Hereโs some guidance for men on what to wear when riding a bike. And thatโs whether youโre training for a marathon or just switching up your commuting style!
![](https://www.themodestman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/What-To-Wear-Biking.jpg)
You finally did it. You bought a new bike. Or, you took that old, dusty one out of storage.
Perhaps you made that classic New Yearโs resolution to be healthier and more active. Now youโre biking on weekends. Or youโre biking to work instead of taking the train. Or maybe you signed up for a triathlon. Good for you, by the way.
What to wear biking is the next thing you should consider. Well, the next thing is to make sure you have all of the proper protection (please wear a helmet!). But after that, you should certainly consider your outfit.
You wear a suit to work, you say? This doesnโt apply to you? Actually, anyone getting on a bike should read on.
You donโt want to ruin those trousers on your way to the office. Iโll help you conquer that ride or commute, fully prepped and looking great!
What To Wear Riding a Bike
Letโs take a look at some common situations when youโd be on the saddle, and talk about what to wear biking in each.
What To Wear Biking: Commutes or Short Rides
Perhaps youโre going to a nearby grocery store or meeting friends at a park just five minutes away. If so, you can simply wear your normal clothes. Of course, you should also wear a helmet.ย
However, Iโd still recommend going for protective and cool clothing. You may not work up a big sweat, but you still want to be comfortable. And in hot weather, it may not take long for you to start to break a sweat, even a slight one.
Go for chambray instead of denim, seersucker and jersey on extra hot days, and linen. Long-sleeve jerseys are perfect for warm but windy days.
Go for shorts or pants with stretch in them. A lot of brands make stretch chinos and stretch jeans these days, Mugsy, for example. Then top it off with a short-sleeve, button-up linen shirt.
If youโre biking in the evening, donโt forget to put something reflective on, perhaps a reflective windbreaker. Or you can attach reflectors to your bike, pads, and helmet.
Speaking of windbreakers, letโs talk about what to wear biking in cold weather. An actual biking jacket might be best since a peacoat isnโt always the most mobile.
Otherwise, a hooded, down jacket with a windbreaker exterior will do.
Merino wool outerwear is also a good option because it can keep you warm while also expelling any sweat. Try a stylish Merino zip-up over your shirt.
You can also wear warm boots, especially ones with a rubber outsole or shallow lugs, so you can grip the pedals.
Should I Bike in My Suit?
Again, if your commute is quick, all you need to do is add protection to your outfit, even if itโs a suit. I recommend keeping your jacket in your office so it doesnโt get wrinkled during the ride.
Keep your tie in your commuter bag and put it on when you get to work. A full shirt and tie can be pretty uncomfortable during a bike ride.
If you know youโll work up a sweat, even a little, try to wear more casual clothes and change when you get to the office.
Also, particularly pricey suits, especially those in lighter colors might not be a good choice. You donโt want to risk getting grease from your bike gears on your trousers and ruining your nice suit.
As far as shoes go, if you donโt want to risk ruining your dress shoes, you can find some good hybrids. I think Amberjack makes good dress shoe hybrids. And depending on your officeโs dress code, you can check out their slip-ons and boots, too.
What To Wear Biking: Training
You donโt always need to wear super technical clothing when training. However, if youโll be on the saddle for extended periods of time, you should at least have bike shorts.
Road bike shorts are padded in such a way to prevent chafing between your legs. They cushion the proper bones to prevent discomfort, with pads sewn right into the saddle area so itโs thicker, more comfortable, and energy returning.
Theyโre also what to wear to spin class or if youโre training indoors on a cycling track.
Mountain bike shorts, on the other hand, are looser. Youโll be bouncing up and down more than you would be on a track. And youโll be experiencing a more varied terrain. Both, however, are necessarily moisture-wicking.
Otherwise, for quick or moderate training sessions, you can find shorts that are comfortable and moisture-wicking. Most gym shorts will do.
Again, are you training indoors or outdoors?
If youโre outdoors, you, of course, want to consider the weather. If itโs cool or raining, make sure to wear something light, not bulky, but lined. Bulky jackets may restrain your mobility, which is a safety hazard.
Try a jacket with a polyester shell that can handle weather but doesnโt restrict movement, with a fleece lining. You might also consider a stretchy and durable nylon fabric, which is excellent in staving off wind and light rain.
Importantly, you want moisture-wicking materials so you donโt get clammy. The more comfortable you are during your ride, the less distracted and more focused youโll be. Youโll then be more productive and far safer as well.
Serious Riding: Marathons and Tough Trails
For extra long rides and more serious cycling, youโll need everything. Donโt skip out, or youโll find yourself uncomfortable with several miles or hours left to go.
Youโll need bike clothes and gear that focus on three important qualities:
- Comfort
- Functionality
- Temperature regulation
Letโs start from the top, meaning your head. Again, a helmet is non-negotiable.
If youโre outdoors, youโll also need cycling glasses.
Unlike regular everyday sunglasses, cycling glasses are designed to stay on your face. You want a pair that will stay in place even when youโre making quick head turns. Of course, you donโt want them to be uncomfortably tight, either.
Go for lenses in rose or amber tints. They offer a bright vision field, even if thereโs little to no sunlight. They even up color contrast, making for better visual awareness.
For your shirt, you definitely want to avoid most cottons. They soak up sweat, which means youโll get damp and clammy during your ride. Go for proper biking jerseys, which are usually made of polyester fabrics that wick sweat away from your body, providing breathability.
The best jerseys are constructed with paneling. This allows for optimal fit since the panels serve as armor-like sections made to perfectly accommodate the contours of your body.
This also prevents wind drag since thereโs no extra flapping material that will slow you down. Even if you arenโt going for speed, you donโt want the extra weight. The aerodynamic construction makes for a smoother, more comfortable ride.
Again, on colder days, you want a proper cycling jacket, one that isn’t bulky, allows for a full range of motion, and is reflective.
Next, youโll want biking gloves.
Theyโll provide grip when your sweat makes the handlebars slippery. Plus, the friction from extended grippage can callus your hands without gloves.
As mentioned, you want proper cycling shorts. Bike saddles, even the best ones, arenโt naturally comfortable, especially for guys. So not only will road shorts or mountain biking shorts provide temperature regulation and performance, but padding and energy return as well.
Road Biking
Road cycling is exactly what it sounds like โ biking on paved roads. Itโs the most common form of biking. And since youโre actually sharing the road with cars, cyclists often have to obey the same laws as motorists.
If youโre a practical road biker, you can of course, use any style of bike. Any working bicycle will do if youโre riding ten minutes from your house to your office.
However, a dedicated road bike is lighter, with thinner wheels, and drop handlebars which allow you to position yourself in a more aerodynamic way.
That being the case, you want clothes that help with your overall aerodynamics as well.
Road jerseys are especially stretchy, and of course moisture-wicking and breathable. Theyโre much more form fitting than mountain biking jerseys. Which leads me to my next topic.
Biking Kits
A cycling kit is the full standard issue uniform worn by professional bikers, or even just serious enthusiasts.
A biking kit includes:
- A helmet
- A cycling jersey
- Bib shorts
- Biking gloves
- Socks
- Cycling shoes
If you bike often or bike long distances, I recommend considering at least parts of a biking kit. I know that some men are insecure about the form-fitting nature of kits, but theyโll really help you on your ride.
At least consider wearing a road jersey for commutes and exercise.
They feature a long cut in the back so that youโre fully protected when you bend down low. Their full-zip and close-to-body cut also help with ventilation and air resistance. Theyโll help you stay cool, dry, comfortable, and efficient.
And of course, you always have to wear a helmet.
Choosing a Helmet
The most important thing about choosing a helmet is that it fits properly. If it doesnโt fit you, it wonโt properly protect you, and the discomfort will be distracting.
Beyond small, medium, and large, different helmets have different shapes. So if a particular model doesnโt sit comfortably snug on your head, it may be due to that.
A lot of American helmets are rounder than their overseas counterparts. Meanwhile, Italian brands tend to make narrower designs.
Recreational helmets offer excellent protection and moderate weight and ventilation. They’re great economic options.
Road bike helmets are the lightest option, and feature sharp, aerodynamic silhouettes. And finally, mountain bike helmets are well-ventilated and have extra coverage on the back of your head in case you fall back during an upward ride.
What Socks and Shoes to Wear Biking
Before we get to the shoes, letโs talk about your socks.
Just like the material of your shirt and shorts, most bike socks are made of nylon or polyester. This is because they dry quickly and grip well. You donโt want socks that constantly ride down as you move.
However, if you donโt want to go the synthetic route, you can also go for merino wool socks. Get ones made especially for cycling. They fight odors and wick sweat naturally.
And finally, you want good cycling shoes. They are, after all, the foundation of the ride.
Go for ones with lightweight construction and smooth outsoles. Many cycling shoes feature ventilation, which will partner well with your moisture-wicking cycling socks.
Stiff soles also help facilitate energy transfer from your foot to the pedal, which helps you pedal more efficiently.
Clipless and Clip-in Riding
Clip-in shoes feature a cleat attached to the sole that clips into the pedal. Confusingly, the terms โclip-in shoeโ and โclipless shoeโ are used interchangeably.
Having your shoe essentially attached to your pedal has loads of benefits. Your foot is always in the optimal position on the pedal. This ensures efficient power use, you have more control, and youโre able to utilize the entire pedal stroke seamlessly.
These are particularly useful on off-road rides where you may encounter rocks and natural divots. Theyโll also help you maintain your consistency over potholes.
There are three parts to the clip-in system: Your sole, your cleat, and your bike pedal. There are two-bolt clip systems and three-bolt clip systems. Of course, you must ensure that every component is from the same kind of system. A two-bolt sole canโt attach to a three-bolt cleat.
Biking Clothes: A Breakdown
Hereโs a breakdown of cycling clothes, from the least serious to ones for the most high-intensity rides:
- A proper helmet
- Light, comfortable clothes, perhaps linen or synthetic pieces
- Protective outerwear, like merino zip-ups
- Grippy everyday shoes
- Cycling glasses, especially with a rose or amber tint
- Polyester or nylon cycling jersey
- Cycling jacket with a protective shell and efficient lining
- Reflectors
- Proper biking shorts
- Moisture wicking socks
- Proper cycling shoes that are lightweight and well-ventilated
FAQs
Do you still have questions about cycling clothing? No problem! Here are some answers to common questions. Many of them are quick distillations of everything we covered here today.
What Clothing Do You Need for Biking?
Youโll need moisture-wicking pieces, properly padded shorts for either road biking or mountain biking, and grippy biking shoes. Of course, you should always wear a helmet.
Can I Wear Normal Clothes When Cycling?
For quick rides, thereโs nothing wrong with just wearing your everyday clothes. Again, wear proper protection and opt for moisture-wicking garments, especially on hot days.
What Are the Benefits of Cycling Clothes?
Proper cycling clothes offer function, comfort, and temperature regulation. Many also provide UV protection for outdoor cycling.
Conclusion: Ride in Style and Confidence
Truly, these clothes will be helpful for non-serious riders, too. The more comfortable and productive your clothes are, the more fun the ride will be.
Even the simplest garments prove that itโs important to consider what to wear while biking. A simple moisture-wicking shirt can make all the difference, after all.
And as always, safety is of the utmost importance.
What do you wear when cycling? Do you prefer biking indoors or outdoors? Let me know in the comments!
Ask Me Anything