You don't need a cycling jersey if your journey to work is the cycling equivalent of a stroll; normal clothes will be fine. If your cycle commute is more like jogging – exercise that makes you sweat – then a dedicated cycling jersey is a sensible option.

You don't need a cycling jersey if your journey to work is the cycling equivalent of a stroll; normal clothes will be fine. If your cycle commute is more like jogging – exercise that makes you sweat – then a dedicated cycling jersey is a sensible option. The fabric is designed to wick away perspiration, so you won't get clammy like you would in a cotton shirt. The cut is close, so it won't flap about in the wind. And it will be ideal for recreational rides at the weekend.

Sleeves

Cycling jerseys have three options when it comes to sleeves: short (mid-bicep, the standard road jersey), long (wrist length, for cooler weather), and none (a style favoured by triathletes). If you're going to get one jersey, choose short sleeves. This will still be cool enough on the hottest summer days, and unlike a sleeveless jersey can be sensibly combined with arm-warmers when it's chillier.

Design & cut

Jerseys for road cycling are cut close from stretch-fabric, so that they won't slow you down when you're powering along at 20mph. They have a long back, a high neck with a zip, and elastic at the sleeves and hem. Jerseys for mountain biking are cut looser, partly for style reasons, partly because aerodynamics is much less of an issue off-road. Women's jerseys are cut differently from men's for reasons both obvious (bust) and less obvious (narrower shoulders). Sizing for both men and women can vary widely between manufacturers, so try before you buy if possible.

Material

The vast majority of cycling jerseys are made from polyester, sometimes blended with lycra for extra stretchiness. Coolmax is a trademarked polyester whose fibres and weave are designed to wick sweat away better, and there are other brands of polyester that aim to do the same. Some expensive, retro-style jerseys are made from wool. Wool absorbs odours better than polyester and insulates well when it's damp, but doesn't hold its shape as well and takes much longer to dry. Cycling jerseys are made of Merino wool – that's wool with fine fibres – as it can be made into soft, lightweight garments. Some are pure wool, others a wool/polyester blend.

Features

A front-zip gives on-the-go temperature regulation. A quarter-length zip is usually ample ventilation for the UK. Most road cycling jerseys have two or three elasticated pockets in the back. These are really useful for carrying arm warmers, a windproof, snacks, tools, etc. A zipped pocket offers better security for keys, money, or a phone. Off-road jerseys may lack pockets – you'll miss them. Reflective details are useful for summer evenings, when they might not be hidden by a jacket.

Colours

Road cycling jerseys are traditionally bright (e.g. yellow or red) to make the wearer more visible. Off-road jerseys are more muted. Dark jerseys have become more popular in recent years. They're not as inconspicuous as they're made out to be – in good light, they contrast well against most backgrounds – but you don't want to be dressed like a ninja on a gloomy winter's day.

Washing

Most cycling jerseys can be machine-washed at 40 degrees. For woollen jerseys, it's usually 30 degrees; sometimes it's hand-wash only.

Here's a selection of jerseys at different prices.