Best mountain bike jerseys 2024 - top-rated jerseys tried and tested
A collection of top-performing riding jerseys for any conditions.
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With so many options in the market, all designed to fill a slightly different role, it can be tough to find the perfect mountain bike jersey for you. Thankfully, our dedicated team of testers at off.road.cc do all of the hard work so you don't have to. Without further ado, here are the best jerseys we've tested that have scored four stars or more.
Best mountain bike jerseys
- Rapha Men's Trail Lightweight T-Shirt
- DHaRCO Men's Race Jersey
- Gore C3 Thermo Jersey
- Rab CinderCrino Zip Tee
- Mons Royale Tarn Merino Shift t-shirt
- Scott Women's Trail Vertic Long Sleeve Jersey
- Rapha Women's Trail Lightweight Tank
- Hackney GT Royal Camo Re-Cycle Long Sleeve
- Altura Esker Men's Polartech Long Sleeve Trail Jersey
- Madison Zenith Men's Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey
- Five Ten Bike TrailX T-shirt
- Endura MT500 Animo L/S
- 100% R-Core X
Rapha Men's Trail Lightweight T-Shirt
£65
2024 rapha lightweight jersey hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Best known for its huge range of road and gravel clothing, Rapha's mountain bike range is constantly expanding and consistently landing well with our reviewers. The Men's Trail Lightweight T-Shirt is exactly what it says on the tin: lightweight and mega breathable, making it ideal for those seriously hot summer rides.
During our test, we found the fit to be excellent. The fancy honeycombed knitted front panel does a great job of allowing air to penetrate, keeping it cool and breezy. We also think that it looks rather good.
For further details, check out the Rapha Men's Trail Lightweight T-Shirt review.
DHaRCO Men's Race Jersey
£77
2024 dharco jersey hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Admirably, DHaRCO admits that its Race Jersey isn't built to be incredibly durable. Instead, it's designed to promote maximum airflow in a summer-friendly but long-sleeve package. We found it to live up to its promises as it promotes airflow while wicking moisture effectively.
It's not without some downsides as we found that the sleeves were a little short, so sizing needs some consideration before purchase, and at £77, it is a little pricey. It is a great-looking top, however.
Head over to the DHaRCO Men's Race Jersey review to learn more.
Gore C3 Thermo Jersey
£80
Gore_C3_Thermo_Jersey_Hero.JPG, by Matthew Page
Moving towards jerseys that are better suited to cooler weather is Gore's C3 Thermo jersey. It's built to be worn as an outer or mid layer and inside, there's a soft layer of fleece that acts as insulation. As well as its great fit, breathability is also something that impressed as it does a great job of thermoregulation so it rarely gets too hot or cold.
There are some downsides – the zip's pull could be a little longer for better use with winter gloves and the external pockets at the rear are a little narrow. But all in, Gore's done well here.
For more on what makes this jersey tick, here's the Gore C3 Thermo Jersey review.
Rab Cindercrino Zip Tee
£100
2023 Rab Cinderino Zip T Hero.jpeg, by Patrick Joscelyne
Rab's step into the cycling realm is still rather new, but the brand has thoroughly hit the mark with its Cindercrino Zip Tee. Although it's expensive, it's durable and lightweight and it effectively combats odour. Its soft fabric boosts breathability and makes it feel well worth the lofty asking price.
For more information, make sure you read the Rab Cindercrino Zip Tee review.
Mons Royale Tarn Merino Shift t-shirt
£75
2023 mons royale tarn merino shift tshirt hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Merino wool and summer temperatures may not go hand in hand but a key purveyor of Merino products, Mons Royale, proves that the natural fabric can still bring key benefits to warm-weather riding. Merino wool, farmed from Merino sheep is renowned for its natural odor-dispelling, thermoregulation, and moisture-wicking properties and those three points are what makes the Tarn Merino Shift t-shirt such a great choice.
It's certainly a little pricier and the seams between its unique panel layout can be felt but its performance is what earns it a spot as one of the best MTB jerseys.
Read our Mons Royale Tarn Merino Shift T-Shirt review for more.
Scott Women's Trail Vertic Long Sleeve Jersey
£65
2022 Scott Trail Vertic Women's Jersey - Front, by Rhian Atherton
Although Scott has built its reputation on creating some of the most forward-thinking bikes in the biz, it also produces a full range of clothing and accessories with its Trail Vertic jersey landing a spot amongst the best for several reasons.
It's tailored for racing, so it's slimmer, so it shouldn't get caught up on trailside foliage. Its sleeves, although a little long, are ergonomic and articulated for easy movement and there's plenty of room for body armour underneath. It's a great all-rounder.
For more details, the Scott Women's Trail Vertic Long Sleeve jersey review is worth a gander.
Rapha Women's Trail Lightweight Tank
£55
2022 rapha women's trail tank hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Tank tops aren't particularly common in the cycling scene but Rapha has filled that gap with its Women's Trail Lightweight Tank. Owing to its sleeveless design, it's ideal for scorching temperatures and it's packed with top-end materials that boost breathability and moisture wicking. It's priced reasonably too.
Our Rapha Women's Trail Tank review explains all the details and why it appealed to our tester.
Hackney GT Long Sleeve
£55
Hackney GT LS Jersey_1.JPG, by Ty Rutherford
Hackney GT has taken the long-sleeved jersey and splashed it with some outlandish, bold designs for a range of well-made, funky-looking tops (this one's Royal Camo, but there are six others). These are top-quality and seriously tough jerseys that stand out from the crowd.
For more details, take a look at the Hackney GT Long Sleeve jersey review.
Altura Esker Trail Men's Long Sleeve
£50
2021 altura Esker Trail Men_s Long Sleeve Jersey 004.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The Esker Trail men’s jersey is part of Altura’s new off-road-specific autumn/winter collection. It does a great job of offering a little extra warmth and weather protection on those nastier days at a very reasonable price but the white colour might put some riders off.
The full review of the Altura Esker Trail jersey is available to read on our website.
Madison Zenith Men's Long Sleeve Thermal
£50
Madison’s Zenith Thermal Jersey is a top designed to keep its wearer warmer as the temperatures drop. While it does exactly what it’s meant to, it’s also pretty comfortable, and I’m a big fan of its look. However, the fabric can hold moisture and can get tatty pretty quickly.
If this tickles your fancy, make sure you take a look at the Madison Zenith Men's Long Sleeve Thermal jersey review.
Five Ten Bike TrailX T-shirt
£35
The Bike TrailX T-shirt from Five Ten is another garment that uses the brand’s eco-friendly Primeblue tech. The technical t-shirt comes with a more casual cut making it ideal for trips to the pub and long days shredding but the over-complicated shoulder panels can rise while on the bike.
Read our Five Ten Bike TrailX T-shirt review for more details.
Endura MT500 Amino L/S
£40
The Endura MT500 Animo L/S Tee jersey is one of the brand's recently released garments to get a new psychedelic makeover. While its out-there design may split opinion, the jersey itself is a down-to-earth top that'll please any downhill or trail rider with its great cut, features and fabric. However, people with bigger forearms may find the fit a little tight.
Our Endura MT500 Animo L/S jersey contains everything you need to know.
100% R-Core X
£70
2021 100% R-core x jersey hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The 100% R-Core X Jersey is a neatly-fitting long-sleeved jersey best suited to warm weather. It’s cool, comfortable and an example of how far the brand has gone to save weight. The colour scheme won't be for everyone, though, and the cuffs can rise.
Have a gander at the 100% R-Core X jersey review to learn more.
How to choose the best mountain bike jersey?
There are several factors to look at when buying a new jersey. First, its sleeve length. Long sleeve jerseys provide better protection against the sun, dirt and moisture but can be warmer, so they're better suited for mid-season and wintery conditions. Short sleeves promote more airflow, so they're cooler but don't provide as much protection against the sun or the elements in general.
Then, it's all about the fabric. Merino wool jerseys are often best for cooler conditions and to be used as a mid-layer whereas summer jerseys benefit from lighter fabrics for better cooling.
Finally, jerseys can come with a range of features such as pockets or eyewear wipes. Extra functions are always handy but can come at a cost to overall comfort.
How should a mountain bike jersey fit?
This depends on what you're looking for from your jersey. Most riders wear 'baggies' which live up to their name by being baggier garments. These are chosen for their more relaxed look and fit. However, some baggies are cut to be a little slimmer and are often named 'race' fits. These are less likely to get snagged on twigs and branches while providing marginal aerodynamic benefits.
However, mountain bikers often reach for lycra, much like roadies. Lycra options are close fitting and picked for their lightweight, owing to the lack of excess fabrics.
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