How to choose the right Cycling Jersey

How to choose the right Cycling Jersey

Whether cycling for enjoyment, as part of a club or as a means of regular transportation, cycling jerseys is an essential part of every cyclists wardrobe. Cycling jerseys are lightweight garments for the torso that is meant to allow utmost movement of the neck and arms, while still letting the cyclist maintain a comfortable temperature.
Where should I buy my cycling jersey?

Most local cycling shops are the best place to purchase a cycling jersey. The store-staff are most likely also cyclists and they will be able to tell you about the benefits of one jersey over another. Remember to be aware of anomalous sizing charts and be sure that your order is the right size. In the case where you might order the wrong size – the cycling shop will gladly exchange the jersey for the next size smaller or larger. Always be on the lookout for close-out sales – they tend to have extremely low prices.

What should I look for?
Certain qualities of cycling jerseys make them quite unique to cycling. If your starting out with cycling – you would want to look for a long-back jersey with elastic around the arms and waist. The long-back jersey design is to keep the jersey from pulling up your back and arms. This will lessen drag when you are bent forward, in your cycling position. When choosing a jersey, hold it up in your hands and examine it. The back of the jersey should hang down about two inches longer than the front. The jersey should also have 2 or 3 large pockets in the back for storing gear and supplements. All cycling jerseys should also have a zipper that runs down the front (middle) which can be opened for ventilation when it’s hot, and be closed to conserve heat when it cold. These jerseys should be soft and silky against your skin and colourful, so that motorists can see you clearly on the road.

Is there anything to beware of?
Cycling jersey producers often have misconstrued sizing charts. These jerseys always differ in their sizing. A men’s cycling jerseys that is sized as Extra-large is usually barely big enough to fit a regular sized man with a 42-inch chest. Typically sized women with a 36-inch chest will a large or extra-large. The most frequent pitfall of cycling jerseys is buying them too small – So ensure that yours fit properly.

Any accessories I should know about?
Accessories for cycling jerseys include under-armour – Which is a tank-top (sleeveless shirt) that fits under your jersey. Under-armour is made from a fabric that wicks moisture away from your skin and is mostly used in cold riding conditions. You can also use a thin cotton tank top (underwear vest), because it works just as well, at a fraction of the cost. Certain cycling jerseys come with a thin nylon hood stitched into the jersey and tucks away in the back of the neck.

Does pricing reflect quality?
Cycling jerseys are manufactured from different types of nylon, polyester, lycra and other compound materials specific to each individual manufacturer. The best thing about brand-name cycling jerseys is their hip designs. Be sure to have a look at the hip designs to see if it’s to your liking. With all these different material blends of polyester and nylon, it becomes quite hard to tell the difference between on fabric to the next – Only the price and tag will tell you the difference between polyvent and polyester.

Any tips?
If you are a first-time buyer of cycling jerseys, be well aware of the fit of the cycling jersey. These jerseys are designed to fit snug and with the silky fabrics of cycling jerseys, every bump and body contour will show. If you have something you would not like to advertise to the world when riding, buy a jersey a size bigger than you are. Numerous cyclists don’t like tight fitted jerseys. It is always pleasant to have a breeze between you and the jersey when riding.

As more and more people look to cycling as a way to maintain health, as well as cut transportation costs, we might see many more cycling jerseys around town. Hopefully these pointers will give you a better idea on what, where and how to buy a cycling jersey. Good luck and safe cycling.