The best cycling jerseys for hot weather — our favourite lightweight, breathable summer jerseys for every type of ride

The 7mesh Men’s Atlas Jersey is a great short-sleeved top that feels as impressively comfortable on warm rides as on cooler days with a base layer underneath.

The cut isn’t skin-tight but it’s not so loose that it flaps on descents, while the arms cover your biceps and 7mesh’s Anything Series Pocket System makes it perfect for all-day adventures.

Alongside the traditional three rear pockets, you get two more which are accessed by hidden zips on the left and right sides so you end up with plenty of space for everything.

Madison’s Roam Men’s Short Sleeve Jersey is competitively priced and well executed for both road and gravel riding.

It’s clear a lot of thought has gone into the design with a soft collar and zip guard to protect the neck, silicone grippers, stretchy ‘soft touch’ fabric and flat seams, and subtle reflectives. The lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects inspires confidence, too.

The material is thicker and less airy than a traditional summer road jersey but it still does a decent job of trafficking sweat from the skin, helped by the ventilation panel down the back.

The Ready to Ride Unisex Jersey from Santini is an excellent cycling top suited to all but the very hottest conditions. It has an excellent and genuinely unisex fit and the material is highly breathable.

It’s a versatile jersey designed to offer a balance of comfort and performance, one made for everyday riding rather than racing.

This is a lightweight jersey weighing just 128g, but in spite of the low weight it is in no way see-through, which is always a bonus.

The Espresso 2 refines an already excellent jersey, improving fit and pocket stability while retaining the comfort and breathability that made the original so easy to recommend.

The jersey is described as a ‘tailored’ fit, designed to balance comfort, breathability and performance. This is one of the standout features. It is close-fitting without ever feeling restrictive and remains easy to wear, even on all-day rides in varying conditions.

The Espresso is available in lots of different colours, so you’ll easily be able to find one you like. There’s no big logo and the understated look makes it easy to pair with other clothing.

The Q36.5 Dottore Clima is packed full of innovative fabric technology that keeps the temperature just right when it’s roasting outside and equally when the evenings get a little cooler.

Graphene has been infused into the weft of the material which Q36.5 says contributes to more efficient moisture wicking, heat dissipation, and overall comfort, and it really does deliver in this regard.

This is one of the most expensive jerseys we’ve reviewed to date, and while it sits at a price point that makes most everyday riders’ wallets shake the thread out of the leather, the development that has gone into making it, and the results off the back of it, really are exceptional.

The Madison Flux Women’s Short Sleeve Jersey puts in an impressive all-round performance and it comes at a bargain price. Out of the box, the first thing you notice is the supersoft “premium soft touch” fabric which feels more like a £100+ jersey.

The performance-oriented fit ticks all the right boxes. The sleeves sit perfectly – not too long, not too short – and the rear hem provides ample coverage, keeping everything tidy when you’re in the drops.

For a performance-focused jersey at this price, it’s hard to fault, aside from a limited size range that might exclude some riders.

The Rapha Pro Team Training Jersey III is a very good all-round training jersey with an excellent fit.

Rapha uses a dual material construction, combining a structured main body fabric with breathable side panels to help manage heat and moisture. The fabric has plenty of stretch and feels noticeably softer than most jerseys.

At 139g, this sits more in the mid-weight camp than an ultra-light climber’s jersey, which makes it a really practical option for UK riding. It offers enough breathability for warm summer days but feels a little more substantial than the very lightweight mesh jerseys designed for 30°C plus conditions.

The TICCC HC jersey is a top-notch summer cycling jersey that has been designed for racing and hot conditions. It features a lightweight construction and plenty of ventilation, and also a high percentage of recycled fabric.

Its tight, race-fit design ensures an aerodynamic profile and eliminates any bunching or wrinkling.

With three rear pockets and a valuables pocket, the jersey offers sufficient storage. While the jersey’s graphics and colour options may not suit everyone, its overall quality and performance make it a great choice.

The Lusso Paragon jersey is a stylish and comfortable cycling jersey that excels in a variety of conditions, not only in the summer but also for spring and autumn riding.

With great breathability and high-capacity pockets, this top is ideal for long days in the saddle. The jersey has a close fit but with comfort in mind rather than an aggressive race cut. The sleeves are a good length, and the laser-cut ends fit well and remain in place all day.

As the name suggests, the Castelli Aero Race 8S Jersey is the eighth generation of the Italian company’s aero offering, with refined fabrics and a precision fit aimed at making it the brand’s most aerodynamic offering yet.

It’s a strong option if you’re seeking a race-fit jersey with real-world versatility and are willing to pay for the performance. It features deep, easy-to-access pockets that make it well suited to even the longest rides. It also offers a superbly comfortable fit, and excellent breathability, making it ideal for fast-paced riding in warm conditions.

Sportful has refreshed its Supergiara range, designed with gravel riding and racing in mind. The jersey features additional storage thanks to extra pockets, while the styling has been subtly refined.

Reviewer Matt Page says, “The two mesh side pockets might not seem like a game-changing addition, but I found myself using them on every ride and reaching for this jersey over most others.”

It uses Sportful’s regular fit, which is relatively close-fitting, particularly around the arms, but not as aggressive as the brand’s slim or aero-fit offerings.

The Altura Airstream Men’s Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey is a nicely executed, versatile summer jersey at an appealing price. 

The jersey uses a dual-density construction, with a mid-weight slate grey fabric providing welcome protection from cool breezes, while lighter, more open-weave orange panels across the back, shoulders, underarms and pockets improve breathability.

It’s adaptable too – layering up with a base layer, merino arm warmers and a packable GoreTex jacket.

The Signature Merino Air Jersey is designed to keep you cool on hot summer days – Isadore suggests a temperature range of 20°C to around 32°C.

The main fabric is 61% merino combined with recycled polyester and polyamide, while the Polartec Delta – used for the rear panel, sleeves and pockets – is designed to wick sweat away from the body and keep you cool and dry. It’s highly breathable and does a good job of protecting you from the sun too.

Though the jersey is described as a ‘medium compression relaxed fit’, our reviewer found it to be a very close-fitting top. As is the trend these days, the sleeves are on the longer side, but the jersey itself is on the shorter side.