Bike Jersey vs. Under Armour

[joyosects]

Is there a real difference between bike jerseys and under armour?  I need to buy some stuff, and I'm involved in other sports as well, and the materials that each are made out of is basically the same. 

[staehpj1]

Pockets and longer cut in the back are the two things that I would miss with UA stuff.  I like to take UA Heat Gear shirts for off bike.

[driftlessregion]

For touring nothing beats wool jerseys. They don't stink even after several days of wear and are cool in hot weather too. Lots of sellers: Ibex here at Adventure Cycling, Jones Wear, Boure', Kucharik, Wasabi to name a few.

[staehpj1]

For touring nothing beats wool jerseys. They don't stink even after several days of wear and are cool in hot weather too. Lots of sellers: Ibex here at Adventure Cycling, Jones Wear, Boure', Kucharik, Wasabi to name a few.

I would not advise stocking up on a lot of wool without trying one garment for a while first.  You may love it or you may hate it.  I found that for me the stuff stunk to high heaven after a few days without washing and I much prefer synthetics.  Maybe the difference is in individual body chemistry because a lot of folks say that wool avoids the stink for them.

[geegee]

I really like using rash guards when I ride. I have a few of them because I do quite a bit of kayaking as well. Because they are made for water sports, I find they dry much quicker than bike jerseys, and feel much more comfortable when you're sweaty. My faves are from http://www.levelsixinc.com

I like UnderArmour, too. I never used the pockets in my bike jerseys so I don't miss them.

[bogiesan]

Is there a real difference between bike jerseys and under armour?  I need to buy some stuff, and I'm involved in other sports as well, and the materials that each are made out of is basically the same. 

You give up the 12-18" zipper, the extra long cut, the formfitting features, and the pockets in the back. And the goofy graphics.

Jerseys are specialized to the sport of riding an upright bike. I ride a recumbent and a jersey's more specialized features are useless so I have a closet full of cheap silk shirts. I have to stop to handle the buttons but the silk is delightful.

david boise ID

[DaveB]

You give up the 12-18" zipper, the extra long cut, the formfitting features, and the pockets in the back. And the goofy graphics.

The "goofy graphics" are optional.  There are many relatively plain, single color bike jerseys available from several makers.  You can be as understated or as flamboyant as you wish.   

[rcrampton]

I don't use bike jerseys much. In particular when I'm touring off the beaten path I prefer to fit in and wear clothes and biking shoes that look like normal clothes. REI Tech Tee's and Under Amour along with other tech tops and shorts (with padded bikers underneath) are my normal biking wear.

I know others that like the longer backside, and the long zipper in the front of bike jerseys definitely gives you a lever to pull to regulate body temperature with exertion.

I've typically spend $30-$40 for a jersey and $22'ish for an REI Tech Tee.