How to dress for cycling or all you need to know about cycling gear?

You can put your feet on the pedals anytime you're drawn to your bike, regardless of the season. The prerequisite is a properly assembled cycling kit that allows you to combine the right clothes every time. We've put together a guide to bike dressing principles, whether you're taking a dash across hot asphalt or exploring forgotten trails in the middle of the wilderness in autumn.

What is the most important element for enjoying a bike ride? Comfort, right? Just take it easy and enjoy the ride. When choosing a bike, you've probably spent a long time deciding on which one to choose. There was a comparison of models, their components, wheel diameters and other parameters. Try a similarly careful approach to choosing your cycling attire. If you feel comfortable, you'll enjoy the ride a lot more.

The most important guidelines for dressing for cycling

The great advantage of bike gear is that it's easy to layer and brilliantly space-saving at the same time. This applies to road bike wear – tight and elastic and for biker gear - looser styles. It's always better to wear more than less on your bike, because you can always put your windbreaker in your cycling jersey pocket or in a small bag or backpack like our CADENCE. Never let your muscles and joints get cold (knees and hands are the most susceptible) or overheat like a steam cooker. A cycling outfit isn't just about a jersey and shorts - cycling gloves, gaiters, headbands and hats are just as important.

Every mile-hardened pro will agree that the most important thing is the base layer and your body itself. A functional t-shirt wicks sweat away from the body, so you don't have to worry about catching a cold from a wet back when you're riding fast or stopping in the shade. Just don't take the cotton! It gets soaked in sweat and cools. What about your own body? Before you begin dressing, consider creams to lubricate intimate areas and any crisis areas where chafing is a risk. By the way, a road bike is normally ridden without underwear. Underwear "pinned" to the body by elastic clothing increases the risk of "chafing" and abrasion.

What else is worth mentioning before we get into dressing for the seasons? Cycling gear should always fit you even better than a tailored suit. If it doesn't fit just right, don't be afraid to exchange it for a different size. Silicone hems and flat seams are not just for show, they are important elements for your comfort. Have you ever noticed that a cycling jersey or jacket is shorter in the front? Everything will fall into place once you're in the saddle, bent over the handlebars. And most importantly, you can't ride without a helmet.

How to dress for cycling in Spring and Autumn?

Variable weather, noticeable temperature differences in the sun and shade, these are the spring and autumn months. It might take a little bit of alchemy to find the right combination of cycling gear for these seasons. Some are just naturally more cold-blooded and others are warm-blooded. In all cases, however, the following basic rule applies - the most important thing is your choice of the base layer, i.e., a functional t-shirt. Followed by a cycling jersey, ideally insulated and with long sleeves. If you only have a thin jersey for the summer months, don't hesitate to wear a windproof vest or a lightweight, waterproof jacket with a membrane, and in the case of short jersey sleeves, cycling arm warmers. It's important not to let the wind get to you. Leave the short-fingered gloves for summer, even if it's around 15°C outside. Your knuckles will get cold while riding. The legs will appreciate those so-called "long stork" – cycling pants (long cycling pants). If investing in them isn't worth it, be sure to wear leg warmers with your shorts. Is there anything else missing? Don't hesitate to wear a headband or a hat over your ears.

Summary of the spring and autumn cycling wardrobe:

functional t-shirt
insulated cycling jersey, e.g. ZAIN and ZESTER
lightweight, waterproof jacket with a membrane, e.g. RAINAR-M
MURIA cycling pants
gaiters, if you do not have a long jersey and pants, e.g., UNNO ARMS, UNNO KNEES, UNNO LEGS
MEXY long fingered gloves
headband or light hat, e.g. BANDI

How to dress for cycling in the summer?

During the summer months, dressing for cycling is easiest. No more fussing with layers. At the forefront of your cycling gear should be a lightweight cycling jersey with short sleeves or no sleeves, like our VAI-W women's cycling jersey, a quality functional t-shirt or mesh tank top and above-the-knee cycling shorts, elastic or loose depending on your riding style. Without gloves, you can get an even tan on your hands, but they can get pretty slippery on the grips when you sweat. It's enough to wear light and short-fingered gloves, but for the trail or the bike park, choose full-fingered gloves for better protection. Sunglasses and functional socks are also useful during the summer. They often have a knitted fabric made of elastane and synthetic fibres, for maximum breathability and at the same time increased durability.

Summary of the summer cycling wardrobe:

functional T-shirt, mesh tank top, e.g. NETTY
light cycling jersey, e.g. CORRIDOR, BRIAN, TREVISO, EXPLOSION and WILD
cycling shorts, e.g. MURIA-M, PRESSURE-M and TRACKEE
light gloves, e.g. SAVAGE
functional socks
sunglasses, e.g. BIXBY

How to dress for cycling in the winter?

While the winter months aren't as demanding in terms of clothing choices as the ever-changing spring and autumn, it's still important to think about whether you're going for a lazy pace or a proper workout when dressing. Moreover, each of us is differently sensitive to the cold. We don't want to discuss polar conditions, thus take the following guidelines as an ideal guide when it's a few degrees above zero. Always start with functional thermal underwear. Ideally with a merino wool blend and long sleeves. Skip the regular jersey and choose a properly insulated cycling jacket with high wind resistance. Pants must be similarly insulated. The durable ones are lined with a membrane on the front. Winter cycling gloves are also a must. They may have a little less feeling, but the reward of empty bike paths and trails makes up for it. You should replace your headband with a hat and a neck warmer is also very effective against the cold and wind.