Cycling can be an extremely fun and exciting activity but not wearing the proper clothing can make a ride uncomfortable and less enjoyable. Finding what is a good fit for you and the style of riding that you are doing will ensure that your legs are your limiter and not your comfort level. You should choose jerseys, shorts, and other apparel that is comfortable, functional, as well as versatile soon after you start riding one hour or more. Along with being more comfortable on the bike, you will also be more aerodynamic, as well as able to stay cooler or warmer depending upon the weather, and have the look you want as a cyclist.
What to Wear When Cycling
Choosing Shorts
Cycling shorts are the biggest thing that is going to add comfort to your ride since that is the largest contact point with the bike. They are designed exclusively for cycling. Their first attribute is that they are skin tight. This is for three reasons. One is that they won’t get caught on the seat or on your knees if they are long. Second is that they are more aerodynamic and won’t flap in the wind. And third is comfort, keeping everything where it should be.
The second attribute is that they have padding, better known as the chamois, which gives you extra cushioning between your sit-bones and the saddle. This will allow you to ride far longer without getting a sore bottom.
When choosing cycling shorts your first decision is if you want waist band shorts that only come up to your hips like regular gym shorts, or if you want bib shorts, which have suspender like extensions that stretch up and over your shoulders. Most riders start with waist band shorts and then graduate to bib shorts. Bib shorts tend to be a bit more expensive but more comfortable and are the choice of every professional cyclist.
The second choice in selecting shorts is how thick or thin you prefer your chamois. Thicker is not always better as more material can bunch up where it’s not needed. A chamois with medium thickness is a good place to start and then your second pair can be chosen accordingly.
The next choice in choosing cycling shorts is if you want “leg grippers” and what style. Most shorts today come with some sort of leg gripper that keep your shorts from riding up. As long as your shorts have one style of leg gripper or are a pair of shorts designed to stay in place without leg grippers, you are set. With choosing leg grippers you need to decide how long you want your shorts. Some prefer them longer, almost reaching their knee, while others prefer a shorter short. In the middle of your thigh or an inch or two toward your knee is a good place to start.
A final point about choosing shorts is getting the fit right. They are designed to fit snug and not bunch up anywhere. You don’t want them so tight that they are constricting around your quads but you don’t want them so loose that they are not snug around your nether region, both for men and women. A snug but not overly tight fit at three points, your quads, your nether region, and your buttocks will give you a quality pair of cycling shorts that will make your riding much more enjoyable.
Jersey Selection
Your second selection in choosing your cycling apparel is what jersey to wear. This is less important than what shorts you wear but still an important piece of riding. A cycling jersey is going to be made from a material that is sweat wicking as well as form fitting. It will also have a zipper in the front that can be unzipped to take on and off as well as to offer some more ventilation while riding. They also have pockets in the back to carry your phone, food, or anything else that you may need.
The first choice in jersey selection is what type of riding you will be doing. If you are racing or doing more group rides you will want a jersey that is more aerodynamic. If you are just riding casually you can have a jersey that is a bit more baggy and “club cut”. It just depends upon personal preference.
Jersey’s these days come in many types of material. Each company has its own style of material ranging from thicker standard jersey material to tightly woven material for aerodynamics to lightweight, loosely woven material for hot weather. Again, this is personal preference and should be chosen based upon what type of riding you are doing.
Another selection in picking the right jersey is how long the zipper is. They range from quarter zip to full zip jerseys that can be taken on and off without having to pull over your head. Higher end jerseys typically are full zip but not everyone needs a full zip jersey. Choose what is right for you.
Sock Selection
Shorts and jersey selection are the first and most important parts of getting your riding clothing dialed in. The rest are smaller details that will still add to your comfort level. Any sock will be ok for riding less than one hour but as you start to ride longer and longer how those socks wick sweat as well as stay in place is important. Having a sock that is thin and made from a material like polyester will help keep your feet cool as well as wick sweat away from your skin. Having them form fitting will help ensure that they don’t bunch up after a long ride and fall down if they are a sock that goes higher up toward your calf.
Choosing Cold Weather Clothing
Another important piece of apparel, especially depending upon where you live, is a rain jacket. A cycling rain jacket is small and lightweight so it can be easily stuffed into a jersey pocket so you can take it with you on your rides. They are also closer to form fitting so they don’t catch as much wind. Also, more expensive cycling rain jackets come with built in vents that help keep you cool if it’s a warm rain.
When the weather turns cold you can’t continue wearing exactly the same clothing but can make additions to help keep you warm. Dress in layers so you can remove and add clothing depending upon temperature throughout the ride. This starts with your base layer. If it’s marginally cold you can wear a short sleeve base layer that is made pretty much of anything but cotton. And then for your arms and legs wearing arm warmers and leg warmers will help keep you warm. These are essentially just sleeves that are designed to be slipped over your hands or feet and pulled up to your upper arm or quad. They can then easily be removed, even while riding if you are good.
For colder weather, getting cycling specific winter thermal tights will be a good investment to keep you warm. A cycling winter jacket, which is the same construction as a jersey with pockets and all, just made long sleeve with thicker material, will help keep your upper body toasty. Shoe covers or cycling booties will help keep your feet warm which slip over your shoes.
Choosing the right clothing for cycling will make your riding more enjoyable and comfortable particularly when riding longer and longer distances. Having the proper clothing while riding in weather that is less than ideal, such as heat, cold, or rain, will make it much more manageable and not bring you to a grinding halt. The right clothing will expand your riding windows in terms of whether as well as the length that you can comfortably ride. The biggest thing in riding is having fun and your comfort contributes to that so get the right gear and enjoy your ride.
