A beloved old Royal Racing shirt is soon to retire, so it's time to look for a replacement. I have a cheapo, and decent, Madison one that works, but would like more to hand.
The spec requirements;
Short sleeve
Full length zip
Loose fit, not full on roadie slippery aero stylings
At least one zipped rear pocket, big enough for phone, cash and snacks
Subtle, but not boring colours
Somewhere between Assos-esque blingery and Madison workmanlike stuff
GO!
I'm quite liking The Overland ss shirts, would full length buttons work instead of a zip? Loads of storage.
https://www.morvelo.com/collections/overland/products/tract-overland-shirt
I like the style of that! Couple of (potential) issues though...
Non zip pockets? I'm a little paranoid about this, I just like knowing phone/card etc are locked down before riding on. Hello, when using a hydration pack, I'm obsessive about the zips being closed!
Buttons...So good. I love that. However, opening/closing while riding. Zips are just a little easier.
Overland ss shirts
Have one, not impressed by the fabric or fit. Nice idea for something a bit different but no cigar on this occasion
I think you're a pretty rad guy, am I right?
So my goto brand for debonnaire riding attire is Thor.


You'll roll the sleeves up to be this cool.
Never had a rear pocket on a baggy jersey as i presumed everything would flap around in it.
I liked the Morvelo mtb jerseys, but their range seems to have got very slim this season? TLD and Fox are good fits for me (not the bight clown colours though).
The Overland shirts are very good.
The pockets are on either side rather than the rear like a normal cycle jersey. I’ve had no issues with my phone or keys bouncing out yet as they’re pretty deep.
There’s a few sizes on offer at Wiggle at the moment.
Whats the sizing like on the overland shirts?
£4.99
.
Or
Ground Effect Median - full or half zip available.
https://www.groundeffect.co.nz/collections/mens-summer-jerseys/products/median-strip-merino-cycling-shirt
Ta, Matt. Styling of the Median there is absolutely spot on. Not a fan of merino for summer though, I'm afraid!
Whats the sizing like on the overland shirts?
Pretty standard.
I'm a medium in most kit and the medium shirt fits me well, not too tight and not too baggy.
Not sure if Decathlon is below you Flashy, but these looked really good when I was on the shop last time. A few different colours and designs too.
My Ground Effect Median top has been my summer mountain bike top of choice for about 5 years. It's a blended fabric:
'A bi-component thermal fabric combining 51% merino wool and 49% polyester. Superfine 18.5 micron New Zealand merino wicks sweat away from your skin while the polyester provides a durable, non-pill outer. Lightweight at just 170gm/m2 and machine washable. Developed by Ground Effect and knitted just for us.
Composition: 51% merino; 49% polyester'
The fit is loose and the performance is always spot on. My two Ground Effects Tops have lasted years despite numerous washes. They are well made pieces of kit.
Decathlon is below you Flashy, but these looked really good
Love the cheesey poses on those shirts!
Here ya go - https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/gonso-necton-cycling-jersey/ 😀
Gonso have loads of different short sleeve/full zip shirts
https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/short-sleeve-cycling-jerseys/
Not a fan of merino for summer though, I’m afraid!
Just apropos of nothing, really, the other year I was lucky enough to spend two weeks cycling across the Mongolian steppes, in July. It were right warm. I did the first week in a Holdsworth merino top from P-X, and the second in a merino top from Jura. Both served me very well, really comfortable and not pongy in the slightest.
The P-X one hasn't washed that well (who knew...) but the Jura one is a cracking piece of kit. Buttoned pockets, not zips, but perfectly fine in keeping in the little drybag I have my keys/phone/card in.
Troy Lee Ace fit most of these requirements for me. Long zip, but not full length (although the v2 ones might be full zip?), fitted but not skin tight. Rear pockets, and a zipped key pouch.
Whats the sizing like on the overland shirts?
I'm a pretty standard medium abeit with wider than average shoulders, but I went up a size and don't regret it at all.
I really like mine as an alternative to quasi-roadyism, but I wear it mostly over a thin, mesh wicking baselayer - the Morvelo one in fact - because the shirt fabric feels very slightly clammy to me, possibly because it has a high-ish elastane content. It's kind of thin and stretchy rather than having a flannel-ish feel if that makes sense.
Thanks for the advice on sizing on the Overland shirts👍