Professional cyclists and casual riders have one thing in common – they all hate cycling in cold weather and poor conditions without proper clothing. Wet outerwear and cold air seeping through the holes in your clothes can quickly dissuade even the most enthusiastic cyclist from heading out for a ride. To protect yourself from the elements, make sure to follow these 5 easy tips for picking your cycling clothing for the winter season.
1. Wear a long-sleeve jersey
Cycling jerseys feature a higher neckline than regular ones, protecting your body from the neck down against bad weather. Such jerseys are often made from Lycra or other tight-fitting material, which removes any holes through which wind might pass when cycling. If you frequently find yourself shivering when riding on your bike, grabbing a long-sleeved jersey might be a good idea.
A proper jersey should be the staple of both men’s and women’s cycling clothing. In addition to weather protection, they often feature many zipped pockets in which you can store your personal items that you might want to keep at hand, such as your keys, wallet, or phone.
2. Avoid shorts when cycling in bad weather
While cycling shorts are often the most comfortable clothing for your legs to wear when riding, they leave your legs exposed from the knee down. Instead, if you worry about air resistance of your clothing, we recommend you wear longer tights when cycling in the winter.
Cycling tights are not only designed for women – they are a part of men’s cycling clothing just as well! In addition to offering good thermal insulation, cycling tights often come with additional foam padding to keep you comfortable during longer rides.
3. Add some winter accessories
There are dozens of additional accessories you can wear to keep you warm when cycling during the colder months of the year. Neck, arm, and leg warmers are among the most useful ones, keeping your exposed body parts covered and protected from the elements.
As you ride, even when there is seemingly no wind, you will feel the cold air blowing on your skin. A snug neck warmer might protect you from catching a cold, and arm and leg warmers can act as an additional layer of clothing on your limbs.
4. Protect your face with a balaclava
If a neck warmer isn’t enough for you and you often feel your teeth chatter in the cold, buying a full balaclava might be a great idea. You can find professional cycling balaclavas, manufactured from Gore-Tex or other protective material, that will keep your whole face warm, leaving only your eyes exposed.
In addition to a balaclava, you can wear a pair of cycling sunglasses or goggles to keep the wind away from your eyes, increasing your visibility and protecting them from rain and cold weather.
5. Grab a winter cycling set
If you hate having to buy everything separately, shopping for hours to find the perfect components to complete your cycling gear, it might be worth it to browse through whole winter cycling sets.
A winter cycling set will usually include a weather-proof jacket and a pair of bib tights to offer warmth and insulation. If you’re looking for something even more all-inclusive, more expensive sets also feature long-sleeved jerseys, long cycling trousers, and sometimes even a pair of warm socks, gloves, and a cycling beanie.
