What to Wear Cycling at Every Temperature
Getting dressed for a ride is harder than it looks. Too warm and you're soaked by the first climb; too cold and you never warm up. Here's a simple guide to what to wear at every temperature, plus a free tool that does it for you.
The golden rule: dress for 10 minutes in
You'll feel a bit chilly when you roll out. That's right: once you're moving, your body heats up fast. If you feel perfectly comfortable standing at the door, you'll probably overheat. Plan for how you'll feel 10 minutes into the ride, and add layers you can easily take off.
What to wear by temperature
| Temperature | What to wear |
|---|---|
| Above 21°C / 70°F | Short sleeve jersey and bib shorts. Light colors and sunscreen when it's hot. |
| 16–21°C / 60–70°F | Short sleeves and bibs. Bring a wind vest for early starts or descents. |
| 10–16°C / 50–60°F | Add arm warmers and a vest, or a long sleeve jersey. Consider knee warmers. |
| 4–10°C / 40–50°F | Long sleeve jersey or light jacket over a base layer, leg warmers or tights, full-finger gloves and shoe covers. |
| Below 4°C / 40°F | Thermal base layer, winter jacket, thermal tights, warm gloves, overshoes and a neck gaiter or cap under your helmet. |
Don't forget wind and rain
Wind makes it feel much colder, especially on descents. A packable vest does more than you'd expect, because it keeps the wind off your chest. In rain, a waterproof shell matters more than extra warmth, and a cap under your helmet keeps water out of your eyes.
Let our picker do it for you
Our free What to Wear tool checks the forecast for your town and ride time, then builds your outfit layer by layer. Bookmark it for your morning rides.
Layers that work
- Wind vests are the most useful piece most riders don't own.
- Arm warmers turn a summer jersey into a spring jersey.
- Neck gaiters and shoe covers make a huge difference on cold mornings.
Find all of them in our full range, all made to order with pro details as standard.
