Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey or Arm Warmers? How to Dress for Fall Rides
Switch to a long sleeve cycling jersey when your ride starts below about 55°F (13°C) and stays cool, and add the thermal fleece option below 45°F (7°C). Arm warmers under a short sleeve jersey are enough from 55 to 65°F (13 to 18°C), and on cold mornings that warm up, because they come off mid-ride.
In short
- Arm warmers under a short sleeve jersey cover 55 to 65°F (13 to 18°C) and mornings that warm up.
- A long sleeve jersey takes over when the ride starts below about 55°F and stays cool.
- Below 45°F (7°C), add the thermal fleece option and a base layer.
- Most riders end up with both: warmers for early fall, long sleeves for late fall.
When should you switch to a long sleeve cycling jersey?
Look at two numbers before you ride: the temperature when you roll out and the high you will see on the road. If the start is under 55°F and the day never climbs past the low 60s, a long sleeve jersey is the simpler choice. You dress once and forget about it.
Below 45°F, the standard jersey is no longer enough on its own. Our long sleeve cycling jerseys are made in the same moisture-wicking fabric as our short sleeve range by default. For colder rides you can add the optional thermal fleece customization on the product page, and we line the jersey with it. Wear a thin base layer underneath and a windproof layer on top for descents.
Our temperature guide has the full table, legs and gloves included. Wind, rain and long descents can shift every band by 5 to 10 degrees, so a gray, windy 55°F feels like long sleeve weather.
Long sleeve jerseys for fall
Men's Ride Free Sunset Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey
$59.99$71.99
Men's Retro Two Stripe Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey
$59.99$71.99
When are arm warmers enough?
Arm warmers earn their place on the days that change. A 52°F start that reaches 68°F by lunch is too cold for bare arms at the first junction and too warm for long sleeves on the last climb. With warmers you start covered, then roll them down and stuff them in a back pocket when the sun gets going.
They also make sense when the temperature sits between 55 and 65°F all day. A short sleeve jersey with warmers feels about the same on the arms as a standard long sleeve, and you keep the option to strip down. Add a vest for the first hour if the morning is damp.
Our cycling arm warmers are a moisture-wicking stretch polyester with a silicone gripper at the top to stop them sliding down. They come in unisex, men's and women's versions, and some match a jersey design, so the warmers look like part of the sleeve.
Arm warmers
Men's Ride Free Sunset Quick Dry Cycling Arm-Warmers
$23.99$25.99
Unisex Neon Hexagon Cycling Arm Warmers
$23.99$25.99
Women's Polka Dots Quick Dry Cycling Arm-Warmers
$23.99$25.99
Men's Stripe For Speed Quick Dry Cycling Arm-Warmers
$23.99$25.99
Are long sleeve cycling jerseys worth it?
Yes, if you ride through fall and into winter. Arm warmers stretch a summer jersey into early fall, but once the mornings stay below 50°F most riders want one piece that covers everything with no gap at the sleeve hem and nothing to adjust. A long sleeve jersey does that, and with the fleece lining it covers the coldest rides of the year.
The trade-off is flexibility. You cannot take a long sleeve jersey off at the coffee stop, so on a ride that warms up fast you open the zip and live with it. That is why the two pieces work best as a pair: warmers for the in-between days, long sleeves when it stays cold.
| Situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Starts at 50°F, warms past 65°F | Short sleeve + arm warmers | Warmers come off and fit in a pocket |
| 55 to 65°F all day | Short sleeve + arm warmers | Same warmth on the arms, more options |
| 45 to 55°F, staying cool | Long sleeve jersey | One layer, no gap, nothing to adjust |
| Below 45°F | Long sleeve jersey with thermal fleece | The fleece lining holds warmth on cold descents |
| Summer sun, long day out | Lightweight long sleeve | Covers your arms from the sun in the same wicking fabric |
How do you wear arm warmers?
Put them on before the jersey, or at least before your gloves. Pull each warmer up until the gripper sits on your upper arm, then let the jersey sleeve come down over the top edge. The sleeve hides the gripper and closes the gap, so cold air does not get in at the bicep.
To take them off on the bike, roll each one down from the top to your wrist, then slide it over your hand. Rolled warmers take up very little room in a back pocket. If you wear full-finger gloves, take one glove off first and put it back on after.
Getting the size right matters. A warmer that is too loose slides down no matter how good the gripper is, and one that is too tight leaves a red ring on your arm. Our arm warmers come in sizes 2XS-7XL, and the sizing charts have a separate chart for warmers. Check it before you choose.
What is the best long sleeve cycling jersey for fall?
For early fall, a long sleeve in the standard wicking fabric. It is light enough for a 60°F afternoon and warm enough for a cool morning with a base layer. For late fall and winter, pick the same jersey with the thermal fleece lining. Look for these features whichever you choose:
- A full-length zip. Ours have a full-length hidden zip, so you can vent on climbs without taking anything off.
- Three back pockets. You need room for warmers, a vest and food once you start shedding layers.
- A silicone waist gripper, so the jersey stays put with full pockets.
- A bright color. Fall days are shorter and more rides end at dusk. Our high viz long sleeve jersey comes in yellow, lime, green, orange and pink.
How should a long sleeve cycling jersey fit?
Close to the body, like a short sleeve jersey, with sleeves that reach your wrist when your hands are on the bars. Loose fabric flaps in the wind and lets cold air in at the cuffs. Our jerseys are a club fit cut that runs small, so size up if you are between sizes. Plan for what goes underneath too: a base layer, or the fleece lining, takes up a little room, and the larger size is usually the more comfortable one.
The range is split into men's long sleeve cycling jerseys and women's long sleeve cycling jerseys, all available in sizes 2XS-7XL. You can also request a different size or gender on the product page, as one of the customization options. If you want the legs sorted at the same time, our leg and arm warmers collection has both.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should I wear a long sleeve cycling jersey?
When the ride starts below about 55°F (13°C) and stays cool. Between 45 and 55°F, long sleeves and short sleeves with arm warmers both work. Below 45°F (7°C), choose the thermal fleece option and wear a base layer.
Do arm warmers go under or over the jersey sleeve?
Under. The gripper sits on your upper arm and the jersey sleeve covers the top edge, which closes the gap and stops cold air getting in.
Are arm warmers as warm as a long sleeve jersey?
On the arms, about the same as a standard long sleeve. A long sleeve has no gap at the sleeve hem, and the fleece-lined version is warmer than either.
Can you wear a long sleeve cycling jersey in summer?
Yes. Without the fleece, our long sleeve jerseys use the same wicking fabric as the short sleeve range, so some riders wear them to keep the sun off their arms.
How do I stop arm warmers from slipping down?
Choose the right size from the warmers chart, pull them up until the silicone gripper sits on your upper arm, and tuck the top under your jersey sleeve.
