The sun is shining and all-day rides are back. But to enjoy the summer riding experience, you’ll need a kit combo that can handle the heat. We test 12 sets
With the temperatures rising and overseas ventures back on the menu, it’s time to feel the sun against your skin when you pedal. The epic day rides and increased heat and humidity will place plenty of demands on your choice of summer kit, however, with potentially opposing forces such as sun protection and ventilation, aerodynamics versus a restriction-free ride, and day-long comfort from lightweight materials all adding to a lengthy checklist.
The good news is that the fabrics, technology and construction quality has never been higher, with the jersey of 2022 being lighter, cooler, more fitted and offering better breathability than the weighty numbers of old. Many jerseys feature filter-down tech from those found on the backs of the pro peloton. Some offer added aerodynamics, while others have sun protection, while some open-mesh designs will not.
“Every jersey should have an unrestrictive fit,” says Gore Wear’s product leader Jurgen Erd. “Additionally a material technology that provides soft and dry next-to-skin feel, sleeve cuffs that don’t cut in, and back pockets that have the right placement and don’t sag when fully loaded.”
With your bottom being one of the most crucial contact points on the bike, bib shorts are a serious investment that hold everything in place, and one that shouldn’t be skimped on. Once again, trickle-down tech exists even on modestly priced bib shorts. Some raceled brands are designed for race whippets, so you might need to size up on occasion.
“A great bib short is made from all the elements coming together. Chamois, fabric, construction and fit are all the foundations, with specific adjustments made depending on the use case,” adds Sergio Jensen, the product manager at Rapha.
Here are 12 outfits to suit most riding preferences and wallets, to keep you pedalling in style and comfortable in the saddle, whether outdoors or indoors this summer.
Your testers…
Matt Baird & Katherine Moore
Matt is the editor of Cycling Plus and can regularly be found on the roads and tracks of North Somerset.
Bristol-based Katherine is a freelance writer, bike tester, presenter and guide, and is the host of the Unpaved Podcast.
Key summer kit considerations
Jersey design
● Summer jerseys use lightweight and highly breathable fabrics to keep you cool. The cut is usually fitted to help with wicking performance and aerodynamic gains. Some use mesh panels for temp control.
Chamois powers
● Inner pads are designed to provide relief and comfort around the sit bones. The fit should be snug to avoid chafing. Most feature varying densities and thicknesses of padding, while some use gel inserts.
Jersey features
● A well-fitting jersey with sensibly positioned seams and useful zip location is essential. A comfy collar and zip garages help to avoid irritation, while silicone-lined hems hold the jersey in place.
Prime pockets
● Stash space is important for storing your ride essentials such as a spare tube, pump, wind/ waterproof jacket, nutrition and phone. Easy access is vital, while zip pockets are ideal for keeping your valuables safe.
Shorts design
● Summer shorts use lightweight, stretchy and breathable Lycra panels. These should be stitched together with wellpositioned seams (ideally flatlock) to provide maximum comfort while offering support.
Kit care
● Summer kit often requires extra attention to help with longevity. Try not to throw it in with your regular wash because lightweight fabrics can be fragile. Follow instructions carefully, avoid fabric softeners and tumble driers, and dry away from direct sunlight.
Buying advice
Summer kit need to know
Your key jerseys and bib-short concerns considered
01. Jersey demands
Compared to the overly thick sweat fests of yore, jersey construction and design has evolved massively. And rightly so given the multi-faceted demands placed on them during a big summer ride, including breathability, comfort, aerodynamics and protection from that ball of fire 93 million miles away.
“There are many elements that need to come together to create a truly great jersey, including fabric, fit, cargo and, of course, aesthetics,” says Rapha’s Jensen. “But the material itself will dictate attributes such as level of compression, sun/weather protection, moisture management and aerodynamics. It’s important to note that some jerseys will have multiple fabrics placed strategically to further focus on a particular performance element and elevate the riding experience.”
Ride-friendly details aren’t to be overlooked either, with a quality zipper (ideally with a guard or garage to stop rubbing on the skin) and an array of pocket options (ideally one zipped) key considerations.
02. The importance of bibs
Whether you’re entering your first sportive, going ultra with 200km+ in a day or bikepacking over multiple nights, it’s hard to overstate the importance of a well-crafted pair of bib shorts.
Seam construction and placement, the effectiveness of the leg grippers, the fit and the support offered by the chamois can make or break your day. A mild irritation at 2km in can become a full-blown problem at 200km.
“We define ‘comfort’ as a ‘lack of discomfort’ at Gore Wear,” says the brand’s product leader, Jurgen Erd. “It’s a simple definition but, in essence, if you do not feel any discomfort on a ride, the product is doing its job! The key attribute is an unrestrictive fit. A chamois that offers the right level of cushion and comfort is key. Bib straps that offer a good level of stretch, that don’t ‘dig in’ and ideally are ‘seamless’ increase comfort. The absence of any ‘irritation spots’ such as seams in areas that could potentially rub and cause irritation should be removed.”
03. Breathability boons
During a lung-busting European mountain climb, up-tempo efforts in a local sportive or midsummer multi-terrain ventures, the breathability offered by both the jersey and bib shorts can have a key impact on your different riding experiences.
“You have to look at breathability through the lens of moisture-management and sweat-wicking/drying-time properties of the fabric in achieving comfort and effective thermoregulation,” states Rapha’s Jensen. “Breathability is essentially moisture vapour transmission – how well sweat is wicked away. At the same time, air permeability is the amount of air flowing through the material, which can help aid the thermal comfort/moisture wicking. Certain materials might have high levels of air permeability but that might come at the expense of sun protection or compression.
Based on this, strategically placing lighter fabrics in various places (side stretch mesh panels, lighter mesh bib straps) will help achieve breathability more effectively.”
04. Aero gains
Comfort, breathability and fit are all key considerations when buying a summer outfit, but the aerodynamic benefits certainly aren’t to be sniffed at if you’re into racing or Strava KOMs.
Our aerodynamic tests at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub saw jerseys offer the best cost-per-second saving of any gear we tested (excluding leg shaving!), beating arm sleeves and shoe covers plus the big hitters of aero road helmets and deep-rim wheels. Our data showed that tunneltested stretch woven fabrics, thermo-sealed seams and ribbed sleeves will all offer aero gains of up to 13secs over a 40km ride at 25km/h. The biggest savings, however, are in a jersey’s fit, with loose fabrics and vast open pockets seeing a 49sec penalty over a 40km bike ride, so try before you buy to get the optimal fit.
05. Women’s-specific options
Given the noticeably different body shapes of men and women, it’s no surprise that women-specific kit is on the rise. “Regarding the chamois pads, the main difference is all about the anatomy,” believes Rapha’s Jensen.
“Women have a wider pelvis and the angle of the pubic arch is different, which means that the pressure points differ slightly, therefore a women’s pad’s shape can’t be identical to men’s.
Rapha’s female-specific chamois has a custom-moulded shape specific to a female body and its entirely seamless construction eliminates any irritation caused by pinching or chafing.”
06. Durability desires
Whether it’s for financial or environmental reasons, you should demand your kit lasts multiple summers of use. Part of that is down to how well you stick to the washing instructions, but longevity should be top of any serious cycling brand’s agenda.
“All our garments undergo both lab testing (abrasion resistance, repeated wash testing) and human wear testing,” adds Rapha’s Jensen.
“We don’t sell a single performance garment that hasn’t undergone at least 10,000km on a bike ridden by a human, and this is key when we think about durability. Certain materials will also have sun protection, sweat-wicking or antibacterial properties built in, as well as DWR (Durable Water Repellent) to make the fabric more hydrophobic (rain resistant). However, durability is also achieved through high quality trim and construction (zips, seams…).”
07. Construction quality
Out-of-the-saddle efforts, down on the drops, endurance efforts on the hoods… cycling offers plenty of positional changes to challenge any kit designer. “The body position on a road or gravel bike is very specific and brings some obstacles in construction,” states Gore’s Jurgen Erd. “From standing upright down to the lowest race position, there should be no irritation for the cyclist. Finding the right pattern adjustments to the selected materials is a fine balance, especially when wind and water protection are in the mix.
Material selection and detailed testing, for example, against abrasion, will help the right choices be made at the right placement of the garment.” bikeradar.com
Van Rysel RCR Jersey & Quick-Zip Bibshorts
£39.99/£49.99
Sizes XS–XL; 2XS–2XL Colours Mauve; magnolia; petrol blue; navy blue
Decathlon’s in-house road cycling brand’s Quick-Zip bibs feature a long zipper extending across the rear from one thigh to the other to create a flap for loo breaks. While I admire the innovation, in reality this gives an ill-fitting shape, with a bunching, un-lined zipper around the hips, and I pinched my skin while undoing the flap.
Ouch! The chamois is also so wide that it folded, causing discomfort on the ride.
Up top, the built-in mesh baselayer is highly reminiscent of Rapha Brevet bibs. The leg hems are the best part: laser-cut edges lay beautifully without any pinching grippers. A soft, stretchy and figure-fitting fabric is used for the jersey, which gives it a premium feel, though seven pockets on the back is overkill.
The cut is two inches too long and, while the sleeve length is lovely, the bonded hem gives a restrictive, unflattering finish.
Verdict
Nice price and some good points, but too many flaws to be a contender
Castelli Anima 3 Jersey & Prima Bibshorts
£80/£90
Sizes XS–XL Colours Red; black; pink; Bordeaux; light Acqua blue
Castelli’s entry-level bib short may be priced above budget options from other brands, but the difference in quality is evident. The Prima bibs feature Castelli’s Kiss Air2 Donna chamois that’s soft against the skin, breathable and comfortable, using a dual-density foam tailored for women.
While the multiple Lycra panels gave a lovely fit, the wide leg grippers were too tight, giving the dreaded sausage-leg effect on these fairly short bibs. While the mesh straps are breathable and comfy, only Castelli’s pricier options have easy-pee features, or you could opt for the waist shorts. The Anima 3 jersey would be great on hot days as it’s beautifully tailored, lightweight and highly breathable to help you keep cool. The simple design features three good-sized rear pockets, minimal branding and reflective detailing.
Verdict
Gripper woes but a quality and stylish outfit. Shame there’s no easy-pee feature
Endura Pro SL Jersey & FS260-Pro Bibshort DS
£89.99/£89.99
Sizes XS–XL; XXS–XL Colours Glacier blue; black; peach (bibs only)
For 2022, Endura has ditched the rear dropseat zip on its women’s FS260-Pro bibs, instead using overlapping, stretchy fabric across the lower back which can be lowered for easier pee breaks. It does work, but a little more stretch in the bib straps would improve the design. The fit seemed a little off with the shorts, with well-fitting, wide leg grippers combined with a looser, often wrinkled fabric, especially around the crotch. The multi-density chamois felt thin and I felt a lot of discomfort after only a 55km ride. Things improved with the Pro SL jersey, which fitted very nicely, though it’s fairly long, with a soft yet stretchy material proving very comfortable. The sleeve design is great, with a raw edge and silicone grippers, and I enjoyed the low-cut collar.
The blue colourway is very pale, so I’d be wary of staining, but it also comes in black.
Verdict
The chamois isn’t for ultra riding, but there are plenty of smart details
HUUB Her Spirit Cycling Jersey & Bibshorts
£84.99/£99.99
Sizes S–XXL Colour One multicolour version, pictured
Designed in collaboration with Her Spirit, a community initiative to support women in sport, this kit has a bold look. The shorts use a traditional bib design with a mesh racerback back panel and wide, elastic bib straps that sit perfectly. The chamois also performed well, made with high-density foam exactly where you need it. However, the patterned short grippers were too tight, narrow and restrictive, leading to ‘sausage-leg’. There was a similar theme with the jersey, with the bonded hem sleeves inelastic and constrictive. The jersey also has long cut, which may suit taller riders. Multiple polyester fabrics help you keep cool, with highly vented panels down the sides and underarms. Additional quality features include three reinforced pockets and a zipped valuables pocket (but the cam lock zipper felt a bit gimmicky).
Verdict
Vibrant colours and comfy pad let down by grippers and sleeves
Stolen Goat Waffle Bodyline Jersey & Navy Epic Bib Shorts
£75/£149
Sizes XS–XXXL Colours 24 different jersey colours are available
While Stolen Goat’s bright and bold designs may not be to everyone’s taste, the brand has certainly excelled at the fit. Not only does it offer an impressive size range, but with great features such as the seam-free elasticated leg bands, a double-layer rear modesty panel, laser-cut hems, a grippy lower jersey hem and a close-fitting, women’s specific-cut, these pieces have obviously been well thought through. While the Bioracer women’sspecific pad gives multiple hours of comfort, the shaping gives an undesirable camel-toe appearance off the bike. The addition of a zip down the back of the bibs may aim to make pee breaks easier, but it wasn’t very effective as the breathable mesh bib straps lack sufficient elasticity. The Bodyline jersey has a casual yet fitted cut, and comes in an array (24!) of striking designs and sizes.
Verdict
Unique style and great sizing but some issues with the bib shorts
Pearl Izumi Interval Jersey & Bib Short
£124.99/£149.99
Sizes S–XL; XS–XXL Colours White fog; atomic red
The Pearl Izumi Interval bibs stand out as the most gorgeous-fitting, silky soft cycling shorts that you barely notice you’re wearing. The wide leg bands are flattering and unrestrictive, while the chamois uses a variable-density construction in all the right places to ensure comfort on longer rides. While the easy-pee design isn’t the best I’ve tried, it’s far from the worst. The seamless, stretchy bib straps connect at the front of the shorts only, overlapping at the rear with the bum panel until you pull down the shorts to use the loo, so you don’t have to remove the straps, your jersey, helmet, etc. The jersey is just as beautifully tailored and soft against the skin, though definitely best for hotter days with the use of thin, highly perforated fabric. I’d probably choose the pinky-red alternative colourway to give less stain risk.
Verdict
A pricey but beautifully tailored jersey and bibs –a winner for summer riding
Pinnacle Race Jersey/Bib Cycling Shorts
£59.99/£79.99
Sizes XS–XXL; Colours Charcoal; navy; black/white; yellow
The imaginatively titled Race Jersey instantly feels targeted at larger riders, proving looser and less figure hugging than the rest here due to a lack of elastane. You do, however, get a zipped pocket for cards and keys, and a full-length zipper guard (take note, Assos), while the arm grippers function well. Unsurprisingly for the outlay, the weight of 197g is lofty and the breathability can’t match the techier contenders on test, while the aesthetic appeal is pretty limited. Like the top, the bibs are roomier than any on test. The Elastic Interface chamois is relatively lean, however, offering less support than the ultra-friendly options elsewhere. The frontal area also doesn’t leave much to the imagination on café stops…. Yet the grippers are great, and worth noting is that the full set is currently reduced to a total of £70 online –a bargain.
Verdict
Fails to truly excite, but functional enough and currently even cheaper online
Lusso Hebden Aero Jersey/RS19 Bibshorts
£80/£95
Sizes XS–XXXL; S–XXL Colours Stone; terracotta; honeycomb; pink
I’ve always been impressed by Lusso’s kit, the Mancunians offering higherend kit at mid-end prices. That mostly continues with the Hebden, the titular aero promise coming from the lean cut and perforated fabric to disrupt airflow. That perforated fabric and minimal 119g weight make it a contender for summer heat, with the silky-smooth construction and limited internal seams perfect for baselayer-free rides. The elephant in the room is the unflattering ‘Stone’ colourscheme. I’m also unconvinced the other trio of options would look any better on me, and it’s a touch see-through. The bibs boast a large but chafe-free pad suitable for big rides and the bonded seam-free leg grippers proved elegant, effective and absent of irritation.
The classy materials and mesh rear complete a winning and well-priced set of bibs.
Verdict
Brilliant bibs and lightweight aero jersey, but that jersey colour will divide opinion
GIRO Chrono Sport Jersey/Chrono Expert Bibs
£69.99/£119.99
Sizes S–2XL Colours Black sprint; black/stripe; citron green; midnight blue
With an array of (I’d say superior) designs to pick from and eco credentials via its materials made from reclaimed fishing nets, the 154g Chrono Sport jersey is a solid and wallet-friendly option. Construction quality and durability feels good, while the fit is unrestrictive but not too baggy. There are three voluminous open rear pockets but, for 15 quid more, I’d recommend Giro’s Chrono Expert jersey complete with zipped pocket, stretchier fabric and a superior hem. It’s the Chrono Expert bibs that are the versatile and higher-quality star here, however, complete with a mesh back and straps for ventilation (a winner for turbo sets), three rear pockets (hello, bikepacking) and the reliably supportive Elastic Interface for extended saddle sojourns.
The leg grippers are effective, and the bibs are again part of Giro’s recycled kit series.
Verdict
Functional enough jersey but superior shorts that excel indoor and out
Assos Mille GT C2 Jersey & Bibshorts
£95/£125
Sizes XS-XXL plus TIR wide Colours Cyber blue; adamant blue, black, orange, white
The extra outlay is immediately evident in Assos’ Mille jersey, the raw-cut sleeves excelling in their ability to wrap around the arms but stay free from restriction and irritation. The 12% of elastane is noticeable in the stretch of the material, while the rear hem is techy and effective.
Whether it’s due to the presence of polymide, the jersey is a little weighty (156g), while the lack of a zipper garage is a questionable omission. Also missing is a zipped pocket, with Assos going for fabric covers for security – I’d still prefer a zipped option. And the bibs? Excellent, with a luxurious feel given by the supple yet supportive straps and a waist construction that removes any areas of irritation (it didn’t conceal our gut as many on test, though). The mighty chamois is unstitched on the sides, a neat idea that aids aerations and quick-drying abilities.
Verdict
A couple of jersey quirks, but superlative shorts for endurance riding
Rapha Pro Team Jersey/Training Bibshorts
£120/£140
Sizes XS–XXL Colours Seven jersey colours, grey/navy pictured; navy or black bibs
Paying more than £100 for a jersey still feels like crossing a threshold for us, but the Pro Team justifies that price tag. It’s lean, fairly light (142g) and silky on the skin, the fabric a winner for baselayer-less days.
The 14% elastane construction adds flexibility to the mix, while top-end touches include bonded internal seams and an understated but effective hem. The zipped pocket is appreciated, as is a full-length zipper guard, while it has the most flattering fit on test. The bibs continue the lightweight summer suppleness theme, while the partly recycled material construction and internal flatlock seams are most welcome. A mesh upper and straps aid venting on both tarmac and the turbo, but there are techier, more breathable pads here, and a major seam down the middle is dubious. The grippers are also a little too elasticated and rigid.
Verdict
Classy, costly and considered kit, but with a couple of bib quibbles
Gore Signal Jersey/ Long Distance Bib Shorts+
£79.99/£199.99
Sizes S–XXL Colours White/ fireball; Black/neon yellow; Orbit blue (bibs)
Does white clothing make you feel cooler? Research is equivocal, but it certainly feels so with the Signal jersey; an ultralight 124g number that’s silky, striking and stylish – just don’t wear it on muddy gravel rides. A full-length zip guard and zipped rear pocket are present, although the elasticated openings on the three rear pockets are a little dated compared to others here. Breathability is aided by the perforated material, aerodynamics by the lengthy, well-fitting sleeves. Like the Assos, the lower-cut front of the bibs doesn’t hold a beer belly in so well, but elsewhere they’re hard to fault. There are ultra-stretchy straps and glorious laser-cut legs, plus the soft area above that lower-cut design equals no mid-ride irritation. Flatlock seams and supportive straps complete a quality, if very high-priced, pair of shorts.
Verdict
Not cheap but top-class bibs and a jersey that’s built for the heat of summer