Madison Flux short sleeve jersey review: functional and affordable

As a cyclist, the warmer weather that the return of spring and summer brings is what we live for. As we begin to shed our thermal layers, it's always a feeling of celebration when we take our first ride outside in short sleeves each year.

It's tempting to mark this annual milestone with the purchase of new kit, the cyclist's equivalent of a Christmas Day outfit, but the cost of some of best women's short sleeve cycling jerseys is often triple digits, making it hard to justify.

That's why the Madison Flux short sleeve jersey really made me sit up and take notice. It looks sleek and smart, offers practical features, and is less than half the price of even the most wallet-friendly options already on the market.

Construction

Madison says the Flux is made from a premium soft-touch fabric, which consists of 85% Polyester and 15% Elastane. Known for its sweat-wicking and moisture transfer capabilities, this is pretty standard fare for most cycling jerseys, such as the Santini Ombra short sleeve jerseys.

The difference is that the Flux's five-panel design is entirely constructed with the same fabric, without any additional high-tech sections for enhanced breathability or aerodynamics.

That's not to say that the Madison Flux eliminates all performance features; the raw cut, silicone-backed sleeves, and rear hem are designed for a performance fit and a stay-put finish.

There are practical features as well, including three rear pockets and an additional zip-secure pocket for valuables, although it's not large enough for phone storage. It also has a full-length zip, which is often missing on cheaper jerseys, along with small reflective details.

Details like the soft-touch collar and articulated cut enhance both comfort and fit. All of this adds up to a jersey weighing 164g in a size small.

The ride

It was mid-ride when I truly became astounded by the Madison Flux short-sleeve cycling jersey. Pulling it on pre-ride, I was impressed with the body-skimming fit. It's perhaps a little looser than options that profess to be climbing or aero-specific fits but it's still tight enough not to look out of place on the road.

I was also happy to pair it with the more relaxed style of adventure-focused kit for my first ride. Being early April, I required an additional layer over the Flux, until I warmed up. Thirty minutes and one hill ticked off, I was able to go with the Flux jersey alone. I stuffed my long-sleeved jersey into the ample rear pocket of the Flux and continued my ride.

Even with the rear pockets now bulging, the jersey stayed firmly in place, with no twisting even when climbing out of the saddle. It's super comfortable, and even though it doesn't claim to use any specific technical fabric, it really does have a soft-touch finish. Elsewhere details such as the hot pink strengthening tape on the pocket inner haven't gone unnoticed; it's a minor feature, but it added a touch of class that could easily be left out.

I've been lucky enough to experience an early spring mini-heatwave and bask in high teen temperatures, and pairing the Madison Flux jersey with a mid-weight short-sleeve baselayer has been ideal.

Since the first ride, I've combined it with baggy shorts for a gravel ride, hit a mountain bike trail center, and simply rolled around on the road wearing it. It is looser than most 'performance' cycling jerseys, but not flappy by any means—just not super-tight in the torso. I was testing a size small, UK size 8, which indicates that sizes run large since I tend to be a UK size 10 these days in civilian clothes.

The arm length makes it easy to team with arm warmers, and adding a vest makes it a great in-between-season jersey.

Without breathable underarm panels, I do wonder how it will perform in high summer, but living on the edge of the Peak District in the north of England, those days are few and far between, so I suspect I'll be looking to wear it more often than not.

The one element that could be improved is the lack of reflective elements. I wish brands would either leave them off rather than include small versions or make them a decent size that is visible to other road users. Otherwise, it merely draws my attention to how pointless it is.

Value and conclusion

I've honestly been astonished by the value of the Madison Flux short-sleeved cycling jersey. It punches well above its weight in terms of fit, comfort, and performance. I do think that it would be impossible to pick it out as a budget option in a lineup of much more expensive offerings.

Clothing this good, at this price can be a red flag. So, being curious, I've dug a little into Madison's Corporate Social Responsibility. You'll have to take its word for it, but reading through the information, there appears to be a strong commitment to responsible and ethical business practices; it's even part of the Freewheel Network, which supports local bike shops.

There are three colors on offer and five sizes to choose from, which means there's lots to consider, although if you are petite, you may find even the smallest size too big. All told, it's a great buy, will suit all riding styles, and has the potential to become a go-to jersey between spring and autumn. Other than the minute reflective details, there's nothing not to like about the impressive £39.99 price tag.