If you're new to cycling and want to stock on the right things, the first thing you should have into account is stocking on the right clothes, especially the right top. While cotton t-shirts are comfortable, soft and pleasant for wearing, they aren't the ideal choice when cycling for longer distances. Luckily, nowadays you have lots of choices, so choosing the right type won't be difficult. You'll just need to stock on the right information and find the pieces that will best meet your personal needs.
Type of Jersey
First thing's first, understanding the many types of jerseys is the first thing that you should take into account. Just like any other basic t-shirts, short-sleeve bike jerseys are also available in different sizes. But regardless of the size, each and every type of short sleeve bike jersey is available in different fits in order to satisfy the many different needs of cyclists. For instance, some of you might like close-fitted jerseys while others more loose-fitting jerseys. Either way, you have the chance to choose the one that will best meet your needs. The thing that matters the most is to choose a short sleeve bike jersey in which you'll feel more comfortable.
Mountain Bike/Technical Tee
Mountain bike jerseys are technical tees made from a specific fabric that is better for performing any sports activities. Usually, they're made of performance fabric like polyester, rayon or recycled polyester well-known for their moisture-wicking and body-temperature regulating properties. Even though all of these materials are synthetic, they're quite comfortable and non-itchy, ideal for daily use. Perfect for off-bike riders, today's types of mountain jerseys contain extra pockets like storage pockets and ID pockets.
Athletic Road Jersey
The athletic road jerseys are the most commonly used types of jerseys because they're considered something between pro-level and recreational-comfort focused jerseys. These jerseys are considered to be something between pro-level and recreational - comfort types of jerseys. They are mainly made of a stretchy material and usually have grips on their sleeves to keep them in place during the rides. They also contain pockets for ease of convenience and are much more affordable than mountain bike jerseys.
Pro/Race Road Jersey
As the name implies, these are one of the best types of bike jerseys, mainly considered high-performance and aerodynamic jerseys. Made entirely of high-end materials and containing lots of features and pockets makes pro/race road jerseys the ideal choice for professional athletes and cyclists. Thanks to their stretchy and form-fitting materials, they can provide you with the utmost comfort and sustainability. When comparing all three types, price-wise, the pro/race road jerseys are the priciest option.
Materials
Polyester
The one thing we know about polyester is that's one of the most popular and commonly used types of man-made fabric. A lot of manufacturers use it as the main fabric for bike jerseys because it offers decent breathability and it has great moisture-wicking properties. That being said, polyester dries out quickly which makes it the perfect choice for cycling or for any other sports activity. Plus, it's a quite durable fabric that also happens to be extremely affordable which is some of the many other reasons why it's the first choice among cyclers. More and more manufacturers also use recycled polyester for making jerseys because it's sourced from plastic materials like plastic bottles or fishing nets which makes it more affordable.
Wool
Even though it's considered one of the itchiest natural fabrics, wool still is a great choice, especially for jerseys. The first and most obvious reason is its origin, as well as its incredible moisture-wicking and thermo-insulating properties. Unlike polyester, rayon, nylon or other synthetic material, wool isn't prone to odour and bacteria growth, which can be the case with the other materials if not washed regularly.
Silk
This might sound strange to some of you, but silk is also a common choice for jerseys. The main reason for this is its ultra-lightweight, antimicrobial and odour resistant properties. However, the price makes it the least used choice.
UPF Rating
Although wearing sunscreen is essential for cyclers, you can also protect your body with the help of the jersey's material as well. In other words, some jersey materials have an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF rating) which shows how well the fabric can block the UV rays from the sun. For instance, you should know that Lycra (spandex or elastane) and wool are naturally great at blocking UV rays as well as other fabric combos made with them. However, the more these fabrics stretch, the less protected you'll be which explains the fact that you should wear sunscreen all the time.
As you can see, choosing the right type of bike jersey isn't that difficult. You just need to set your budget and choose the type of jersey that will meet your cycling needs.