Wearing high performance cycling shirts and jerseys has some distinct advantages over using normal everday clothes such as t-shirts or other general clothing. One of the main reasons for taking to the road with a cycling shirt is that very often they are brightly colored. This is not a matter of vanity; it is a matter of guaranteeing that other road users can actually see you. It is normal, especially after long journeys, for vehicle drivers to “focus out” small things on the road, such as cyclists, if they can see a larger vehicle further on. This is very bad news for you as a cyclist, and exactly the same type of “cycle-blindness” occurs at junctions. Normally the first conscious sight of the cyclist is when he is hurled over the handlebars.

So when it comes to your safety on the road, do not be shy; buy a top that is highly visible, even if it does not live up to your normal sense of style.

The second main reason that cycling shirts are preferable to normal cotton tops is that they are made from high performance moisture wicking materials, that actively remove sweat from the surface of your body. It’s a one way system; moisture permeates away from your skin as vapor, then condenses once it is outside the first micro-layer. Once the moisture has condensed, it cannot travel back to your skin. So there is a huge comfort reward to wearing these specialist jerseys. Of course, you do not necessarily need to get the cycling-specific gear; there are many other types of sportswear that feature this moisture wicking ability, such as some of the higher end jogging shirts. It is best to try a few out over time, and see which type you are happiest with. The other bonus with professional cycling shirts is that they are designed to be tighter, and therefore more aerodynamic, so if you are into cycle racing, you would be better off with the ones made for cycling.

The main points to look for when shopping for a cycling shirt will be its color – sometimes they also have light reflective strips as part of the design – and moisture wicking ability, so you get to your destination safely and without being soggy or sticky.