Based on our long collaboration with some of the best professional teams in the world, this guide is designed to help you dress for optimal comfort and performance in any weather condition, both on the road and in the woods.
Cycling
HOW TO DRESS?
Cycling Shorts
START AT THE BOTTOM
Designed to be worn against your skin, bike shorts come in two main versions: Shorts and Bib shorts. The latter features bibs that eliminate the pressure in the waist area.
Bib shorts are the most common alternative and the preferred choice of serious riders. Regardless of what kind of bike shorts you choose, make sure they fit well and come with a chamois that suits your anatomy and ambition. It’s important that the bike shorts and the chamois are made of functional fabrics that keep you dry even during long and intense rides in warm conditions as well as give you the best support.
Cycling Jerseys
KEEP YOUR UPPER BODY COOL & DRY
On the upper body you should wear a bike jersey made of functional polyester that keeps you cool and dry in warm conditions. In lower temperatures, wear a baselayer singlet or tee underneath the jersey and/or a thin wind-protective vest on the outside. A baselayer tee with wind-protective front is also a great choice in cool conditions.
Remember to not dress too warm, since overheating will hamper your performance. By wearing a thin wind-protective vest or jacket, you can quickly dress down if you get too warm and then store the vest/jacket in one of the jersey’s back pockets.
The coffee break is a great tradition in cycling. If you bring a bike vest/jacket, you can easily dress up to stay warm during the break.
Jackets & Vests
PROTECTION AGAINST WIND AND RAIN
Devoted cyclists have both a wind jacket and a rain jacket in their bike wardrobe. The wind jacket should be designed to protect against wind and offer enough breathability to make sure you stay protected without overheating, while the rain jacket should also offer protection in wet conditions. For optimal protection and breathability and to eliminate the risk of overheating, use the respective jacket for its intended purpose.
In heavy rain, you can wear a pair of bike-specific rain pants (or shorts) outside your bike shorts for full water protection.
Accessories
ALL THE DETAILS
Using accessories such as arm, knee and leg warmers you can quickly adapt your outfit to shifting weather conditions and cool temperatures. If you get too warm, these accessories can easily be stored in your jersey pocket. Shoe covers are another great item that can be used to keep your feet warm during cool spring and fall rides as well as in wet and windy conditions.