Selecting the Right Cycling Clothing for the Temperature

Choosing what kinds of clothes to wear on your bike rides through New Jersey and the Northeastern states seems pretty straightforward – when it’s hot, you should dress lightly, and when it’s cooler you need to bundle up… right? Well, it turns out that it’s not quite that simple. You definitely want to stay cooler in warmer months and retain your heat when it’s cold out, but how you do that isn’t as obvious as it might seem.

That’s why we’ve put together a quick guide for what to wear based on the temperature:

Always wear

·         Cycling shoes that are lightweight, breathable, and have great grip

·         Sunglasses with UV-protection

·         Sunscreen

·         A CPSC-certified helmet

80 degrees and up

·         Short-sleeve or sleeveless jersey made from technical fabric.

·         Cycling shorts – the first place to start for any warm-weather ride

·         Fingerless gloves (protection without getting your hands too sweaty)

·         Lightweight cycling socks that wick away moisture

60-80 degrees

·         Everything mentioned above, plus:

·         Short-sleeve or sleeveless base layer under your jersey

50-60 degrees

·         Base layer as mentioned above

·         Warmers for your arms and knees

·         Long-sleeve jerseys rather than short-sleeve ones

·         Wind vests

·         Full gloves instead of fingerless ones

·         Headband

40-50 degrees

·         All of the above, plus:

·         Weatherproof or water-resistant light jacket

·         Lycra tights to protect the skin of your legs from the elements without causing you to overheat

·         Wool socks instead of lighter ones because they’re warm and wick away moisture

30-40 degrees

·         All of the above, plus:

·         Helmet-friendly hats that help maintain the right amount of moisture

·         Lined gloves that wick moisture and resist wind and water

·         Cycle shoe booties that slip on over your shoes to protect you from the elements without harming your ability to pedal

·         Rain pants

·         All-weather jackets

·         Fleece-lined vests for warmth and (you guessed it) wicking

Below 30 degrees

·         Thermal jackets with a breathable membrane to keep you from overheating

·         Thermal tights with ventilation in the back

·         Balaclavas to keep your face, head, and neck protected from the cold and even prevent problems related to sucking in too much cold air

These lists aren’t all-inclusive or set in stone, so if you find that you do better with or without certain things, feel free to pick and choose – except for things like the helmet! Overall, the goal should be to keep you comfortable and dry in cooler weather and hydrated during New Jersey’s hot, sticky summers. If you have specific questions about recommendations regarding brands or what to use in certain conditions, stop by Hart’s Cyclery and talk to one of our experts.