CyclingWeatherKitThe right clothing for every ride

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Clothing glossary

A quick guide to the kit — what each piece is and when to wear it, sorted from the inside out and by body area.

Head

Skull cap (under the helmet)

approx. -10 to 8 °C

A thin, often windproof cap that sits under your helmet and keeps your head and ears warm. For cold and wintry rides.

Ear cover / headband

approx. 0 to 12 °C

Warms just the ears without wrapping up your whole head — the lighter choice for in-between days.

Neck gaiter / buff

approx. -10 to 10 °C

A versatile tube for the neck that you can pull up over your mouth and nose. Warms in the cold, blocks the wind, and keeps dust out on gravel and MTB rides. Easy to pull up or down as you go.

Cycling glasses

any weather · lens tint by light

Protect your eyes from wind, sun, insects and road spray. The right lens depends on the light: tinted or mirrored in bright sun, photochromic (self-adjusting) for changeable or overcast light, and clear or contrast-boosting (yellow/orange) in rain, fog and low light.

Upper body

Base layer

any temperature · thickness varies

The innermost layer against your skin. It wicks sweat away and keeps insulating even when damp, so you stay dry and comfortable (merino wool is excellent). Sleeveless or short-sleeve in warm weather, long-sleeve or thermal when it's cold.

Short-sleeve jersey

from approx. 16 °C

A breathable cycling jersey with handy rear pockets — the staple in warm weather.

Long-sleeve jersey

approx. 8 to 16 °C

The same as the short-sleeve jersey, but with long sleeves for cooler days.

Thermal jersey / jacket

approx. 0 to 8 °C

Brushed and insulating on the inside, for cold rides.

Arm warmers

approx. 8 to 18 °C

Separate sleeves you pull on and off mid-ride and stash in a pocket — flexible for changing temperatures.

Gilet (wind vest)

approx. 3 to 15 °C · in wind

A sleeveless, windproof layer for your chest and back. It packs down small and is ideal for descents and changeable weather — quick on, quick off.

Wind jacket

approx. 0 to 10 °C · in wind

A light, windproof jacket; warmer than the gilet and just as easy to carry.

Windproof winter jacket

below approx. 2 °C

A warm, windproof jacket for the coldest days.

Rain jacket

in the wet

A waterproof jacket that comes into play when it rains.

Legs

Bib shorts

from approx. 15 °C

Cycling shorts with shoulder straps and a padded insert — the staple in warm weather and more comfortable than plain shorts.

Leg warmers

approx. 8 to 16 °C

Separate sleeves for your legs, pulled up over your shorts. Easy to remove, ideal for cool starts.

Bib tights / thermal tights

below approx. 8 °C

Long, warming cycling trousers for cold days, with or without straps.

Liner shorts

from approx. 15 °C

Padded undershorts worn beneath loose MTB or gravel shorts.

Hands & feet

Socks (thin / regular / thick)

any temperature · thickness varies

The colder it gets, the thicker and higher. They keep your feet warm and dry — merino works well without being too bulky.

Gloves

below approx. 16 °C

From thin full-finger gloves through windproof pairs to winter and lobster gloves (with two fingers paired up for extra warmth). Cycling gloves add a little padding on the palms.

Toe covers

approx. 6 to 14 °C

Slip over just the front of your shoe — light wind protection for cool but not freezing days.

Overshoes

below approx. 8 °C / in the wet

Cover the whole shoe to protect against cold and wet.