Cycling is one of the popular sports, and like others, it involves a lot of equipment. The bike, footwear, jersey, helmets, and others are essential. As an average fan of the sport, you’ll agree that cycling jerseys come in different forms. Some are skin-tight, and some are not. What then is the best fit cycling jersey?
Understanding Sports Jerseys
Sports jerseys are a unique type of apparel that sportsmen and sportswomen wear for training and competition. Different sports have their distinct jerseys, designed to bring comfort and enhance performance. Oftentimes, they’re lightweight, breathable, and possess moisture-wicking features.
Moving on, these sportswear features logo, name, number, and any other unique print of the team or individual who owns it. That’s why it goes beyond just uniformity, but also helps players and fans form a connection with a team. A well-designed jersey enhances team spirit and unity.
Be it a tight cycling jersey or a loosely fitted soccer jersey, they are designed for comfort and performance. The breathable, moisture-wicking, and lightweight attributes ensure these.
For instance, lightweight shirts don’t weigh down the players, and the breathable fabrics give adequate ventilation. The moisture-wicking feature also brings the sweat to the jersey surface, where it dries quickly. These ensure convenience, both in training or competitive matches.
What Are Cycling Jerseys Made Of?
The standard cycling jersey materials are four, and they include polyester, elastane, nylon, and merino wool. It has its unique features that contribute to aerodynamics, wind resistance, and how cycling jerseys should fit for the convenience of cyclists.
Polyester
Polyesters are common cycling jersey materials, which are synthetic fibres from recycled plastic bottles. They are best suited for cyclists due to their durable, breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking features. You’ll ride light and remain unbothered by the sweat as it dries off easily.
Furthermore, the durable nature of polyester ensures easier movement with no sweat trapped in your clothing. However, the quality can vary from one manufacturer to another. That’s why shopping with FastCustomJerseys is highly recommended for quality cycling jerseys.
Elastane
Elastane is a unique synthetic fiber with elastic features. They are also called spandex. They’re known for their ability to stretch by about 600% their original shape and still return to the actual size. Cycling with such a jersey ensures flexibility as you pedal with no obstructions from your sportswear.
Also, they have directional friction, which eliminates wind resistance. However, the breathability and moisture-wicking of elastane are low. To get the most out of the elastane jerseys, most manufacturers add polyester materials during production.
Nylon
Your cycling wear can also be made of nylon, also known as polyamide. They’re known for their strong fibre and soft texture, which brings comfort and durability. Nylons also stretch, which makes every movement easier and smoother.
However, these materials are not breathable. Their moisture-wicking property is also weak, which means sweats are often retained in the shirt. Producers often correct this by mixing some polyester fibres to improve their breathability and moisture-wicking features.
Merino Wool
Jerseys are made from soft wool obtained from merino sheep as well. They are breathable, allowing for adequate ventilation. Additionally, they feature a moisture-wicking component, which helps the sweat dry off quickly.
Interestingly, the properties of the material bring warmth during winter and coolness during summer. They also have odor-fighting and antibacterial properties, making them suitable for jerseys. Aside from enhancing comfort, combining merino wool with polyester or nylon makes perfect cycling jerseys.
Do Cycling Jerseys Stretch?
It is possible for custom cycling jerseys to stretch, but it depends on the blend of materials and other factors. Having a large proportion of elastane and nylon contributes to the elasticity levels. You can always check for the details of the composition to be sure of the elasticity.
Furthermore, these cycling jerseys stretch after being used for an extended period. Continuously washing them will result in shape changes as some become too stretched and lower. It’s advisable to choose sportswear with elastane because it can easily return to its original shape after being stretched.
How Tight Should a Cycling Jersey Be?
Comfort and performance are crucial when getting your sportswear. Whether you’re getting it for the first time or not, cycling jersey sizing is important. That takes us to the question of if your jersey should be tight or not.
Avoid making the mistake of wearing a jersey that is too tight or loose. Having an oversized shirt will bring convenience, but it will cause issues while cycling. It will result in flapping, which will drag you while cycling and rub against your skin. This will definitely bother you during your race and it will result in early tiredness as more effort will be required for pedaling due to the drag.
Does that now make an extremely tight cycling uniform better? No. You don’t want to feel restricted when you move or any form of obstruction to circulation in your body. Sportswear that is too tight will also make breathing difficult for cyclists.
Going for smug wear, which has a sharp fit, is what’s best for athletes. This will prevent flapping or discomfort associated with oversized or too-tight sportswear, respectively. Your movement will be free, and you’ll have no discomfort of any kind. The following are the benefits of having a fitted cycling jersey:
- Improves performance with enhanced aerodynamics.
- Prevents chafing and distractions
- Gives cyclists a more professional look
- It enhances moisture-wicking to keep you dry and comfortable.
How to Maintain Fitted Cycling Sportswear
It is essential to maintain fitted jerseys to ensure continuous comfort and performance. You must handle the laundering carefully. Use a mild detergent and hand-wash if possible. If you must use the washing machine, put it on a cold wash and delicate cycle. All these prevent possible shrinkage.
Also, avoid using a tumble dryer, as you can always spread it outside to air dry. You should not expose it to direct sunlight, as this prevents fading. Should you iron your cycling jersey? No. It can affect both the fitness and whatever printing you have on them.
Do You Wear Anything Under a Cycling Jersey?
By default, you don’t need to wear anything under your cycling shirt because modern jerseys can be worn directly. Most of them have moisture-wicking features that help keep you dry and warm. However, if you must know what to wear under a cycling jersey, we’ve got your back.
You can wear a moisture-wicking layer under an elastane jersey to control the sweat and keep you dry. Make sure it is thin and breathable. Cyclists can also opt for compression shirts that support muscles and improve blood flow during longer rides. What to wear under cycling jersey depends on many reasons.
Why Wear Something Under Cycling Sportswear
The following are some of the reasons cyclists wear something under their sportswear. To avoid getting your jersey soaked with sweat. This will further keep your wear lighter and improve performance.
Wearing a base layer can also help control the weather, especially during cold winters. This can get you warmer. Chafing reduction is another reason for having something underneath your sportswear. It will also reduce friction, especially when you’re on a fitted shirt.
Lastly, some cyclists wear something underneath to aid muscle recovery. However, it’s pretty rare to see an athlete wearing innerwear. That’s because most wish to be as lightweight as possible.
How to Measure Cycling Jersey Size
Since fitted jerseys are the best, you need to get your measurements right. This will not only give you comfort but also help you focus on your race. If you plan on measuring yourself, we have the right cycling jersey size guide for you. Below are the steps:
- Start by measuring your full chest and ensure the tape is straight.
- Proceed to measure your waistline
- Measure your hips. The focus should be on the largest part.
- Continue by comparing your measurement with the size chart provided.
All these should help you determine the right size. Also, opt for the best product by patronizing FastCustomJerseys.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Measuring
To get accurate measurements, you must avoid the following mistakes:
- Don’t hold the measuring tape too tight or too loose.
- Measuring over your clothes can result in inaccurate measurements.
- Not consulting the chart provided by the manufacturer.
- Measuring only once without double-checking.
Be mindful of these common mistakes, avoid them, and you’ll have a smug cycling jersey.
Conclusion
Cycling jerseys are important to both professional cyclists and casual/recreational cyclists. You just have to get the quality and sizing right. Having told you what these sportswear are made of and how to care for them, it’s time to get your cycling jersey.
Checking out the collections at FastCustomJerseys will save you the stress of getting the right gear as a cyclist. You’ll have no issues because all their jerseys are of top quality and come in different sizes. Ensure you follow the measuring guide and compare your measurements with the size chart on the platform. And remember, always go for smug cycling jerseys for comfort and performance.
