What is the Best Cycling Clothing?
The gear you wear for biking can be divided into two – that which is required by law or is recommended for safety and cycling clothing which will enhance your comfort while riding. Let’s look at these separately.
Gear required by law or for safety reasons
Almost all governments regulate the use of helmets while biking and some states in the US have requirements based on age. A helmet that is well fitting and up to international standards is essential and may save your life if you have an accident. Never ride your bike, whether on the highways or mountain biking, without a helmet.
For safety reasons wearing reflective clothing or attachments when biking at night is extremely important. You need to make sure you are highly visible to cars and pedestrians.
Wearing comfortable clothing while biking
We recommend that you have a variety of different clothes for biking depending on both time of year and the length and type of biking you will be doing. For longer rides in reasonably warm weather, cycling shorts are ideal as they help to keep you cool and are designed for good moisture control especially if they are good quality. Padded seats are also a good idea for comfort. To go with your cyling shorts a jersey with short sleeves will also help to keep ypou cool on long, intense rides.
If you are mountain biking you’ll need to take extra care to protect yourself from abrasions and cuts as you cycle cklose to bushes and undergrowth. In this case a long sleeved, good quality cycling jersey and long cycling pants are recommended. Good quality cycling clothes will be able to ensure you do not get overheated and uncomfortable from moisture build up and they are comfortable and lightweight.
In the colder months you will need to wear warmer clothing an a cycling jacket made from wool will provide warmth while still regulating moisture build up from sweating as you exert yourself. You can buy windproof and waterproof cycling jackets for extra protection which, with cycling pants will ensure you stay warm and comfortable. Knee warmers are also a good idea as they will keep your joints warm and flexible. It is important that you stay warm and comfortable when biking in the winter or you will be less inclined to ride.
In the warmer weather, even though you are comfortable clothes you may want to carry a cycling jacket with you in case the weather changes and it starts to rain or your ride lasts into the evening. These jackets are light and compact and easy to stow away. These jackets are made of material designed to breathe with incorporated ventilation to keep you comfortable.
As you can see we recommend clothing specifically designed for cycling as this is ideal to keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter with adequate ventilation so that sweat does not build up close to your skin. If you are a serious biker who spends a lot of time in the saddle it will definitely be worth paying out a little extra to buy good quality cycling clothing. With the right type of clothing you will be more inclined to get on your bike than if you know you will be cold or uncomfortable.
