A silver lining of the past year? We鈥檙e all riding bikes. A lot. The听shops are busy in my hometown听of Asheville, North Carolina.听Families are taking over the streets on two wheels, and cyclists are wearing out their Strava segments. Personally, my backyard pump track has never been in better shape. This is the summer to get out and ride dirt with your friends鈥攜ou should have a shirt that can keep up. Whether you鈥檙e looking for a stylish top you can wear around town or something burly that can handle a spill, I鈥檝e tested something for every type of rider.
Fox Racing Defend Delta ($100)听

Best For:听Going fast downhill
Size Range: S to XXL
Point your mountain bike downhill and gravity will eventually catch up with you. The is designed to help protect you against those inevitable falls by incorporating a layer of Cordura fabric in high-impact zones on the sleeves听for extra durability. I expected this听downhill-specific jersey to be thick and stiff, but听it鈥檚听surprisingly comfortable and airy, thanks to Polartec鈥檚 Delta fabric, which is superb听at wicking moisture and promoting airflow. And if you鈥檙e sending the true gnar, the Defend is loose enough to fit elbow pads and a back protector underneath.
POC MTB Pure ($80)听

Best For:听Hot days and plant听protection
Size Range: XS to XXL
I ride in the southern Appalachians, which are incredibly hot in July and August听and听plagued with poison ivy, briars, and stinging nettles. Short-sleeve shirts might be more comfortable when it鈥檚 scorching, but I prefer long sleeves for the protection they offer against flora that can cause itchy rashes. The听 is the lightest, breeziest long-sleeve jersey in my quiver. Thanks to听tiny perforations in the听polyester build听that boost air flow, sweat disappears immediately. There鈥檚 also a zipper pocket in the back big enough for cards and a key. The Pure will be my go-to jersey on cross country rides this summer.
Troy Lee Designs Ruckus ($65)

Best For:听Riders on a budget
Size Range: S to XXL
Troy Lee Designs听helped shape mountain bike style, and the popular has become an industry standard for cyclists who want to look good while shredding without breaking the bank. Its moto-inspired design is loose enough to encourage airflow and hide pads, while a mesh liner helps move sweat away from your body. Two zippered stash pockets in the back are big enough for your phone and snacks. I dig the three-quarter-length sleeves and听the shirt鈥檚 silky texture. The budget-friendly price and thoughtful design make this one of my favorites.听
7Mesh Industries Desperado ($80)

Best For:听Stink-fighting simplicity
Size Range: S to XXL
Not all jerseys have to be aggro. The looks like a simple Henley you鈥檇 wear to the store, but it鈥檚 designed to rip. The听supersoft and odor-resistant merino-polyester听blend, flat-lock seams, and rear drop hem keep you covered and comfortable when you鈥檙e hunched over the bars. It鈥檚 the kind of shirt I forget I鈥檓 wearing during a听ride, which is听why I reach for it听time and again.
Kitsbow Essplanade ($155)听

Best For:听Bike-to-bar versatility
Size Range:听XS to XXL
There鈥檚 a good bit of singletrack near and around听my hometown, so my crew and I grab听post-ride听beers often. Kitsbow鈥檚 apparel isn鈥檛 cheap, but the company makes some of the best trail-to-town gear. The poly-cotton 听is the perfect example.听It听has听jersey details听like hidden vents in the shoulders for extra breathability, SPF 50 sun protection, and a zippered rear stash pocket, but the sleek style (dig those snap buttons!) means you could easily wear it to work or on a date. It鈥檚 a relatively thick shirt, so I probably won鈥檛 reach for this one in August, but I听will use it often on social rides. I鈥檓 also a sucker for a front chest pocket. There鈥檚 also a long-sleeve version.
Pearl Izumi Canyon ($100)听

Best For: Sleek breathability
Size Range:听S to XXL
I鈥檓 not a huge fan of roadie jerseys, but Pearl Izumi gives dirt lovers a slightly looser fit with the by ditching the elastic around the waist, so you don鈥檛 feel like you鈥檙e wearing superhero spandex. I like the trio of rear stash pockets that offer enough storage for snacks or a light tool roll. I听can even fit听a wind layer in the center pocket.听There鈥檚 also a smaller zipper pocket for a key, which means you can probably leave your pack at home on short rides. This is a great jersey听if you pedal in hot climates鈥攖he Canyon is perforated and has larger holes on the back and under the arms for maximum breathability.