Best long sleeve cycling jerseys 2026 — wear them on their own or layer up to stay warm

The Gorewear Spinshift Thermo Long Sleeve is a lighter weight version of the Spinshift Thermo Jacket suited to warmer winter or cooler spring and autumn days. Gorewear says it’s ‘a perfect choice for days when a jacket is overkill but a regular jersey isn’t quite enough’. 

It looks like a jersey, feels like one, but offers a bit more under the hood to keep you warm and protected from the elements on days where you might not normally want to go out – without sacrificing breathability when you want to crack on.

The Spinshift Thermo Long Sleeve has built-in insulation, and protection, around the core, so there’s no need to take a gilet. If you need it, there’s just enough room underneath for a thermal long sleeve baselayer, and you can pop a waterproof jacket on top if the weather is looking dicey.

If this does look like the ideal long sleeve jersey for you, there isn’t long left to buy it unfortunately, as Gorewear’s parent company announced it would stop making and selling cycling apparel at the end of March 2026. 

The Velocio Men Luxe Merino Long Sleeve jersey takes a timeless material and gives it a modern, performance-focused twist. Long before synthetic fabrics promised ‘technical performance’, merino was already doing it naturally. Its breathable, temperature-regulating and naturally odour-resistant making it perfect for autumn rides and for part of layering setup in winter.

Reviewer Sam says that the Luxe Merino feels refined, minimalist and premium. The fit is spot on – neither race-tight nor relaxed and very much in the ‘fitted endurance’ camp.

He used it across numerous rides in temperatures ranging from 5–15°C, where the Luxe Merino excelled. Warm when you need it, cool when you don’t and comfortable all day long.

The Van Rysel Mid-Season Long-Sleeved Road Cycling Jersey Racer 2 is a great choice for autumn and spring and into winter if layered with other garments. It’s best described as a bridge garment, designed for conditions where it’s a bit too cool for a short sleeve summer top but too warm for winter weight jerseys. 

Rather than just being a summer jersey with longer sleeves, the fabric used here is thicker to cope with cooler weather, with thinner panels along the armpits, sides and back for efficient wicking.

Reviewer Shaun said, “Even in the mid-teens, moisture management is very good, helped by the ventilated panels. I’ve needed to drop the zipper occasionally but have never overheated. At the cooler end of the spectrum I’ve been comfortable with just a vest-type baselayer down to 7°C, adding a lightweight gilet to block chillier autumn blasts or a packable micro jacket for additional protection for my arms.”

The name of the Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey covers pretty much what it does. It has a figure-hugging fit, long sleeves and its mid-weight fabric makes it a bit warmer than a summer jersey and arm warmer combination. 

In terms of warmth, it’s warmer than the thickness of its fabric would suggest and Rapha recommends it’s about right for temperatures between 6-16°C.The fabric used for the Lightweight gives some sun protection up to UPF3, although Rapha says it has not been officially UPF rated as it is designed for cool to moderate conditions.

Overall, it’s excellent quality and has great attention to detail.

the GripGrab Gravelin Merinotech Jersey is one of those pieces of clothing that could be one of the staples of your year-round cycling wardrobe. The fit is great and the jersey warm and breathable across a range of temperatures.

The material is made from a mix of 66% recycled polyamide, 9% virgin polyamide and 25% merino wool, creating a jersey that’s pretty light and not that bulky, but the GripGrab Merinotech keeps your body heat in well.

Reviewer Stu said, “On much colder days I was able to pair this with a long-sleeve base layer underneath, when I was warm enough down to temperatures as cold as -3°C. With a mesh baselayer underneath I was comfortable up to around 12-13°C even when I was riding quite hard, which was helped by the Merinotech’s impressive breathability.”

The Iris Amadinia Long Sleeve Jersey offers an outstanding fit and performance – snug but non-restrictive, from an independent company doing its best to reduce cycling’s carbon footprint. It shines in the mild-to-cool conditions of autumn and spring, while its cut means you can easily team it with a gilet or jacket.

Iris offers the jersey in a wide range of sizes, from XXS to XXXL. This is a fine achievement for a small company, genuinely catering for all sizes so that nobody is left out.

Reviewer Emma says, “I’ve been thoroughly impressed with every aspect of the Amadinia. Perhaps this shouldn’t come as a surprise given the driving force behind the company was a pro rider for 12 years – she knows what makes good kit and, perhaps even more importantly, what doesn’t.”

Universal Colours has built its brand around technical quality and understated designs, and the Mono Long Sleeve fits neatly into that.  It’s well-made and thoughtfully designed. 

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, it’s thin enough to be used with extra layers.

The Mono Long Sleeve is also environmentally conscious made with a mix of recycled nylon and elastane, which gives plenty of stretch while maintaining structure.

The Galibier Roubaix Merino Jersey is a nicely executed merino blend long sleeve, designed for temperatures of 9-17°C. When we hear the term merino blend, we’re usually thinking merino with varying amounts of polyester, but in this instance the outer layer is merino wool, the inner bamboo – theoretically providing the best blend of comfort and durability.

It’s also suited to all genres of riding from road through to gravel and mountain biking and comes with an attractive price tag. We’ve also reviewed the female version and were equally impressed. 

The dhb Blok Long Sleeve Jersey hits a lot of sweet spots: warm but not bulky and fitted but not painted on. The Italian micro Roubaix fabric’s brushed inner lining adding comfort and warmth, while the attendant lack of bulk made it perfect for slipping underneath another layer.

Reviewer Paul said that he used the jersey with just a baselayer in milder conditions (12-16°C) and paired it with the same baselayer and dhb’s Aeron All Winter Softshell jacket on single figure days.

Overall, it’s an excellent everyday long-sleeve jersey offering style, comfort, warmth and breathability at a good price.

Cafe du Cycliste markets the Lorenne as a ‘mid-weight audax jersey for going the distance in cooler temperatures’. Reviewer Hollis said that it’s most appropriate worn as an outer layer in cool spring or autumn conditions, where the weather isn’t going to throw everything against you.

With a word like ‘audax’ in the name, it’s a jersey you’d expect to work well on extended rides. The Lorenne functions best in nicer weather but if there’s even a hint of foul weather, the large rear mesh pocket allows you to stash a lightweight rain jacket, and the large opening makes it easy to gain access while you ride so you don’t necessarily have to stop to layer up or down.

While £205 is a lot of money for a jersey, the Cafe du Cycliste Lorenne is a beautifully made piece of kit, and has some nice features that elevate it over more run-of-the-mill options.

Perhaps the only riders this won’t please are a) those who don’t like the look and b) hardcore racers looking for the lightest and tightest clothing. The Cycology Horizon Lightweight Long Sleeve Summer Jersey is a simple prospect: if you want a top of its (very clear) description, and you like the bold look, just go for it.

This is at heart a good jersey: well designed, well made and well shaped. The sleeves and body are really well judged for length, being long (but not too long) for easy coverage when tucked in with arms stretched out. It’s very comfortable, not even close to flappy and it looks good.

Underneath your arms runs a broad strip of mesh, which continues across the back and sides for ventilation; the front panels, meanwhile, are solid. They’re not windproof, but they provide a useful amount of protection nonetheless.

The 7mesh S2S Jersey LS Mens is a fantastic jersey for the changeable conditions of spring, autumn and even winter – but you’ll need deep pockets. If you’re looking for an alternative to a softshell jacket, then 7mesh’s S2S Jersey is definitely worth considering. It’s a combination of a jersey and jacket which reviewer Hollis thinks is a better solution than a softshell, offering both greater weather protection and better breathability.

It’s made using a mix of mostly recycled materials and is PFC- and PFAS-free, which means the water-repellent coating doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals. 

As for the recommended temperature range, Hollis wrote, “Realistically, I’d says that 10-15°C or so is the ideal temperature range. That said, depending on your body shape and the size you go for, you could pair it with a long-sleeve base layer or even a long-sleeve jersey”.