Bike Clothing – The Essential Thing Is to Be Well Dressed

From aerodynamics to weather protection, from temperature regulation to protection against and in the event of accidents – cycle clothing can take on many different functions. It is therefore no coincidence that there is specific cycling clothing for just about every purpose. Road cyclists appreciate the windproofness of their jerseys and their functionality. On a mountain bike, either a sporty, close-fitting cut or an airy, loose fit is required. Touring fans look for cycling clothing that is as functional as possible and can be worn over several days. And in the city, the trend is for bike clothing that offers a lot of performance but also looks good off the saddle.

As already mentioned, clothing for road and gravel adventures is usually cut tighter than that for mountain bike touring. And for trekking, commuting in the city and everyday life, you wear different, more urban clothing with integrated function. But the principle is always the same: you need a few basics, which you can then expand depending on the weather and your needs. Here is an overview of what bicycle clothing you should have in any case:

• Basic equipment: The basic equipment of every cyclist should include a bike helmet, goggles, a bike jersey and bike pants, as well as cycling gloves depending on your taste and area of use.
• Sporting equipment: If you use the bike for training, you should also have cycling underwear, at least one functional vest, several pairs of bike socks and special cycling shoes.
• Weather-dependent equipment: If you ride in all four weather conditions, a waterproof jacket is also a must. Likewise, an insulating layer (baselayer) – for example in the form of a fleece – or an under-helmet cap under the helmet can be useful. In the intermediate layer, long-sleeved jerseys or additional jersey jackets can help keep the upper body warm. Arm and leg sleeves, winter gloves, bike shoe covers or winter trousers are also part of the equipment.
• Special equipment: Depending on the type of bike or sport, you may also need special cycling gear. For triathlon, for example, a one-piece bike suit (bodysuit) is essential. For enduro mountain biking, we recommend clothing with space for protective body armor or protector clothing with integrated protectors.

Depending on the clothing and the type of cycling, the different pieces of clothing have different functions. In the following, we will give you an overview of the functions you should pay attention to when buying:

For comfort on longer journeys (if you sit in the saddle for more than 30 to 45 minutes), a pair of cycling pants with a seat pad or a bib short is a must. The bib shorts are worn directly on the bare skin and thus protect against friction and chafing, while the seat pad protects against pressure points – a must-have for all those who regularly cycle longer distances. Also responsible for direct comfort are cycling gloves, whose padding also protects against pressure points and hands that fall asleep.

Cycling can be sweaty – at any time of the year. That's why clothing that is worn directly on the skin should be particularly breathable, moisture-wicking and quick-drying: cycling jersey, shirt or vest, seat pad shorts and socks. To ensure that sweat can be effectively wicked away, you should also make sure that the layers worn over them are highly breathable.

On cooler days, wear a warming layer over the breathable bottom layer: fleece, merino or warming synthetic fibres that wick moisture well to the outside are ideal. First you'll put on a warm top, then when it gets colder, warm (inner) trousers and a helmet cap. And when it gets really cold, it's not only frostbite sufferers who like to wear special functional underwear made of wool or synthetics.

If you are not cycling in the height of summer, you need an outer layer to protect you from the wind and to keep you dry on wet days. A bike jacket or shell with water-repellent functions is therefore a basic piece of equipment. If you're on your bike all year round, then it's of course also worth having a pair of trousers or shorts and special shoes for cycling with weather protection. Athletes protect their upper body with a weatherproof cycling waistcoat that can be packed small and carried in a jersey pocket or bag. By the way, weather protection also includes cycling glasses, which protect against UV light but also against the wind.

Cycling clothing tends to be cut close to the body. On a road bike, they are even fitted so that nothing flutters in the wind and slows you down. But even when trekking or cycling in everyday life, you should be careful not to wear unnecessarily loose cycling clothes that slow you down unnecessarily. To ensure that you feel comfortable despite the close-fitting cuts and that your freedom of movement is not restricted, many garments specially developed for cycling are made of elastic materials. This increases the wearing comfort and feel-good factor enormously. By the way, there are also differences in bike clothing for men and women as well as children's biking clothing. You should also pay attention to this when buying.

Some parts of your cycling outfit also protect your body. This is especially true of the cycle helmet, which has been proven to protect you from head injuries in the event of a fall. Gloves also protect your hands in the event of a fall. And for all those who can't get tough enough on the MTB trails, protector clothing is almost mandatory. Furthermore, many of our top brands now also have garments that incorporate particularly abrasion-resistant fabric. Make sure you have reflectors on the outer layer of your clothing. If you can be seen better, this is also an effective way of preventing accidents.

You can put together the perfect bike outfit step by step – whether road bike and gravel, MTB, or trekking and city. To get started, you only need a few basics as a basis, which you combine with warm or waterproof clothing depending on the weather. Always pay attention to the functions you need depending on the weather conditions: Breathability and optimised fit or warmth and weather protection, plus features such as reflectors or abrasion-resistant materials. In our range you will always find a large selection of suitable cycling clothing for a wide range of cycling disciplines and uses.