A jersey can make or break your trail persona and may just be the defining piece of apparel when it comes to a rider’s look. Loud and aggressive can imply you’re a gravity lover who wants nothing more than to shralp corners into oblivion, while a flowery button-up says that you’re just along for whatever the trail brings. In any case, there’s a jersey for you these days, and there are probably more options than ever. Here are a few of the latest men’s jerseys I’ve been wearing.
686 x Evil Blackout Bike Jersey
The 686xEvil Blackout jersey, absent of any patterns or color, is about as simple as it gets. It’s dead black, made from recycled polyester, with taped seams and an anti-microbial finish. This helps fight stink, but it’s not a jersey you’ll want to wear for more than one ride.
The drop tail gives it a nice fit and feel and maybe the best thing about it is that since it’s black, it will go with just about any pair of shorts out there. Despite being jet black, it’s not terribly hot in the summer and is a cool enough material that it doesn’t feel like a total sweatbox. 686 also makes a long-sleeve, hooded version for $65.
MSRP: $50
Club Ride Vibe
Club Ride has become the go-to option for relaxed, Western-inspired button up jerseys and the Vibe is the latest to the game. The Vibe is similar to the New West jersey, but with a looser fit. The Motive uses a 4-way stretch fabric made from dissolvable yarn fabric which creates a highly ventilated jersey.
The Motive features flat plastic snaps and has a small eyewear wipe on the inside, subtle reflective accents, and a small zippered pocket in the rear.
Club Ride makes great jerseys for people who don’t want to scream “I’m a mountain biker” everywhere they go, although their brand is synonymous with mountain biking, so you’re still kind of making a statement to other riders. Overall, the Vibe is a really cool and breathable jersey for summer riding.
MSRP: $90. Available at Club Ride.
Giro Roust
Giro’s new Roust jersey has a sturdy but lightweight feel and is one of the garments from the brand’s new Renew line, made from recycled materials. The Roust fabric is moisture-wicking and features an interior lens wipe and a drop tail.
The jersey has a loose and relaxed feel and feels very light for middle-of-summer, middle-of-day rides. The grey and white color we received is obviously a great choice for riding in the heat, though Giro makes this jersey in 11 other colors/patterns.
Overall, the Roust is a great option for trail to enduro riding in the summer months.
MSRP: $70. Styles available at various online retailers.
Kitsbow Superflow
Kitsbow is known for boutique, made-to-order apparel and there’s a special feel knowing that your jersey was made for you, instead of hanging at a retailer, waiting for a buyer.
The Superflow is one of Kitsbow’s select short-sleeve options with a near-tailored feel. The jersey is made from a Polyester blend with UPF 30 protection, and it’s actually made in the US at their Old Fort, NC location. Kitsbow has a crash policy too and works to get torn clothing back into the rider’s hands.
The Superflow is a comfy, and form-fitting jersey that has been a favorite in all summer conditions. Kitsbow does make a similar jersey, the Cyclone, with a slightly thicker material. The Superflow brings in quite a lot of airflow and though some sweat can build up on the fabric, it dries quickly.
MSRP: $65
RAD Apparel
RAD Apparel, or Ride All Day, is a small brand based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado that makes a few different jerseys and T-shirts. The Trail Chaser jersey has a pretty cool silhouette tree background with a mostly straightforward jersey design.
The Trail Chaser is made from recycled polyester, it has a drop tail, a square collar line, 2-way stretch, and sublimated graphics.
The Trail Chaser has been a cool option for summer riding around Colorado and feels very durable. It vents well and doesn’t get too hot despite its dark accents. The fit is on the looser side, and feels like a true-to-size medium for our 5’8″ tester.
RAD has three other jersey options which all have a similar fit, but different graphics.
MSRP: $55.
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