What to Wear: Bike Commuting Clothing Essentials

What to Wear: Bike Commuting Clothing Essentials

Posted on 01. Jun, 2010 by Stacey Moses in Transportation

What to wear is a question with many answers when it comes to bike commuting. There are many circumstances to consider, including how long your ride is, what kind of changing and/or shower facilities are available at your destination, and what type of weather you’ll experience on your commute. For some resplendently dressed professionals with a cool and calm commute and no changing facilities, a pair of ankle biters and a helmet will suffice. But, for the rest of us, there are a multitude of options to consider, from gloves to shorts to shoes. Let’s start with the basics.

Shorts

One of the most hotly debated commuting topics of all times: to spandex or not to spandex. For many novice commuters, or non-commuters, the act of pulling on a pair of skin-tight lycra shorts before riding into work sounds like a preposterous idea. For other veteran commuters, their rides are short enough that they can leave the spandex at home until the longer weekend rides. However, for someone who commutes a fair distance or commutes everyday, spandex shorts with a chamois offer protection and support that can make your ride much more comfortable (the chamois is that lovely ergonomic seat insert that makes spending time on the saddle far more enjoyable). The compression qualities of spandex shorts help to support your muscles and increase blood flow while you pedal, and the form-fitting nature of the material leads to less chaffing and irritation while you’re on the saddle. The simplest way to go is basic black, although the brands and styles available are countless. For those commuters searching for a more stylish or less revealing look, mountain bike or “baggy” style shorts, knickers and liner shorts all provide the chamois and cycling-specific cut in a slightly different package.

UTshorts

Jerseys

Cycling jerseys for commuters are also a matter of personal preference, but the benefits of riding in a cycling jersey include safety, comfort and utility. Whether you grab the neon yellow jersey or the black jersey, most quality tops have reflective piping on them, providing extra visibility. A cycling jersey is also cut differently than any other moisture-wicking or athletic shirt. With a longer tail and a shorter front, a cyclist can comfortably reach the handlebars without having an excess of fabric bunched up in his or her midsection while the lower back stays protected from the elements. For chilly rides, long sleeve jerseys also have longer sleeves to accommodate the rider’s position. Finally, cycling jerseys typically have rear pockets, which allow the cyclist to carry anything from his keys and wallet to flat repair necessities.

bontjersey

Gloves

Cyclist’s palsy and carpal tunnel syndrome are repetitive stress injuries that can be lessened or avoided by wearing gloves. These injuries are the result of compressed nerves, the ulnar and the median, respectively, and by wearing cycling gloves with proper padding, the stress and vibration of the road is greatly reduced. In his book, Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists, Andy Pruitt Ed.D. recommends wearing gloves “even for short rides to run errands.” Most manufacturers make several different types of gloves; a quality commuting glove has a decent amount of padding and good ventilation. Gloves should fit snug, without restricting circulation to your fingers (numb or purple fingers are not ideal), so that the padding does not bunch or overlap when you place your hands on the handlebars.

UTgloves copy

Once you’ve figured out your shorts, jersey and glove situation, you’re ready to explore the next steps, such as the wonderful world of clipless pedals and shoes. More to come on the next steps in the future!

18 Responses to “What to Wear: Bike Commuting Clothing Essentials”

  1. kdt

    02. Jun, 2010

    Calling these “Essentials” vastly overstates their importance. I mean, wear them if you want, I’m sure they’re great for riding, but why not just wear clothes? Pants, shorts, shirts, socks – we’ve got all we need in our closets right now.

  2. Duncan from Australia

    02. Jun, 2010

    I agree. I bought an expensive, high quality top for summer cycling and found that it’s little better than the ordinary cotton t-shirts I usually wear.

    For my 20 mile round-trip commute, the only things I really need are cycling shoes for my clipless pedals, and gloves. Everything else is helpful, but unnecessary.

  3. Mikael

    02. Jun, 2010

    125 years of bicycle culture and all of a sudden we need “cycling clothes” for urban cyclin? Sounds like profiteering, if you ask me.

  4. MarkA

    02. Jun, 2010

    I agree with kdt on this one; cycling gear is great, if that’s what you’re into, but essential? Pffft… I ride a 10mile round trip to work most days and just do it in my normal clothes (my suit in the winter, jeans and a T in summer) It’s less about buying gear and more about how you set up your bike in the first place. I think riding to work is like catching a bus, I wouldn’t get dressed up for that either. Riding Le Tour is a different matter….

    I also find, strangely enough, I get much more respect from other road users riding my old English through town in my normal clothes than on a faster bike in all the cycling gear.

  5. scarecrow

    02. Jun, 2010

    It’s an American question. The rest rest of the world wears everyday clothes for riding to work. You can too!

  6. Stacey Moses

    02. Jun, 2010

    Perhaps “basics” is a better word than “essentials,” which I use to describe these three categories in the first paragraph. And if you take a look at each description under shorts and jerseys, I acknowledge that many commuters are quite comfortable and happy to wear regular shorts and shirts. My goal was to point out the benefits of using cycling-specific gear. I don’t pull on spandex and a jersey every time that I hop on my bike to go a few miles, but I do personally find cycling shorts to be much more comfortable when I ride longer trips, especially in the 80-90 degree heat that we get here in DC.

    As for the gloves, I’m a believer. Again, I have plenty of friends that don’t use them, and I don’t always wear them on short trips, but they make a world of difference on longer rides, especially since I’ve had both hand and shoulder injuries.

    Thanks for your comments. It’s great to hear different perspectives! Just trying to share some of the benefit for those wondering what this cycling gear is all about.

  7. Marrock

    03. Jun, 2010

    I have my styrofoam hat, that’s all I’m willing to concede to “cycle fashion”.

  8. Bob Baxter

    03. Jun, 2010

    I like Andiamo cycling underwear. They give you padding where you need it and you can wear whatever you want over them.

  9. Gerhard

    04. Jun, 2010

    Check out the London Naked Bike Ride and you realize all you need is flip flops if you have pedals with sharp edges. Not sure what people would say in your office though.

  10. Stacey Moses

    04. Jun, 2010

    I’m thinking a combination of the last two comments sounds good for a day like today when it is 90 and humid- a pair of Andiamos and flip flops and no soaking wet clothing when I arrive at my destination!

  11. Josh

    04. Jun, 2010

    In the general sense, I think it makes sense to talk about shorts and shirts as”essentials”, at least for utility cycling. For recreational cycling, I would agree with Gerhard that shorts and shirts are optional.

  12. John the Monkey

    07. Jun, 2010

    Up to about 5 miles or so, I’d be in the “wear anything” camp.

    Beyond that, depending on your bike setup, it makes sense to start thinking about bike specific gear (imo, ymmv &c &c).

    If you’re finding your saddle comfortable, and your everyday gear coping with your exertions, then by all means stick with that. If (as I did) you find that your perspiration feels nasty in cotton, it makes sense to look at “technical” fabrics to move the sweat away from your skin.

    I can only speak for myself, but I found riding a commute in regular shorts & a cotton t was pretty miserable (although I run errands (usually 4-6 mile round trips on the brompton) in “regular” clothes). Just use common sense, and don’t feel that you have to buy in to the extremes of the “proper” cyclist camp, or the “wear a suit/ordinary clothes” camp for the sake of it.

  13. Melanie Meyers

    11. Jun, 2010

    I think John the Monkey has a very good point that the distance of a ride might dictate the type of clothing that one elects to wear. Longer rides certainly call for anti-chafing and sweat-minimize measures, which depending on each individual rider, may or may not include *gasp* spandex!

    I know that there is definitely a strong anti-spandex camp and anti-special-clothing-for-cycling camp, but there is no arguing that there is some utility to these special items.

    However, what one decides to wear all boils down to personal preference and individual comfort. I must admit, that I’d rather ride a 20 mile round trip in spandex than I would in a skirt and high heels, though I’m not opposed to riding shorter distances in such attire. :-)

  14. Ben

    12. Jun, 2010

    My commute is 11.5 miles each way. I don’t wear bike shorts on my commute, only on 30 mile + recreational rides. The rest of the time I wear normal pants or shorts.

    I wear a $7 “athletic” shirt from Target, often underneath another shirt. I don’t even own a cycling jersey, even for my longest rides. I wear wool arm warmers on chilly days, or even on warmer days to keep the sun off my arms. Aside from wool socks and cycling shoes, and helmet and gloves for safety, that’s all the cycling-specific stuff I wear.

    You really don’t need the full kit or even much in any way of athletic or cycling apparel at all. A change of clothes might be warranted, but you can (and many, many people do) commute in any type of clothing.

  15. Leslie

    29. Jun, 2010

    It’s good to have folks pointing out exactly how little you have to change or buy to start commuting via bike, but don’t forget that comfort and convenience are necessary in different ratios for every person. I think the benefit of a site like this is to give a clear idea of just how many options exist to solve small or large issues that stand in the way of someone making the bike their primary vehicle.

    I personally started riding in order to compete in an intramural event at my university. Subsequently, I am pretty habituated to my spandex and find my “gear” to be essential. I also have a ~20 mile round trip commute and can choose pavement, gravel or dirt (or any mix thereof) and find that I like being able to change my sweaty, dusty clothes upon my arrival at work. If I lived in town I would probably choose a different rig and different habits based on my commute. (There are days I would LOVE to roll into work on my sweet little college cruiser wearing my flip flops…but that just doesn’t work from my house…)

    The point is, I think it is great to see just how many ways people make it work. Comfort and convenience are very personal, but are ultimately necessary for a habit like this to to stick.

  16. ciclista55

    01. Jul, 2010

    My commute is 12 miles round trip, and I wear the clothes I work in–business casual. With my step through frame, that even means dresses on occasion. I do have some “essesntials” for my riding: good raingear, a balled up trash bag that I use to keep everything in my basket dry during an unexpected rainstorm. In the winter, in addition to a good windproof coat and gloves, I add “ear bags” http://ecom1.sno-ski.net/earbags.html
    (the greatest accessory ever for winter cycling). And, when it gets REALLY cold, I wear shop glasses over my regular glasses, which keeps the eyes from watering.

  17. Clunkerider

    01. Aug, 2010

    I have always just dressed for the weather when commuting on my bicycle. The same way I would dress if waiting for the bus. I don’t understand why we need “special” cycling clothing for commuting, although if some people want to spend their money on that, they can go ahead. I am happy riding a single speed cruiser with fenders and a chain guard, and wearing what ever clothing that the weather is calling for. Sun glasses in the sun, a hat in the winter, gloves and a jacket. Shorts and a tee in the summer, sandals or runners, winter boots when it goes below freezing.

  18. Gardengnome

    17. Aug, 2010

    Interesting comments. It seems that some comentors don’t like the idea that designed clothing might be more comfortable.

    My commute is not long, but the weather is often quite hot (ave summer high 95 to 100F). So I wear bike shorts, and a jersey most of the time.

    For errands, I typically wear regular clothes regardless of distance. Part of that is the commute I ride much faster than erranding.

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