{"id":47482,"date":"2023-03-23T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=314913"},"modified":"2023-03-23T16:34:20","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T15:34:20","slug":"what-to-wear-for-commuting-by-bike","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/what-to-wear-for-commuting-by-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"What to wear for commuting by bike"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to commute by bike? These are the essential pieces of clothing and kit you need for a comfortable commute whatever the weather <\/p>

By Aoife Glass\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 23 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Commuting by bike is a great way to get to work invigorated by some exercise and avoid the crush on urban transport or traffic jams on the roads.<\/p>\n

Commuting by bike can save you significant amounts of money.<\/p>\n

However, the up-front costs of all the clothing and extras you could buy \u2013 not to mention purchasing a suitable bike for commuting<\/a> \u2013 could look daunting.<\/p>\n

For riders in the UK, the Cycle to Work scheme<\/a> can take a big chunk off the cost and help spread the payments, making commuting by bike much more affordable.<\/p>\n

The scheme also covers extras you might need, not just the cost of the bike, so you can add a helmet<\/a>, lights<\/a> and other accessories without having to pay for them up front.<\/p>\n

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A few well-selected pieces can make an all-season commute more comfortable.<\/span><\/figcaption> Rebecca Leach \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The good news is that you don\u2019t have to look as if you\u2019re training for the Tour de France to commute by bike, although there are good reasons to invest in cycle clothing for longer commutes, or if you\u2019re riding in bad weather.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need the most expensive technical gear to commute either and you can find commuter clothing and accessories that are very affordable in bike shops and online.<\/p>\n

Some of the items in the list below are essential for comfort and safety if you plan to ride frequently, while others are worth investing in further down the line. Take a look at our 10 tips for cycling to work<\/a> and six commuter bike accessories<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n

What to wear for commuting by bike<\/h2>\n

Unless you\u2019ve got an epic commute (in which case you might prefer to take a look at the road cycling kit list further down the page), the priority is to stay dry, warm (or cool if it\u2019s summer), and arrive at work clean and relatively unruffled\u2026 all while beating the traffic.<\/p>\n

Here are our recommendations for clothing that will help make your commute more comfortable.<\/p>\n

A cycling helmet<\/h3>\n
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Urban-style helmets often incorporate LED lighting.<\/span><\/figcaption> David Caudery \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While it\u2019s entirely your choice, we\u2019d advise wearing a helmet when cycling.<\/p>\n

The best budget bike helmets<\/a> often come with many of the features of higher-priced options. That increasingly includes MIPS<\/a>, or other additional protection features that were previously only found in the best cycling helmets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Road-style cycling helmets come with plenty of ventilation, which is an asset in hot weather or on longer commutes \u2013 less so if it\u2019s cold or wet. Urban cycling helmets have a more enclosed design with less venting, but often include additional LED lights to help increase your visibility on busy city roads.<\/p>\n

Your everyday clothing<\/h3>\n
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There\u2019s nothing wrong with riding in your everyday clothes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If your commute is relatively short, you could be just fine in your normal work clothes. In temperate dry weather, you shouldn\u2019t get too hot or too cold. You may not have time to work up a sweat and the best bikes for commuting<\/a> now include plenty of electric bikes<\/a>, which help to keep you that bit cooler.<\/p>\n

But if your commute is longer or if the weather is hot, cold and\/or wet, some extra cycling clothing starts to become more important.<\/p>\n

Waterproof jacket<\/h3>\n
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A waterproof jacket will make your commute much more comfortable.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Probably first on your list of extras for your commute should be a waterproof jacket.<\/p>\n

The best value waterproof jackets<\/a> will provide plenty of protection for all but the most serious of commutes. They almost always use breathable fabrics and a commuter jacket may be looser fitting than a high-end jacket<\/a> so it\u2019s easier to fit extra layers underneath and there\u2019s better air circulation to help keep you from getting sweaty inside.<\/p>\n

A waterproof jacket can serve double duty as a windproof outer layer on cooler days, helping inner layers to provide more effective insulation.<\/p>\n

Waterproof trousers<\/h3>\n
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Waterproof overtrousers will keep you a lot more comfortable on a wet commute.<\/span><\/figcaption> Max Wilman \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Waterproof trousers<\/a> or overtrousers are another item that\u2019s important if you are going to commute in the rain. Although mudguards<\/a> can protect you from road spray, they won\u2019t help with what comes from the sky. Waterproof overtrousers also help to keep the layers underneath clean.<\/p>\n

Cycling gloves<\/h3>\n
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A pair of cycling gloves will protect your hands from the cold and wet.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Another piece of kit that will make things a lot more comfortable when it gets cold and wet, a pair of cycling gloves<\/a> will provide insulation and waterproofing and will usually be breathable, so that your hands don\u2019t get sweaty. They\u2019ll usually include some padding in the palm as well, to make gripping your handlebars more comfortable.<\/p>\n

Even in warm weather, a pair of summer cycling mitts<\/a> can help with sweat absorption and provide additional ride comfort.<\/p>\n

Cycling shorts<\/h3>\n
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Padded cycling shorts are worth investing in if you have a particularly long commute.<\/span><\/figcaption> Gary Walker \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you\u2019ve got a longer commute or are feeling uncomfortable on your saddle, a pair of padded cycling shorts will definitely help and should be high on your list of cycling-specific clothing to purchase.<\/p>\n

The extra padding will help to protect your rear end from road imperfections and Lycra shorts will be designed to fit closely so they won\u2019t rub as you pedal. The fabric will also wick moisture away from your body, helping to keep you more comfortable and avoid the dreaded saddle sores<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The best cycling shorts<\/a> can be very pricey and usually come with a bib, making them more awkward to change. However, there are plenty of budget cycling shorts<\/a> that will serve you perfectly well for commuting, and there are quality women\u2019s cycling shorts<\/a> available.<\/p>\n

If the tight Lycra look isn\u2019t for you, you can wear baggy shorts<\/a> with a pair of padded undershorts<\/a>, or your normal clothes with a padded short liner.<\/p>\n

Cycling shoes<\/h3>\n
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Some cycling shoes look like normal shoes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Adidas<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n
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Another item that\u2019s likely to be further down the list if you\u2019re thinking of getting fully kitted out for commuting is a pair of cycling-specific shoes.<\/p>\n

You can get by with ordinary shoes or trainers and flat pedals<\/a>, but your riding will be more efficient and comfortable with cycling shoes, because these are designed with firmer soles for better power transfer when riding.<\/p>\n

Although clipped-in<\/a> road cycling shoes are difficult to walk in, mountain biking shoes<\/a> and gravel bike shoes<\/a> are designed so that they\u2019re walkable. They can be waterproof too and having a second pair of shoes avoids having to spend the day at work in wet footwear.<\/p>\n

Cycling overshoes<\/a> are another option to keep your feet drier on your commute, while a warm pair of cycling socks<\/a> is invaluable in cold conditions.<\/p>\n

What to wear to commute on a road bike<\/h2>\n

If your commute is longer or you\u2019re planning to get fit on your commute<\/a>, a hybrid bike<\/a> can work just fine, but a budget road bike<\/a> is usually a faster option. Here are a few additions that will make a more serious commute more comfortable.<\/p>\n

Cycling jerseys<\/h3>\n
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Jerseys are comfortable and the pockets on the rear are great for stashing snacks.<\/span><\/figcaption> Immediate Media co<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The best cycling jerseys<\/a> tend to be close-fitting and made of Lycra, although some options will contain a blend of Merino wool. The fabric is designed to wick away sweat and keep you more comfortable on your ride.<\/p>\n

A cycling jersey is another piece of kit that can be expensive, but there are cheap cycling jerseys<\/a> that will save you some cash.<\/p>\n

As with road cycling jackets, most jerseys will have a dropped hem at the rear to keep your lower back covered when leaning forward on the bike. They generally have a full- or half-length zip on the front and a high neckline.<\/p>\n

Pockets that sit at the lower back are designed to stow essentials, such as a wallet, small jacket, snacks or essentials for a repair such as a multi-tool<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Long-sleeve jerseys will provide extra warmth in cool conditions. They\u2019ll sometimes have windproof panelling or a water-resistant coating for added protection.<\/p>\n

Tights<\/h3>\n
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It\u2019s worth investing in bib tights if you expect to ride in wet weather.<\/span><\/figcaption> Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The cooler-weather equivalent of cycling shorts, cycling tights will keep your legs warmer. Like cycling shorts, the best cycling tights<\/a> come in men\u2019s and women\u2019s fits and include a gender-specific seat pad.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ll usually have a fleeced inner face to increase warmth, may have windproof panels and may be DWR coated to protect you from road spray.<\/p>\n

Unlike overtrousers, tights are unlikely to get caught in your drivetrain.<\/p>\n

Cycling glasses<\/h3>\n
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Glasses will help keep bugs, grit and grime out of your eyes when you\u2019re riding.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Glasses are worn by cyclists for protection and can reduce the chance of your eyes getting irritated by grit, dust or flying insects.<\/p>\n

The best sunglasses for cycling<\/a> tend to have a wraparound style, which offers a broad range of vision with a lens that provides good clarity, sun protection and a fog-resistant coating.<\/p>\n

A pair of photochromatic sunglasses will work well in both bright and gloomy conditions, although most are expensive. Other cycling glasses come with multiple swappable lenses, including a clear or lightly tinted option for low-light conditions.<\/p>\n

Cycling cap<\/h3>\n
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Caps usually fit underneath your helmet and can help to keep your head warm and dry.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Caps with a peak on the front are completely optional, but they are also very popular and relatively cheap.<\/p>\n

So, while it might not be an essential as such, a cycling cap will provide shade for the eyes in the summer and extra insulation for your head in the winter.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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