Best Winter Cycling Jerseys
Choose the Perfect Cold Weather Jersey
As the mercury drops, the right cycling kit becomes the most important performance factor. The search for the best winter cycling jersey is about more than just finding an extra layer; it’s about securing a garment that regulates temperature, wicks sweat, and keeps you visible.
To help you stay comfortable from late autumn through deep winter, we break down the top styles from our cycling jersey collection, must-have features, and essential layering techniques.
Choosing Your Best Winter Cycling Jersey
Finding your ideal winter jersey depends heavily on the weather conditions, riding intensity, and typical layering strategy, with temperature regulation being a key consideration. The buying team at Sigma Sports have pulled some top long sleeved cycling jersey picks to help you dominate cold weather cycling this winter.
Long Sleeve Cycling Jerseys
The standard long sleeve jersey is your bridge between autumn and genuine winter. These jerseys offer moderate insulation and are designed to be highly breathable and fast-drying, making them perfect for “spring/fall” or warmer winter days, especially when temperatures are hovering around 10°C. For optimal comfort and temperature regulation, pair your jersey with a long sleeve base layer, or on milder days, you may only need just a short sleeve base layer under your jersey.
Best Long Sleeve Jersey - Assos Mille GT Spring Fall C2
This Assos Mille GT jersey is considered the best because its RX material sleeves and moderately insulated, breathable, and fast-drying fabric create a perfect microclimate for varied spring and fall conditions, offering thermoregulation without stifling heat. Its improved, less restrictive fit and practical features like raw-cut cuffs, reflective details, and an integrated eyewear storage space ensure comfort, layerability, safety, and convenience for endurance cyclists.
Thermal and Winter Cycling Jerseys
When the temperature truly dips, a jersey designed specifically for winter conditions is required. These garments often use fleece-lined fabrics, like those found in the Castelli Espresso Thermal jersey, or denser, midweight materials. Key attributes include windproof fabrics and a water repellent coating, which help retain heat and keep out the elements. Thermal cycling jerseys exceed in heat retention, often incorporating a tailored fit that prevents fabric flapping, conserving vital energy. Compared to lighter options, these jerseys provide more warmth for cold rides.
Best Thermal Cycling Jersey - Castelli Espresso Thermal Jersey
The Castelli Espresso Thermal Jersey is the best choice because its fleece-lined thermal fabric provides luxurious warmth and a comfortable, tailored fit across a range of temperatures, while the full-length zipper and easy layering design offer exceptional temperature regulation and year-round versatility.
Best Winter Cycling Jersey For Men - Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Lightweight Jersey
The Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Lightweight Jersey is a good winter cycling option due to its versatility as a highly breathable mid-layer suitable for pairing with heavier base layers and outer jackets in temperatures as low as 6°C. Its combination of a figure-hugging Italian fabric for comfort, practical storage, and element protection makes it an excellent choice for varied cold-weather training rides.
Best Winter Cycling Jersey for Women - Rapha Women's Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey
The Rapha Women's Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey is an excellent choice for winter cycling due to its high warmth-to-weight ratio and moisture-wicking properties, ensuring comfort during varying intensity levels in cold conditions. Its versatile design allows it to be worn alone or easily layered, providing a secure fit and practical storage for rides between 6°C and 16°C.
Best Winter Cycling Jersey for Roadies - Castelli Tutto Nano ROS Long Sleeve Jersey
If you are looking for a dedicated road cycling jersey for colder, windier conditions, look for features like wind-block panels or fabrics with a ‘Rain or Shine’ (RoS) designation, such as the Castelli Tutto Nano RoS Long Sleeve Jersey, which provides exceptional water repellency, rain protection, and thermal qualities making it a contender of the best road jersey for winter. RoS technology offers wind and rain protection and is effective in light rain, making it ideal for unpredictable weather. These jerseys are designed for bad weather and wet weather riding, ensuring you stay comfortable and protected when conditions are at their worst.
The Natural Performer: Merino Cycling Jerseys
For all-day comfort, exceptional breathability, and natural odour resistance, the merino jersey is a perennial favourite. Merino wool is renowned for its temperature regulation, helping to keep your core and torso warm in cold conditions, while also keeping you cool when exerting effort. These jerseys are ideal as mid layers in a winter cycling layering system, providing insulation between your base layer and outer shell. Modern merino jerseys, like the Rapha Brevet, blend merino wool with polyester to maximise durability and quick-wicking performance.
Best Merino Cycling Jersey - Rapha Brevet Long Sleeve Jersey
The Rapha Brevet Long Sleeve Jersey is excellent for long-distance cyclists because its Merino wool/polyester blend offers a balance of natural warmth, odour control, and quick-drying performance. Its five-pocket storage (three main, two zipped) and high-visibility/reflective details make it ideal for endurance rides where comfort, carrying capacity, and safety are paramount.
Layering Your Winter Cycling Jersey
When selecting a long-sleeve cycling jersey for winter, the primary focus should be on warmth, comfort, and weather protection to ensure an enjoyable ride regardless of the temperature. Your jersey's function is critical; on milder days, it acts as the primary outer layer, while in colder conditions, it becomes a crucial mid-layer worn over a base layer and under a protective jacket. This layering approach is essential for regulating body temperature and maximising insulation against the cold.
Getting the Right Size & Fit
Fit and sizing are key to the jersey's performance. A well-fitting jersey should sit close to the body to prevent cold air infiltration while still allowing room for essential layering underneath, such as a thermal base layer. Features like a high collar offer extra protection against wind chill, and a brushed fleece lining adds warmth. When sizing, consider your typical riding conditions: sizing up may be advisable if you frequently ride in freezing temperatures and plan to use the jersey as a mid-layer, whereas a more fitted size is suitable for shoulder seasons or less extreme weather.
Qualities to Look for in a Winter Jersey
Long sleeve jerseys are a key piece of cycling apparel, offering warmth and versatility for a range of conditions. The table below compares essential fabric and feature qualities to consider when choosing the best long sleeve jerseys.
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Look Good & Be Seen with Reflective Details
Winter brings shorter days and unpredictable weather, making visibility paramount. The best winter cycling jerseys integrate reflective elements seamlessly. Look for reflective tabs on the rear hem, like those found on the Castelli Espresso, or high-visibility contrast stripes around the chest and reflective armbands, as seen on the Rapha Brevet jersey. Aesthetic Styling: Choose deeper, darker colors for the body of the jersey, which are popular and practical in road spray, but insist on Hi-Vis accents (neon pink, neon orange, or yellow) in critical areas like the shoulders and back pockets. This combines performance style with necessary safety.
Browse the winter cycling jersey lineup at Sigma Sports, and find a jersey that suits you.
