Cycling is an emerging trendy sport, but it also carries certain risks. To ensure your safety, having a proper set of cycling gear tailored to you is essential.
Helmet
For cyclists, a helmet is the most crucial piece of safety equipment. Many riders think helmets are optional and not worth buying, or they find them unattractive and uncomfortable. But these ideas are completely wrong. The main purpose of a helmet is to significantly reduce the risk of head injury in case of a fall. Some riders opt for cheaper helmets, but these can actually fail to protect your head and may even cause secondary injuries. Helmets generally consist of three parts: an outer hard shell for aesthetics, a middle foam layer for protection, and an inner cushion sponge for sweat absorption and shock reduction.
High-quality helmets have a four-layer structure. In addition to the outer hard shell and the protective foam middle layer, there’s a shock-absorbing skeleton inside the foam, along with a sweat-absorbing, shock-reducing inner sponge. The key lies in the skeleton inside the foam. Ordinary helmets can easily shatter upon impact, offering no protection and potentially causing secondary injuries from the decorative outer shell. In contrast, a good helmet, thanks to its internal skeleton, won’t break on impact, thus preventing secondary injuries.
Glasses are also very important for cyclists. Cycling is usually done in spring when flowers are in bloom. But because of the warmer weather, there are more flying insects, some of which secrete substances that can irritate the eyes. A moment of carelessness could lead to one flying into your eye, creating danger. In northern regions, this season also brings more sand and dust, adding to the risks.
When choosing glasses, fit is key. Select a pair suited to your face shape. It’s generally recommended to choose glasses with interchangeable lenses. Yellow lenses are ideal for low-light conditions and nighttime use, reducing lens glare and improving brightness. Black lenses block UV rays, filter out glare, and shield your eyes from harmful light. Clear lenses are perfect for foggy or overcast weather. Red or orange lenses are overall the best, making surrounding terrain exceptionally clear and visible.
Headband
Multi-purpose, mainly used for sweat absorption, sun shading, and dust blocking.
Cycling jersey
Cycling jerseys are mainly categorized by fabric. Their primary functions are sweat wicking and breathability. High-quality fabrics are lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying.
For cycling shorts, the padding standard is the key purchasing criterion. Cheaper cycling shorts often use sponge as padding—breathable, low-cost, but can cause severe discomfort and long-term damage to the buttocks. Others use regular silicone padding, which is comfortable but doesn’t wick sweat well. Over time, it may produce harmful substances absorbed into the body through pores.
It’s recommended to choose products from professional manufacturers. Currently, the design of 3D thickened COOLMAX silicone padding is considered high-quality and affordable for everyday cyclists. When buying cycling shorts, go for those with this type of padding.
The main purpose of cycling gloves is to protect your palms in case of a fall. They also prevent sweaty palms from causing unstable grip and potential crashes. Additionally, they enhance comfort—cycling with gloves feels much better. The palm padding reduces vibration, making your ride smoother.
When choosing cycling gloves, consider size and padding comfort. Sizing is based on ergonomic riding needs—gloves shouldn’t be too loose, just fit well. If you prefer looser or tighter fits, you can go up or down a size based on personal preference.
Cycling shoes
Choosing cycling shoes is relatively simple: they should be comfortable, breathable, and have stiff soles.
Many people ask whether they should wear clipless shoes. These shoes have a cleat on the sole that locks into the pedal for a more efficient ride. However, it’s not recommended for beginners to use clipless shoes, as emergency situations may require unclipping. Improper operation or forgetting to unclip can lead to falls.
Stiff soles are essential because cycling involves pushing down on the pedals. A stiff sole delivers more powerful pedaling. We generally recommend hiking shoes, as their soles have more pronounced tread patterns, reducing the chance of slipping or missing a pedal stroke.