Solid-color, t-shirt style jerseys for mountain biking

When it comes to mountain bike clothing, I think simpler is better. The t-shirt jersey is a classic for good reason — it’s comfortable, fits most bodies, and looks good too. Here are some of my favorite solid-color tops for mountain biking.

Reviewer profile height: 190cm (6’3″) weight: 75kg (165lb) testing zone: Southeast, USA

Photo: Leah Barber

Outdoor Research Freewheel MTB Short Sleeve Jersey

The Outdoor Research (OR) Freewheel short sleeve mountain bike jersey boasts UPF 30+ sun protection and is made with a polyester / spandex fabric. It’s available in three different designs, though the Pro Khaki version shown here is currently the only solid-color choice.

Thanks to the light color, the mostly polyester Freewheel has kept me surprisingly cool this summer. A women’s version of the Freewheel short sleeve jersey is available in four colors, including a solid “Malachite” color that looks great.

Sizes: S – XXL for men, XS – 4XL for women.
Price: $45.60 ~~$60~~
Buy from Outdoor Research

Velocio Ultralight MTB jersey

The Velocio Ultralight MTB jersey lives up to its name. Among the jerseys I tested here, it’s the thinnest and most well-vented, so it doesn’t stick to my back as soon as I start sweating like some of the others. The mix of recycled polyester and elastane results in a soft and comfortable jersey that dries quickly.

I tested a size medium jersey and found the jersey provides an airy, loose fit. I’m tall, and the sleeves reach all the way to my elbows so for some, this might end up being more like a three-quarter sleeve jersey. The light color is perfect for sunny days, and the Velocio Ultralight ended up being one of my favorites of the bunch.

Five solid colors — including Slate, tested — are available for men. The women’s Ultralight jersey is available in five colors as well.

Sizes: XS – 4XL for men, 2XS – 3XL
Price: $79
Buy from Velocio

Flylow Nash Shirt

Though the Flylow Nash Shirt shown here looks black, it’s actually a dark gray color known as Shadow. Like the OR jersey, the Flylow is made with a polyester / spandex material, and it seems to have a pretty similar weight as well. It’s comfortable and well-constructed, holding its shape after multiple washes.

I tested a size medium and found the fit a little challenging. The shoulders are slightly too wide on me, while the overall length lands on the short side. If you’re tall and skinny like me, the Flylow Nash Shirt may not be the right choice.

The jersey is available in three colorways, including another solid color — Vine — that looks pretty nice. Flylow also offers a couple of women’s short-sleeve jerseys too: the Jessi and Emilia.

Sizes: S – 2XL
Price: $52.50 ~~$75~~
Buy from Flylow

Backcountry Slickrock Drirelease tech t-shirt

The Backcountry Drirelease is probably the most technical of the bunch here thanks to a pair of hidden side pockets and reflective details. Though the fabric is synthetic, it looks and feels cotton-like. That said, it’s not the coolest of the bunch, and it tends to get weighed down by sweat. Fortunately, the “Fog” color I tested does a good job reflecting the sun better than darker choices, and it’s quickly become one of my favorites.

Here again I tested a size medium jersey, and this one fits me well. Technically it’s not a completely solid-color jersey; there’s a subtle print on the back, as you can see in the photo above. Choose from five other colors, including some two-tone options for men. Women’s styles are available too.

Sizes: S – XXL
Price: $34.30 ~~$49~~
Buy from Backcountry

Rapha Trail Finale long-sleeve jersey

The Rapha Trail Finale long-sleeve jersey feels like a sturdy shirt that should stand up to anything, be it weather or ground contact. The size medium provides an excellent fit with sleeves that cover to the wrist and a neck hole that sits just right and doesn’t get stretched out.

The Finale features Windblock fabric that’s wind- and water-resistant, yet still feels pretty breathable. Unlike the other jerseys here that are mostly polyester, the Rapha Trail Finale uses 90% recycled Nylon for the main body. It’s not a summer jersey by any means, that is unless you’re riding high above treeline. For me, this is a late-fall/early-winter jersey.

Rapha does an impressive job matching colors between their jerseys and shorts, as you can see here. These are the Trail Finale shorts, and even though they use a slightly different fabric, the finishes look identical for a super pro look. Available in four colors and women’s styles as well.

Sizes: XS – XXL
Price: $107 ~~$165~~
Buy from Rapha

Mission Workshop Mission Tee : Merino Wool

Mission Workshop just added this merino wool jersey to their Mission Tee Collection, and there’s a lot to like about it. For starters, it’s 100% merino wool, so it breathes well and does a great job regulating temperature throughout the ride. While light, the jersey is a little thicker and more substantial than others I’ve tested in this category, and that bodes well for long-term durability.

The Mission Tee merino wool jersey isn’t quite as soft as the poly-blend jerseys I tested. Though merino wool is known for being soft, it’s still a natural material and can feel a little scratchy compared to engineered fabrics. The Mission Tee is made in the USA, which is reflected in the pricing.

Sizes: S – XL
Price: $98
Buy from Mission Workshop

Photo: Leah Barber

Sweet Protection Hunter

The Sweet Protection Hunter jersey is another wool-blend jersey, and I’m a fan. The wool blend keeps the jersey feeling light and well-vented, plus it doesn’t seem to stick to my skin as much as the fully synthetic jerseys I own.

Sweet Protection doesn’t offer this color anymore, and they’ve moved from an 87% merino wool blend to a 50% wool blend for the Hunter II Woolmix T-Shirt. I’ve been wearing my Hunter jersey regularly since 2021 (five years!) and though it’s wearing thin and some holes are starting to form, it’s still one of my main summer go-tos.

I had hoped to recommend two other wool-blend, solid-color jerseys that I wear often — one from Specialized, the other from Artilect — but it appears both have been discontinued.