Conclusion
Choosing just 10 jerseys for this test was tricky because there are hundreds, perhaps even thousands of different tops on the market to choose from. Want something tighter? Louder? More colourful? Made of string? No problem, it’s out there. The key take-home though, is to get one that suits your riding and the conditions you go out in every week – a long-sleeve is probably best too, as it’s ideal for winter and summer. Shopping for jerseys is also a great opportunity to show off your personality and style, so go nuts and colour match to your bike, or keep it subtle with something sombre.
If you’re keeping things on a budget then the Altura Kielder is your best option. It feels good against your skin and wicks reasonably well, but you’ll probably need to get the next size up unless you’re after the skintight look. Spada’s first go at a riding top is also a good choice for those of us on a budget – it’s floaty-light and comfy, but proved just a little too shapeless to get one of the top scores. There’s something old-school about the design too, with ‘Spada’ splashed across your shoulders in 3in high lettering.
There are a bunch of jerseys scoring seven, all with various strengths and weaknesses. YT has branched out to clothing now, but the Jockey Tech is more of a technical T-shirt than a proper riding jersey - functional for hanging out at the dirt jumps, but less effective on a long-distance ride. It’s made from a wonderfully soft blend of fibres but it’s ultimately too heavyweight for most rides in the warmer months.
Rather uncharacteristically, Endura hasn’t produced a winner in the MT500 jersey, largely because it lost all its battles against brambles this summer. It’s shredded, but not in a good way. It’s still a very comfortable riding top though, with a cool feel and space for armour, as per its enduro and downhill orientation.
The Defend jersey from Fox lived up to its name, the fabric fending off the elements. It’s relatively scratchy inside though, with some seams in all the wrong places that really cannot be ignored. The arms proved too tight in relation to the torso, too.
If money was no object, the Conspiracy would be a must-buy for all of us. It’s the jersey that thinks it’s a jacket, with a DWR coating to keep you dry in light rain. Race Face is charging