Which type of cycling jersey do you need?

Now that the cycling season is almost starting again and the first beautiful days have arrived, you're naturally looking for a sleek new outfit. You start your search with a simple term in Google, only to get flooded with terms like aero jersey, skinsuits, and downhill jerseys. To bring some order to the chaos, in this blog we explain the differences between these cycling jerseys.

Tour jersey / training jersey

The most common type of cycling jersey out there: the tour jersey. Almost every cyclist has this type of jersey in the wardrobe. An ideal tour jersey is focused on comfort and long rides. It should wick moisture quickly and be lightweight. It should also have pockets on the back for carrying nutrition and personal items. Ideally, a tour jersey also features a silicone gripper. Tip: are you looking for a cycling jersey for touring or training? Then buy a cycling jersey with a zip pocket on the back. That way, you can store personal items and ride without worrying about losing anything.

Skinsuit

A skinsuit is a super-thin, tight-fitting suit that combines both shorts and a jersey. Skinsuits are often used in races or triathlons. They offer little comfort, but they do provide excellent aerodynamics. The big difference between a aero jersey and a skinsuit is that a skinsuit is made as one piece. As the name suggests, this type of cycling jersey is designed to fit your body like a second skin.

Aero jersey

An aero jersey is often used by professional cyclists. A aero cycling jersey fits very close to the body, but still has room for a base layer (a skinsuit does not). Some aero jerseys have rear pockets for carrying nutrition. The fit of an aero jersey is very tight, so it offers slightly less comfort than, for example, a tour jersey.

Downhill / mountain bike jersey

This type of cycling jersey is often a bit looser. It has a little more room under the arms and around the stomach. This is because with mountain biking you usually want more freedom of movement. You make more varied movements than you do on a road bike. A mountain bike jersey often does not have rear pockets, so carrying nutrition is a bit more difficult. What you often see is mountain bikers using, for example, a tour jersey. That gives them enough freedom of movement while still having the convenience of carrying some essentials. During the Olympic Games, Mathieu Van Der Poel even used a skinsuit. Now that we've explained the simple basics of the different types of cycling jerseys, it's time to buy a cycling jersey. We've also written a blog about that, in which we explain in detail how to choose the best cycling jersey for you. Read here more about choosing your cycling jersey.

Tip: The Acelera cycling jersey

This jersey combines the features of all the cycling jerseys mentioned above. It has three rear pockets for nutrition and personal essentials, plus an extra zip pocket for your keys/phone. A aerodynamic membrane helps reduce drag. And it can be purchased in both race fit and tour fit. In addition, our jersey offers effective moisture management, while the elastic fabric provides ample freedom of movement. View all Acelera cycling jerseys here.