Why Are Cycling Jerseys So Expensive? What You Pay For, and What You Do Not Need
Cycling jerseys cost more than T-shirts because they use technical fabric, take more sewing steps, sell in small runs and often carry brand, sponsorship and shop costs on top. A cheaper jersey is worth it when it keeps the pockets, zip, waist gripper and wicking fabric. Race-level extras are optional for most riders.
In short
- Jersey prices stack fabric, sewing, small runs, and brand and shop costs.
- Pockets, a full-length zip, a waist gripper and wicking fabric are worth paying for.
- Race cuts and pro team logos are optional for most riders.
- A cheap jersey is fine if the page lists its specs, sizing and returns.
Why are cycling jerseys so expensive?
A jersey price is made up of several costs: fabric, sewing, small runs, brand and retail, and race development. Below is what each one adds.
Fabric. A modern road jersey is lightweight synthetic sportswear made to move sweat, often with a second, lighter fabric in the side panels. Two fabrics cut into several panels take more work than a basic T-shirt.
Sewing. Count the extra parts: a full-length zip, three back pockets that have to carry weight and a gripper at the waist. Each one adds steps and labor.
Small runs. Cycling is a niche next to everyday clothing, and each design has to exist in every size. Ours run from 2XS to 7XL. Our guess is that this pushes up the cost per jersey across the market, because setup costs get shared over fewer pieces.
Brand and retail. Professional cycling is heavily sponsored, and a brand that pays for team kit, advertising and shop space has to recover that spending somewhere. Distributors and stores need their margin as well. All of this pays for real work, though you cannot feel any of it on the bike.
Race development. A close cut reduces air resistance, and we would guess that getting it right for racers takes time and testing. Riders chasing seconds may well want to pay for that.
What does a jersey do that a T-shirt does not?
Most of the extra cost goes into parts you use on every ride. Pockets are the obvious one. They sit on the back panel, where you can reach them and where nothing bounces out when you lean forward.
A full-length zip lets you open the front on a climb and close it for the descent. The back is cut longer for the riding position, and a silicone gripper at the waist stops the hem from creeping up once the pockets are loaded. None of that matters much on a walk, but all of it shows up an hour into a ride. Our guide to cycling jerseys versus T-shirts goes through the differences one by one.
Printing is part of the price too. Our jerseys use full sublimation printing, a process where dye goes into the polyester itself and can run all the way to the edges. That is what makes a loud, full-coverage design possible on a technical fabric.
Which parts of the price can you skip?
| What you pay for | Who notices it | Worth paying for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wicking fabric with mesh side panels | Every rider, on every ride | Yes |
| Three reinforced back pockets | Anyone carrying a phone, food or a spare tube | Yes |
| Full-length zip | Anyone who climbs or rides in warm weather | Yes |
| Silicone waist gripper | Anyone with loaded pockets | Yes |
| Size chart based on body measurements, and fair returns | Anyone buying online | Yes |
| Race cut and aero extras | Racers chasing seconds | Optional |
| Pro team logos | Fans | Your call |
| A well-known label | People who care about the label | Your call |
If you commute, ride with friends or do the odd charity event, the top five rows are the ones you will notice. The bottom three are fine to want, and we would never talk anyone out of a jersey they love. They just do not change how the jersey works on a Saturday morning loop.
A design you enjoy wearing also counts. If a funny cycling jersey gets you out the door more often, that is money well spent.
Is a cheap cycling jersey worth it?
Yes, as long as the product page shows you what you are getting. You cannot feel fabric through a screen, so judge the listing: a named fabric, a pocket count, a zip length, a gripper, a size chart and a returns policy. A page with none of that would make us walk away, whatever the price.
Here is how two of ours read, as an example. The Men's OCG Plain Color Block Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey, at $54.99, lists 100% moisture-wicking polyester, three reinforced back pockets, a full-length hidden zip and a silicone waist gripper. The Women's OCG Originals Basic Colors Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey, at $59.99, lists a 140 GSM polyester body, 110 GSM mesh side panels and the same pockets and zip.
Fit decides the rest, because a bargain that does not fit is no bargain. Our jerseys have a club fit cut and run small, so size up if you are between sizes. Check the size chart against your own chest, waist and hip measurements before you order. If the size still comes out wrong, you get 60-day store-credit returns on non-customized items. Customized orders are final.
How do we keep our prices down?
We design in house and work directly with manufacturers, no middleman. Every item is made to order and available in sizes 2XS-7XL, so we are not paying to store racks of unsold jerseys. The catch is that you need to order ahead of a ride or event you have in mind.
Our range is designed for everyday riders who like some personality in their kit. If you race for results, you may want something built for that job.
A matching kit is often the cheapest way to buy a full outfit. The Men's OCG Plain Color Block Short Sleeve 2 Piece Cycling Kit costs $99.99, less than a jersey and padded bottoms bought one at a time. For more plain, low-fuss pieces, see OCG Basics, and for caps, padded underwear and other small items, our Under $50 collection. The plain short sleeve jersey above sits just over that line, in the wider Cycling Jerseys collection.
How do you compare jerseys in a Black Friday sale?
Sale season makes it easy to compare the discount and forget the jersey. Start with the final price, then read the specs as if nothing were on sale. A big percentage off tells you little about what is in the garment.
- Check the page for fabric, pockets, zip and gripper.
- Read the size chart with your body measurements to hand. Sizing varies between brands, so do not assume your usual size carries over.
- Read the returns policy, and whether a sale item is covered by it.
- Add shipping to the total. We offer free shipping on orders over $125, so the $99.99 kit plus a Unisex Plain Color Block Quick Dry Cycling Cap at $28.99 clears it.
If you are new to all this, our guide to a beginner cycling kit covers what to buy first.
Plain basics, jersey to bib
Men's High Viz Basics Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey
$59.99$71.99
Women's Plain Color Gel Padded Cycling Bib-Tights
$69.99$81.99
Frequently asked questions
How much should a cycling jersey cost?
There is no correct number, and price alone tells you little. Compare what the page lists against what you will use. For reference, our plain short sleeve jersey is $54.99 as we write this.
Are expensive cycling jerseys better?
Some may be better for racing, with a closer cut. A higher price can also pay for sponsorship, advertising and shop margin, which do nothing for how a jersey works on a normal ride.
Why are custom cycling kits so expensive?
Many brands charge more for custom kits because they add design fees and set minimum orders. At Online Cycling Gear you pay no design fees and there is no minimum order, so our custom kits cost less than most of the market. Our custom club kit guide explains how an order works. Customized orders are final.
Does Online Cycling Gear make its own jerseys?
No. We design in house and work directly with manufacturers, no middleman.
Do you need a cycling jersey for casual rides?
No, but you will likely want one once rides pass an hour or you need to carry things. Pockets and a zip are the first differences you will notice.
