An Ultimate Guide to Winter Cycling Outfits

Whether you ride for fun or fitness, cycling is the most versatile activity of all time. But winter is here, with its chilly winds, snow, and slippery roads. That doesn’t mean you’re letting your cycling passion go and waiting until the summer shines. Winter cycling outfits can give you the required warmth and comfort to enjoy your cycling in the cold weather.

We have crafted detailed trivia about winter cycling apparel to nourish your wardrobe for winter. Before that, you would love to understand different tranches of cold weather and select clothes accordingly. So, let’s get started! 

How to Categorize the Cold Weather?

Chilly (50F-65F)

This is the beginning of winter, or you can just say it’s long-sleeve weather. While the temperatures stay between 50F and 65F, you need garments like gilets and knee warmers. You can quickly heat up in this weather and enjoy cycling the way you want. 

Cold (30F-50F)

Now, the temperature is dropping to 30F, and long sleeves are not enough to keep you warm. The cold weather demands gloves, cycling jackets, and leg warmers if you want to pedal in it. We recommend wearing hats and gloves along with jackets to prevent yourself from cold. 

Freezing (15F-30F)

It’s the winter tranch that tests your cycling enthusiasm! Since the temperature stays between 15F and 30F, winter cycling outfits like shoe covers, thermal bibs, and windproof base layers are critical. Also, you can combine them with hats, buffs, winter jackets, and wool socks. 

Top 6 Clothes to Include in Your Winter Cycling Outfit

Winter cycling jackets

After reading the above sections, you might get an idea of how important winter jackets are. These multi-layered jackets come with hard shells and soft shells, both having their own purposes. While hardshell jackets feature water-resistant and wind-resistant coating, softshells provide insulation and breathability. 

Even if it’s raining, the DWR treatment in these jackets deflects the lighter rain showers. Thanks to removable designs, you can attach/detach hard shells without compromising the insulation. Some brands even sell these parts separately for better portability and comfort.  

Long-sleeve jerseys

Long-sleeve jerseys fall in the middle of baselayers, and insulated jackets for mildly cold weather. While you can even layer them with jackets during freezing tranches, these jerseys are perfect for newbie chilly winds during the arrival of winter.  

Despite being one of the best winter cycling outfits, cyclists avoid wearing long-sleeve jerseys as topwear. That’s because they are not really windproof and water-resistant and may not serve the expected purpose. Instead, you can consider them for sandwiching between a base layer and a jacket. 

Baselayers

A baselayer is the cornerstone of riding comfortably in cold weather. With their insulation and warming properties, baselayers become a perfect addition to your winter cycling outfits. Besides this, you also enjoy their moisture-wicking functionalities and keep yourself dry while cycling. 

We recommend choosing a close or compression-fit baselayer for better aerodynamics and layering. You can further layer them with long-sleeve jerseys and winter cycling jackets to enhance your warmth. 

Cycling gilets

Did you find winter cycling jackets too bulky? Let’s figure out something else! Cycling gilets can be a great choice thanks to their packable design and sufficient warmth. Especially if you’re cycling in milder conditions, cycling gilets are something you must have in your wardrobe. 

From stretchy outer surface to insulations, the gilets offer everything you need to cycle comfortably. Also, they are available in zipper, half-zipper, and high-neck designs to match your style. 

Bib tights

Enough with the topwear? It’s time to warm up your legs with winter cycling bib tights. These bib tights are among the best winter cycling outfits designed for leg protection and warmth. Manufacturers make cycling bibs with brushed-fleece backing and DWR coating to keep your legs warm while cycling. 

Moreover, winter bibs are also available in compression fitting to increase blood flow and enhance your performance. Top them with your cycling clothes we discussed above and enjoy the winter cycling like it’s a bliss.  

Winter gloves

Winter gloves are the most underrated yet essential winter cycling outfits to consider. You must have insulated winter gloves with water and wind-resistant functionality. Especially in freezing winter tranches, these gloves can prevent frostbites and keep your hands safe. 

The insulation comes at the back so that you don’t experience any problems while gripping the bars of your cycle. Along with that, manufacturers use breathable mesh to maintain the comfort without compromising the warmth. 

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, brands are considering your requirements for winter cycling and building every type of winter gear. But that’s not all! Winter cycling outfits can also include compression socks, hats, shoe covers, and more. 

We recommend exploring winter cycling clothes from a reputed brand like TD Sportswear to figure out your wardrobe essentials. Hold on! TD Sportswear is not limited to stock cycling clothes. Instead, we also support customization and can include all the elements of your choice in your cycling outfit.