply Co Tevis | Longsleeve | $85 | Merino Wool, Nylon and Spandex |
| Fox Defend | Longsleeve | $70 | 100% Polyester |
| POC Resistance 3/4 | Longsleeve | $160 | Body fabric |
| Pearl Izumi Versa Long Sleeve | Longsleeve | $75 | Transfer (polyester) |
Things To Consider When Shopping For A Mountain Bike Jersey
Type Of Riding
The jersey you want is largely dependent on the type of riding you’re going to be doing and how much coverage and protection you need.
For cross-country racing, you likely want a tighter fitting jersey with pockets. Most cross-country racers don’t want to carry a hydration pack, so having pockets is key. If this is you, you probably want to consider a “cycling jersey” rather than a looser fitting mountain bike jersey.
For casual trail riding, focus on comfort. I like looser fitting (though not boxy) jerseys that allow for freedom of motion. You’ll also want to look for a jersey that is quick-drying as you’ll sweat on uphills and cool down on downhills.
Finally, for enduro and downhill riding, opt for a 3/4 sleeve or long sleeve jersey that provides additional protection AND has plenty of room for pads.
Weather Conditions
Riding in hot weather? Look for a jersey with mesh panels or other breathable features built in. You also want quick drying materials so you’re not soaked in your own sweat.
For cooler and wet weather, we love merino wool. It stays dry, is reasonably breathable, and will keep you warm.
Pockets Or No Pockets
Most mountain bikers ride with either a hydration pack or a hip pack. In that case, you don’t really need a jersey with pockets.
That said, there are other women who don’t like carrying a pack (especially on shorter rides) and really like having pockets on their jersey. If that’s you, then look for a jersey with pockets–though you won’t find many “mountain bike specific” jerseys with pockets.
Material And Durability
Before buying a jersey, I always like to take at least a cursory glance at the material it’s made from. Is it breathable? Is it sustainable? Will it last a long time? These are some of the things that might matter to you.
Personally, I like to buy pieces that I know will last for YEARS. Sometimes you have to pay a little bit more for these jerseys, but it’s usually worth it over the long run.
