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Cycling clothing in winter - the right clothing for your outdoor adventure

If you enjoy cycling but don't dare to get on the saddle in the cold season to protect yourself from the "wind and weather", then it's probably because you're wearing the wrong clothing.

Von Vincent Augustin  |  5 minutes read time

Fahrradbekleidung im Winter - Die passende Kleidung für Dein Outdoor-Abenteuer
About the author Vincent Augustin

Vincent founded MYVELO together with Fabian. The two share a long-standing passion for cycling. Together they have cycled thousands of kilometers and fought for victories in the German racing bike league. The idea of founding MYVELO arose from their many years of experience and knowledge of what makes a good bike. Find out more about MYVELO now

Published: February 28, 2024  |  Updated: May 31, 2024

With the right cycling clothing, you don't have to give up cycling even in the winter months and can go on a bike tour even in the cold or continue your training with a racing bike or mountain bike as usual.

In the following article we want to show you which cycling clothing will keep you warm on cold winter days.

How to get through the dark winter time

When you cycle in the cold winter months, it is not only important that you stay dry and warm, you should also make sure that other road users can see you well. On grey and dark days, it is therefore advisable to wear reflective clothing or reflective accessories, which are available for both men and women.

Reflective clothing is a must in the grey and dark season. In order to be clearly visible to other road users in winter, it is important to wear reflective clothing and/or accessories. In addition to cycling clothing with integrated reflectors, there are also vests and reflective belts. Reflective bands, patches or stickers are also available that reflect the light.

Before we take a closer look at winter cycling clothing, you should know that not everyone experiences the cold in the same way. The perception of cold can vary greatly from person to person. It is therefore important that your winter cycling clothing is tailored to your individual needs.

Braving the cold

Basically, body parts like feet and fingers cool down just as quickly as your ears and nose. This is because your body is "programmed" to keep your core warm first. The blood vessels in your ears, nose, feet and fingers constrict due to the cold. This can not only be very painful, but can also affect your mobility.

The most important thing is to make sure your feet and hands stay warm. While you can protect your hands with cozy thermal gloves, it is advisable to keep your feet warm with the help of thermal pads. The practical pads can be easily inserted into your cycling shoes without being too tight or causing any unpleasant pressure.

winter clothing for cyclists

In addition to the warming material, the fit is also important: Depending on whether you are planning a bike tour with a trekking or e-bike , riding your racing bike or going on a mountain bike, you may need special clothing. This is especially true if you are riding a racing bike, because racing cyclists cannot fall back on casual clothing; they need a tight-fitting outfit.

It is ideal if you dress in several layers, as this gives you the option of being able to put on or take off quickly and easily as needed - depending on the temperature and weather conditions. You should make sure that your cycling clothing is made of breathable materials. This allows moisture to be drawn away from the skin, making it comfortable to wear.

The onion principle: three layers for your outdoor adventure

As soon as the weather worsens and it gets cold outside, you are well advised to dress according to the onion principle. The onion principle involves wearing several layers on top of each other so that you can adapt to different temperatures during your bike ride. You don't have to change your clothes completely to make sure your clothes match the changed weather conditions; it is enough to put on or take off one or two of your items of clothing to feel comfortable again. In addition, the onion principle, by wearing several light layers, achieves significantly better insulation as well as optimal breathability.

These items of clothing are a must for the onion principle:

Let's start with the foundation: the base layer, your undershirt. The bottom piece of clothing that directly covers your skin should be barely noticeable; ideally, it should feel like a second skin. Make sure that your base layer has both temperature-regulating and moisture-transporting properties.

The base layer is followed by the second layer of your onion layer: the midlayer. The second layer of your cycling clothing not only serves as insulation, it is also responsible for wicking away any sweat that has formed so that the moisture does not remain on your body. Your midlayer could, for example, consist of long cycling pants that you combine with a long-sleeved jersey. Our tip for particularly cool or very windy days: the Thermo Bib. The long cycling pants will keep you warm reliably, they have a warm thermal fleece on the inside and their temperature-regulating properties ensure perfect heat balance.

Now we come to the third and final layer of your "onion skin": the top layer, your outermost layer of clothing, is there to protect you from all unpleasant weather influences such as rain, wind and cold. Top layers are available in different versions. Depending on your needs and the weather conditions, you can choose between windproof or wind-repellent membranes and between waterproof or water-repellent membranes. Ideal top layers include wind and rain jackets, fleece jackets and softshell jackets.

thermal clothing for cold days

If you cycle all year round, you should definitely have thermal clothing and warm functional underwear in your wardrobe for the winter. You should buy a thermal jacket, a thermal hat and gloves as well as thermal socks and thermal leggings for the cold season. If you want, you can complete your winter cycling outfit on very cold days with arm and leg warmers and overshoes. In addition, a scarf or a buff can keep your neck warm and offer you additional protection from the cold.

Let's go

Before you get on your bike in winter, you should make sure that your bike is as winter-proof as your clothing. Check your lights, the profile of your tires and make sure the brakes are working. Depending on the bike, it may be a good idea to install mudguards to protect against splashes. When you return from your bike tour in winter, you should take the time to clean and dry your bike thoroughly so that you can avoid possible rust formation.

Remember that roads can be slippery in winter, so be alert and watch out for slippery areas such as icy bridges. On longer journeys, plan regular breaks to warm up and recover from the cold. Choose your route carefully before setting off. You should avoid busy roads in winter and prefer cleared cycle paths or quiet back roads.

Make sure you are visible and stand out. Reflective clothing is a must in the grey and dark season to be clearly visible to other road users in winter. Therefore, be sure to wear reflective clothing and (or) accessories.

Conclusion

Cycling in winter can be a real challenge. However, with a little preparation and the right clothing, it can be fun to go on a bike ride even in cold and bad weather. You should wear warm functional clothing and ideally dress in layers. Reflectors are just as important as the right clothing.

We hope that our tips will help you get through the cold season well. Cycling in winter can be fun with the right clothing. We hope that you stay fit and can enjoy plenty of exercise and fresh air even when the weather is bad.
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