Cycling is one of the best low-impact, cardio workouts around, but if you want to make it even better, you'll want one of the best cycling tops. Aside from the actual bike and helmet, a dedicated cycling jersey top is one of the essential pieces of kit that it would be unwise to go without. You might think you can get away with a t-shirt, trust me, you don't want to. Cycling tops are specifically designed to regulate temperature quickly, promote aerodynamic efficiency, and provide convenient storage, all things that will ensure you have a better experience on the bike.
Whether you're a seasoned road warrior back from a hiatus or just dipping your toes, you'll need the right gear—no easy feat in a sport that is infamous for an obsession with the minutiae of dialing in one's equipment. We tested some of the top offerings with picks along the spectrum of price and suited for a variety of weather conditions, and here are the best ones we found.
The Best Cycling Tops, According to GQ
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The Best Cycling Top Overall: Specialized Prime Short Sleeve Jersey
| Sizes Available | XS to 2XL |
| Materials | Nylon, Elastane |
| Colorways | Forest Green, Dark Navy Solid, Terra Cotta, White Sage, Black |
What does one look for in a good cycling top? The goal is something that offers ventilation, storage, and an aerodynamic fit all while (hopefully) not abusing your bank account. The Specialized Prime short-sleeve jersey strikes a great balance between all of those categories. It has mesh paneling that runs under the armpits and along the waistband to boost ventilation. The jersey uses a nylon, elastane blend that is form-fitting and breathable. I like that the sleeves extend down to my elbows and the collar is low profile (two things I look for in a quality jersey). It has three main back pockets and a zippered compartment. It rests on the cheaper end of the price spectrum for tops on this list, so snag one for yourself, relish in the excellent price to quality ratio, and ride off into the sunset.
The Best Cycling Rain Jacket : POC Men's Supreme Rain Cycling Jacket
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| Sizes Available | XS to 2XL |
| Materials | Polyester |
| Colorways | Jasper Brown, Sylvanite Grey |
You don't want to be halfway through a long ride, maybe 30 miles from home, when a torrential downpour kicks in. You forgot to check the forecast, or maybe the forecast was wrong. It happens. But how do you avoid getting soaked to the bone on the long ride back? You pull out the Supreme rain jacket from POC. A dedicated cycling rain jacket, it combines an aerodynamic fit with three-layer construction and glued seams to keep the water out. The best part is that it weighs just under 90 grams and miraculously packs down to about the size of a tangerine. I don't know what fancy fabric science went into this thing, and quite frankly, I don't need to. I do know that I won't be getting caught in any more surprise downpours as the supreme rain jacket is now a permanent fixture in my jersey pocket.
The Best Cycling Top for Staying Cool: Castelli Climber's A/C Jersey
| Sizes Available | XS to 3XL |
| Materials | Flusso 3D Fabric |
| Colorways | Black/Dark Gray, Red/Black, Azzuro Italia/ Belgian Blue, Silver Gray/Red |
Summer is in full swing, and it is hot. On a recent ride in Prospect Park on a 97-degree afternoon, I began seriously regretting some of my life choices. However, one choice I did not regret was donning the Castelli Climber's A/C jersey before the ride. The Climber's A/C Jersey is purpose-built for long, hot rides in heavy sun. It is paper thin with ventilation panels throughout that keep the air flowing and you cool. It also blocks over 90% of UV rays and has elbow-length stretch sleeves for extra coverage. The real bonus of such excellent temperature regulation is not having to sacrifice aerodynamics by zipping open your jersey to let it flap in the wind (there is a very nice zipper pull tab should you choose to). So stay fast, and stay cool, but know that the excessive ventilation, while an asset in the heat, does mean the jersey is a bit see-through—something to consider if planning a post-ride victory lap at your local bar or cafe.
The Best Splurge Cycling Top: Assos Mille GTO Jersey C2
| Sizes Available | XS to 3XL |
| Materials | Polyamide, Elastane, Polyester |
| Colorways | Terra Sand, Burned Brown, Millenio Ocher, Rock Grey, Black Series, Yubi Blue, Koismo Granit |
As far as hobbies go, cycling can get expensive. There are ample opportunities to splurge on all manner of accessories that offer lighter weight and improved technology. Sometimes that extra spending yields a measurable improvement to your cycling ability, other times it just makes you feel cool (both valid outcomes by the way). The cycling jersey is one piece of kit that I have found to be worth splurging on and the Assos Mille GTO Jersey C2 is arguably one of the best cycling jerseys that money can buy. I recommend it because you really do get what you pay for. Everything about this jersey is meticulously engineered to guarantee maximum comfort and the best possible fit while on the bike. The brand use body mapping technology to strike that balance of aerodynamic compression, while still staying comfortable for long rides. Beyond that, the jersey just feels luxurious, from the fabric quality to the zipper pull hardware, all of the components are demonstrably nicer than many of its already great peers.
The Best Long Sleeve Cycling Top: Rapha Men's Pro Team Long Sleeve Lightweight Jersey
| Sizes Available | XS to 2XL |
| Materials | Recycled Polyester, Elastane |
| Colorways | Petrol Blue/Jeweled Blue, Chestnut Brown/Walnut Brown, Lime Green/Bright Lime, Anthracite / Graphite, Jeweled Blue/Navy, Royal Lilac/Ultraviolet, Navy/Grey, Grey/Black, Black/Black, Balsam Green/Onyx, Titan/Carbon, White/Silver |
For cooler rides, you'll need a long-sleeve jersey that will strike that balance of keeping you warm without going overboard, leaving you overheated and having a bad time. The Rapha Pro Team long-sleeve jersey is my recommendation to do exactly that. It's made from a lightweight fabric that breathes well and contours to the body for an aerodynamic fit. With the right baselayer, this jersey can keep you comfortable on rides ranging from the low 40s to the high 60s. The long sleeves also offer ample sun protection, and the jersey is rated to UPF 30. I did notice that the torso is a touch shorter than most other jerseys I tested; it wasn't enough to be a problem for me, but definitely something to consider when dialing in sizing.
The Best Budget Cycling Top: INBIKE Cycling Jersey
| Sizes Available | S to 3XL |
| Materials | Polyester |
| Colorways | Black, Black/Red, Black/White, Blue, Green, Light Blue, Red, White/Blue/Red |
For a fraction of the price of its peers, the INBIKE jersey still provides many of the same valuable features. It is made from a breathable moisture-wicking fabric with a low-profile collar and three spacious rear pockets. It may not have quite the dialed-in form fit of some of the other jerseys on this list, but it is a far cry from street clothes and a great option if you are still teetering on the edge of the cycling gear rabbit hole.
What to Look for in a Cycling Top
A cycling jersey is a garment specifically designed to provide an improved experience while laying down some serious distance on two wheels. A good jersey is form fitting and made from breathable fabric, this will reduce aerodynamic drag and aid temperature regulation. It should also have pockets conveniently positioned in the small of your back, convenient for storing all manner of essential from phone to spare inner tube to a bag of sour patch kids (mid-ride sugar boost bro). You should keep in mind the temperature and conditions. Cycling generally requires more layers in cold weather than running but less is still more. Getting caught mid ride sans rain jacket is also something you would want to avoid. In terms of jersey design, I keep an eye out for elbow length sleeves and a low-profile collar. In addition to being more streamlined, I just think they look cool.
How We Tested
We pored over the many available options and zeroed in on the top brands whose offerings stand out in different categories. We consulted and compared notes with our network of cycling obsessives to ensure that nothing was left out. After debating the finer points of various elastane fabric blends, we personally tested many of the jerseys, in rides long and short, through a variety of conditions. The above article is our honest feedback.