The Universal Colours Men’s Mono Long Sleeve Jersey is well-made and thoughtfully designed. It’s cleanly styled, environmentally conscious, and fits well when on the bike. It’s not the warmest option out there for use by itself, but is thin enough to be used with other layers.
> Buy now: Universal Colours Men’s Mono Long Sleeve Jersey for £110 from benchmark.cx
Universal Colours has built its brand around technical quality and understated designs, and the Mono Long Sleeve fits neatly into that. Out of the bag, it comes across as a high-end garment with fabric that has a dense but soft feel and a high quality finish with laser-cut hems and flatlock stitching.
Fit is where Universal Colours tends to excel, and this jersey is no exception. I tested a size large and it was spot on – not an aero jersey by any stretch, but one that doesn’t have excess material flapping around. The sleeves are generous in length, staying put when you’re in the drops, and the hem has a decent silicone gripper at the bottom which helps to keep everything in place even when the pockets are unladen.
One thing I particularly like about this jersey is that it is made with a mix of recycled nylon and elastane, which gives plenty of stretch while maintaining structure. Even when worn over a thin base layer, it didn’t crease or bunch.
The collar sits fairly high and protects the neck against cold air, and the YKK zipper is smooth and easy to adjust one-handed. It’s a small thing, but having a reliable zip you can operate mid-ride whilst wearing gloves matters more than many people realise.
On cool autumn rides, the jersey performed admirably. It’s not a thermal jersey, but it offers enough insulation for temperatures down to about 10°C if paired with a good base layer. Below that, I chucked on an extra layer or gilet.
Breathability is excellent. Even on short climbs or for higher tempo efforts, I didn’t feel clammy. Moisture wicking is quick, and it moved moisture away from my skin well – something that is essential for autumnal rides.
There are three main pockets on the back, which are well placed for access on the go and offer enough space for most ride essentials. There’s also a smaller zipped pocket for valuables with a water-resistant lining.
With an RRP of £110, the Mono Long Sleeve Jersey is about where I would expect for a cooler weather jersey of this quality. The closest comparison on the market today is probably Rapha’s Mens Core Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey which covers a similar temperature range, is designed for layering, and comes in at £100.
> Best winter cycling jerseys 2026 — keep warm when the temperature drops
You could also compare it to the Santini Pure Dye Jersey that we looked at a couple of years ago. This again is a good layering jersey and comes with an RRP of £120.
Overall, this is a great jersey for spring and autumn, when you need something warm, breathable and reliable but that can also be be worn with other layers. Breathability and wicking are good and at £110 the price sits about where I would expect.
Verdict
A well-made, sustainable jersey that can be used as an inner layer in the cold our outer in milder conditions
> Buy now: Universal Colours Men’s Mono Long Sleeve Jersey for £110 from benchmark.cx
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Universal Colours Men’s Mono Long Sleeve Jersey
Size tested: Large
Tell us what the product is for
Universal Colours says: “The new Mono men’s long sleeve jersey is the perfect staple to layer up throughout the colder seasons. Made from 80% pre-consumer waste recycled nylon and 20% elastane, you can be confident that your choice is a sustainably-conscious one. The soft and stretchy nature of the fabric ensures that it remains comfortable during long days in the saddle.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Soft and stretchy fabric ensures comfort during long rides
Reflective logos for visibility and a full-length YKK zipper
Three rear pockets plus an additional waterproof zipped pocket
Designed and Created by Universal Colours
Made in Lithuania by BlueSign® accredited factory, LTP
Well made with strong stitching throughout and a good stretchy fabric that allows it to sit comfortably against the skin.
Very good, it’s a staple that can be used on its own in more moderate weather or layered when the temperature drops.
No reason to believe that this wouldn’t last well. It has been through the wash several times without any issues, the stitching is strong, and the fabric doesn’t feel like it would get holes or rip particularly easily.
The jersey has a decent amount of stretch in the fabric and the cut is close without being aero, meaning it fits well and doesn’t bunch or crease too much.
The large size fitted as I would expect.
The stretch in the fabric allowed for a full range of movement, the fabric is soft, and there is a decent amount of breathability.
At £110 this is about where I would expect a jersey of this quality to sit.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Easy, I chucked it in the washing machine at 30 degrees and line dried with no issues.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It performed well. This is very much a do-all cool-weather outer layer or cold-weather mid-layer. It sits well underneath a gilet or jacket whilst still allowing for different underlayers to sit underneath it too, giving it a lot of flexibility of use.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The stretch in the fabric.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Not as insulated as others.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
The closest comparison on the market today is probably Rapha’s Mens Core Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey which covers a similar temperature range, is designed for layering, and comes in at £100. You could also compare it to the Santini Pure Dye Jersey that we looked at a couple of years ago. This again is a good layering jersey and comes with an RRP of £120.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
A good all-rounder jersey that you can use under other layers when its cold or on top in milder conditions. It is comfortable, sustainable and breathable, making it a good winter staple.
About the tester
Age: 35 Height: 6 ft Weight:
I usually ride: CAAD13 My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed,
