Learn about cycling clothing
We studied cycling clothes
Our sizing advice is different
As cyclists, we have years of experience wearing clothing from a wide range of brands. Over time, we’ve tested countless trends, materials and concepts designed to improve ride comfort and performance.
With DACHS, our goal has been to curate the best elements of modern cycling apparel — carefully balancing performance, comfort and real-world usability. Every product is designed with this philosophy in mind.
Our sizing is based on extensive research into cycling sizing standards. While we aim to stay aligned with familiar cycling sizing systems to avoid surprises, we also offer larger sizes and advice to help you choose the right size with confidence.
Cycling sizing are difficult
Choosing the correct size for cycling clothing can be challenging. It is typically designed to fit close to the body to reduce aerodynamic drag, and sizing can vary significantly between brands depending on their performance focus.
The fabrics can also be stiff or highly compressive, making garments feel tighter than expected — one of the things we specifically tried to do differently with our jerseys and bib shorts.
Understanding fit philosophy and fabric characteristics is often just as important as understanding the size chart itself.
Cycling clothing feels small
The cycling industry generally designs clothing around trained riders who are often slimmer than the average person. As a result, cycling clothing can feel smaller than everyday clothing, even when the size label is the same.
We largely follow industry sizing standards so that our products feel familiar to experienced cyclists, but we also offer larger sizes to accommodate a wider range of riders.
Please don't be offended by the size recommendations.
The sizes refer to the clothing, not the people wearing it. It's why understanding fit style, fabric characteristics and intended use — not just the letter size — is essential.
Learn About DACHS Sizing
Essential Jersey
Aggressive profile, stretchy fabric
DACHS Essential Jersey has an aggressive profile, but very forgiving, stretchy fabric. This means that it can fit both hard-core riders and new-comers to the sport.
The fabric is specially developed for us and optimised for cycling. The material is soft to the touch, highly breathable and elastic in multiple directions, allowing it to remain comfortable whilst sitting snug against the body whilst riding.
It is engineered to allow more natural movement and flexibility, with less compression than a traditional race jersey, and has low risk of pinching, bunching, chafing or restricting.
It provides comfort, freedom of movement and effective temperature regulation. The stretchiness, softness and breathability combine to make the jersey perfect for all cyclists, whether you are a beginner, low-distance endurance rider or a speed racer.
Due to these characteristics, we chose a more performance cut to make the jersey incredibly versatile. Due to its elasticity, riders can often fit into more than one size, giving them a choice of snugness.
We have cut the jersey for a Performance/Race fit, which can be made more relaxed by selecting a larger size or more aerodynamic by selecting a smaller size.
The jersey fits close to the body, tapered through the waist, with a dropped back that allows an aggressive road position but enough front length so you don’t look like you are wearing a child’s shirt at the café stop.
Our size recommendations
Newcomers to cycling — comfort-focused
Choose a size where the chest measurement matches or is slightly smaller and where the front length is slightly longer for a more relaxed feel.
Endurance riders — balanced comfort & performance
Choose a size where the hip measurement matches or is slightly smaller, and where the back length provides good coverage in riding position.
Racers — aero-focused
Choose a size where the waist measurement matches or is slightly smaller, and where the front length is shorter for a tighter, more aerodynamic fit.
Men’s and women’s fit differences
While both DACHS jerseys follow the same Performance/Race cut philosophy, the pattern and proportions are specifically tailored for traditional gender differences.
Women’s jerseys feature a shorter back length, shorter sleeves and more contoured shaping through the chest and waist.
Men’s jerseys are cut longer through the torso and sleeves, with a slightly straighter silhouette.
Both share the same stretch performance fabric and aerodynamic intent — the difference lies in anatomical fit and proportion.
Suggestion — not a rule
Our tailoring labels are suggestions — not restrictions. Riders should select the cut that best matches their body proportions and performance preference.
- If you want a curvier fit with shorter back & arms: go for women’s fit.
- If you want a straighter fit with longer back & arms: go for men’s fit.
How the profile compares to other brands
How does the profile compare to other brands (remembering that the fabric is forgiving)
| Brand | Line / Collection | Profile | Typical Use Case | Compared to DACHS Essential Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castelli | Aero Race / Free Aero / Premio Black | Pro-Racing | Elite racing, maximum aero efficiency | Tighter fit with more compression & longer sleeves |
| Castelli | Competizione | Race | Amateur racing & fast training | Slightly tighter torso |
| Rapha | Pro Team | Race | Racing & aggressive group rides | Very similar, marginally longer sleeves |
| Van Rysel | RCR (Race) | Race | Racing, criteriums, fast club rides | Closest match |
| DACHS | Essential | Performance / Race | All | Reference baseline |
| dhb | Aeron Race | Performance | Club racing & fast training | Similar chest fit, longer sleeves |
| Siroko | SRX Pro | Performance | Fast training & sportive riding | Slightly more relaxed waist |
| Rapha | Core | Performance | Everyday training & long rides | More relaxed torso |
| Gore Wear | C7 | Performance / Endurance | Sportive riding & endurance | Looser overall fit |
| Van Rysel | Endurance | Endurance | Training & endurance rides | More relaxed fit overall |
| Gore Wear | C5 | Endurance / Comfort | Long rides & endurance | Much looser waist and torso |
| dhb | Aeron | Comfort | Comfort-focused riding | Significantly more relaxed |
| Rapha | Brevet | Comfort | Distance riding & bikepacking | Much looser fit |