Essential Features for High Quality Cycling Jersey

Cycling jerseys are an essential part of your cycling kits. But you may have no idea about what makes a high quality cycling jersey. We will share some ideas of us and discuss them with all of you.

Zippers in high quality cycling jersey

The zipper that a cycling jersey comes with is an important feature. YKK and SBS are the two most popular manufacturers of zips. SBS has lower production costs so that they can sell their zips at a fraction of the cost of YKK. It makes them the go-to zipper brand for mid-tier cycling jerseys; however, they have started making more high-quality zippers in recent years. YKK is still the most recognisable high-quality zipper on the market and will ensure that you are not left with a jersey you can no longer wear because the zipper has broken. INBIKE cycling jerseys all use a YKK zipper for a smooth feeling.

Silicone design in hems and sleeves

Cycling jerseys are designed to fit your body while in a riding position. It means that the rear of the jersey and the sleeves should be longer than the average t-shirt.

A hem on the bottom of the jersey and the end of the sleeves will help the cycling jersey retain shape and keep it well-fitting and tight. Mid-tier jerseys typically have silicone tape on the polyester fabric around the back of the jersey. The high-end cycling jerseys use silicone grippers, where silicone is the fabric around the hems. The silicone creates friction against your cycling shorts and keeps the jersey in place without it riding up your back while riding. It helps you maintain your dignity and makes it easier to access your rear pockets as they are kept towards the bottom of your back.

Silicone grippers on the arms of a cycling jersey are a nice touch as they will keep them in place, improving comfort. If you are wearing arm warmers, they also help to keep them up and prevent you from having to readjust while cycling.

Visibility

Cycling on the road at night can be dangerous; however, adding silver reflective strips on the back of high-end cycling jerseys will help you be seen in low visibility conditions. Although you may have a reflective and high visibility coat, it is not always appropriate to wear it, especially during the warmer summer months. It is not an alternative to having lights on your bike; however, it will catch the eye of motorists and fellow cyclists as they approach you.

Pockets

One of the most useful features of cycling jerseys is the back- pockets. They allow you to carry snacks, valuables and even puncture repair kits, so you do not have to take a backpack on shorter rides. It is common to have three rear pockets. Higher-end cycling jerseys also benefit from the addition of an additional zipped pocket.

A zipped pocket is surprisingly useful. You can store valuables such as keys, credit cards or cash without fearing them falling out when you pull something else out of the rear pockets.

Ventilation

The key to comfortably cycling in all weather conditions is to layer up. During the warmer summer months, you will be going out in just your jersey or maybe have a thin underlayer underneath. The best cycling jerseys come with ventilation built into their design. This ventilation will help to keep you cooler and reduce how much you sweat.

The ventilation is usually under your armpits and on the sides of the jersey. It comes in a few different forms, either a unique blend of materials that allows more air to flow through the fabric and cool your skin or using mesh to create more gaps in the fabric to aid airflow.

UV Proof and Antibacterial

Cycling is an outdoor sport. You will be exposed to the sun’s potentially harmful rays for hours. You may already use sunscreen for your exposed skin. However, not all clothing offers the same amount of UV protection. Higher-end cycling jerseys are made of fabrics that provide UV protection, which gives you an extra layer of protection if you are out in the saddle for hours.

No matter how to fit or experienced you are, all cyclists sweat while out on the bike. It can cause a build-up of bacteria on your cycling jersey resulting in some nasty odours. Some top-tier cycling jerseys will come with antibacterial properties, preventing the bacteria from building up and keeping your jersey smelling fresher for longer.

Stitching

As with most products, the devil is in the detail regarding cycling jerseys. A great cycling jersey will have high-quality stitching and craftsmanship. A high level of craftsmanship usually comes from experience, thorough quality control and detailed research and development. Manufacturers of high-quality cycling jerseys will also provide excellent customer service as they are 100% confident in the quality of their jerseys.

Conclusion

New and improved cycling jerseys are constantly being developed thanks to continued research and development. A great cycling jersey should have a high-quality blend of synthetic materials that makes the jersey moisture-wicking, stretchy (without losing shape), soft and comfortable to wear. UV protection and antibacterial properties are bonuses of higher-end cycling jerseys. Other features to look out for are ventilation, silicone grippers at the bottom of the jersey, reflective strips for increased visibility, rear zipped pockets (in addition to the standard three pockets), and high-quality YKK zips (with a built-in zipper guard) and quality stitching to prevent irritation.

It would help if you found the right cycling jersey for you. Think about the weather conditions and temperature you will be cycling in. Invest the time to research, and do not forget about environmentally friendly options.