All Arround MTB

Troy Lee’s Skyline is one of those jerseys that you pull on and it feels instantly good. The slouchy fit isn’t baggy on the bike and there’s no weight or drag to it. For those who are interested in material provenance, the fabric is Bluesign certified. It’s lightweight and keeps you cool, and the open-mesh back panel allows heat to escape even faster. Taller riders will appreciate the extra-long body and sleeves – sleeves that also stay in place when pushed up (yes, it’s a small detail, but very annoying when it doesn’t work). There’s also a side pocket with lens wipe. The finish quality isn’t as high as on some jerseys here, suggesting that you’re paying a bit of a premium because TLD is a fashionable brand, but that doesn’t stop us from wanting to wear the Skyline very much. Price $90

Tech tees, due to their simplicity, tend to sit at the right end of most budgets, but even so, for $45 we don’t usually expect anything that’s more than basic. The Trillium confounds that by delivering a great cut combined with better-thanaverage fabric. It’s got a relaxed, but not baggy, fit and a wide neckline that makes it easier to get on and off than many tops of this type and feels less restrictive on the bike. The taped seam at the back of the neck is a technical detail that’s usually only found on more expensive styles. A Polygiene antibacterial treatment is incorporated into the fabric to help prevent the pong associated with manmade wicking fibres. Given that tech tees can be worn for just about any activity, this is a truly bargainous piece. Price $45

This is a limited edition print, so you’d best be quick if you love it. But it was more than just the eye-catching graphic style of the MT500 Print II that stood out during testing. It can be hard to deconstruct why a jersey finds its way to the top of the riding pile time after time, but it normally comes down to one thing – it simply feels good to wear. In the case of the Endura jersey, much of that is down to the fabric, which is very lightweight, with an airy quality that means it wicks efficiently and dries fast. It also has a smooth feel, which makes layering – whether over armour or under a jacket (it’s been a cold spring) – easy. The fit is relaxed but not too baggy, so it sits well when you’re riding and doesn’t flap. Slim sleeves help anchor the loose-fitting body – a design feature that only works if the sleeves fit well, and these do, falling into a good shape on the bike and allowing ample freedom of movement. When it comes to bike jerseys, we always talk about fit and...

This is another deceptively simple-looking jersey that scores highly because of the performance of the fabric. It’s lightweight, with a high degree of stretch and a long, slim fit that still allows unrestricted movement on the bike. The fabric has a smooth feel, wicks superbly and dries quickly. It sounds (and feels, at first) like it’ll be delicate but close inspection reveals a dense surface designed for abrasion resistance. Unbelieving, we tested it on a spiky hedge and it survived unscathed. While it’s not the cheapest tech tee, it’s by no means expensive, and in our view it’s worth investing the extra tenner or so to get a top that successfully combines lightweight hot-weather performance with the hardier durability usually associated with heavier materials. Price $75

The Desperado isn’t a jersey we’d necessarily have picked off the shelf, but the more we wear it, the more we appreciate its benefits. Made from a mix of merino wool (47 per cent) and polyester (53 per cent), the comfort level is high. On chillier mornings, we appreciated the warm feel that the wool brings to the fabric. As the temperatures rose, the jersey never felt overly hot. The inclusion of polyester in the merino yarn means it dries faster than a standard wool jersey too. As we’ve come to expect from 7mesh, the fit is immaculate. A properly articulated cut and long, dipped back hem make it a joy to ride in. Add the natural no-smell benefits of merino and the result is top comfort and performance even during multiday trips. There’s a choice of four (subdued) colours too. Price $105

There’s a lot of science behind the Attack Pro jersey. The sleeves are made from four-way-stretch Cordura, which feels relatively heavy and is deliberately used that way to increase durability where it matters. They felt like they were going to be too tight, but once on the bike, they fitted perfectly and articulated well. Lighter-weight Polartec Delta is used through the body, which also has a slim fit. It’s a jersey that feels like it’ll be warm but doesn’t overheat easily out on the trails. When it does get sweaty, it dries before you know it. Straight off the shelf, the contrasting fabrics mean it looks and feels a little odd – as if the sleeves belong to another top altogether. It’s a jersey that needs to be ridden in ‘in anger’ in order to appreciate all of that technology properly. Price $97

Morvelo are known for their eye-catching designs, and if pink and blue stripes aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other killer options in their line-up. Not that it’s all about the visuals – riding in the Angled, it’s clear that the devil is very much in the detail. Mesh side panels give increased ventilation and the high stretch content of the fabric means the slim-ish fit is always comfortable. That’s also helped by a panelled construction through the body, which gives better shape. If this were carried through to the sleeves, the jersey would be close to perfect. The small details are also impressive, including flatlock seams and a high-quality finish. If you came for the casual good looks, you’ll stay for the technical detail and riding comfort. Price $67

Sometimes what you want is a technical wicking jersey that doesn’t look like one once you’ve pedalled to your destination. Or maybe you just prefer the nononsense simplicity of T-shirt style designs. Enter the Madison Roam, which, with its small chest pocket and casual stripe design, looks like an everyday top. Just don’t put anything in that pocket – it’ll only take a folded fiver, and we can’t guarantee it’ll stay there until the beer needs paying for. The fabric is light and stretchy, and a more open knit is used under the arms for faster cooling. When you’re riding you barely know you’re wearing it, which is always a good sign. In short, it’s all that a technical riding T-shirt should be and you’ll probably find yourself wearing it for more than just biking. Price $57

The Phantom feels like a cross between a casual baselayer (we actually ended up using it as one this spring) and a slim-fitting jersey. It’s made from a lightweight fabric with a smooth, silk-like feel. This wicks well, and the back panel has a more open knit for increased breathability. As a result, it stays comfortable when things start to get warm. The arms are plenty long enough. While another couple of inches on the back hem wouldn’t hurt, especially for taller riders, it’s not a deal breaker. This is a good, well-priced basic bike top with the twist of a nice extra functional detail, in the form of a sewn-in lens wipe.We like the styling, too – it’s stealthy enough for ninja riders but with a bit of interest on the sleeves for those who don’t love neon but don’t want to be dull. Price $60

The ‘drirelease’ fabric used on the front of this ION tech tee wicks well and dries quickly, and doesn’t have too much of a slippery, synthetic feel to it. It seems robust yet rides light. Extra features include a small zipped side pocket (best used for a single house or car key, emergency tenner or lift pass, but nice to have) and a lens wipe on the opposite side. The cut is casual but the Scrub Amp jersey doesn’t shift around when you’re on the bike and there’s plenty of freedom of movement in the shoulders. It’s not the cheapest tech tee but it fits well, the detail is well-observed and it feels like it’s built to last. The ‘Sanitized’ antibacterial treatment keeps pongs at bay too. If yellow and brown aren’t your thing, there are three other colour options. Price $82

This is a classic baggy MTB jersey, with a boxy cut that gives complete ease of movement simply because there’s lots of room in there. There are days when you won’t want all that excess material flapping around, but for more casual riding it’s an easy one to throw on, and light enough for warmer days. A slimmer cut to the arms ensures the O’Neal jersey doesn’t slide about as you ride. Contrasting material is used on the forearms, which gives the appearance of a three-quarter-sleeve top with a baselayer underneath. But this turns out to be not just about the looks, because the stretchy fabric means the sleeves can be pushed up easily and stay in place.With a bonus feature of a large lens wipe, this is a deceptively simple jersey that scores well on riding comfort. Price $67

Part of a limited-edition collection designed with Aussie enduro and DH superstar Sam Hill, the Deemax Pro Ltd looks immediately different, with its squared-off neckline and distinctive fabric. It feels good too – the material is almost cotton-like and, although light to wear, has a more robust feel than most at this weight. While the cut of the body is fine – relaxed but not oversized – the sleeves are very narrow over the forearms. This makes them feel like they want to pull up, so we found it more comfortable to ride with them pushed up than worn down. There’s a short-sleeve version of this top that would avoid the problem. The combination of fabric quality and racing provenance does also mean that, when it comes to cost, this is a jersey that sits firmly in the ‘splurge’ category. Price $112

Race Face have nailed the ‘tee that makes you want to ride’ with a great colour choice and graphics. The hand-knit fabric has a cottonlike feel and does its work on the bike without making you feel like you’re wearing a ‘performance’ top if you pair it with jeans for a post-ride trip to the pub. A good cut and plenty of stretch in the material ensure you can move around on the bike freely. Our only wish would be for a tad more refinement in the construction. The long back-of-neck label can irritate, so we’d snip it out right away, and the seams are somewhat chunky. That isn’t a problem for casual riding – which, to be fair, is what this top is best suited to – but isn’t ideal if you’re going to be wearing a pack for any length of time. Price $64

The name says it all – this is a jersey designed for warmer days on the trails. As you’d hope, the polyester fabric wicks well and dries fast, so we’re looking forward to wearing it this summer. The design stands out without being crazy all-over-colour overkill, although the floral sleeves will undoubtedly be too lairy for some. With its slim fit and slight dropped tail, it doesn’t look too out of place used for running or other active duties. Be warned, though – the cut does run small. While our medium sample was a good length, we found it a little too snug for comfort under the arms. So, if you’re taken with the style and versatility of the Solar jersey and you’re broad of shoulder, think about sizing up. Flare make a women’s version too, for the same price. Price $60

With its baseball shirt styling and grey/black colour combo, the Heritage jersey looks the part off the bike and, for the non-hefty price tag of $45, turns in a good performance on it too. Most of that is down to the fit – it’s easy to move in without being too baggy and was long enough for even our tallest testers. The fabric is what we’d expect for the money – a standard wicking type. But the taped backof- neck seam is something usually only found on pricier jerseys and, if you’ve worn tops with lumpy seams or sharp-edged labels, you’ll know what a bonus this is. Our only concern with this jersey is that the logo print is sticky from new and we’re not sure how long it’ll survive bad laundry practice, but overall this is a good basic option at an affordable price. Price $45

The soft fabric of the Indicator makes it incredibly comfy and gives it a slightly more subtle look than a regular jersey. It also wicks sweat well and dries quickly too. Sizing is accurate enough, erring towards a more tailored cut, with decent length in the body and arms. It’s good the fabric is stretchy because the forearms feel a bit tight initially. Flat seams across the top of the shoulders mean it’s comfy when wearing a pack too, and there’s a tiny stash pocket for a lift pass, though it’ll not carry much else. It’s missing a lens wipe, but the comfort, cut and styling make up for that. Price $70

When it comes to style, fit and feel, the Ruckus is a hard jersey to beat, though not everyone will be into the price. While we were a little dubious about the three-quarter-length sleeves initially, we like the fact that they can be rolled up and will actually stay put while riding. They’re also just about baggy enough to fit over low-profile elbow pads. There are two zipped pockets on the back, where you can stash a car key and some cash without issue. A phone will fit too, though the added weight made the jersey bounce around a bit too much for our liking. A decent-sized glasses wipe rounds things out nicely. Although the fabric is relatively thick, the Ruckus wicks sweat well enough for that not to be too much of an issue, though it does take a while to fully dry out. The plus side is that it’ll shrug off bramble snags without tearing to shreds. When it comes to understated good looks, it’s easily one of the nicest jerseys out there. Price $82

The Mesa jersey has a single rear pocket, which is handy for stashing a car key or cash in, along with a discreet glasses wipe just above the inside of the hem. There’s enough length in the arms and at the rear to ensure a decent fit is maintained when riding, while stretchy mesh panels help to keep movement free and easy, and prevent things getting too stuffy. The shiny fabric deals with sweat well enough but close encounters with brambles can leave the odd thread poking out here and there. It’s a really comfy jersey, which counts for a lot. But not everyone will be into the branding emblazoned across the chest. Price $67

This rather casual-looking jersey from Endura holds its own when compared to some pricier and more tech-laden alternatives, and has become a favourite of ours for really sweaty rides. The lightweight fabric feels incredibly soft next to the skin and wicks well. It dries extremely fast too, which makes a difference if you end up stopping a lot during a ride. Raglan sleeves help to ensure things remain comfy when wearing a pack, and there’s enough stretch around the neck to make sure you never feel too restricted. The sizing is accurate enough, and it’s really hard to argue with the price. Price $50

It may be made from 83 per cent merino, but this is no baselayer. The slouchy (but well cut) fit puts it firmly in jersey territory, and it’s stylish enough to wear in the pub too, with the 3/4 sleeves and dropped tail being the only giveaways that it’s a riding top. Thanks to the high wool content, it stays warm when damp with sweat or drizzle, making it ideal for changeable spring rides. The raglan cut helps it move with you, the mesh back reduces under-pack stickiness and the addition of nylon and elastane to the fabric mix helps it keep its shape and wick better. Our only complaints are that the neck is a little wide and the price is high. Price $112