Women's Cycling Jerseys and Bib Shorts: How the Fit Differs From Men's
Women's cycling jerseys and bib shorts are cut for a woman's body shape, while men's kit follows a men's pattern. In our store the fabric, the chamois and the leg grippers are the same in both. What changes is the cut and the size chart, so measure yourself against the women's chart and choose the cut that fits your body.
In short
- Women's jerseys and bibs are cut for a woman's body shape. Men's follow a men's pattern.
- Fabric, chamois and leg grippers are the same in our women's and men's ranges.
- Each cut has its own size chart. Our kit runs small, so size up if you are between sizes.
- You can ask for a design in the other gender cut in the customization panel.
What is the difference between women's and men's cycling jerseys?
The pattern. A women's jersey is cut for a woman's body shape, and a men's jersey is cut for a man's. Put the same design side by side and you will see it in the shape of the body and the waist, not in the print.
Our Women's Ride Free Sunset Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey shows it well. The product page calls it a jersey cut specifically for the women's body shape. It also gives you a choice the men's version does not: you can order it with or without the elastic gripper at the hem, an option added after feedback from our female riders about room at the hips. The Men's Ride Free Sunset Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey comes with the silicone waist gripper as standard.
Everything else matches. Both have a full-length hidden zip, three reinforced back pockets and full sublimation printing, so the design will not crack or peel. Women's jerseys also come in a sleeveless cut, such as the Women's Ride Free Sunset Sleeveless Tech Cycling Jersey, which has 110 GSM mesh side panels for warm days.
Are women's bib shorts different from men's?
They are cut on a women's pattern and sized on their own chart. The parts that do the work are the same. Our Women's Pro-Band Classic Plain Color Gel Padded Cycling Bib lists a 9D contoured silicone gel chamois, wide 45 mm silicone leg grippers and an 80% polyester, 20% Lycra fabric with low profile stitching. Those are the same specs our men's gel padded bibs carry.
| Women's cut | Men's cut | |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey pattern | Cut for the women's body shape | Cut for the men's body shape |
| Waist gripper | Standard, optional on some designs | Standard |
| Sleeveless jerseys | Several designs | Several designs |
| Bib chamois | 9D contoured silicone gel | 9D contoured silicone gel |
| Leg grippers | 45 mm silicone Pro-Band | 45 mm silicone Pro-Band |
| Sizes | XXS-7XL on most designs | XXS-7XL on most designs |
| Size chart | Women's charts | Men's charts |
Plenty of women skip bibs and ride in waist shorts, and the search numbers suggest it: "womens cycling shorts" is searched far more often in the US than "women's bib shorts". Our Women's Plain Color Pro-Band Gel Padded Cycling Shorts are cut specifically for the women's body shape, with the same 9D gel pad and 45 mm grippers. Shorts are easier on a café stop, while bibs stay put better on long rides. Our guide to bib shorts vs cycling shorts goes through that choice in detail.
How should a women's cycling jersey fit?
Close to the body, with no fabric flapping at the chest or the back. A jersey that sits close moves sweat away from your skin faster and does not catch the wind. Lean forward as if you were holding the handlebars: the hem should still cover your lower back, and the back pockets should not sag.
Searches for a "womens cycling jersey loose fit" come up often, and the honest answer is that a cycling jersey is never meant to be loose. If you want a little more room, go up one size rather than switching to a T-shirt cut. Our jerseys have a club fit cut and run small, so if you are between sizes, choose the larger one.
Sleeve length matters too. A short sleeve should end around mid upper arm without squeezing it, and a long sleeve should reach your wrist when your arms are stretched out on the bars.
Can a woman wear a men's cycling jersey or bib shorts?
Yes. Nothing stops anyone from riding in either cut, and plenty of riders do. Size from the chart of the cut you are buying, though, because a medium in a men's chart and a medium in a women's chart are not the same garment.
If you love a design that only comes in the other cut, ask for it in the customization panel on the product page. "Make as Women's" and "Make as Men's" are both options there, next to "Remove Elastic Gripper" and "Change Bibs to Shorts". The Women's Ride Free Sunset 2 Piece Cycling Kit page says it plainly: you can request it in a different size or gender. Customized orders are final, so measure twice before you choose.
How do you find your size in women's cycling clothing?
Measure first, then read the chart for that garment. Our sizing charts have separate women's charts for short sleeve jerseys, long sleeve jerseys, bib shorts and bib tights. Use a soft tape over thin clothing and measure your chest, waist and hips.
The chart page adds two rules worth keeping. If your stomach measurement is larger than your chest, use the stomach measurement. If you land between two sizes, choose the larger one. Sports apparel usually fits smaller than everyday clothing, and ours runs small.
If the fit still is not right, non-customized items come with 60-day store-credit returns. Our returns policy has the details.
What should a first women's cycling kit include for fall?
A jersey and a pair of padded bibs or shorts are the core. A matching set is the simplest start, and our women's cycling kits pair each jersey with bibs or shorts in the same design.
With fall mornings getting colder, a long sleeve jersey earns its place early. The Women's Four Stripes with Pink Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey is a classic start, cut for the women's body and available lined with soft-touch fleece for colder rides. The full range sits in our women's cycling jerseys. For the bottom half, browse women's cycling bibs or women's cycling shorts.
Women's kit picks for fall
Women's Ride Free Sunset Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey
$54.99$69.99
Frequently asked questions
Do women's cycling jerseys run smaller than men's?
They are sized on a different chart, so compare your measurements with the women's chart instead of your usual label. All our kit runs small, so size up if you are between sizes.
Can men wear women's cycling bib shorts?
They can, but the cut is shaped for a woman's body. A man is usually better off with the men's cut of the same design, which you can request in the customization panel.
Are women's cycling shorts the same as bib shorts?
No. Shorts sit at the waist with no straps, and bibs have shoulder straps that hold the chamois in place. Our women's shorts and bibs use the same 9D gel pad and 45 mm leg grippers.
Should a women's cycling jersey be tight?
Snug, not tight. It should sit close with no flapping fabric, without pulling across the chest or at the zip.
Can I get a men's design in a women's cut?
Yes. Choose "Make as Women's" in the customization panel on the product page. Customized orders are final, so check the women's chart first.
