Basket
If you are looking for cycling gear, you've probably wondered what cycling clothes to choose according to the seasons. Indeed, we don’t dress the same way in summer as in winter for road cycling. In this article, we will discover that a thermal jacket is an excellent ally against the cold.
Why wear a thermal jacket to face the cold in winter?
To continue practicing cycling in winter when temperatures are low and the weather isn't favorable, you need to gear up properly to protect yourself from external elements (cold, rain, wind, etc.).
To protect the upper body in cold weather, the ideal is to wear three layers of clothing:
- A long-sleeved base layer (first layer);
- A long-sleeved jersey (second layer);
- A thermal jacket (third layer).
These three elements will allow you to keep riding (and thus progressing) in winter.
The cycling jacket constitutes the third layer, the one on the outside. It’s designed to protect you from external elements (cold, rain, wind, etc.) but it should also be breathable to wick away sweat, otherwise, you’ll stay wet under your jacket and eventually get cold due to the damp feeling. For these reasons, choosing the right jacket is just as important as choosing the right cycling bib shorts.
How to choose your thermal jacket for road cycling?
The choice of a thermal cycling jacket depends on several criteria. First and foremost, and regardless of the type of jacket you choose, you need to pick a jacket that fits you well to ensure it’s snug so that the cold doesn’t get inside: this allows for better insulation. That’s why you shouldn't opt for a jacket that's too large. If you are a woman, choose a women's thermal jacket that will be perfectly adjusted to your body shape to prevent any unnecessary cold from getting in.
Next, depending on the climate in your region, you won't choose the same model of a thermal jacket because temperatures vary depending on whether you are riding in the Vosges or in the Var. Some jackets are designed for riding only up to 10°C while others allow for training in negative temperatures. The choice is very important: if you opt for a jacket that's not warm enough, you’ll be cold on the bike, and conversely, if you choose a jacket that’s too warm, you’ll overheat underneath, and in both cases, your performance on the bike will be affected.
Similarly, not all cyclists have the same needs. If you are used to training in a region where the wind is very present, you will need a windproof jacket. Conversely, if you live in a region where it rains a lot and you don’t want to leave your bike in the garage every time it rains, you will need a rain jacket or waterproof jacket to face the weather conditions.
Depending on the cycling discipline (road cycling, MTB, gravel, urban commuting, etc.) you practice, your choice will differ because your needs won’t be the same.
Indeed, in road cycling, we look for a jacket that fits close to the body to allow for better aerodynamics and reduce wind resistance, while in MTB – where speed is lower – we look for a jacket that allows for greater freedom of movement.
Finally, if you commute in the city (bike-to-work, for example) or often ride on roads heavily frequented by cars and other motor vehicles, you could opt for a winter jacket with a fluorescent color or reflective bands to enhance your visibility to motorists, especially in low-light conditions, which is often the case in winter.
Now that you know that a thermal cycling jacket is an ally against the cold in winter, how about discovering the different types of fabrics for cycling jerseys? Do you know why you need gloves in summer? Do you know what fabric to choose in summer for cycling? Do you know how to choose your cycling bib shorts? According to you, is a cycling cap essential in summer? Do you know what type of fabric to wear to protect yourself in winter? Do you think a helmet liner is essential to face the cold? Do you think cycling tights are the only suitable attire to face the cold?
