Best Women's Cycling Kits & Jerseys That Are Actually Flattering
/It’s quite frustrating to see the lists of women’s cycling or bike kits out there to be pink, flashy, loud and absolutely embarrassing!
When I browsed Decathlon stores before embarking on a bicycle touring trip, I was so upset by the lack of options and pink embellishments everywhere that I said screw it, I’ll just wear my usual workout clothes and it turned out to be less than ideal choice in terms of bike clothing comfort!
The first time I rode for 500km somewhere in Asia, I was sore the entire trip and made it a mental note to always come padded with proper cycling kit.
By proper cycling kit, I don’t mean kits and jerseys that cost an arm and leg. I would rather put that money onto my bike!
At the same time, I have no intentions of rocking ditzy gurly pink floral cycling kit even if they look more affordable.
For years, cycling companies have been criticised for adopting a ‘pink and shrink’ approach towards women cycling kits.
This general lack of proper mid-range products prevents women from advancing in their cycling adventures. It sends a message that you’re not “serious enough” to pay for products that are functional.
With the vast majority of products catered towards either beginner’s stuff or expensive, high-end stuff, it is hard to sort of strike a balance.
Here’s where I dug deeper and found the best women’s cycling or bike kit that are actually flattering and not ugly.
What to look out for when buying a women’s cycling kit?
When it comes to enjoying your cycling ride, comfort comes first.
It doesn’t matter if you’re tackling a technical climb, going off-road or descending mountain roads, high-tech fabrics and certain ride-specific patterns are all important elements when deciding which cycling kit works for you.
When you choose your cycling kit, you need to think about fit, function and riding conditions. Most will generally come into one of the following categories.
Fit: Do you prefer long or short? Are you looking for a performance or active fit jersey? Performance mainly boils down to what purpose are you using your jerseys and bibs for.
Fabric: Most kits are made of some sort of synthetic fabric that's designed to wick sweat away from your skin. Modern cycling kit is often made of spandex (Lycra) with a synthetic chamois
Function: The right amount of padding on your chamois matters as well (p.s don’t forget to invest in a chamois creme - Assos currently holds the best) How much is too much? Some are padded for an extra layer of shock absorption. Modern shorts pads have at least one layer of foam inside them, often more or different thickness and density.
Also Read: Best Women's Cycling/Bike Shorts For All Sizes
As we sorted out the basics, here are the best cycling kits fo women.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. I only provide unbiased and completely honest recommendations. Read more about the site’s privacy policy.
The Best Women’s Cycling Kits That are Functional and Not Fugly In 2024
1. PEARL iZUMi Women’s Horizon Collection
It’s great for days when you’re unsure what the weather situation would be like and you need just that right pop of colour.
The Women's PRO Jersey is made for performance to push your limits in hot and humid weather. This form fit top is designed with wind-cheating features and modern touches, including a low profile collar and longer sleeves.
The winner in this set is their bib shorts — it’s weather resistant and be can worn for super long rides. The chamois is super comfortable, breathable and perfect for nature breaks.
If you’re unsure what versatile cycling kits you need — these are great starter ones to purchase as you can wear them multiple times no matter how much you sweat. Honestly, perfect for those bikepacking trips!
2. Wild Rye Jersey & Bib
a unique women’s only cycling jersey and bike shorts brand
Wearing slick jerseys and shorts are sometimes not for everyone. What if you want a little pop to stand out from the lycra-clad teams on breezy days?
That’s what Wild Rye is all about. The aim is not to carry out clothing that’s limited or rigid — basically fit for every outdoor-loving women —from beginners to pros to enthusiasts — regardless of age, background, size or skill level.
I think that’s a pretty solid audience as not everyone wants to go super fast on our rides. Deep down we’re all adventurers at heart, not athletes.
One of the best chammy that’s print like is the eleanor chammy which goes perfectly well with a t-shirt jersey called the salida bike jersey.
You’ll see on the site that there’s a HUGE sale happening right now on their site at about 70% OFF sale items.
3. PEARL iZUMi Women’s Attack Jersey & Quest Shorts
Pic by pearl Izumi
Pic by pearl Izumi
The designs of PEARL iZUMi’s collection are pretty darn unique!
Starting with the attack jersey, the design stands out among the rest of their collection with floral and paisley motifs. You get a good fit and feminine look which is perfect for those stand-out rides big rides and hot weather!
If you care about materials and where they come from, you should know that the soft, moisture-wicking fabric is made with yarns created from recycled plastic water bottles.
The best part of their collection is that there’s a long sleeve version as well for those chilly rides in Spring or Fall!
Pair this with PEARL iZUMi’s women’s quest shorts — the combination of navy and red is enough motivation to get out and ride!
4. PEARL iZUMi Women's Attack Jersey - Pale Pine & Adobe Floral & Women's PRO Bib Short
Prints and patterns have come a long way, especially for women’s jerseys and shorts.
PEARL iZUMi’s spring and summer collection is their feminine range and this cool pine and adobe floral print.
It is perfect for big rides and hot weather with an improved fi. The cooler tones and floral kick strikes a balance between being feminine and ultra bad-ass at the same time!
For cooler weather, there’s even a long-sleeve version. The material is extremely soft, moisture-wicking fabric that is created with sustainable materials from yarns and recycled plastic water bottles.
I think it is great that brands like this are pushing the arc and are thinking sustainably in this day and age!
To add on, the new Women’s Levitate PRO Chamois is made to feel like the most luxuriest bib shorts - it is built for long rides, also allows easy toilet breaks and provides a barely-there, yet supportive fit with a personalised strap positioning!
5. Neo Bike Jersey & Terry’s Wayfarer Bike Short
An Italian finishing and something that stands out on those bike rides without having to get reflectors? This jersey initially outfitted for pros are a marvel for those who want a sleek design and quality materials.
The Neo Bike jersey is great for high temperatures with soaring humidity on the hottest of days when you’re climbing those difficult ascents or just cruising through flat trails.
Pair this with the most comfortable bike shorts that are almost like a second skin, Terry’s Wayfarer bike shorts. You can comfortably ride in it all day as it has a wide waistband and known to have elastic-free hem treatment if you don’t like grippy ones and compression.
The bonus is it has a pocket! Pockets for the win on these rides when you need an emergency stash!
6. Terry’s Soleil Short Sleeve Bike Jersey & Power Bike Shorts
When going the distance, especially bike touring, tight-fitting jerseys are yuck sometimes! The humidity, heat sapping weather may not be ideal for all terrains especially when you want breathable fabric.
There’s a solution to that - Terry has come up with a minimally constructed fabric that’s built for speed and comfort and even offers sun protection of up to UPF50+.
There will be no tight sleeves with elastic bands that kill you — and there’s minimised seaming with extended sleeves for those who want to go full length!
Pair this with Power Bike Short. It is built for enhanced support and reduced muscle fatigue, especially for those who really need a 2-in-1 cycling shorts if you’re riding for a long period of time!
7. Santic Women’s Jersey and Pearl Izumi Bib Shorts
It is nice to have brands that are well aware of women’s fit and preferences when making cycling apparel.
Santic women’s for women is aimed at the pro-minded cyclist but creates a really nice cycling jersey that focuses on all the right clothing attributes.
Their main aim is to create a cycling kit that reduces weight, aero drag, and women fabrics that enable them to make lighter kits with the lowest friction/drag coefficients.
The patterns are clean-cut and not too loud, and they focus on creating prints designed for women who want to take cycling to the next level.
You can pair this jersey with Pearl Izumi’s Attack Bib Short which are great entry-level bib shorts for any rider looking to make the transition to more specialized bike shorts.
With a drop-tail design for easy bathroom breaks, you get all the bib short benefits, like a waistband that doesn't shift and roll, without any of the inconveniences.
8. Agoda Cycling Jersey + Shorts
The Women's Agoda cycling Jersey is a classic you'll love to wear on any bike ride — it’s simple, clean with no-frills. The style is simple and elegant, making it ideal for your more leisurely paced rides.
Lightweight and soft, it feels great the moment you pull the jersey on - made easy thanks to a full-length front zipper.
And when the day warms up and you're building up a sweat, it deals with excess moisture very quickly, drawing it away from the skin to leave you always comfortable on the bike.
You can pair this with women-specific bib shorts from Pearl Izumi.
These bib shorts feature reflective detailing to aid visibility in low-light and they are finished off with Elastic Interface’s women-specific Endurance chamois.
9. POC Jersey & Castelli Bib Shorts
When the days are too hard and you know you want a light breathable fabric, the superlight, breathable and aerodynamic the POC Cycling Jersey is the perfect pick.
POC cycling jersey uses their body-mapping design to place the right functional fabrics in key areas to deliver the biggest performance advantages.
This comfortable and lightweight jersey is built for long days in the sun and has moisture-wicking properties inclusive to the breathable design. Semi form-fitting, the jersey does well to keep out of the wind and keep us speeding through our local loops.
The Bib Shorts from Castelli bring together the very best fabrics and technologies available.
If you find yourself constantly in chamois pain, the Castelli bib shorts has maximum-density foam padding in all the areas in contact with the saddle making it the ideal fit for those long days of riding!
10. BALEAF Women's Cycling Kit
Not the best in terms of long term durability, but Baleaf offers an entry-level women’s cycling kit built for the new rider.
The quick-dry fabric offers moisture management to keep you dry and comfortable during your riding with a maximum UPF 50+ sun protection.
The size runs a bit small so best to size it up and play it safe!
The shorts gel padding may be tad bit more padded than the usual ones in the market and for that deal that you’re paying it is as best as you can get.
This is a great decent looking kit that does the job but if you’re going technical and want more breathability, your best option would be the other reputable brands as mentioned in this list.
11. Rapha Women’s Laurentian Pro Team Aero Jersey & Bib Shorts
Rapha, the king of road cycling apparel has always won hearts in branded and slick gear whenever you’re road riding!
It’s not hard to ignore people donning Rapha kits on the road. A vast amount of people are willing to fork out money for quality, flattering fit and durability especially if they know they’re in it for the long run.
This special edition Pro Team Aero Jersey, as worn by Maghalie Rochette in elite level cyclocross racing, is inspired by the Laurentian Mountains of Canada where she lives and trains.
Designed to sit close to the skin, with a high stretch fabric that hugs the body, the Pro Jersey is ideal for the cyclist who is ready to up the game! The best pair to go is with Rapha’s classic bib shorts that have raved reviews all over.
Made to be worn on any kind of ride, from a short spin to a longer day in the saddle, the new Women's Core Bib Shorts offer exceptional comfort and value.
Seams are kept to a minimum and carefully positioned to prevent chafing in their proprietary chamois!
12. Castelli Bike Jersey & Terry Bike Shorts
Terry Bicycles have known to have a wide range of women’s relaxed fit and endurance jerseys!
Their Competizione Castelli jerseys are created for the most extreme weather conditions, the mesh is combined with mesh side panels for extra stretch, breathability.
This is a great choice for those summer and autumn rides — all you need is a base layer and it becomes a 3-season jersey!
Pair this with the new Rebel Short for its super lightweight, highly breathable and very flattering bike shorts!
The body is made of an Italian performance fabric with moderate compression so the fit isn't super tight.
What’s a great addition is that the Rebel comes with Terry's lightest weight chamois with soft wings for great comfort on and off the bike.
13. Marmo Women's Bike Jersey & Terry Bike Shorts
Marmo’s jersey comes in a pastel colours!
This one by Castelli adapts to any body type with its stretchy and comfy fit. The super contemporary design is collar-free, raglan sleeved and has a full front zip.
Pair this with Terry Bicycle’s Rebel shorts to complete the cycling look!
14. PEARL iZUMi’s Women's Attack Long Sleeve Jersey & INTERVAL Bib Short
For years, some women have raved that how comfortable PEARL iZUMi bib shorts and their overall kit has been. It is not overly padded, the chamois stays in place and the mesh straps are incredibly comfortable.
Starting with their long sleeve jersey, their lightweight long-sleeve cycling jersey is perfect when you want a little extra sun protection, or just a touch more warmth for a cool morning start.
They have also taken into consideration fit, structure and details such as improved fit with darting across the front and updated the collar for a flattering feminine look.
If you’re not sure about the jersey, whatever it is get a pair of PEARL iZUMi shorts for those long cycling rides! The bib uses more high-performance material built for the casual rider or speedy rides out of town.
What about accessories? Here are some cool finds
1. Smith’s French Navy + Rock Salt Helmet
Smith’s top of the line range built for women helmets are perfect for shredding weekends and even mid-day rides! They’re versatile, have a proper ventilation system which keeps air flowing and your eyewear fog-free!
The best part are the range of designs that are available from Mediterranean colours, hibiscus to indigo — if you’re on the road for the entire summer and spring, you’ll want to be seen in these colours!
2. Smith’s Persist Helmet
Some helmets look way too outsized, and just ended up dominating how you look on a bike! Smith’s Persist helmets ensure that they don’t look too big and are aligned with your body’s proportions!
The helmet is well-ventilated with 21 optimally placed vents and internal air channels to keep you cool and comfortable. There are a lot of cool darker hues such as dark green or black and even cool bold bright colours like orange!
Get this if you want an affordably priced helmet without sacrificing build and quality!
3. All-rounded cycling sunglasses
These performance sunglasses are great for all conditions from running, snowboarding to even cycling! If you’re someone who spends all your time outside and hate having to spend money on sports-specific sunglasses, these Smith’s are great all-rounders!
From the superlight frame right down to the nose piece, they’re built with the highest material and have no-slip temples. You can even change the lens just by snapping the magnet on the side!
4. Bobcat sunglasses
These frames are pretty swanky, lightweight and perfect for gravel adventures, road riding and those heavy sunshine days! Smith’s Bobcat sunglasses are for riders who want full coverage with a smaller fit and a lightweight feel.
The hybrid sunglasses offers a google-like coverage minus the weight and the bonus addition of ChromaPop brings out details of the forested trails! Since lens is interchangeable, you get a bonus clear lens for low-light needs!
Have you got a favourite cycling kit you can vouch for? Share with me in the comments below!
Read my other cycling-related posts:
The Beginner's Guide To Start Bike Touring: How To Travel With A Bicycle
Cycling in Kyrgyzstan: Bicycle Touring The Silk Road in Central Asia
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