More riding fun and training success with the right cycling clothing

Cycling is your passion. You love racing over the asphalt at full speed on your racing bike. With your mountain bike you take on any challenge and race across forest floors, meadows and fields. Or are you more the type for long, leisurely trekking tours? Whatever discipline you pursue - with the right cycling clothing you can take your training to the next level.

The advantages of cycling clothing

Cycling clothing not only ensures you are stylish, but also functional . It keeps you warm in the cold, cools you in the heat, protects you from wind, rain and sunburn. Muscle compression clothing promotes blood circulation and supports your training success. And don't forget - safety should always come first! Cycling clothing with reflectors or bright colors offers you an easy way to improve your visibility in traffic.

What makes good cycling clothing?

With regular training, cycling clothing is subjected to a lot of wear and tear. It is worn often and has to withstand a lot of friction, UV radiation and frequent washing. There is a suitable cycling outfit for every weather, every season and every discipline. But what should you look out for when choosing? Let's take a quick look at the most important features of good cycling clothing:

It fits snugly and gives freedom of movement

Cycling clothing is usually made of elastic materials and fits very tightly to the body. This reduces air resistance . When racing, it is particularly annoying when loose clothing flaps at high speeds. Despite the tight fit, good cycling clothing offers you absolute freedom of movement . We can do without pinching seams and pressure points when cycling. Good cycling clothing should also not wear out too quickly and lose its shape - neither during training nor through frequent washing.

It defies any weather

As a passionate cyclist, you don't let bad weather stop you from training. Why should it? The right cycling clothing will reliably protect you from rain and wind . But you shouldn't forget sun protection either, as you will be outside for long periods of time while training. Some items of clothing have a built-in UV protection factor . This is indicated on the label with the so-called UPF value. The value indicates how much longer you can stay in the sun without getting sunburnt. As with sun cream, the level of protection depends on your skin's own protection time. With cycling shorts with UPF 50, the skin underneath is protected from sunburn for 50 times longer than without sun protection. Sensitive skin that gets sunburnt after just five minutes without protection is therefore protected for 250 minutes under the cycling shorts.

It balances your body temperature and keeps you dry

When you train, you sweat. Good sports clothing is therefore breathable and helps to regulate body temperature during training. It absorbs sweat and releases the moisture back to the outside. The sweat can therefore evaporate unhindered and the damp material can dry quickly. A piece of clothing that sticks wet to the skin for a long time can lead to overheating or hypothermia. Functional clothing is usually made of synthetic fibers or blended fabrics that also contain natural fibers such as merino wool.

It supports your training through muscle compression

Some items of clothing for cycling have another function that can specifically support your training: muscle compression. The principle is well known from medicine - tight compression stockings relieve the veins and prevent the formation of blood clots. But compression clothing is also becoming increasingly popular in sports. The nature of the fabric (firm but elastic) exerts even pressure on the muscles. This is supposed to improve blood flow to the muscles, which should lead to slower fatigue and faster regeneration .

What types of cycling clothing are there?

Which cycling clothing you need depends on external influences such as the weather and the time of year, as well as your personal preferences. We would like to give you a brief overview of the most important items of clothing for your training. What is really worth it, what types are available and what advantages do they have?

Cycling shorts

Cycling shorts or cycling pants are available in different lengths and with or without adjustable braces. They are subjected to great stress when cycling. The legs are constantly moving and the bottom rubs against the bike saddle. A pair of pants that fits perfectly is therefore a top priority. To avoid pressure points, the seams should be as flat and well finished as possible - or you can go straight for a completely seamless fabric. Cycling shorts are worn without underwear underneath. The materials should therefore be skin-friendly and breathable . For long tours or an extra portion of comfort, there are cycling shorts with built-in antibacterial pads in the crotch.

Cycling shorts for men

Cycling shorts for men and women differ mainly in their fit and construction to accommodate the anatomical differences between the sexes.

Cycling shorts for women

Sizing can vary between men's and women's cycling shorts. Women's styles are usually offered in sizes that better match typical female body proportions. They take into account differences in hip, waist and leg shape. Women's styles are often shorter in the crotch and have a narrower waist compared to men's cycling shorts. Bib shorts may have different strap designs. Women's bib shorts are designed to fit comfortably over the chest and provide optimal support.

Cycling jerseys and cycling vests

Cycling jerseys and cycling vests allow you to adapt well to the different seasons and weather conditions . If you cycle a lot, it is worth investing in a few high-quality basics. Cycling jerseys are available with short or long sleeves. They are also usually tight-fitting and elastic to reduce air resistance. As with the trousers, breathable fabrics are used here for good moisture management . There are tops that you can pull on or with a zipper. The zippers are ideally well made, hidden under flat seams and made of light materials such as nylon. If you want to be flexible, a light cycling vest is worth it: it can be put on or taken off quickly as needed and protects you against wind, rain and cold. It is cut in such a way that your freedom of movement is not restricted. Many models also have practical back pockets.

Arm warmers and knee warmers

On a bike tour, everyone wants to take as little weight as possible with them. For passionate racing cyclists, every gram that can be saved counts. Arm warmers and knee warmers are a practical addition to your cycling outfit. They are light and fit in any small pocket. You can put them on quickly or pack them away again when the weather changes - ideal for the transitional periods of autumn and spring. Depending on the model, they have special functions such as UV protection, muscle compression or reflectors for better visibility. As with other items of clothing for cycling, the same applies here: they should fit tightly but not cut in.