Recycled Cycling Jerseys: Do They Really Hold Up?

Let’s be honest. Most people don’t think about what their cycling jersey is made of. Not really. They care about how it fits, whether it keeps them cool, and maybe if the colour works with the rest of their kit. That’s fair.

But what if you could have a jersey that checks all those boxes and is also made from recycled materials?

That’s what we wanted when we started developing our own. Not something that looked eco just for the sake of it. Not something that made you compromise on performance. Just a jersey you’d actually want to wear, that happened to be made better.

Why recycled?

There are enough jerseys in the world. Too many, actually. And most of them are made from virgin polyester, which relies on fossil fuels and leaves a footprint that doesn’t sit right with us. We ride outdoors. We care about the places we ride through. Making gear that adds to the problem felt wrong.

So we started asking: can we do better?

Turns out, yes. Recycled materials have come a long way. They’re lighter, stretchier, more breathable than they used to be. But not all recycled fabrics are the same. Some still fall short. Some feel stiff. Some wear out fast. So we tested, then tested again, until we found something that worked not just for sustainability but for actual riding.

What does “recycled” mean here?

When we say recycled, we mean the fabric is made from things like post-consumer plastic bottles or industrial waste. The fibres are broken down and re-spun into new yarn. From there, it’s woven into performance fabric. It’s not downcycled or low grade. It performs the way high-quality cycling jerseys should.

We use it across our collections. Whether you’re browsing our women’s cycling jerseys or looking at men’s jerseys, you’ll find recycled material at the core of each piece.

Not as an add-on. As the baseline.

Do they actually feel good?

Short answer? Yes. Long answer? We wouldn’t use them if they didn’t.

We’ve been on rides where the jersey feels great for the first hour. Then the pockets sag. Or the fabric starts to cling in weird places. Or the seams rub under the arms. You notice these things after a few climbs. That’s when the details matter.

So we focused on feel. Our jerseys are light, soft, and breathable, even on hot days. They wick sweat well. The back panel stretches without distorting. The front holds its shape. The zips glide. These are small things, but they add up to comfort.

Fit still comes first

Sustainability doesn’t mean anything if the jersey doesn’t fit. You’re not going to wear it. That’s wasted effort, which kind of defeats the point.

Our fit philosophy is simple: it should follow your position on the bike. Not too tight when you stand up, not loose when you’re in the drops. We spent a lot of time adjusting the cut so the jersey moves with you. Not against you.

If you’re not sure what size to go for, we put together a guide that walks through the key measurements. You can find that here.

Fit that works for everyone

We don’t believe in simply resizing a men’s jersey and calling it women’s. That approach misses the point. Our jerseys are unisex, but they’re designed to fit both men and women properly. That means thoughtful patterning, balanced proportions, and testing on a range of body types.

Sleeves are shaped to sit cleanly on the arm. The hem holds without riding up. There’s room where you need it, and support where you don’t. Same fabric, same performance, no compromise.

You can browse our women’s cycling jerseys and men’s cycling jerseys to find your fit.

Do recycled jerseys last?

That was one of our first questions. Because if it wears out in a year, how sustainable is that really?

We’ve been riding in our early samples for over two seasons. Still holding up. Colours stay sharp. Fabric hasn’t gone thin. Seams are solid. A lot of this comes down to construction quality, not just material. We make our jerseys in small batches in Europe, and we check every piece before it ships.

We’d rather make less and make it right.

You probably won’t notice it’s recycled

And maybe that’s a good thing. Our jerseys don’t feel different. They don’t look different. They don’t carry some earthy texture or dull tone. They’re just clean, breathable jerseys that happen to have a better backstory.

Some riders care deeply about the sustainability side. Others just want something that fits well and lasts. We’re fine either way. You don’t need to explain your reasons to ride in better gear.

What makes a recycled jersey actually “good”?

Let’s be clear: a jersey isn’t good just because it’s recycled. That’s the starting line, not the finish.

What makes it good is how it performs. So here’s what we focused on:

• Fabric that doesn’t trap heat. The front panel is slightly more structured. The back is more open. You feel the airflow, especially on descents.

• Zips that don’t snag. Ours are smooth, low profile, and stay in place when you open them mid-climb.

• Pockets that hold their shape. Even after hours with a phone, pump, and food stuffed inside, they stay secure.

• Elastic that grips without pinching. The hem sits flat. No twisting. No riding up.

We know these are minor details, but when they work, you don’t notice them. And that’s kind of the point.

A few real ride moments

There was a 120 km ride where I wore the Earth Brown jersey and didn’t adjust it once. Not a single tug at the sleeves or hem. No overheating on the climbs. No cold spots on the descents.

Another ride, mid-summer, with the white jersey. Full sun. Two bottles gone by kilometre 60. I opened the front zip halfway and forgot about it. It stayed there, didn't flap. Sounds small, but in the moment, it’s the difference between annoyance and focus.

For hot weather, these shine

The recycled fabrics we use are especially good in summer. Light, breathable, quick-drying. You’ll feel it on long climbs or when riding through still air. The ventilation panel on the back helps more than you’d think.

We don’t use mesh just for looks. It’s there for airflow. The side panels are the same. Slightly more open weave. Better evaporation. Less sticking.

And if you’re wondering whether the light colours show sweat — surprisingly, not really. We ride in the peach and white options all the time. The fabric handles moisture well and dries fast.

Style without overthinking it

Our jerseys are built to match, but not shout. You can pair them with any of our men’s cycling clothing or mix them with pieces you already own. We design with clean lines, solid tones, and subtle accents.

That doesn’t mean they’re boring. Just that they won’t go out of style by next summer. Which, again, is part of being sustainable.

You don’t have to be an “eco rider”

We get this a lot. People ask if you need to be into climate activism to wear recycled jerseys. Honestly, no.

Some people care deeply. Others don’t. You can ride in one because you like the colour. Because it fits. Because it performs. Or because you want to reduce your footprint. All valid reasons.

Our job is to make something worth choosing, regardless of why you’re choosing it.

What about care?

Recycled fabrics don’t need special treatment. Just don’t overdo it.

• Wash cold

• Skip the fabric softener

• Hang dry, always

• Zip before washing to protect the edges

That’s it. If you take care of it, it’ll last ride after ride.

Is it really sustainable if you have to keep buying new ones?

Good question. Our goal is to make things that last longer. That fit better. That become your go-to instead of your backup.

We’re not into collections that change every month. We’d rather make fewer releases and focus on pieces that stay relevant. Sustainability isn’t just materials. It’s mindset.

So, why choose ours?

You don’t have to. But if you’re looking for something built for riding, made in Europe, and designed with care — our jerseys are worth a look. They just happen to be recycled too.

We didn’t create these to be preachy. Just honest. We ride in them. Our community rides in them. We improve them every season. That’s how it should be.

You can explore the current collection of men’s jerseys and women’s jerseys to see what’s available.

And if you're new to finding the right size or feel unsure, this guide might help.