Guide: Bicycle clothing for the winter | BMO Bike Mailorder

The right cycling clothing makes a real difference in the saddle during winter! While it's okay to get on the bike in a fashion shirt and streetwear shorts in the summer, it quickly becomes uncomfortable in the winter without real cycling functional clothing. Wet, clammy, or icy cold. Brrrr! With our tips, you'll never freeze again when you're on the bike.

Whether you're commuting to work, completing road bike training, or don't want to miss your MTB round even in January, it doesn't matter. The main thing is that you wear cycling clothing adapted to the winter, because that way you're not only more comfortable on the road, it also makes your life on two wheels safer.

Why is it particularly worthwhile to choose your cycling outfit wisely in winter?

In other sports, you don't have to think so thoroughly about how to keep warm in winter. Why?

➔ Quite simply – unlike other sports, there is a lot of headwind in cycling training that makes life difficult (or rather: cold).

What clothing items should you have for winter cycling?

The best strategy is to stock up on different functional clothing items specifically for cyclists . Long sleeves, short sleeves, light thermal underwear, thicker pants, different materials – a bit of everything. This way, you can mix what you need and put together a comfort outfit with many layers.

Our tip: If you want to do longer tours or training sessions, it's also advisable to have a bike bag in which you can pack some spare clothing, such as a windproof jacket for cooling off or descents. A waterproof, medium-sized saddlebag with about 7 liters of content is perfect for this, and you can mount it on any bike.

How to optimally combine cycling clothing in winter

What layers should cyclists wear in winter? Here is a guide for layering Look.

A good base for your winter cycling outfit: the underwear

At the bottom, on particularly cold days, you wear a cycling thermal undershirt. On really cold days, garments with a wool content are particularly pleasant and warming.
Arm warmers and leg warmers are a good additional warmth layer that doesn't restrict you in the seat area and shoulders.
Warm socks are important. If you don't have waterproof winter cycling shoes , you can try waterproof socks.

Our tip: Many cyclists especially freeze at the knees. If you feel the same, you can wear warming knee warmers (not to be confused with knee protectors!).

❄️ Bicycle Underwear for Winter ❄️

Cycling Undershirts | Cycling Underpants | Arm Warmers | Leg Warmers & Knee Warmers | Cycling Socks

Cyclist with warming undershirt under the bib for winter

Close-fitting thermal underwear with a cycling cut is a good base for winter cycling clothing. Image © Maap

The middle layer makes your winter cycling training comfortable

A cycling jersey with short or long sleeves provides comfort depending on the temperature and personal warmth needs. You may also need multiple jerseys and shirts layered.
Although fleece pullovers or jackets are not necessarily recommended for cycling (they are too wind-permeable), they are a very light, warming, and quick-drying lower layer under a windproof jacket in winter.
If your legs cool down despite the effort, you can wear long underwear. Like all cycling pants, they should be cut for the cycling position.
Functional fibers that dry quickly are especially important here!
Normal sweatshirts are not recommended on the bike, they are made of cotton, and when they get sweaty, they stay wet.

Our tip: The middle layer of your cycling clothing should be breathable and dry quickly.

❄️ A cozy warmth layer ❄️

Cycling Jerseys | Longsleeves | Pullovers & Hoodies

The outer layer is waterproof & windproof

Softshell with a brushed interior is soft, warming, and stretchy – making it perfect for winter pants for cyclists.
For bad weather days, there are both MTB pants and road bike bibs with a water-repellent surface. Then you don't need an additional over-pant.

A waterproof and windproof over-pant helps in proper winter slush weather.
If you have a good windproof cycling softshell jacket you have, you can wear it with the appropriate base layers (almost) all year round, even in winter. However, you need a few layers underneath, otherwise it will be too cold. Softshell is conveniently mostly water-repellent.
If it rains or snows, a really waterproof cycling jacket is necessary. If you get cold quickly, you can also wear a padded thermal jacket.
Over the jacket, you can wear a windproof cycling vest if you notice that your chest area cools down quickly. For nighttime rides, a bright vest is highly recommended.
In really bad weather, you might need a rain suit that keeps you dry from top to bottom.
Make sure that reflective elements are applied to the outerwear so that you are not overlooked in winter weather.

Our tip: Make sure that the top layer of your winter cycling clothing is windproof .

❄️ Insulating cycling clothing for winter ❄️

Cycling pants | Rain pants | Cycling jackets | Rain suits

Windproof or waterproof? Depends on the winter weather on your bike tours! Image © Vaude

Is this winter cycling clothing available for men?

Finding the right cycling clothing for men is not difficult, there is a huge selection of men's winter clothing for all cycling disciplines! You can find road cycling clothing, touring bike clothing, and mountain bike outfits in all possible sizes and fits, and personal style is of course taken into account. Many clothing items for men are simply and very functionally designed. Especially in the MTB section, there is a lot of variety, and the clothing items are quite suitable as streetwear and can also be worn off the trail.

↪Men's winter cycling clothing↩

Men's cycling pants | Men's cycling jackets | Men's cycling jerseys

Cycling Clothing in Winter for Women

It may sound like a stereotype, but it is actually proven that women get cold faster than men. Therefore, especially in winter, the rule “like men +1” often makes a good cycling outfit for women. As a woman, you can wear the same clothes in layers as men, but you should always plan an additional layer.

The cut of cycling clothing is always adapted to the figure and therefore not the same for women as for men. Especially when it's cold, a good fit of the cycling clothing is important so that it fits well to the body and the wind cannot penetrate. Even when women wear multiple layers on top of each other, a sporty, figure-hugging outfit can be created.

↪Women's Cycling Clothing for Winter↩

Women's Cycling Pants | Women's Cycling Jackets | Women's Cycling Jerseys

What Size Should Cycling Clothing for Winter Be?

For cycling in winter, it is recommended to wear multiple thin layers on top of each other.

Your winter cycling clothing should therefore partially fit well.
But you should also have some slightly larger tops and pants that fit over the lower layers.
In general, many thin layers are better than a few thick ones – the well-known onion principle . It has many advantages. On the one hand, if you get warm after a while, you can remove individual layers. This way, you can prevent overheating. Additionally, the air between the layers warms up and creates an additional thermal cushion.
For this reason, the lower layers of your winter outfit should fit snugly. The upper layers can fit loosely over them, but not too large , because then the air would circulate and new cold air would quickly cool the body down.

Cycling Clothing for Winter – FAQs

Waterproof, Windproof, Breathable – What Features Do You Need?

It's cold. What is the right cycling clothing?

A: If your cycling clothing is breathable and dries quickly, it's a great advantage because it keeps the skin feeling dry and prevents it from cooling down. Therefore, in cold weather in winter, you should wear functional clothing that transports moisture away from the body.

Does winter cycling clothing need to be waterproof?

A: For your cycling clothing for wet winter weather, waterproofing is an absolute must! There's nothing worse than getting soaked to the skin in winter. Therefore, a waterproof membrane or coating is always a good idea if you're out in all weathers.

On cold but dry days you should opt for more breathable clothing, as their advantages then outweigh.

Waterproof and breathable – is there both?

Breathable or waterproof – both are possible, but usually one of the two properties predominates.

Windproof winter cycling clothing

Winter + wind chill are a nasty combination, so a windproof membrane is a fine thing for winter cycling clothing. If your cycling jacket only has a windproof membrane, it is probably not completely waterproof, but at least water-repellent (this is often the case with softshell).

How do you care for winter cycling clothing?

The base layers like undershirts or jerseys and also cycling pants can generally withstand many washes. However, it's different with waterproof outerwear; many washes can gradually reduce the coatings.

You can also impregnate winter cycling clothing yourself. Wash-in impregnators work particularly well, which are added to the washing machine and distribute optimally. After a few washes, it is advisable to restore the waterproofing.

Does it really have to be cycling clothing?

A: Let's say you want to ride your MTB through the winter forest. A snowsuit wouldn't be bad, would it?! Yes, it would! Especially if you're wearing many layers on top of each other, and especially if those layers are made of thicker fabrics, you should definitely opt for special cycling clothing !

Only tops and pants that are really designed for cyclists are adapted to the riding position. Other clothes, even sportswear, would pinch in some places, wrinkle in others, and chafe.
Winter cycling clothing not only has a special cut but also a unique construction. For example, seams in the seat area are avoided so they don't bother or chafe.
If you're wearing multiple layers on top of each other, this is very important because many seams in the wrong place can mean chafed skin!
Winter cycling jackets also have an interesting feature: They are particularly dense on the front and sleeves and especially breathable on the back to keep the headwind in check.
The materials are adapted to the requirements of cyclists. They are elastic, quick-drying, easy to care for, and often odor-resistant.
Membranes and coatings are responsible for functionality, making the outer shell waterproof, windproof, or particularly insulating.

Conclusion: The longer and more intense your cycling rounds become in winter, the more worthwhile the investment in good bike clothing.

Winter clothing for different cycling disciplines – our best tips

Which clothing is right in winter also depends on what you plan to do. You naturally need different equipment for commuting to work than for intensive road bike training.

Cycling clothing for winter in the city

If you like to do smaller bike tours in winter, complete Christmas shopping, or commute daily to work by bike, we have a few tips for you:

The warming baselayers will probably make you sweat quickly at work, as they would be too much in enclosed spaces. Here, a thick jacket is probably the better choice. A winter cycling jacket is particularly comfortable on the bike, but you can also wear it when you're not cycling.
Cycling jackets should have reflectors on the sleeves, if you're in heavy city traffic. They light up especially when you signal with your hand while turning. This way, you won't be overlooked in city traffic.
If you commute to work, you naturally can't take the weather into account. Therefore, you should have rain pants on hand to protect you from rain and snow. If they're a bit wider, they will fit over your work clothes. Even warmer and seamlessly tight is a onesie, a rain suit. If you buy it a bit larger, you can wear it over your clothes on the way and take it off in the office.
Here's our pro tip for commuters: Cycling clothing is usually cut so that the lower back remains covered. With everyday clothing and especially business clothing, this is not necessarily the case. Here, a kidney belt, like those worn by scooter or motorcycle riders, helps in winter. Such belly belts are simply worn over the clothing and under the jacket to keep the stomach and kidney area warm.
If you're on the e-bike when you're on the go, you should dress particularly warmly in winter. On the e-bike, you ride faster. This means that the wind is stronger. Since the motor helps you, you exert yourself less at the same time, so you sweat less. Warmer cycling clothing is particularly important here.

Cycling Clothing for Winter on the Racing Bike

black, tight winter jacket for cycling, men

Cycling clothing for racing cyclists is skin-tight, which you should consider when putting together a layered outfit. It's quite possible that under the jacket that fits perfectly in summer, you don't have enough room for an undershirt, longsleeve, and jersey. Then you should invest in a slightly larger jacket for the winter.
For winter, you can buy long bibs with and without straps that have warm padding. However, bib tights are recommended because they prevent a cold gap from forming on the back.
When buying racing bike clothing for winter, make sure it has well-fitting cuffs. There are often silicone coatings that prevent the tight clothing from slipping. Wandering jacket ends or sleeves are already really annoying in summer. In winter, it becomes terribly cold when gaps form.
Racing bike clothing often differentiates between the back and front in winter. Arms and chest areas are windproof and warm, while the back allows the clothing to breathe well. If your back gets cold , you need a jacket that warms all around!
If the windchill bothers you on descents, you can try a trick from professional racing cyclists from back in the day : Maybe it's just a legend, but supposedly racing cyclists tucked a thick layer of newspaper under their jersey when going downhill. It protected the chest from the wind. Once at the bottom, the newspaper simply goes to recycling.
If you're doing your training rides on the road, you should make sure that as much of your clothing lights up and reflects as possible. This way, drivers won't overlook you.

MTB Clothing for Winter

The winter poses particularly tough conditions for off-road bikers. It not only gets cold, but also particularly Dirty and slippery. Many obstacles remain hidden under mud and snow until you roll over them. So you'll probably dismount involuntarily more often than in summer. This means: don't forget your protectors! On the other hand, it will be particularly wet!

MTB clothing for winter should be particularly easy to wash, that's essential.
As the risk of falling increases, robust and tear-resistant clothing is especially needed.
You should also consider your protectors when buying clothes! They must fit under the cycling clothes or be worn over them without cutting off your arms and legs.
To give you enough freedom of movement, mountain bike clothing is usually much looser than road bike clothing. This makes it particularly easy to combine a few more layers.
Vests over a light jacket give your arms more room.
Mountain bike clothing is completely sealed, protecting the body from wind and moisture. The headwind should stay outside from the front, and the part of the trail your tires kick up shouldn't soak you from behind.
A one-piece suit or onesie, which packs you from head to toe, is particularly practical and warm.
Winter jackets for mountain bikers often have hoods. If this doesn't fit with your helmet, or the neck brace gets in the way, you need a jacket without or with a removable hood.

The right accessories for winter

In fact, it's the small stuff that makes winter on the bike really pleasant. The small parts and accessories are really important for your well-being.

Our tip: Buy yourself a few multifunctional scarves. These clever tube scarves work as a headband, cap under the helmet, or as a nose warmer. In a pinch, you can even wrap them over your gloves. For transport, you can simply loop them around the handlebars or your wrists, so you always have a supply with you.

❄️ Accessories for the cycling winter ❄️

Bicycle gloves | Helmet caps | Multifunctional scarves | Overshoes

Everything you need to know if you want to cycle in winter – the blog series:

Title image: Kaur Martin on Unsplash

Cycling clothing for winter – the best antifreeze