Short sleeve MTB tops?

Any suggestions for the above?

Criteria – not too tight for nominal size , no clown colours,reasonably technical fabric ( no pure merino ) and a few pockets , at least one zipped would be nice.

Usually MTB=no pockets but there are loads of Endura jerseys on SportPursuit right now. e.g. Humvee at £14.99 https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/1129677

<edit> Not loads, if you want pockets it’s just the Humvees, but several plain colours. </edit>

Usually MTB=no pockets

but why? Pockets are the only reason for buying a “cycling” top, might as well just use a tech t-shirt otherwise!

might as well just use a tech t-shirt otherwise

Well, most MTB jerseys are pretty much indistinguishable form a tech t-shirt. But I think it’s mostly because MTB culture actively wants to be different from roadie culture, so anything roadie is bad.

Raceface is my go to. Don’t often come with pockets though. More roadie style that sort of thing?

If you want pockets get a roadie one. The difference between them all is mostly branding isn’t it? I wear cheap tech shirts from decathlon. I also have a fox one for the odd occasion I want to be a bit “brighter” (look like a ****).

If you have deep pockets/ can be bothered waiting for a sale

Rapha

Some Leatt jerseys have little pockets on them (I think for lift passes etc rather than snacks and tools). But they are expensive and are sized ridiculously. An XL jersey is about the same as an M T-shirt for me.

I get a lot of my MTB jerseys from Set Up these days. As you say they are basically just tech Ts, but they seem to fit me well and they are in a range of colours / designs whatever. They’re cheap as chips too compared to offerings from Fox, Royal, whatever else. No pockets though.

Problem with having a jersey with pockets (for me) is that it doesn’t work very well *unless* it is roadie tight. I find the stuff in my pockets just shifts around and sways unless its held tight against the body…and it pulls the front tight against the body anyway if you have enough stuff in there, which is kinda uncomfy.

Well, most MTB jerseys are pretty much indistinguishable form a tech t-shirt

I totally disagree with this. They are completely different because a technical polyester running t-shirt is £10.99, whereas a short sleeve pocketless polyester MTB jersey is £44.99.

Another vote for Setup (as a pocketless alternative to TLD, Fox etc) , fit is really good for me and wick really well too

Also do some nicely made and good value casual stuff

I have a Rivelo top from Sportpursuit which mostly fits your requirements. The pocket is a small zipped one, big enough for a snack bar, bank card and key. I’ve not used it but it’s there. They’re £20-25.

is that it doesn’t work very well *unless* it is roadie tight

depends on the sort of terrain you ride in, but for me all my local single track is forest stuff, often quite tight in between the trees & overgrown, I’d be forever snagging an American football style billowing “MTB” jersey so snugger “roadie” tops make sense (plus, pockets! 😂)

You need road or gravel tops for pockets these days mate.

Might be worth a look on Freewheel for Madison ones – they are generally good IME.

On the jersey vs. tech T thing – yes and no.

As in yes, a tech T can be totally fine, but also a dedicated bike jersey can have useful mesh panels at the sides and can maybe feel a bit nicer.

I’d still usually pay £10-20 in sales though.

MTB jerseys typically don’t have pockets as are looser and stuff would just bounce around.  For usable pockets the jersey wil need to be on the tighter side so you’re looking at roadie or gravel really.

Some nice Scott ones on startfitness for about a tenner each.

“gravel specific” jersey! I’ve heard it all now 😂

“gravel specific” jersey! I’ve heard it all now

Well, one of the things I love about gravel is I haven’t had to buy a single specific bit of clobber for it. My mishmash of road, XC & enduro kit is fine.

But “gravel specific” clothing is just a useful way to point newbies who might be starting from scratch toward appropriate stuff. And yes, maybe sell a few more items.

Is it really that funny?

I’ve got an Adidas Terrex tech tee, think originally designed for hiking/running, with a zipped pocket/panel thing on the back. Couple of years old so not sure if still available but is a nice bit of kit.

Loads of cheap Scott tops at start fitness. I got a long sleeve one which is really nice in fit and material. No pockets though…

https://startfitness.co.uk/search?q=Scott+jersey

I bought this one the other day and it has a small pocket on the back/side that is good for keys and a snack bar but not much else. Top is lovely to wear though.

Scott Trail Vertic Zip Short Sleeve Mens Cycling Jersey – Red

Is it really that funny?

yes! The massive explosion in “gravel” is great as it means more people out on bikes, and the huge amount of marketing guff/bollox accompanying it is just the highly amusing icing on the cake 😂

“Gravel socks” does get a bit of a cynical chuckle out of me I have to admit. A lot of stuff that is “gravel” does seem to be the same as roadie or MTB kit, but in Olive Green. Because gravel cycling is the “bushcraft” of the riding world.

OK, but I think “enduro-specific” and “ebike-specific” were funnier / more cynical

A lot of stuff that is “gravel” does seem to be the same as roadie or MTB kit, but in Olive Green

And I’m not saying this isn’t true.

Some nice Sweet Protection ones dirty cheap on Stif at the min. Just bought a normal short sleeved jersey and a merino one for £25. Nice subtle colours etc (lairy ones are available!).

@davros.  Thanks for the link. My bank account wont be thanking you though. That’s riding tops for the year sorted out

@chrismac hope you got a bargain “TURD” top 💩😂

Beware tops made from recycled Polyester. It has recently (the last few years) become widely used. The fibre is not robust enough for MTB usage. I’ve had three (all made of recycled Polyester from three different brands) in last couple of years and they all looked **** after a few rides. Both a Nukeproof and Endura top developed pulls after the first wear. Even the seatbelt in my van roughs up the fabric leaving a white haze across it where it has abraded!

Buyer beware and all that. It’s hardly a secret Polyester is one of the least abrasion resistant fibres available for use in outdoor clothing!

Another vote for the Sweet Protection jerseys off Stif at £10.

Sweet Protection Hunter SS Jersey 2020 – Black

I have their shorts when they were £20. Incredible quality, that’s probably as “good” as Bourgeoisie wearing Rapha stuff at a fraction of the price even when “discounted”.

I nearly posted the exact same thread earlier in the week

I don’t think they exist .

All I want is a pocket for a key, phone and snack bar

Does appear though that it’s mtb tradition these days to go out with a 60ltr rucksack and bladder even if nipping to the local woods

MTB specific tops do appear to be a complete ripoff as there is nothing to them

Isn’t a MTB top slightly longer at the back than a running top to hide your builder’s crevice?

I wouldn’t know but I’d guess a gravel top is heavily padded in case the off road roadie falls onto the gravel. Inevitably the industry will one day give us DH gravel bikes with mudguards and racks, and full body armour in a fetching shade of Bear Grylls olive

“Does appear though that it’s mtb tradition these days to go out with a 60ltr rucksack and bladder even if nipping to the local woods”

I would’ve said the opposite, I’m more likely to see people out with at most a bum bag, newer trendier names may apply, or basics strapped to the bike.

I would’ve said the opposite, I’m more likely to see people out with at most a bum bag, newer trendier names may apply, or basics strapped to the bike.

+1

Even a fanny pack is seen as too much of an encumbrance by a lot of riders.

It’s almost like that poster just wanted to score points or be negative for some reason, eh?

I use a Rapha Brevet jersey most of the time.

Yes I know about the pose factor, however its a well made jersey with pockets all over it and not that light weight that it will rip open on the first nick of a thorn bush.

Also coming from “the very very big lad at the back” sizing a few years ago I’m just happy to be able to fit now into a Rapha jersey.

Decathlon MTB jerseys often come, or at least used to, several pockets. Might be worth a look if you have one local??

Does appear though that it’s mtb tradition these days to go out with a 60ltr rucksack and bladder even if nipping to the local woods

There’s a fair few for who that’s true, but there’s far far more with either stuff strapped to the bike, a bottle in a cage and perhaps a bum bag for a couple of tools and tenner for emergencies.

MTB specific tops do appear to be a complete ripoff as there is nothing to them

Yep, mostly tech tees, though the Rapha 3/4-sleeve ones use a different, more abrasion-resistant fabric on the outside arms/shoulders where it’s more likely to snag on vegetation and passing walkers.  Seems to work quite well, no pockets, thankfully.

Polyester durability depends on the construction more than the base fibres I think, broadly woven versus knitted and the tightness of the weave. The stuff Patagonia use for their decently tough TechFace fleece is polyester based, but the outer is woven rather than knitted. Likewise, Gore uses some woven Polyester face fabrics on their 3-layer fabrics and while they’re not as outright tough as the Nylon/Polyamide alternative, they’re still pretty good and not remotely fragile ime.

As far as pockets go, I’ve a few old, hybrid Sugoi ones that have semi-roadie style rear pockets, but the relative looseness of the cut means that anything heavier than a Buff bounces around annoyingly. Rab incorporated rear pockets in some of their bike-specific Cinder stuff,

eg:

https://rab.equipment/uk/mens-cindercrino-zip-tee

or

https://rab.equipment/uk/mens-cinder-crimp-tee

But a mate who’s used a few of the Rab tops wasn’t very taken with the pockets and the tendency to sag when loaded. Personally I’d probably look at shorts pockets, though that’s a whole world of hassle in its own right, or a small, erm, lumbar / fanny / bum pack.

I think the bottom line is that for pockets to be functional, you need a tight-fitting, roadie-style jersey or things just sag and flap around.

There are/were some mountain biking base-layer tops incorporating pockets, I think RaceFace did one, the idea being that you can store stuff under your trendy, loose-fitting mtb jersey.

I have 2 Endura Humvees, 1 from last year and 1 from a few years ago, the newer one is much lighter and thinner, seems like a different top altogether.

Both good though, I like ’em.

I would go for one of those runners belts or minimal waist / bum bag like Evoc Race Belt instead of using jersey pockets for phone and keys.

I’ve bought a couple of Endura Singletrack Ts recently, really like how lightweight they feel, good fit, no pockets. Sale items, so one is bright orange with a sort of honeycomb style design fading in at the bottom, the other is assorted colours, a bit more stylish. The most important thing for me though is that they’re lightweight and so air will flow through them helping to keep me cool.

I like to wear various colours these days, helps to be seen, and bored of dull greys and black.

Small frame bag for pump, tube, anchovies, multitool, phone, keys.. Water bottle in cage. Stopped using rucksacks during lockdown and never gone back – but most of my rides are also fairly short so less need for carrying an industrial scale water supply.

I have found some !

Just a bit too loud for my liking. Quite why you have to be on a gravel bike too? Their MTB shirts dont have pockets

https://www.cycologygear.co.uk/collections/gravel-shirts

These look pretty good too, but not sure if no more stock left…

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/short-sleeved-mountain-biking-jersey-st-500-black/_/R-p-301216?mc=8556821&c=blue+grey_fluo+flame+orange