Intro
There’s a whole lot of variety in the mountain bike jersey market these days, and we’ve been testing a lot of options across the spectrum of warmth, durability, sleeve length, and more. In this roundup of men’s jerseys, we’ve got 13 options, with something for everyone — and stay tuned for our women’s roundup, coming very shortly.
7mesh Desperado Merino Shirt
Fabric: 53% polyester, 47% Merino wool
Reviewer: 6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 137 g
MSRP: $70
David Golay: The Desperado Merino Shirt is the new tee version of the Desperado Henley that I included in last year’s roundup, and really liked. So I’m pleased to report that the Desperado Merino Short is nearly the same thing, just with a plain crew neck instead of the snap henley one — 7mesh hasn’t messed with a good thing too much. The material feels identical, and the fit is very similar; the only noticeable difference on that front is that the sleeves on the Henley version are a touch longer.
The fabric in the Desperado is a merino wool / polyester blend that does a nice job of maintaining a lot of the comfort and odor-resistance of full wool garments while being reasonably durable, despite being fairly thin and breathable — the Desperado isn’t quite the absolute coolest shirt here. Still, it’s definitely on the thinner, lighter side of the spectrum. 7mesh calls the Desperado a relaxed fit, and I’d say that’s generally accurate, but it’s on the trimmer side of relaxed — just roomy enough to look like a normal tee shirt off the bike, but not to the point that it feels unduly bulky or anything like that.
The Desperado Shirt is a super comfortable, fairly cool, and breathable shirt that looks good on or off the bike, and does a better job than most options with higher synthetic content at not getting too gross or smelly if worn for a few days in a row. The Desperado Shirt wouldn’t be my first choice for folks looking for the most durable, burly option out there, but if you’re in the market for a notably thin, cool wool jersey, it’s a very good one.
7mesh Desperado Merino Henley Long Sleeve
Fabric: 53% polyester, 47% Merino wool
Reviewer: 6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 148 g
MSRP: $90
David: The Desperado Henley Long Sleeve is just what it sounds like — a long sleeve version of the Desperado Shirt with a henley collar — and that’s a really nice option for a variety of all-around use.
As with the other version of the Desperado, the Henley Long Sleeve uses a thin, breathable merino / polyester blend that’s on the cooler, lighter end of the spectrum, so despite the extra coverage afforded by the longer sleeves, it’s still not a particularly warm piece. So far, I’ve found myself especially liking the Desperado LS for rides with moderate temperatures (60s and 70s F), particularly if I’m looking for a little extra coverage for protection from bugs, brush, or the sun (though 7mesh doesn’t claim any particular UV protection rating). But I think it’s also going to be an excellent option for wearing underneath a light jacket when cooler, wetter weather returns in a few months. The fit of the Desperado LS is a lot like that of the short sleeve versions — relaxed enough to look good off the bike, but not wildly roomy overall — and the sleeves are notably long. Despite my somewhat longer arms (I’m 6’ / 183 cm tall with a +2 inch ape index), the sleeves of the Desperado LS bunch up a little at my wrists. That hasn’t bothered me in the slightest, but folks with shorter arms and/or those who think that sounds annoying should take note.
The Desperado Long Sleeve is super comfortable and offers a bit of a different aesthetic than most bike-specific options (and I think it looks really sharp, both on and off the bike). Particularly if you’re interested in a notably cool, breathable, odor-resistant long sleeve option, it’s excellent.
Specialized Trail Short Sleeve Jersey
Fabric: 80% Polyester, 14% Cotton, 6% Spandex
Reviewer: 6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 154 g
MSRP: $60
David: The Specialized Trail jersey basically feels like a very soft cotton T-shirt, but its material wicks moisture more effectively and feels a whole lot better when it’s damp than 100% cotton fabrics. The cut is similarly reminiscent of a normal T-shirt, though the Trail Short Sleeve does feature a small mesh panel over the shoulders and back of the neck, which makes it look a bit more like a technical piece than a 100% casual one. Its breathability is solid, but the Trail SS is a little warmer than the very coolest options here — a nice middle-of-the-road option.
Specialized also notes that the Trail SS offers UV 50+ sun protection, and though I was pretty apprehensive about how the “dove gray spray” color on our test jersey was going to look after a muddy ride or two, it’s cleaned up shockingly well with just a normal trip through the washing machine. It’s a nice, comfy, casual-looking option that isn’t wildly expensive, as long as you’re not looking for the absolute most cool/breathable option that you can get your hands on.
PNW Components Ozone Jersey
Fabric: 80% Polyester / 20% Wool
Reviewer: 6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 163 g
MSRP: $49
David: The PNW Ozone is pretty reminiscent of the Specialized Trail jersey, above, just with a little bit of wool blended in. As with the Trail Jersey, it feels and fits a whole lot like a normal T-shirt with a mid-weight fabric and somewhat relaxed cut. The sleeves are a little longer than average for a short sleeve option, as is the body (with a slightly dropped hem across the rear, for on-bike coverage) but the Ozone is maybe the best option here for looking like a normal casual shirt off the bike, while still working well on it.
The Ozone isn’t quite as comfortable when wet or as odor-resistant as some of the higher-wool-content options I’ve tried (including the 7mesh Desperado siblings, above) but it’s a step up from most fully synthetic options, and particularly given its comparatively modest price and quite good durability, I think that’s an entirely reasonable tradeoff. The one slight quirk of the Ozone, fit-wise, is that it feels slightly tight across the back of the shoulders in my typical size of a Medium. I’d rate my shoulders as moderately, but not especially broad for my build; folks with wider ones may want to either size up or look elsewhere. But for riders looking for a relatively affordable no-frills shirt that looks good off the bike and is a lot more comfortable than a plain cotton tee on it, the Ozone fits the bill nicely.
POC Reform Enduro Jersey
Fabric: 100% Recycled Polyester
Reviewer: 6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 255 g
MSRP: $80
David: The POC Reform Enduro Jersey is a heavier-weight long sleeve jersey that’s ideal for slightly cooler days where a little extra warmth is welcome. The (fully recycled polyester) fabric breathes reasonably well and wicks sweat quite nicely, but it’s notably thick and a bit more insulative than anything else here — for better or worse, depending on the prevailing temperatures. I’ve been happiest wearing the Reform on days in the 50s (or cooler, with a jacket over it on the descents) but it’s plenty comfortable up into the 60s, too. For anything warmer than that, I’ll grab something else.
Fit-wise, the Reform is fairly relaxed through the body and shoulders, but the sleeves taper down to being fairly trim in the forearms. That’s likely a good call to keep them from getting snagged on passing brush and the like but does mean that they’re a bit hard to pull up over my elbows if I’m inclined to do so for ventilation. POC says that the Reform is cut to wear with a back protector and/or elbow pads, and while I don’t tend to use either, I don’t doubt them on that point — the fit is roomy up until the last few inches of the sleeves. The material is also quite soft and fairly stretchy, and after a lot of days sweating in the Reform, there’s not much detectable funk yet.
The Reform Enduro also features a zippered card pocket on the left lower back, for a lift card in the bike park or a little cash and/or a credit card for mid-ride snacks. All told, it’s a nice option for cooler days that I had in heavy rotation during the spring but is a bit warm for mid-summer temperatures.
7mesh Compound Shirt
Fabric:
- Chest and shoulders: 100% Polyester
- Sleeves, back, and lower torso: 85% Nylon, 15% Elastane
Reviewer: 6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 150 g
MSRP: $80
David: The 7mesh Compound shirt is a long-sleeve jersey that 7mesh says is “tailored tough with added abrasion resistance woven into the chest & shoulders.” To that end, the compound uses two separate fabrics for different panels — a lighter-weight, pretty stretchy one with a comparatively loose weave for the back, sleeves, and lower torso, and a much more tightly woven (but still thin) one on the chest and shoulders. That latter material does feel especially tough, especially given that it’s still quite thin and lightweight, but it also doesn’t breathe especially well and can feel a bit clammy on the skin when saturated in sweat.
Overall, the breathability of the Compound is still decent — the more typical jersey material does well there — but the chest and shoulders are noticeably warmer than the rest of the jersey. On the flip side, that’s potentially a boon for cooler days where you’re getting warm on the climbs, but then feeling a bit chilly on the way back down due to the wind, since the burlier material on the front of the jersey does act as a bit of a wind stopper. That said, the Compound is not a particularly warm piece overall — it’s just a little more so, and a little less breathable than many of the other options here.
Fit-wise, the Compound runs true to size but is a fairly relaxed fit overall, including through the sleeves — if you want a super trim fit, you’re probably better off elsewhere. But for folks who are looking for a burlier jersey that still isn’t super hot or totally lacking in ventilation, the Compound is a strong option — just know that you do give up a little breathability for that added burliness.
Patagonia Merino ¾-Sleeved Bike Jersey
Fabric: 65% merino wool / 35% recycled polyester
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 155 g
MSRP: $99
Luke Koppa: I’ve been using Patagonia’s Merino ¾-Sleeved Bike Jersey for a couple of seasons now, and it remains one of my go-to choices for moderate weather, or when I know I’ll be wearing it repeatedly without the opportunity for a wash (e.g., traveling, camping).
It uses a pretty thin merino / polyester fabric that breathes very well, though, like all wool-dominant pieces, it definitely absorbs and holds more water than most synthetics. While this can actually be nice in extremely hot, dry weather (since you get the evaporative cooling effect), the fabric does sag / droop a bit when fully saturated, so I don’t usually break out this jersey when it’s really humid or raining.
That said, this piece is super soft and comfortable, and I end up using it more than many of my jerseys purely because it doesn’t start to stink very quickly; I can typically pedal in it for 2-4 rides before my nose determines it needs to head to the washer. That’s also why I often bring it with me on camping trips, and when traveling.
The fit is on the slimmer and shorter side of things, at least once you wash and dry it a few times (I’d say it shrinks about a half size). So if you’re often between sizes or just prefer a bigger fit, I’d recommend sizing up.
This piece (and merino in general) isn’t what I’d pick if I were after maximum durability; mine doesn’t have any substantial holes after a couple of seasons, but all my merino pieces inevitably end up with at least some small tears or holes earlier than most of my synthetic ones. But if you want a soft, breathable, odor-resistant jersey with a slim-ish fit, Patagonia’s Merino ¾-Sleeved Bike Jersey definitely has my recommendation.
POC Pure Tee
Fabric: 100% Recycled Polyester
Reviewer: 6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 120 g
MSRP: $65
David: The POC Pure Tee is an ultra-light, super-breathable option meant for very hot days, and the Strafe Skyline (below) is its only competition for the title of coolest, most breathable option here.
The material is very thin and airy, with a bit of a waffle weave that does a great job of keeping it from feeling clammy and sticky when saturated with sweat, by breaking up the contact with your skin and preventing the Pure Tee from getting plastered across a broad area. Like their POC Reform Enduro, above, the Pure features a small zippered pocket for a credit card or other small, light items on the left side of the lower back, and features a fairly typical relaxed fit. Once again, POC says that the Pure is patterned to work with a back protector and/or elbow pads, and it definitely feels like there’s room for both.
The body is on the longer side with a slightly dropped hem across the back, but the fit is not too far off from a standard T-shirt. That said, the textured fabric and color blocking (and the fact that the color name is written across the back in big letters, for some reason) does make the Pure Tee look a bit less like a true casual option that can serve double duty on or off the bike. But if a jersey that breathes as well as possible and keeps you cool without feeling too clammy or unpleasant when it gets wet and sweaty is a top priority, the Pure Tee is really nice.
POC Pure LS Jersey
Fabric: 100% Recycled Polyester
Reviewer: 6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 145 g
MSRP: $80
David: The Pure LS is functionally identical to the Pure Tee, but in a long sleeve version — same material, same fit, same zippered pocket, etc. It’s a nice option if you want a very cool, breathable jersey but with long sleeves for sun protection or similar. As with the Reform Enduro long sleeve, the Pure LS is cut to be worn with elbow pads and/or a back protector, but the sleeves taper down to a fairly trim fit by the wrists. Rolling up the sleeves on the Pure LS is a bit snug as a result.
The Pure LS isn’t the most casual-looking option for off-bike wear (and like the Pure Tee, has the color names in huge letters going up the back) but it’s very comfortable in hot weather, and does an impressive job of wicking sweat and not feeling too clammy when wet, especially for a full-synthetic piece that’s so thin and light.
Endura Singletrack Print Tee
Fabric: 100% Polyester (95% recycled)
Reviewer: 6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 99 g
MSRP: $50
David: The Endura Singletrack Print Tee feels like a fairly standard synthetic technical tee, but it’s a nice one. The fabric (which is made from 95% recycled content) is quite light and very breathable, wicks moisture pretty well, and is reasonably soft and supple, but does have a bit of the slippery on-skin feel of a lot of full-synthetic pieces.
The overall fit of the Singletrack Print Tee is about middle-of-the-road for a tee-style jersey — it’s neither super slim nor especially loose and baggy. The body is slightly on the tall side, with a bit of a dropped hem in the back for on-bike coverage, and the sleeves are a little longer than average for a short sleeve option, falling right at the top of my elbow in my typical size Medium.
Overall, the Singletrack Tee is a nice no-nonsense option for folks who want a lightweight, very breathable option that’ll be a lot more comfortable in hot weather than a standard cotton tee, without breaking the bank. And if you’re not into the print options on the Print LTD version, Endura also makes a standard version of the Singletrack Tee with the same material, though it’s patterned a bit differently around the collar, and we haven’t yet tried that version.
Dharco SS Jersey
Fabric: 100% Polyester (partially recycled)
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 221 g
MSRP: $62
Luke: To be completely honest, Dharco’s jerseys mostly caught my eye cause they were available in some more interesting prints than most other bike jerseys. And while I’m much more of a “wear as little color as possible” guy in most scenarios, I really like how Dharco’s tie-dye-esque prints look, and so I pulled the trigger on their SS and ¾-Sleeve jerseys this past spring.
Overall, I like this jersey, especially for hot days at the bike park. Its fabric is on the thicker end of the spectrum, but it’s also a fairly open knit, so breathability is still pretty good. I don’t grab it when I know I’ll be pedaling in the hot sun for a long time, but it’s airy enough for me to not think twice about grabbing it for a quick afternoon pedal in the heat.
The overall design of Dharco’s jerseys is pretty simple, but they do include a small zippered pocket on the left side, which I’ve found useful for stashing keys, cards, etc. I’ve even accidentally ridden with my AirPods case in that pocket and was surprised by how little I noticed it, but I typically stick to smaller, lighter items.
The fit is definitely on the roomier and longer end of the spectrum, which I really like when I’ve got a back and chest protector underneath, but it’s not so big that it looks or feels silly without body armor underneath (if anything, it makes it feel a bit more breathable / cool). The only complaint I have about Dharco’s jerseys is that they start to smell — like, almost immediately. I can use wool or synthetics that feature some sort of anti-odor treatment for at least a couple rides before washing, but I usually feel the need to wash Dharco’s jerseys after a single ride that involves any significant sweating.
I haven’t yet crashed in the Dharco jerseys, but I’m confident that they’ll hold up at least a bit better than my lighter, softer, more breathable jerseys, and combined with the armor-friendly fit, they’ve become my favorites for bike park days, while being totally functional for quick trail rides.
Strafe Skyline Cooling Tee
Fabric: 45% brrr® polyester / 45% polyester / 10% spandex
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 112 g
MSRP: $89
Luke: I’ve been a fan of a lot of Strafe’s snowsports outerwear over the last few years, but they just recently released their summer collection, and I’ve been really liking all the pieces I’ve tried from it.
One of those is the Skyline Cooling Tee, which is meant to be a multi-purpose, warm-weather tech tee. While not officially mountain-bike specific, it’s quickly become one of my favorites for warmer trail rides.
It uses a synthetic fabric that’s made with “brrr®” fibers; brrr reports that their fibers offer enhanced moisture wicking, increased drying rates, and a legitimately cooler-to-the-touch feel relative to your run-of-the-mill synthetics. And while I was skeptical, there are definitely some real-world effects. No, wearing the Skyline Tee doesn’t feel like you just got sprayed with ice water, but it does feel a bit cooler on the skin than pretty much any jersey I’ve used. And I think brrr’s two other claims are equally important; this piece does an excellent job of moving moisture and allowing it to evaporate, which adds to the cool feeling (especially when there’s a light breeze). Combined with the open-knit fabric’s already high level of breathability, all of that makes the Skyline an easy call when I want to stay cool in hot temps.
Neat fabric aside, the Skyline features a fairly average fit; it’s not as roomy as Dharco’s jerseys, but not quite as slim as the Patagonia Merino ¾ Sleeve Jersey. As a non-bike-specific top, the Skyline isn’t cut as long as many bike-specific jerseys (apart from its sleeves, which hit me near the elbow), but I still don’t have any issues with it riding up above my waist while bent over the handlebars. If you’ve got a long torso, though, that may be something to consider. On the flip side, the Skyline also just looks very normal, and I know I’ll be using it a whole lot for things like hot hikes, fishing, etc.
As for the smell factor, so far, the Skyline doesn’t seem quite as quick to stink as Dharco’s jerseys, but like most synthetics, I doubt I’ll be able to get myself to use it for more than a couple of days before feeling the need to give it a wash.
I can’t yet comment on the Skyline’s long-term durability, but I’d expect it to be pretty average for a lightweight synthetic jersey. If you want something that makes hot rides (and trail runs, hikes, or just everyday life in the heat) more bearable, I definitely recommend checking it out.
(And if you’re interested in a pair of shorts with similar traits, Strafe’s Ridgeline Short should also be on your list; I’ll be talking about that in our next Stuff We Like roundup, but for now, I’ll just say that I’m a big fan of it for hot rides, runs, and daily use.)
Dharco ¾ Sleeve Jersey
Fabric: 100% Polyester (partially recycled)
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg
Size Tested: Medium
Blister’s Measured Weight: 257 g
MSRP: $62
Luke: This is essentially just the ¾-sleeved version of Dharco’s SS Jersey; they share the same fabric, side pocket, and fit (apart from the sleeve length, of course). So everything I said about the SS version applies here — this is a pretty burly-feeling jersey that still breathes quite well and has a roomy, long-ish fit.
I don’t wear elbow pads but I do sometimes appreciate the bit of extra coverage provided by ¾ sleeves, particularly when I know I’ll be out in the harsh high-alpine sun for a while, or in the bike park when I’m a bit more prone to making my arms acquainted with the ground. Same as the SS version, Dharco’s 3/4 Sleeve Jersey has become one of my go-to options for lift-served riding, as well as cooler and/or shorter trail rides where I don’t need the absolute lightest, most breathable option (and don’t care about needing to wash it right afterward).