Men's Cycling Clothing (2024)

Men’s cycling clothing

Choosing men’s cycling clothing can be overwhelming with all the different styles, fits and technologies available. Whether you’re riding is performance focused or casual, comfort is key. Cycling-specific clothing allows you to ride further for longer, increasing your enjoyment- ideal!

Whether you choose road, MTB or gravel, this guide will make things clearer and ensure you’ve got the right kit for your next ride.

How to choose cycling clothing

What cycling clothing you wear will depend on your ridestyle. For the road, we recommend tighter fitting, more aerodynamically focused kit. For MTB, we would advise looser fitting, more durable clothing. Gravel riders might find a combination of looser and tighter fitting clothing the perfect combination. Whatever kit you chose, fit and comfort are vital.

Are cycling clothes necessary?

Having the right tools for any job is important. Yes, you could play football in trainers, but you’d play better and be more comfortable in dedicated kit and footwear. Cycling is no different. Cycling-specific kit, from padded men’s cycling shorts to warm men’s cycling jackets, will help you perform better and enjoy your riding more.

What cycling clothing do I need?

The kit you need depends on the conditions you ride in. For warmer weather, men’s cycling shorts and a men’s cycling top or jersey are vital items. You could also add cycling-specific socks, summer gloves etc. to your outfit. For colder riding, think warmer, thicker clothing with long sleeves and leg coverage.

At the heart of all good cycling kits are the shorts. As a key contact point between yourself and your bike, being comfortable on your saddle is incredibly important. We recommend men’s cycling shorts, particularly for road, MTB and gravel rides. You can choose men’s cycling bib shorts, which feature straps that go over your shoulder or strapless shorts, if you prefer. Men’s cycling shorts usually have a chamois pad stitched into the fabric. This provides padding, reduces friction and absorbs moisture. For colder weather, warmer bib tights are an excellent option.

For the upper body, choose a men’s cycling jersey. They usually have breathable fabrics, rear pockets for storage and minimal flapping material. For autumn and winter riding, long sleeve jerseys or warm men’s cycling jackets are a good choice.

How many cycling shorts do you need?

Depending on how often you ride, you may prefer to have multiple pairs of men’s cycling shorts. For hygiene reasons, you should wash your padded shorts at 30 degrees after every ride. If you often ride on consecutive days, wearing the same shorts daily may be impractical and could reduce the short’s longevity. If you ride throughout the year, you may also prefer a lighter pair of shorts for the summer and a thicker thermal pair for colder weather.

What is the best cycling clothing?

At lower price points, men’s cycling clothing will use cheaper materials and contain less features than higher end kit. Using shorts as an example, less expensive shorts will have a thinner chamois and use less durable and lower quality fabrics. The result? Less comfort for longer rides. Conversely, higher end men’s cycling shorts will have a premium chamois pad suited to long rides, keeping you comfortable for longer. The materials used will reflect this increase in cost.

Put simply, the best cycling clothing is what fits you best. Premium men’s cycling kit or lower end, if the fit is incorrect, your dream ride could quickly become a nightmare. First, know your size then consider your budget.