The best mountain bike jerseys

Tried and tested by Adam Binnie: "Endura's MT500 range represents the Scottish brand's peak performance, but even so this Burner jersey comes with a surprising number of features - above and beyond the usual hole for your head and sleeves for your arms you'll find elsewhere.

"For a start it's made from a purposeful (and 50% recycled) mix of materials - the body is soft and comfortable, and super light, while the shoulders and upper sleeves are made from a much tougher and durable fabric. I dragged my arm past a prickly hedge on a ride and it didn't even snag.

"The main body of the jersey wicks away sweat really well, and because it's so thin it doesn't hold onto much moisture, and dries super fast as well. It also lets a load of wind through to help keep you cool - great for the summer, but worth pairing with a warm mid-layer (like the one below) on colder rides.

"In terms of fit, I'm 6"2/100kg and the XL is spot on for me. It's that Goldilocks combo of loose enough to get body armour under but not so baggy that it flaps around in the wind, and the sleeves pinch in nicely towards the end, so you can push them up 3/4 style on really warm days.

"Helping ventilation further are some laser-cut perforations under the arms and on the back. These look really neat and are backed with reinforcing fabric to stop them from tearing. You also get a pair of silicone shoulder grippers to help hang onto your rucksack. I've got an USWE Flow that doesn't move much anyway, but it's even less mobile when I wear this jersey.

"The final feature is a zipped pocked on the sleeve where you can store your lift pass, in case you're on a big Alpine uplift day. This isn't as useful in the UK where gondola uplifts are a bit few and far between, but it's the type of thing that is immensely useful if you need it.

"There are a couple of different colourways, I like this blue one the best, but they're all pretty minimalist making it easy to coordinate with whatever else you're wearing. It looks very racey to me, every time I put it on I want to zip-tie a numberboard to my bars, but comes packed with all the features you need on a normal trail ride. A brilliant jersey!"

Tried and tested by Adam Binnie: "This is an absolutely superb bit of kit - something I didn't realise I needed and now won't go without. Designed to work as part of a layering system or as a jersey on its own, it's the key to staying comfortable as the temperatures start to drop.

"It's made from grid-backed fleece, which Endura says has been used by the outdoor industry before, but not the mountain biking world. It's a new one on me too - I think it looks a bit like the waffle-weave towel I use to dry my car after washing it, but it feels super soft to the touch and instantly warming. It's 80% recycled, too.

"I normally run a bit hot anyway so generally head out the door on cold days under-dressed and feeling chilly, knowing I'll warm up, and I take a packable jacket with me in case I need to stop.

"This Endura fleece just seems to hold my body temperature at the perfect level - it feels very breathable and the fabric itself is thin and light, so I don't get too hot even when I'm pushing it. So I don't need the jacket anymore.

"The XL jersey features Endura's signature just-right-fit, slim enough but with space for armour and movement. There's a small zip pocket on the back for storing things too.

"I'm absolutely wearing this thing to death at the moment, and not just on my mountain bike either. It's been used as a motorbike base layer, I've slept in it during a particularly chilly camping trip, and I quite often wear it around the house while we delay putting the central heating on just a bit longer."

Tried and tested by Adam Binnie: "I bought a Mons Royale top in a sale about five years ago, and remember thinking that even reduced to £50, that was a lot of money for a t-shirt. But it’s been absolutely epic – having survived at least twice monthly wearings, maybe a hundred trips around the washing machine, and even a handful of pretty big crashes. I go bouldering in it, barbecue in it, and even wear it around the house when I’ve got absolutely no intention of riding.

"So I’ve since bought a few more and it’s really easy to recommend this long sleeve version – Mons have a few different styles but the Redwood Enduro is my favourite, due to its huge vented panels, supremely soft Merino wool construction, and clever features like a small zipped pocket around the back and hidden goggle wipe.

"It has a v-neck that can (but probably shouldn’t) be stretched over a helmet and minimal branding in a small font for a really clean look. I especially love the tie-dye effect, mixed with a block of colour on the main body of the jersey, otherwise, I think it’d be a bit much. Recommended without hesitation!"

A sweat-wicking Merino wool blend makes this the ideal women's MTB jersey, and 3/4 sleeves offer the best of both worlds when it comes to protection and cooling.

Our review: "Initially I was a bit put-off by the boxy cut of this jersey, but over time I got used to it and now absolutely love the way it fits, particularly the looser sections under my arms, where other tops can be clingy and cause chaffing.

"The sleeves are also the perfect length - long enough to keep my arms warm but not so long that I want to roll them up on hotter days.

"The material is lightweight and soft to touch, unlike my other scratchy, synthetic tech t-shirts. It somehow manages to be warm but not sweaty in a wide range of conditions, whether worn under a jacket or by itself.

"It's my go-to bike top now, which I also wear running and sometimes just around the house."

Tried and tested by Adam Binnie: "If the number of items in your MTB kit drawer is starting to overtake your everyday clothes, having a load of tech tees that can be used for lots of different activities on and off the bike can be a real space saver.

"Usually made of wicking polyester fabric of some sort, these garments are the unsung heroes of the activewear wardrobe. I wear this Rapha one as a base layer in the winter, by itself in warmer weather, on casual rides with the family, and sometimes where I go bouldering.

"It has less of a drop-tail than the rest of my jerseys and fits more like a normal cotton t-shirt, so has a very versatile style. My only complaint is that I have to go up a size to get the right length, and the neck hole is a bit tight when you're putting it on."

Fox has a spectrum of high-quality garments, helmets, goggles, and more for those passionate about the sport. More specifically, their Fox Ranger Jersey features a TruDri fabric - designed to help wick sweat and moisture from your body and, most importantly, keep you dry and comfortable on those difficult trails.  

This jersey balances the technical fabric needed for high-performance sport with the comfort of a well-designed tee. It is 100% engineered polyester, with a vented front main body panel ideal for warmer days, where more ventilation would be ideal to keep cool. Around the back of the jersey, you can also reap the benefits of its drop tail panel, which allows for coverage and protection of your back as you lean forward on the bike.  

Although on a slightly more expensive scale, Fox’s Ranger Jersey doesn’t disappoint with its quality and breathable material, allowing hardcore mountain bikers to enjoy their ride.

Tried and tested by Adam Binnie: "There are plenty of Merino wool tops available now but the pure MTB designs and colourways can often be a bit loud and divisive. If you ride an XC or gravel bike and want that half-roadie, half-off-roadie look (baggy jersey and bib shorts vibe) this Rapha shirt is full of the brand's understated style.

"As such, it works really well as a plain base layer but is strengthened with nylon for durability so it resists snags and tears better than a pure wool item. It's perfect as your top layer too.

"The material feels soft to the touch and lighter than air while riding, with a decent amount of stretch and wind-flap resistant fit on the arms. The neck hole is on the larger side, but it does at least mean you can get it on or off while wearing an open-face helmet."

Tried and tested by Adam Binnie: "It sounds like a very niche requirement but when I substitute the cardiovascular effort of riding up a hill for getting an uplift in a van instead, I quite often find myself getting cold on the descents, even in warmer months. A big windproof panel on this Rapha jersey blocks that chilling draft, while a vented back stops you from boiling over.

"It comes in a particularly racy cut, with very tight sleeves and a higher hem (although it still has a drop tail to deflect mud and rain) so it’s worth sizing up if you prefer a 90s baggy look. If I didn’t get so hot on normal trail rides this would be a bit of a go-to, especially in the colder months, if it meant I could get away without wearing a jacket.

"Rapha usually ships its gear with repair patches, which I absolutely love because it means small tears can be sorted without writing off the whole garment. The Windblock is no different, although it's worth pointing out the patches are only for the sleeves – if you rip the front panel you can’t repair it yourself. Handily you can send stuff back to Rapha for them to fix."