The right kid's cycling jersey starts with a tape measure. Take the child's chest, waist and hips, then find those numbers in the Kid's Cycling Jerseys section of our size chart. Online Cycling Gear has sizes XXXS to XXXL, a unisex fit for boys and girls, and short sleeves for summer riding.
In short
- Our Kid's jerseys come in nine sizes, XXXS to XXXL, with a unisex fit for boys and girls.
- Size from the child's chest, waist and hips, read against the Kid's chart.
- All are short sleeve, so add sunscreen and water for summer rides.
What size cycling jersey should you buy for a child?
Go by the chart, using the child's own measurements. Our Kid's product pages list nine letter sizes, from XXXS through XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL to XXXL, and they give no age for any of them. Kids of the same age often need different sizes, which is why the tape does a better job than a birthday.
Our sizes run small, so check the size chart on this page before you choose. Kid's Cycling Jerseys have their own section there. The chart page also notes that "Sports apparel usually fits smaller than regular clothing", so a school polo size won't tell you much. Each Kid's product page lists the cut as "Kids Standard Fit, but please check sizing charts".
How do you measure a child for a cycling jersey?
- Ask the child to stand straight in a thin T-shirt, with arms relaxed at their sides.
- Run a soft tape around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms, and write the number down.
- Measure around the natural waist.
- Measure around the hips at the widest point.
- Open the Kid's Cycling Jerseys chart and find the size those numbers fit.
- If the stomach measurement is larger than the chest, use the stomach. If the child falls between two sizes, choose the larger one.
Children shoot up over a summer, so measure again before each order. The larger of two sizes leaves a bit of room for that.
What should kids wear for cycling in an Australian summer?
A short sleeve jersey, comfortable shorts, a helmet and plenty of sunscreen will cover most rides from now until autumn. Long days make it easy to head out after school or before the heat builds, and an early start is usually the most pleasant ride of a hot day.
Sun comes first. Cancer Council Australia advises sun protection whenever the UV index reaches 3, with five steps: slip on covering clothing, slop on SPF 50 or SPF50+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses. A helmet replaces the hat while riding, so pack a hat for the stop and put sunscreen on ears and necks before you leave. Carry more water than seems sensible, and stop in the shade often.
Helmets are not optional here. The Australian Road Rules require a bike rider to wear an approved helmet, and the Northern Territory's exemption only covers adults on footpaths and cycle paths.
Any comfortable pair of shorts works for a kid on a short ride, as long as the legs are not so wide and loose that they can catch on the chain. Our guide to what to wear cycling at every temperature covers the grown-ups in the group.
How should a kid's cycling jersey fit?
Close to the body, with room to move. Get the child to reach forward as if holding the handlebars: nothing should pull across the chest, and the hem should still cover the lower back. Some flap at the sides is fine on a child who is about to grow, although a lot of loose fabric will catch the wind.
| Feature | What our Kid's jerseys have | Why it suits a child |
|---|---|---|
| Zip | Quarter-zip | Helps avoid zipper accidents and goes on and off easily |
| Waist | No elastic gripper | Most kids are not riding in race position |
| Pockets | Three stitched back pockets | Room for a snack or the sunscreen |
| Fabric | Quick-dry wicking polyester with mesh side panels | The same wicking polyester as our adult jerseys |
| Care | Machine wash at 20-30°C, no dry cleaning | Goes in with the family wash after a sweaty ride |
With no gripper, the jersey also works as a sport or casual shirt off the bike. The product pages even suggest it for the morning you forgot about the book parade costume. Our cycling jersey fit guide goes through more of the on-bike checks.
Which kid's jersey designs suit summer?
Anything bright and a bit silly. Our Kid's designs all have a unisex fit for boys and girls, so let the child pick from the full range of Kid's Cycling Jerseys. The summer favourite in our eyes is the Kid's Hawaiian Aloha Floral Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey, with big white flowers on red, black or blue, and it looks right at home by the beach.
Fruit and monsters are never far behind. The Kid's Must Be Bananas Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey is yellow and covered in exactly that, while the Kid's Happy Monsters Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey and Kid's Cute Aliens Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey are for the creature fans. Unicorn lovers can choose the Kid's Pondering Unicorn Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey, and a child who stays up for the Tour de France will spot the polka dots and yellow on the Kid's Tour de France Leaders KOM Sprinters Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey.
Our guide to cycling jersey colours explains what those race colours mean. For the grown-ups riding alongside, funny cycling jerseys has more of the same spirit.
Can a kid's jersey match mum's or dad's?
Sometimes. We have a customisation listed as Customization: Make as Kid's, which is how an adult design can become a kid's version. It is not on every adult product page, so ask customer service whether your design can be made before you order.
Customised orders are final, so take the child's measurements and check the chart first. A local club wanting a junior version of its own kit should start with our guide to custom cycling kits for clubs.
Is a kid's cycling jersey a good Christmas present in summer?
A very good one, because the long summer holidays start right after it. Picture Christmas morning in a new jersey, with a ride to the park or the beach before lunch gets hot and the whole school break to wear it. Just measure first. A quick "let's see how much you've grown" against the kitchen wall gives you the excuse to bring out the tape.
Our guide to buying cycling clothes as a gift has more on sizing for someone else, and the cycling gift guide covers the rest of the family.
Every item is made to order, so order well ahead of Christmas. Free shipping applies on orders over A$125, which a family order can reach. If the size is wrong, non-customised items come with 60-day store-credit returns, as long as the item is unworn with its tags on, as our returns policy explains. Try it on indoors first and keep the tags attached until you know it fits.
Kid's jerseys for summer rides
Online Cycling Gear
Kid's Tour de France Leaders KOM Sprinters Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey
$69.99$79.99
Shop NowFrequently asked questions
What age do the Kid's sizes fit?
Our product pages list sizes XXXS to XXXL with no ages. Measure the child's chest, waist and hips, then use the Kid's Cycling Jerseys chart.
Are these jerseys for boys or girls?
Both. The Kid's jerseys have a unisex fit for boys and girls, and any design works for either.
Do you sell kid's knicks or a full kit?
No. Our Kid's cycling range is short sleeve jerseys, so pair one with comfortable shorts the child already likes.
Is a short sleeve jersey enough for sun protection?
No jersey replaces sunscreen on arms, face and neck. Follow the Cancer Council's five steps whenever the UV index reaches 3.
Can a kid's jersey be worn off the bike?
Yes. With no elastic gripper and a quarter-zip, the jerseys double as a sport or casual shirt, as the product pages say.
Sources
- Online Cycling Gear Australia size chart
- Online Cycling Gear Australia, Kid's Cycling Jerseys
- Online Cycling Gear Australia, Kid's Must Be Bananas Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey
- Online Cycling Gear Australia, Customization: Make as Kid's
- Returns policy, Online Cycling Gear Australia
- Cancer Council Australia, Be SunSmart
- Wikipedia: Bicycle helmets in Australia