Super deals: At least 50% off
Guide
Cycling Clothing
Put your cycling kit together by temperature. According to Löffler, a short-sleeved jersey and cycling shorts are enough at 20 °C; around 15 °C add a wind gilet, around 10 °C a long-sleeved jersey.
Key points
- At 20 °C a short-sleeved jersey and shorts are enough.
- Around 15 °C, Löffler adds a wind gilet.
- Reflective strips help you be seen but don't replace lights.
Which clothing for which ride?
| Use | Choice | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| From about 20 °C, with a gilet around 15 °C | ChoiceShort-sleeved jersey | LimitToo cool on its own in wind and on descents. |
| Around 10 °C and below | ChoiceLong-sleeved or thermal jersey | LimitQuickly too warm on mild climbs. |
| 10 to 15 °C, descents | ChoiceWind gilet | LimitLeaves your arms unprotected. |
| Changeable days, cool starts | ChoiceArm and leg warmers | LimitNo substitute for thermal tights in the cold. |
| Around 5 °C and colder, rain | ChoiceWind and rain jacket | LimitHeat builds up under effort; vent zips help. |
What to check before you buy
| Question | In short | Why |
|---|---|---|
| What makes a cycling jersey? | In shortBack pockets, zip | WhyA cycling jersey usually has three back pockets for bars, a pump and a gilet. A full-length zip lets air in on climbs. The cut is shaped for your position on the bike. |
| Why a wind gilet? | In shortWind front, air back | WhyA wind gilet blocks the headwind at the front and sides, while a mesh panel at the back lets heat out. According to Löffler, a well-fitting wind gilet is often enough down to 5 °C. |
| When arm and leg warmers? | In shortCool start, warm day | WhyPull them on before a cold descent and take them off once you warm up. For fast road rides around 10 °C, Löffler suggests a short-sleeved jersey, leg warmers and a wind gilet. |
| Wind jacket or rain jacket? | In shortDepends on the weather | WhyA wind jacket blocks the headwind and is usually only water-repellent. For steady rain you need a waterproof jacket with taped seams. Löffler adds a wind jacket around 5 °C. |
Frequently asked questions
When do I need long cycling tights?
Around 15 °C, according to Löffler: then wear long tights or 3/4 tights. For 0 to 10 °C, Löffler suggests thermal tights.
What should I wear at 5 °C?
Löffler suggests a warm base layer, a long-sleeved thermal jersey with a full-length zip, a wind jacket, thermal tights, full-finger gloves, overshoes and a hat.
Where do the gilet and arm warmers go when it warms up?
In your jersey's back pocket. According to Craft, a light wind gilet folds up small enough to stow there. Arm warmers simply roll up.
How do I wash cycling clothing?
Follow the care label; many items go in at 30 °C. Padded shorts should never see fabric softener or the tumble dryer: hang them up to dry.
Read more in the magazine
From road bike to gravelRiding a road bike and thinking about gravel? Here is what really changes, what you can take with you and which parts you need to buy new.
Gonso cycling wear and the SQlab GO pad explainedA new logo and a clearer message: since the Spring/Summer 2025 collection, Gonso has presented itself with an updated look. We explain what is behind it and the SQlab GO pad.
Last updated: October 2026
How cool is it?
From 20 °C
According to Löffler, a short-sleeved jersey and cycling shorts are enough at 20 °C. Look for three back pockets for bars, a pump and a gilet for later.
- Short sleeves
- Three back pockets
- Plenty of airflow
Wind chill
A wind vest adds protection over a jersey on cool descents. It is not a substitute for a thick jacket; compare wind protection, packed size and fit over your jersey.
- Wind protection at the core
- Packs down small
- Fits over your jersey
Changeable
Take arm and leg warmers: put them on before the descent and take them off along the way. That way you ride through a cool morning in summer kit.
- On and off
- For arms and legs
- Back pocket
Cold, rain
Take a cycling jacket. Around 5 °C Löffler suggests a wind jacket; in rain you need a waterproof jacket with taped seams.
- Wind jacket around 5 °C
- Rain: waterproof
- Taped seams
No products match these filters.
Brands we carry
Show all brands
- 4F
- Alé
- Athlecia
- Black Diamond
- CMP
- Color Kids
- Columbia
- Craft
- Crazy
- Daehlie
- Dainese
- Dakine
- Dare2b
- Devold of Norway
- Didriksons
- Dynafit
- Elevenate
- Endura
- EVOC
- Exped
- Falke
- Ferrino
- First Degree
- Five Ten
- Fjällräven
- Garmin
- Giro
- Gonso
- Grüezi Bag
- Halti
- Helly Hansen
- Hestra
- Horsefeathers
- Houdini
- Icebreaker
- ION
- Isbjörn
- J.Lindeberg
- Jack Wolfskin
- Jeanne Baret
- Kari Traa
- Karpos
- KinetiXx
- La Sportiva
- Lenz
- Lupine
- Löffler
- Maier Sports
- Maloja
- Mandala
- Marmot
- Martini
- MAUL Sport
- Mavic
- MET
- Millet
- Mons Royale
- Montura
- Northwave
- Oakley
- Odlo
- Orage
- Ortlieb
- Outdoor Research
- Petzl
- Picture
- POC
- Protective
- Puma
- Rab
- Reima
- Reusch
- RipCurl
- Roeckl Sports
- Rossignol
- Salewa
- Schöffel
- Scott
- Shimano
- Sidas
- Sportful
- Super.Natural
- Sweet Protection
- Tatonka
- Ternua
- The North Face
- Therm-Ic
- Timberland
- Under Armour
- Uvex
- Uyn
- VAUDE
- X-Bionic
- X-Socks
- Zanier
- Ziener
No brand found
