General Cycling Discussion - Cycling Jerseys. Who Needs 'Em?

I can appreciate the need for having a wicking material against the skin during cold weather. However I am having a hard time understanding why a cycling jersey is necessary in the hot weather. Aside from the convenience of the pockets, why does everyone wear one. Why not wear no top at all or just a cheaper cotton garment?

Is this just a fashion deal or what?

BTW, I own several Long Sleeve cycling jerseys which i love in winter but only have one Short Sleeve. Just trying to figure out if i should get more.

aerodynamics? *not sure*

"Why not wear no top at all" - You have heard of sunburn haven't you? Plus, wearing any lightweight shirt is cooler than no shirt at all.

"a cheaper cotton garment" - Cotton absorbs moisture and doesn't do as good a job wicking the moisture away from your skin as a modern jersey.

Even in the summer time I wear a wicking t-shirt under my cycling jersey. I sweat a lot and find that this combination keeps me cooler by actively wicking the perspiration away from my skin during a ride.

It's all about the pockets!!!! ;)

I think it depends on how long you ride for and how much you sweat. I sweat a lot, and the wicking material helps draw the sweat away from the body and evaporate for cooling. When I wear a t-shirt on a hot day, it usually ends up saturated and is very uncomfortable. If you're only riding short distances or times maybe a t-shirt would work fine. I do a fair amount of my riding on roads, so I like the added visibility of a brightly colored cycling jersey. Makes me stand out from the surroundings.

Cycling in a t-shirt is a disgusting experience for me, and me cycling without a shirt would be a disgusting experience for everyone else. :P

Second on the sunburn comment and second on the any shirt is cooler than no shirt. The sun hitting my skin directly keeps me much hotter than if I have a shirt reflecting sun away.

"Why not wear no top at all" - You have heard of sunburn haven't you?

I've also heard of a tan. I spend a lot of the summer without a shirt on. Once you get very tan it no you don't burn. I expose my skin in small stages so it gradually gets tan. I know, I know.....not healthy, blah, blah, blah......... IThe only time I have ever gotten burned on top of a dark tan is when I went to Mexico one summer. The sun was much more intense there.

Ever fall off? They offer some crash protection, decreasing (off)road rash, give me three places to put my stuff, help keep me cool, make me more visible so I don't get hit on the road, give my wife something else to get me.

I wear cotton or a plane jersey material shirt. I hate wearing flashy clothing.

cotton in the summer heat of the midwest? what kind of crops do you have down there!!

no shirt? what happens when you stop and go get a soda or water? no shirt, no service.

when i bought my first nice jersey i thought <and still think> that it was the finest wardrobe upgrade i could ever make. have you ever rode 100+ miles per week in cotton? can you say chafed nipples?

have you ever stopped after having soaked through a cotton T? no matter the weather, i feel chilled <even in 80+ degree weather>

and the pockets....oh those sweet pockets....

I wear a shirt because I'm a female.

I wear a shirt because I'm a female.

Damn it! ;)

I wear a shirt because I'm a female.

That is one of the last rights the American Male has left. Won't be long and they'll have us all wearing brazieres. :eek: Then again if Janet Jackson makes anymore progress mayble all of the lassies will shed their tops?

Jerseys are nice, but they are probably the least significant clothing choice. Padded shorts make a huge difference, gloves, shoes, helmet, even socks are more significant.

I only wear a jersey if I'm going long distances and/or need the pockets.

If you're going to choose what to spend your money on I think a second jersey would be about the least bang for your buck.

Jerseys are nice, but they are probably the least significant clothing choice. Padded shorts make a huge difference, gloves, shoes, helmet, even socks are more significant.

I only wear a jersey if I'm going long distances and/or need the pockets.

If you're going to choose what to spend your money on I think a second jersey would be about the least bang for your buck.


Sounds logical. I have just made the plunge into padded shorts. I can't say that I have noticed a HUGE difference. It certainly hasn't been the revelation that the Brooks saddle was. I have avoided the longsleeve speedos so far.

I have just bought baggie shorts w/ pads and also bought a Nike cycling liner. I just can't bring myself to wear LS Speedos. :rolleyes: I mainly only ride for an hour or two at a time. I think I will just use my one SS jersey as a test agains other cotton, summer type shirts.

I wear a Nathan cycling/jogging high visiblity mesh vest at all times for visibility. My water bottles hold water and my seat pack holds other junk.

The wicking of sweat helps keep you cool.
Having a top on keeps you from getting sunburn and some road rash protection.
The tight fit helps with aerodynamics.
The tight fit also reduces muscle shake, which causes fatigue.
Pockets.

RIP, Thong-man!

Oh god, how many times does that picture have to resurface!!


In the summer, if it's not too humid, a synthetic wicking shirt leaves me feeling hot and dry in the breeze. Cotton holds on to the moisture and when a breeze hits, acts like an air conditioner.
But if it's humid, I'm screwed.

I tried a few jerseys, even bought one. I hate them. My favorite top to ride in is a thin synthetic t-shirt by ex-officio.

There are alternatives to the cycling specific shirts. I prefer Patagonia's silk weight Capiline ****s. They aren't as gaudy, don't have pockets which I don't use and they hold up much better than typical cycling shirts in the woods. They wick as well as the best cycling shirts and they cost "only" $34.00 list. I was given a very nice plain cycling shirt. I find that it's as nice as Capiline, but the bulk of the pockets makes it less comfortable under my hydration pack for road cycling.

Al

This thread reminds me of our old friend, inoplanetyanin, who rode across the country in cotton garments, without a single piece of lycra or polyester.

i used to wear t-shirts, but the ones with big neckholes catch a lot of air and your shirt is left billowing in the wind. the shirttail also waves around in the wind. i guess it's not that aerodynamic, and also it's not terribly comfortable.

I can appreciate the need for having a wicking material against the skin during cold weather. However I am having a hard time understanding why a cycling jersey is necessary in the hot weather. Aside from the convenience of the pockets, why does everyone wear one. Why not wear no top at all or just a cheaper cotton garment?

Is this just a fashion deal or what?

BTW, I own several Long Sleeve cycling jerseys which i love in winter but only have one Short Sleeve. Just trying to figure out if i should get more.

Sierra trading post - get a cheap ~$10 - $20 wicking NON cotton shirt.

no shirt and cotton are such bad ideas. Cotton will soak through on even a mildly agrresive ride and no shirt seems like a less than modest idea, what would ladies do? (hmmm.... on second thought!). why not take advantge of modern clothing options when yo can get the stuff so cheap and it adds so much?

Sierra trading post - get a cheap ~$10 - $20 wicking NON cotton shirt.

no shirt and cotton are such bad ideas. Cotton will soak through on even a mildly agrresive ride and no shirt seems like a less than modest idea, what would ladies do? (hmmm.... on second thought!). why not take advantge of modern clothing options when yo can get the stuff so cheap and it adds so much?

What is wrong with it soaking through? I mean when it is 100 degrees out I can think of nothing better than having a wet garment covering my torso, especially with a nice wind. I guess that is where I don't follow the logic. Obviously it is bad to get wet when it is cold, but getting wet when it is hot sounds like what you want.

ranger... you obviously don't live in a very humid area.... out here on the east coast, when it's 90% humidity, it don't matter if the wind is blowing 50 miles an hour.... it won't do a thing to cool you.

I like the $5.00 cool-tek or whatever they are called from that mart place. I wear 'em alone in the summer and under cotton in the winter for wicking. Do the trick at a price that can't be beat. Who needs pockets in the back when I got a rack trunk on the bike! YMMV

I like the fact that jerseys wick the sweat away, offer handy pockets, and come in a variety of patterns/colors that offer a great degree of visibility.

I like the fact that jerseys wick the sweat away, offer handy pockets, and come in a variety of patterns/colors that offer a great degree of visibility.

I say wearing a wicking jersey is better than going shirtless...Going shirtless, I have sensed the sweat pools more so, then when wearing a jersey. The wicking material like channels up the sweat. Not so bare naked.

I live in Phoenix. It gets VERY HOT here. Wicking jersey is essential to cooloing as it pulls the moisture away from the body where it evaporates. Otherwise, you get a hot sticky mess or even worse start to fry - CRACK!. Also, In these parts, no shirt = melonoma! Bad news either way.

BTW, I did see some ****** once riding with bib shorts and no shyrt - YIKES!

Cycling jerseys aren't exactly the most fashionable garment, but ever since I started wearing them to ride there is no way I feel comfortable wearing a cotton tee. Functionality is a key -- that seems to be a common requirement among cyclists. My fave is last year's "Assault on Mt Mitchell" jersey. It's quite the conversation starter and I feel like a stud wearing it!!

I've also heard of a tan. I spend a lot of the summer without a shirt on. Once you get very tan it no you don't burn. I expose my skin in small stages so it gradually gets tan. I know, I know.....not healthy, blah, blah, blah......... IThe only time I have ever gotten burned on top of a dark tan is when I went to Mexico one summer. The sun was much more intense there.

I hate to tell you this, Ranger, but you can get skin cancer, no matter how dark you tan. When you are dark tanned, you still are incurring skin damage.

And if you wish to look more like a spring chicken than an ancient reptile, any cut in sun exposure is beneficial for you future.

My youngest sister has always sunbathed and tanned alot. She looks years older than my middle sister and they are onlyu 4 years apart in age. It drives her nuts when people assume that she is the older sister of the 2 of them!

You don't need a cycling jersey if you don't want one. As others have pointed out, cotton is a wretched material for summer cycling. It holds too much moisture. But, you don't need to get the latest cycling miracle material. For about $10 you can get similar synthetic jerseys at your local xmart. The won't have pockets in the back and they won't be cut extra long in the back, but they work fine.

I realize I don't "need" them, especially on shorter rides, but I actually like wearing them as part of the "uniform" - a little like getting "my game face on", for those of you familiar with team sports or competitive sports.

Some may call it being a "poser" (although none of what I wear is pro team gear), because I'm not racing anybody, and I certainly wouldn't beat very many if I did. But I actually feel much more comfortable on my rides in my gear - like it does make me perform better because I do feel better. That alone makes it worth it to me, besides the practical stuff already mentioned.

Most you guys dont like them because your getting the skin tight ones most likly. I use the loose fitting ones,no elastic in the arms or waist. The do help and are better then ant cotton top no matter what others say.

If you don't like to wear true cycling jerseys, then don't. You've received very good
arguments from "both sides of the coin" here. Process the info. & make your own decisions. Like others have said there are plenty of shirts that have the ability to transfer perspiration from the skin, are quite comfy & cost less than "real" cycling
jerseys. From a personal standpoint, I carry more than my saddle pack will hold, so the functional aspect of cycling jerseys make them needed.

I have two coolmax t shirts..I miss the pockets and the pull down zipper on hot days.The material that the t shirt is made of is suspect..Maybe its me, but I do not think that particular material is the same...Wicks not as well.
Plus the bright colors...WIth motorists as distracted as they are, we need all the help we can get. And finally, I do not mind looking the roll of a cyclists ...Do T shirts give you that cyclists tan marks?
Pleased , my doctor just the other day, said, I can tell you are cycling more..

Good point about the bright colors,we need all the help we can get to be seen.

Where're going to put your arm warmers and your vest when it starts to warm up if you don't have a jersey with pockets in the back?

Where're going to put your arm warmers and your vest when it starts to warm up if you don't have a jersey with pockets in the back?


Expandable seatpack.

Expandable seatpack.Yeah, but I can't reach back there while I'm riding. It doesn't work for me on group rides 'cause if you're off the back you'll never get back on. Maybe it doesn't impact you but for me it's just one more reason to wear a cycling jersey, in addition to all the other reasons already mentioned.

Yeah, but I can't reach back there while I'm riding. It doesn't work for me on group rides 'cause if you're off the back you'll never get back on. Maybe it doesn't impact you but for me it's just one more reason to wear a cycling jersey, in addition to all the other reasons already mentioned.


Not to discount your reasons because I do use my jersey pockets to stuff my arm warmers in, but usually when it comes time to get the arm warmers on, I'm also needing the leg warmers. How does one handle that on the move? Or do you just hope the rest of the pack are just as cold so that everyone stops? :)

How do you get arm warmers over the top of your gloves? To me it is a lot simpler to stop for 10 seconds, take them off and throw them in the pack. Don't have to worry about them falling out of the pockets either.

As a side note I am finding arm warmers increasingly useless. After spending a winter riding in all sorts of nasty conditions, arm warmers almost seem silly. I have worn mine once this year and then sort of wondered why. REally if arm warmers need to be taken off, basically you didn't need them. This is considering that conditions don't change a great deal. If they do then i suppose the warmers are ok.

That is one of the last rights the American Male has left. Won't be long and they'll have us all wearing brazieres. :eek: Then again if Janet Jackson makes anymore progress mayble all of the lassies will shed their tops?

Goto Ontario. Its legal...

I played enough sports and always wear cotton. When cotton gets wet...I simply feel wet. I dont get chilled. Guess I am lucky. I also don't liek to be visible...might piss the bears off enough to start chasing me ;)

As a side note I am finding arm warmers increasingly useless. After spending a winter riding in all sorts of nasty conditions, arm warmers almost seem silly. I have worn mine once this year and then sort of wondered why. REally if arm warmers need to be taken off, basically you didn't need them. This is considering that conditions don't change a great deal. If they do then i suppose the warmers are ok.

Here in Northern California, it's quite common that the temps will be in the low 50s early in the morning, requiring warmers. By mid-morning, it's often in the low 70s, so it's necessary to shed the warmers. We've also got lots of 1500-foot descents that will require a jacket and/or warmers again, and full gloves instead of half-gloves if it's at all still cool. With all those options needed, a jersey is almost essential to carry them.

Maybe in other parts of the country with way less temperature variations intraday and much flatter topography, none of those extra layers are necessary - reducing the need for jerseys.

Also - arm warmers make those short-sleeve jerseys into long sleeves, but with more versatility. I have lots more short-sleeve than long-sleeve jerseys, as a result (also because it's never colder than high 40s or low 50s here in the Bay Area).

Ranger,

I pull the arm warmers off right over the gloves.

I live in Silicon Valley and ride out to the coast frequently. It can be cold starting out (arm warmers on), cold but working up a sweat climbing up the mountains (arm warmers off), cold on the descent over to the coast (arm warmers on), workin' up a sweat again back up over the mountains (arm warmers off), if it hasn't warmed up a lot on again for the descent, and off again once back in the valley.

SteveE

Not to discount your reasons because I do use my jersey pockets to stuff my arm warmers in, but usually when it comes time to get the arm warmers on, I'm also needing the leg warmers. How does one handle that on the move? Or do you just hope the rest of the pack are just as cold so that everyone stops? :)I think the pack just speeds up to generate additional heat!

I find over-the-knee knickers work best for me. They're pretty comfortable up to the low-to-mid 70's. Anywho, there's usually one stop about 30-40 miles into the ride where we stop long enough to shed the knee warmers. I normally only have to cover my knees even in the winter time around here, so I either wear knicker-length shorts or knee warmers.

What is wrong with it soaking through? I mean when it is 100 degrees out I can think of nothing better than having a wet garment covering my torso, especially with a nice wind. I guess that is where I don't follow the logic. Obviously it is bad to get wet when it is cold, but getting wet when it is hot sounds like what you want.

Boy Ranger a quick check of what summer conditons are like in other - more humid - locals would answer that question is a heart beat.

What is wrong with it soaking through? I mean when it is 100 degrees out I can think of nothing better than having a wet garment covering my torso, especially with a nice wind. I guess that is where I don't follow the logic. Obviously it is bad to get wet when it is cold, but getting wet when it is hot sounds like what you want.

I think the problem is that with a cotton shirt that is wet it acts as a thermal barrier or insulation to some extend. I use this to my advantage in the winter by wearing a wicking layer, than a cotton layer that ends up wet and actually provides some thermal barrier just by being wet, over which I wear a water resitant that keeps the air infiltration to a minimum, usually enough for all but the very coldest rides. It's fine as long as I'm moving and feeding it body heat from the inside, but if I were to have a mechanical and have to stop, I know I'd be seriously cold relatively fast. I know I read in the winter riding forum about this technique being questionable, but it sure works for me. I carry an insulated sweat jacket just in case of mechanicals, but fortunately haven't had to resort to it yet.... knock on wood!!

Same thing with the heat, when the cotton gets wet, it is acting as a thermal barrier that's keeping heat build up from escaping like it should. Don't know about the humidity in CA, but I have too much experience with the humidity we get here in snowy OH in the summer. And I know if I am not evaporating sweat and getting it away from my skin, I will not last long at all on those hot & humid days.

I'm wondering if folks in drier climes feel the same with you about 100 degree days, and being cool in a wet shirt. Maybe it's a function of the humidity and wouldn't bother folks say in the desert as much as the more humid climes.

I couldn't agree more with you and the others who said a wicking layer is the most important, of all, and for me it's often my only layer for most of the summer. It just so happens that my cheap alternative for a wicking layer gets used year round, and therefore is a great value for a minimal investment to me.

Just to echo everyone else, you don't want cotton thats for sure. But wool works excellent, I have a wool golf shirt I sometimes use, you can use a searsucker shirt and due to it's bubbly surface (not sure how to explain that) it only allows about 20% of the material to actually contact the skin and while riding the sweat evaporates quickly and won't soak the shirt.

But I prefer the loose MTB clothing (I road bike only) because I found that when it gets really hot the tight fitting clothes-no matter how advance the fabric is-it's too hot; when the fabric fills with air due to the loose fitness your actually much cooler because the air is allowed to move in and out. I also prefer wool because it doesn't stink, but wool is expensive. I also do not use black clothing because that color absorbs the heat making you even hotter...wonder why those stupid bike clothing people make that stuff in black only? Oh yeah, because it looks cool! I wear tan colored MTB shorts and light colored mtb shirts, then put sunblock on all exposed areas.

I use to live in the deserts of California where the summer daytime temps often exceeded 100 degrees and experimented with various clothing styles trying to find some degree of comfort; but hot is hot.

I wear jerseys... but I'm not about to drop $80+ on one of the pro jerseys... I don't want to be 'that guy' wearing the U.S. Postal jersey doing 5mph in my lowest gear up a hill ;)

I wear jerseys... but I'm not about to drop $80+ on one of the pro jerseys... I don't want to be 'that guy' wearing the U.S. Postal jersey doing 5mph in my lowest gear up a hill ;)

Is it any less embarassing if you're just wearing a plain old jersey because that would be me. ;)

your jerseys can also prominently display all of your sponsors in brighter colors.