I am testing and researching women's clothing on behalf of a British brand that is expanding its women's range. I personally prefer a classic, three-pocket jersey for both road and mtbing. For road rides I use the pockets as follows: left pocket for keys and mobile phone, middle for rolled-up gilet or legwarmers, right pocket for energy bars and/or gels. This way the load is balanced, and I can grab my snacks easily without accidently dropping my keys out onto the road. I use a seatpack for my tubes, tyre levers etc. For MTBing, I can wear a Camelback if I want to, and put nothing in the pockets, and the simple design with no zips means there is nothing to dig into my back.

However, the company I am working with does not make a three-pocket design for women, and on discussion with the designers I am told that women don't like three-pocket jerseys, and that they prefer a single, small zip pocket. The proliferation of these single-pocket designs on the market from a number of brands seems to reflect this. I am mystified.

So I'm putting it to you - what sort of pocket design do you prefer, and why? What do you use your pockets for? What brands and styles to you use that you particularly like? What would be your ultimate jersey design?

All feedback welcome!

Pocket at the back of jersey in the middle with a zip i would like.

Pockets at the side with zips i tend to find harder to undo whilst riding along, or maybe its just me.

I agree with you and prefer ones with 3 pockets, particularly on long road rides where I want to eat as I go.

However, I know lots of people who passionately hate back pockets and reckon they get in the way when mtbing & wearing a camelback - personally I don't find this - if I put nothing in them I don't notice them.

I don't know anyone who prefers just one pocket .. And zips are just annoying as they are hard to open on the move.

Oh and...I prefer it if the three back pockets are as big as possible.

Nooo, no zips!

Personally I prefer three pockets. It's the most versatile a comfortable. Can't stand zips on jerseys. Nothing worse than trying to wear a camelback with a zip between you and it. And the pockets on jerseys with zips on are normally to small to be of any real use anyway. I bought a Nike jersey with a zip pocket, binned it after one ride.

Mind you, I can understand why you might want a zip pocket, to put stuff in that you really don't want to lose and that you won't be using on the move ...eg keys and money. Personally I would just put them in a different non-zip pocket and not get them out.

Yay,,,, Lurker ello

Jenn I use my pockets on a ride the same as you! I have real problems finding jerseys with three pockets, two of my favorites are actually men's jersey's. I don't like zips as I find them uncomfortable when I have my camelback on. Must people I know are not interested in pockets at all, they use a camelback. But I know from on here some of us try and seek out three pocket designs.

The one thing that really annoys me is short zips at the front! I am intelligent enough to decided not to unzip it but in hot weather I want to unzip it as far as possible, I wear a sports bra underneath that I don't mind people seeing.

Similar to you - I much prefer three pockets, and as big as possible. I always put the biggest items in the middle one, ie rolled up rain jacket and mini pump. I too put keys, money and phone on one side, and energy bar in the other.

I think two pockets is the worst scenario (ie worse than one big pocket). I've got a specialized jersey with two pockets and I feel lopsided! I wouldn't opt for a jersey with two pockets again.

I think a small zipped pocket (perhaps inside one of the main pockets) is a good idea for money/key etc.

OK, so there are plenty of women who always use a Camelbak and never need back pockets at all. Presumably this is true for men as well. I know there are technical Ts out there that are useful for wearing with Camelbaks, but what about a proper cycling jersey designed specifically for use with a Camelbak? Ie close fitting, collar, technical fabric, 3/4 zip, but no pockets? What about a gripper around the bottom to stop it bunching up, and an extra layer of soft material over the shoulders? Is there such a product out there? Is this something people might be interested in?

I wouldn't be as I use my jerseys on both my road and mtb bikes. But I know plenty of friends who only ever ride with a camelback, they cannot see the point of even one pocket so that would be perfect.

no pockets on mtb jerseys please!

I find they ride up when using a camel back. Which i use 99% time when riding.

Even if i didnt use my camelback id still never use the pockets. (bf agree's)

if it has pockets tehn i like the ones with a zip.

also make vest jerseys not just t shirt style if possible.

3 pockets design on the back if i ever get a jersey with pockets. only go mountain biking with a camelbak so i don't have to worry about storage. the pocket on my altura nevis jersey is handy as i allows me to fold it up but i get cuts on my back if the zip isn't fully shut.

Ads, where would you put your stuff if you didn't ride with a Camelbak? Or would you only do it for v short trips and take nothing?

I think well designed mtb specific tops with no back pockets would go down well, everyone except me on my recent trip to Switzerland said they wished the Bike Verbier tops didn't have back pockets. I wouldn't buy them though as I already have a lot of tops with no back pockets and only use them on the mtb, which is a bit annoying.

Personally I'm not bothered on grippers round the bottom though, if the top is long enough it doesn't seem to ride up anyway.

Most of my jerseys have to do for mtb as well as road, so the pockets I prefer for roading it have to be comfortable for riding with a camelback on those all day mtb epics.
I also mostly have mens jerseys. Partly because I don't personally go for the wishy washy pastle colours, or even worse white jerseys, that get stained the first time they get mud on them.
Some personal favourites for good design are Endura Vapour and Sugoi Tactic. Big pockets, descent fit, well made and a good selection of mud freindly colours.
Gripper strips on jerseys with elesticated hems are great.

Hi Jenn,

I've got several makes of jersey and find the rear pockets really useful, however, I find the depth of pocket on some brands makes them pretty much useless (too short to keep a cereal bar in and not deep enough to feel secure for cash/keys/phone.) I almost always wear a camelbak, but if I'm doing a trailquest event (3 hours or more) it's handy to be able to grab a cereal bar, energy gel, handful of jelly babies etc. without having to stop and rummage about in my bag.

Claire, I don't think we ever agree do we? :)
I always use a camelback so I just don't need pockets. They get in the way for me.

If I was to use pockets, I would suggest 3 large ones rather than a mono pocket.

I wear cycling jerseys and normal base layers when I ride. I prefer vests for ventilation although the straps need to be thick so that my camelback doesnt rub.

colour wise - i like the look of white ones but as Claire said, I'd be too scared they would get ruined to buy one.
I don't mind pastel colours but its nice to have other options.

I really like Sombrio's designs in clothing best. ( apart from the wonky coloured sleeve one! )

3 pockets are the better option for me. Middle pocket for waterproof (usually small pump, tube and tyre lever too), right pocket for phone/keys and left pocket for food. I don't like seat packs as they just get in the way.

Unfortunately, 3 pockets are usually only found on mens tops or team kit. I've just brought a load of Scott kit which I love but they only have 2 rear pockets which is a bit of a nightmare.

Assos have the right idea with 3 rear pockets and a smaller zipped pocket.

I don't like using a camleback but when I do, I don't use the pockets on my jerseys so it's not really an issue.

Why Ads, what else have we disagreed on? can't remember anything!

Agree with you about Sombrio (though their tops don't have any back pockets, dammit! :-))

Also I totally didn't understand the back pocket thing til I started to do a lot of road riding, and if I just mtbed then I wouldn't want tops with back pockets.

Hi Jenn,
never use any pockets - use a camelbak mule every time so I don't have to think about what I'm taking - just put my phone in and and water if it's a long ride.I found that the jersey's with full pockets swung about - or if no zips I kept thinking I would lose my keys!!

Yes to pockets, 3, one with a zip. I use my jerseys for road riding, mtb and running. I work on a duty rota and often have to carry a pager and/or phone so I find a biggish zip pocket really useful so keep in from falling out. OK, that might just be me with pager, but loads of people carry phones/ipods.I like these little side zip pockets that seem to be coming out now, for keys and cash.
I never notice pocket zips when my pockets are empty and I am wearing a Camelbak. I never buy a jersey unless it has got three pockets (and I won't buy blokes either. I am not small, but I am also curvy, so to get a blokes one to fit on the bust is masssively swaping elsewhere) and spend ages sewing press studs onto zip-less pockets!

Another hate for jerseys - I hate big panels/stripes etc of white, because it always gets really dirty, really quickly and you can't wash nylon hot enough to get it properly clean and it goes grey.