Best women's cycling jerseys for summer 2024 — short-sleeved tops to beat the heat and stay comfortable on your rides

The Specialized Women's Prime Short Sleeve Jersey is a stylish high-performance garment that excels in various weather conditions. Designed as part of Specialized's Prime range, it features a combination of smooth and silky synthetic stretch fabrics that provide a luxuriously supple feel. The soft and peach skin-like quality of the fabric, combined with its moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties, keeps the skin cool and dry even in hot and challenging weather conditions, and the mesh underarm panels further enhance cooling.

With a sleek fit that isn't overly tight, the jersey allows the moisture-wicking fabric to perform effectively. The XL size tested fitted well for a high street size 14, and the jersey felt sporty without being constricting. The sleeves are on the longer side, but they still offer a comfortable fit. The torso length is average, striking a balance between not being too long or too short. 

The three rear pockets are well-sized, and there is also a zippered pocket for cards and keys. This jersey is priced at £100, which is on the higher end of the price spectrum for short-sleeved jerseys. However, the high-quality fabric, comfortable fit, and stylish design make it worth the investment - if it fits within your budget.

The Santini Eco Sleek Bengal Women's Jersey is an eco-friendly, aero-fit cycling jersey made from light and breathable recycled fabric. The jersey offers a sleek and form-hugging fit, ideal for aspiring racers or those seeking aerodynamic performance. It performs well in warm weather, providing adequate ventilation and preventing overheating during high-intensity rides.

The jersey's fabric is made from recycled polyethylene and waste yarns, offering a premium feel against the skin. The front and sides feature a mesh design for added breathability, while the rear panel and sleeves have traditional lycra for elasticity. The jersey's three rear pockets provide ample space for essentials, but there is no valuables pocket. This jersey comes in an array of trendy colours and sizes, offering a racing fit for aggressive riding positions. While the sizing is accurate, the body length is shorter than expected. 

Priced at £120, the Bengal jersey provides value in terms of its aero performance and eco-friendly materials. While there are more affordable aero jerseys available, this jersey stands out with its unique design and sustainability efforts. Overall, it's a stylish and high-performance option for hot, intense rides, making it a great choice for cyclists who prioritise both performance and sustainability.

The Endura Women's Pro SL S/S Jersey is a high-quality performance-oriented jersey designed for hot temperatures. Made from Italian fabrics consisting of 88% polyester and 12% elastane, it delivers excellent breathability and moisture wicking, keeping you dry and comfortable even during hot rides. Additionally, the jersey offers UPF50+ sun protection, making it ideal for sunny summer days.

The jersey features small holes on the back and under the arms. It has a slight aero feel, with laser-cut sleeves and silicone grippers to keep them in place. The light blue colour of the test jersey looks great on warm rides and washes well, although it can get a little stained if you take it on off-road rides in dusty conditions - but there is a black option available, too. At £89.99, this jersey provides good value for money compared to similar options on the market.

The dhb Aeron Women's Short Sleeve Jersey 2.0 is a comfortable and high-performing jersey suitable for hot weather rides. Made from soft and supple fabric, it offers excellent breathability and moisture-wicking properties, making it ideal for long days in the saddle. Moreover, it boasts sustainability, as it's constructed with 80% recycled polyester.

The jersey features a sleek and streamlined design and comes in UK sizes 6-18. The fit is performance-orientated but you may need to size down for a more compressive fit. The back of the jersey offers ample coverage, but the front is quite a lot shorter, measuring around 48cm compared to the 70cm rear length. This design aims to optimise the fit in an aero position, but it may not suit everyone, especially those with a longer torso. 

In terms of performance, the fabric excels in hot and muggy weather, effectively wicking away sweat and drying quickly. Mesh panels on the dorsal area add to the breathability and cooling effect. The jersey comes with three rear pockets and an additional small zipped pocket. The value of the dhb Aeron Women's Short Sleeve Jersey 2.0 is good, especially given its sustainable features, and it compares favourably with other performance-focused jerseys made with recycled materials.

The Nopinz Pro-1 Jersey Women is a high-performance, figure-hugging jersey made in the UK. It features Nopinz's highly stretchy Chrono fabric for the main body, providing a form-hugging race fit. The jersey is cut fairly short at the front and longer at the rear.

It uses perforated fabrics throughout the main body, offering excellent ventilation and temperature regulation for rides in warm conditions. Although there is no zipped valuables pocket, the three rear pockets provide ample storage space, with the centre pocket being large enough for bulkier items like a gilet or wind jacket.

The Nopinz Pro-1 Jersey Women comes in four attractive plain styles with various colour options. The only potential drawback is the tight silicone armbands which may cause discomfort for some users during longer rides. Otherwise, it's a great option for riders seeking a high-performance and reasonably-priced aero jersey for summer cycling.

The Castelli Aero Pro Women's Jersey is a lightweight, comfortable, and breathable jersey that has undergone several revisions, and the latest version includes CFD (Computation Fluid Dynamics) analysis for fabric and seam placement to enhance aerodynamics. As a result, the fit of the Aero Pro Jersey is snug and form-fitting, which is typical for aero-oriented jerseys. The fabric around the arms and neck sits smoothly against the skin for minimal drag, while the raw-cut sleeves ensure a comfortable and accommodating fit without squeezing.

The main standout feature of the Aero Pro Jersey is its exceptional breathability, which makes it suitable for hot weather and high-intensity rides. The rear panel of the jersey is designed for maximum airflow and moisture management, making it perfect for scorching summer days. However, due to its ultra-lightweight and stretchy fabrics, this jersey is quite see-through.