Grippers
Much like their leg-hugging counterparts on bib shorts, jersey grippers have improved immeasurably over the last decade. Where once sleeves were held in place by harsh, skin-pulling silicone bands, there are now a host of different options.
The main point of note is that grippers are generally wider these days, spreading out the pressure over a larger area that makes sleeves more comfortable, and keeps them in place better too. Some brands have even gone as far as to only put grippers on the front side of the sleeves, allowing the backs to move around as you change your position on the bike.
Extra/special pockets
Well, we say special, but pockets are essentially pockets no matter what you do with them. But jerseys aren’t restricted to three rear pockets any more, and even those that opt for that design still like to play around with them. Take POC’s ‘Myinfo’ pocket on their AVIP short sleeve jersey, designed to store a phone and personal information as well as having a handy little flap to add a bit more protection. POC have also built in an internal zipped pocket for other valuables. Smart.
Similarly, some jerseys have a small hole cut in a pocket to channel headphones through the inside of the jersey. Not that we advocate riding with headphones, mind you, but if you have to, keeping the wires out of harms way certainly makes sense.
UV resistance
If you’re planning on a long ride when the sun’s out, it’s a good idea to make sure that you’re equipped with plenty of sun cream. But obviously, getting to the parts of you than are covered with clothing can be a bit, well, exposing, when you’re out and about, so lots of bike kit now comes with in-built UV protection.
Because bike clothing is so thin, it doesn’t always provide protection against sunburn and it’s far from unheard of for riders to burn through their jerseys and shorts, so buying something with a UPF rating is a sensible precaution if you intend to use it a lot in the height of summer.
Reflective detailing
By no means a deal breaker, but reflective detailing or logos are always a nice touch and useful if you’re out for an early morning ride or stay out for longer than expected and it starts to get a bit dark. It doesn’t have to be overly intrusive either. The odd reflective panel here and strip of piping there, or even reflective flatlock stitching, can make a big difference when the light starts to fade a little.
