Race Jerseys

BMX race jerseys: the long-sleeve top every rider needs

A race jersey is not a branded t-shirt. It is a regulation garment, cut for the arms-forward riding position over the handlebars, and built to move sweat away from the skin between two motos. BMX RACING carries the race collections of several manufacturers side by side in one category, from the smallest Micro rider up to Pro XXL.

Long sleeves: what the rules require

At a BMX race meeting the rider's kit must cover arms and legs: long-sleeve jersey, full-length race pants, full-face helmet and gloves. A short-sleeve jersey will not get you onto the gate, and most clubs apply the same rule to supervised training sessions. That is the first thing separating racewear from lifestyle clothing: sleeve length is never optional.

Mesh, panels and sublimation

Almost every race jersey is made from knitted polyester printed by sublimation, so the graphic is dyed into the fibre and will not crack in the wash. The better constructions combine several fabric weights in a single garment.

• Open mesh across the back and sides for airflow
• Denser, less transparent front panels
• Lined or reinforced elbows on the higher-end models
• Soft collar with no harsh seam under the helmet chin bar
• Elasticated cuffs so the sleeve does not ride up into the glove

Choosing a size, from Micro to Cruiser

Sizing follows two logics depending on the brand: youth sizes indexed on age (Y-XS to Y-XL) and adult sizes from S to XXXL. A Micro or Mini rider takes a close-fitting kids cut, an Expert often moves up to an adult S, while Cruiser and Pro XL riders mostly look for enough sleeve length with the arms extended. Measure chest girth and arm length rather than trusting your usual high-street size: race cuts run narrower than everyday clothing.

What the jersey has to fit over

The jersey goes on top of your upper-body protection. If you ride with a back protector or a body armour vest, take one size up or choose a cut described as loose, otherwise you will struggle to raise your arms. A jersey that is far too big, on the other hand, flaps in the wind and gets in the way on the approach to the start hill. Many riders also match jersey, race pants and gloves in the same colourway, then add goggles with a tinted lens.

The brands that make BMX race jerseys

Answer offers complete ranges sold as jersey and pants kits, with a very fine-grained youth size chart. Chase works on tighter cuts and refreshes its collections every season. Stay Strong is popular for its legible graphics and generous youth sizing. Meybo carries the colours of its frames across to its kit, and Pride remains a safe choice for riders looking for a European fit. Kenny, Shot and Fly Racing round out the selection with jerseys drawn from motocross.

Looking after a sublimated jersey

Wash inside out at 30 °C, no fabric softener, no tumble dryer: the knit loses its stretch under heat and sublimated prints go dull once softeners get into the fibre. Dry flat or on a hanger. A well-treated jersey lasts several seasons; it is usually the elbows, scuffed in a crash, that go first.

The BMX RACING view

Because we stock several brands in parallel, you can genuinely compare cuts and size charts before buying instead of being pushed towards one maker. Unsure about the size for a young rider who is growing fast, or whether a jersey will fit over a back protector? Write to us and we will answer with the garment's real measurements. Dispatched within 24 to 72 hours, and you can spread the cost over 2 or 3 payments if you need it. The full range sits in our BMX protective gear.