Intro
We’ve been testing a ton of MTB jerseys, from super-light tank tops to some warmer long-sleeve options, and in our women’s roundup, we’ve got nine across a range of styles. And for even more options, check out our roundup from last year, many of which are still current.
7mesh Women’s Desperado Merino Hoody
Fabric: 53% polyester / 47% Merino wool
Reviewer:
- Kristin: (5’8”, 130 lbs / 173 cm, 59 kg)
- Kara: (5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg)
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 159 g
MSRP: $90
Kara Williard: Easily the shirt I have spent the most time in this summer, the 7mesh Desperado Hoody is a great lightweight long-sleeve shirt that works well for biking and so much more. The Desperado is a very breathable shirt and feels quite a bit more airy than the Club Ride W’s Sola Sun Shirt that I mentioned in our 2021 Jersey Roundup, though the Sola Shirt is more durable. The Sola Shirt also offers rated UPF protection, whereas the Desperado does not.
After tons of washes and long days, the Desperado shirt is holding up exceptionally well, continuing to be a go-to pick for me when it’s fairly warm but I want full arm coverage. The Desperado Hoody runs true to size, and I was pleased that the Medium was both roomy and long enough in the torso and sleeves.
I think the Desperado makes sense as a do-everything long-sleeve shirt that translates well to many activities. There aren’t any features that make it stand out as a bike-specific jersey, but as I mentioned, I think its polyester / merino wool fabric offers a nice combo of breathability and durability that work well for biking.
Kristin Sinnott: I also tested the Desperado, and like Kara, the size Medium fits my 5’8”, 130 lbs (173 cm, 59 kg) frame quite well. The sleeves extend to my wrists and unlike the men’s version that David Golay reviewed, the sleeves aren’t so long that they bunch up. In fact, they are just the right length and if I had a +2 ape index like David, they’d likely be too short for me. The torso is also long enough to be worn while biking but it’s not so long that it fits like a tunic when off the bike.
In general, I am not a huge fan of wool shirts because, no matter how soft they are supposed to be, they still don’t feel as soft as my non-wool shirts. The Desperado is only 47% merino wool, but I can still feel that bit of scratchiness. Don’t get me wrong, the shirt is soft, and if you are comfortable in other high-end wool pieces, it won’t be an issue; it’s just still noticeable to me. But thanks to the wool, the shirt breathes well and has a way of staying cool when it’s hot outside and keeping you warm when it’s cold. So despite the fact that it’s not the softest of shirts, it’s still one I reach for frequently.
PNW Components Ozone W Trail Jersey
Fabric: 20% Wool / 80% Polyester Blend
Reviewer: (5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg)
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 136 g
MSRP: $49
Kara: I have been impressed with the PNW Components Ozone Trail Jersey, especially when it comes to its wicking and drying capabilities. It’s got a wool-like feel to it, despite being only 20% wool, and it’s on the softer side when it comes to merino-blend jerseys. The jersey features small holes under the arm for ventilation, which, in conjunction with its material, tends to keep things pretty cool on hot days.
The Ozone Trail Jersey has proven to be a versatile and comfortable jersey for long and hot days on the bike or even just for long days outside, as there aren’t really any features that make it truly bike-specific. It’s not the absolute best option here for the hottest days, but it feels practical in a very wide range of temperatures.
So far, it’s been durable and snag resistant. That said, I have taken to washing it on cold and hang-drying, as I do for any item I own with wool in it, just to ensure maximum longevity.
The Ozone Jersey fits about average compared to the several other size Medium jerseys I have listed here but offers slightly longer sleeves, which are nice for sun protection. The fit in the torso is a bit shorter than the Flylow Jessi Shirt. As with most of the jerseys here, the Ozone is versatile enough to use on and off the bike and I have found myself grabbing it for missions off the bike such as long hikes or floating the river. Especially for the price and versatility, the Ozone Jersey strikes me as a great investment.
Flylow Phoenix Shirt
Fabric: 85% polyester, 15% spandex
Reviewer: (5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg)
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 132 g
MSRP: $85
Kara: The Flylow Phoenix Shirt is a great, lightweight collared shirt. The style of this shirt helps to add a little flare and fashion to my otherwise boring preferences for mountain bike apparel, especially because I have been wearing the “Glow” pattern, which is bright orange and features tiny little rodeo cowboys and horseshoes. Aside from this clearly fashion-focused look, I have been stoked on the breathability and functionality of this shirt throughout this summer. It’s the one I chose to wear for a hot, 36-mile mountain bike race and I was pleased with its breathability and comfort.
It features a chest pocket, which was perfect for stashing gummies during the race so I could quickly access a little sugar boost, and a zippered pocket on the back, which is optimal for more snacks or smaller items such as chapstick or keys. The fabric is rated 50+ UPF, and it is super stretchy and airy, allowing for plenty of breathability. Plus, since it’s a button-down shirt, a lot of airflow is able to pass through the snaps.
Overall, the Phoenix Shirt runs true to size. As Flylow tops tends to, the size Medium works great for me. While it’s a little shorter than shirts such as the Flylow Jessi or Hawkins, it’s still comfortably roomy while not being baggy or unflattering. So far, it’s proven plenty durable, super quick-drying, and quite versatile. The Phoenix Shirt works great on and off the bike, and it also serves as a solid option for hiking, river days, or really any summer activity.
Flylow Jessi Shirt
Fabric: 94% nylon, 6% spandex
Reviewer: (5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg)
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 121 g
MSRP: $60
Kara: The Flylow Jessi Shirt is a simple piece that isn’t necessarily a bike-specific “jersey,” and that’s precisely what makes it so great. I have spent a lot of time in the Flylow Hawkins Shirt, and this is pretty much the short sleeve version of that. It’s ultra soft, extremely breathable, quick-drying, and lightweight. Built with Flylow’s Intuitive IQ fabric, the Jessi Shirt feels flowy, great against the skin, and it’s nearly impossible for me to overheat in. The material is light and airy, and it feels consistently cool and quick to dry even during hot and sweaty rides.
I also appreciate that Flylow uses their Ionic+ treatment, which really seems to help with odor resistance. Despite being a synthetic jersey, I hardly notice any smell, even if I wear the Jessie for a couple of days in a row.
In the name of consistency, the size Medium fits great, offering a longer cut in the torso, which works well for me, but for those on the really short or skinny side, it’s plausible that sizing down may be preferable.
If you’re looking for a more technical bike jersey with more features, especially pockets, there are plenty of other options. But because of the versatility that the Jessi Shirt provides, it has become a go-to for my hotter summer rides on the bike, and it’s also a jersey I love using for yoga, hiking, or just hanging around. It doesn’t look like a bike jersey, which is the preferred style for me. If you’re looking for a great hot-weather bike jersey that also serves as a whole lot more, I would definitely recommend the Jessi Shirt.
PEARL iZUMi Summit Short Sleeve Jersey – Women’s
Fabric: 95% recycled polyester, 5% polyester
Reviewer: (5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg)
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 99 g
MSRP: $60
Kara: Another simple, short sleeve jersey, the Pearl iZumi Summit jersey works well for summer days, but has a more synthetic silky feel, making it the most “jersey-like” one of the bunch. It’s quite comfortable and breathes well, but if you prefer something that feels more like a soft T-shirt than a synthetic jersey, this one might not be your best choice. When things get really sweaty, it doesn’t feel as breathable or as cool as the Flylow Jessi or PNW Components Ozone. However, the Summit jersey does wick moisture well and dry quickly. It really comes down to the preference of feel, and whether more traditional synthetic jersey fabrics are something you are used to.
Overall, it’s the tightest Medium of all the jerseys listed here, though it still fits me comfortably, it’s just a little snugger around the bust and shoulders, while also being slightly shorter. Pearl iZumi is well known for their high-performance road cycling apparel, and the feel and fit of this jersey seem consistent within their lineup, but a little different than the jerseys mentioned above. The Summit Jersey also has one small zippered pocket on the back.
Machines For Freedom Everyday Tank
Fabric: 90% Modal / 10% Elastane
Reviewer: (5’8”, 130 lbs / 173 cm, 59 kg)
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 80 g
MSRP: $58
Kristin: The Everyday Tank is easily one of the softest shirts I own. I wrote about Machines For Freedom (MMF) Short Sleeve Technical Tee in our previous mountain bike jersey roundup and raved about the fabric then, too. The Everyday Tank feels soft and cool against the skin, has 4-way stretch, and despite its fairly tight knit, the fabric doesn’t take forever to dry.
The Everyday Tank, like the Short Sleeve Technical Tee, is boxy, cropped, and unlike any other technical tank I own. I opted for a size Medium in hopes that the larger size would translate to a longer length and I do think that’s the case with how it fits me. It’s longer than a proper crop top, but I avoid wearing it with low-rise shorts or pants (I wear my running short around my hips, which makes them low rise to me) since the tank has a tendency to expose my torso. Even with mid-rise bottoms, the side slits don’t provide full torso coverage. But when biking or worn with mid to high-rise bottoms, the Everyday Tank looks sharp (and feels great).
The arm holes are a bit wider and airier than shown on the model, but it doesn’t make for an awkward fit. In fact, I like that the wider armholes allow for more air to flow through.
The boxy fit is another reason the Everyday Tank stands out in the field of technical mountain bike tops. I recently wore the tank during the mountain bike portion of a triathlon and loved how it kept me cool despite the heat and humidity of a record-setting heatwave in New England at the time. The boxy, loose fit of the tank allowed plenty of air to flow through. I tucked the bottom of the shirt into my hip belt for the race so it felt streamlined yet airy. And transitioning from the bike to the swim (it was a non-traditional triathlon), was fast since the shirt is easy to remove. But as much as I like the shirt for biking on warm days and for casual wear, I don’t love wearing it when running, unless I can tuck it into a waist belt. When untucked, the shirt sways a lot in the back – something that I find distracting when running.
Lastly, Machines For Freedom has a full range of sizes on all their products and the Everyday Tank is no exception. The tank is available in sizes ranging from XX-Small to XXX-Large. I think this Everyday Tank will be flattering on a number of different body types and makes for a nice option when looking for a non-traditional mountain bike jersey.
Shredly Raglan ¾ – Terracotta
Fabric: ecoFAB performance blend (recycled polyester/tencel/lycra)
Reviewer: (5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg)
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 165 g
MSRP: $68
Kara: A favorite of mine both on and off the bike, the Shredly Raglan ¾ is supremely soft and comfortable, and again, is far from limited to just being a bike jersey. For a jersey that offers protection via the ¾-length sleeves, it is not overly warm on even the hottest of days. That said, the material is slightly on the heavier side, so the Raglan ¾ is not an extremely lightweight or airy jersey. If you’re looking for the coolest and most breathable jersey for a really hot day, check out the Flylow Jessi. But if you’re looking for a jersey that works in a lot of different temperatures and still breathes and wicks pretty well, the Raglan ¾ does provide this versatility.
The material that Shredly uses in all their jerseys is super soft. The material itself is more reminiscent of my most well-loved baselayer than a highly technical bike jersey. The Raglan ¾ features one small, zippered back pocket ideal for snacks or chapstick but not much else.
I like the Raglan ¾ because it is a jersey that makes sense in every season and condition. From chilly fall rides to warmer days where I want a bit more sun protection, the Shredly Raglan has a really broad sweet spot. For this reason, I think it makes a lot of sense as a versatile investment that will make sense in a lot of activities and applications. Overall, Shredly size Mediums always feel about the same on me — comfortable, unrestrictive, but still flattering and not baggy.
Machines For Freedom Sleeveless Luxe Cropped Base
Fabric: 87% Nylon / 13% Spandex
Reviewer: (5’8”, 130 lbs / 173 cm, 59 kg)
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 35 g
MSRP: $55
Kristin: The Sleeveless Luxe Cropped Base is part of Machines For Freedom’s base layer line. It’s snug fitting and has a soft, smooth hand feel. MFF describes the fit as cropped, but when compared with the Everday Tank, the Cropped Base doesn’t fit like a cropped top. The base hugs the body without being overly tight and extends past my hips and stays in place. I don’t have a particularly long torso, but it’s worth noting that the Cropped Base doesn’t expose my belly at all. Instead, it just slightly overlaps with my shorts or pants. The fit pairs well with everything I’ve tried, including biking and running shorts and casual bottoms. I wore it during the run portion of a recent mountain triathlon and loved how it offered a comfortable fit with zero chafing. I didn’t love how difficult it is to put on, but realistically, if you’re not attempting to put the top on over a wet bathing suit while soaking wet and tired, you should have zero issues here.
When I initially tried on the Sleeveless Luxe Cropped Base, the neckline felt too high and I was worried that the armholes weren’t large enough. I thought I would hate wearing it for prolonged periods of activity due to discomfort. But to my surprise and delight, neither has been an issue. I find the neckline to be comfortable and quite flattering, the armholes are wide enough to accommodate my arm, and the fabric is soft enough that I haven’t experienced any chaffing.
Like the Everyday Tank and other product offerings from Machines For Freedom, the sizing of the Sleeveless Luxe Cropped Base ranges from XX-Small to XXX-Large. The Medium looks and feels like my ideal size. I’ve worn it running and mountain biking on some of the hottest and most humid days this summer. A cotton tee would have been completely saturated by the end of any workout, but the Sleeveless Luxe Cropped Base wicked away moisture and allowed me to stay relatively cool despite the high temperatures.
From running to mountain biking, the Sleeveless Luxe Cropped Base has quickly become one of my favorites and I plan to wear it as a base layer this fall and winter.
If you like the sound of the Sleeveless Luxe Cropped Base but are looking for something with long sleeves, they make a long sleeve version.
Shredly Long Sleeve: Midnight Turq
Fabric: Recycled polyester/tencel/lycra performance blend
Reviewer: (5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg)
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 176 g
MSRP: $88
Kara: The Shredly LS Jersey is quite similar to the Raglan ¾, though the fabric of the Long Sleeve version is just a bit heavier. Between that and the sleeve length, the LS is warmer, making it less ideal for hot riding conditions, but a favorite choice of mine for cooler rides, especially last fall as temperatures were dropping in the Gunnison Valley. It provides enough breathability for those days while still giving a cozier feel. I also found myself using the Shredly LS on some non-bike adventures, such as ski touring or winter running.
The fit and features are the same as the Raglan ¾. The sleeves are plenty long, and again, the jersey runs true to size and is consistent with the other shirts I have tested from Shredly. The cut in the torso is a bit longer, which is ideal for cold rides or layering.
Shredly offers a broad size range, and plenty of great color in both the Raglan ¾ and the Shredly LS, to check out and match with various kits.