It’s getting cold — how can you protect yourself while cycling? What special precautions should you take? These are common concerns among many cyclists. “Cycling in winter is different from spring, summer, or autumn. The natural conditions are relatively harsh, so there are many things to pay attention to,” Wang Yong, who has long been involved in recreational cycling, told us. “Quick-dry underwear, long-sleeve clothing, and knee pads — these are the ‘three essentials’ of winter cycling.”
The top priority in winter cycling is keeping warm, especially your outerwear. It’s most important to choose windproof and insulating clothing. When temperatures range between 5–15 degrees Celsius, you can wear quick-dry underwear with long-sleeve cycling jerseys on top, and fleece-lined cycling pants or thermal leggings on the bottom. Your knees should also be protected externally, and cyclists should develop proper riding posture — ensure your knees move vertically in a horizontal plane when pedaling. Additionally, helmets, gloves, and eyewear are essential.
“In winter, you must ensure sufficient energy. Never cycle on an empty stomach — it’s easy to experience fatigue during the ride, increasing the risk of accidents,” Wang Yong kindly reminds. You should also prepare everything in advance, especially checking your bike’s condition, including the tires, gears, front and rear brakes, and more.
Winter cycling is different from the other three seasons. The natural conditions are more challenging, and riders need to pay attention to many things:
First, when it comes to clothing, winter temperatures are relatively low and the body loses heat rapidly. Your clothing choices should prioritize windproofing, breathability, and warmth. Windproofing means minimizing direct exposure to cold air to avoid discomfort. Breathability ensures that sweat and body heat can escape without getting trapped inside your clothes. And warmth, as the name suggests, is about maintaining your body temperature. Choosing the right clothing based on these three aspects is really important.
When the temperature is between 5–15°C, you can wear quick-dry underwear plus a long-sleeve cycling jersey on top, and fleece-lined cycling pants or thermal leggings plus regular cycling pants on the bottom. Since the temperature isn’t extremely low and heat loss during cycling isn’t significant, both quick-dry underwear and cycling jerseys offer good breathability. Some quick-dry underwear even have a reinforced fiber layer on the chest. Cycling pants are designed to be snug, which reduces direct contact with oncoming wind and lowers resistance and heat loss.
When the temperature is between -5°C and +5°C, go for quick-dry underwear plus fleece plus a windbreaker on top, and long, thick cycling pants or short cycling pants plus thermal leggings plus sports pants on the bottom. Nowadays, high-end winter cycling gear typically features an inner fleece layer and an outer wind-resistant material — perfect for this temperature range.
When the temperature falls below -5°C, long-distance cycling is not recommended. For shorter rides, you can wear quick-dry underwear plus fleece plus a windproof shell. On the bottom, consider combining thermal underwear with thicker cycling pants.
Gloves: In winter, opt for full-finger gloves with reinforced back designs to prevent hand injuries in case of an accident.
A few key points to remember:
1. If you don’t have quick-dry underwear, you can substitute it with short-sleeve cycling jerseys — the materials are similar, and they offer better breathability.
2. Avoid wearing overly thick or oversized coats or pants while cycling — they increase wind resistance and lead to unnecessary heat loss. Bulky clothing can also pose safety risks.
3. Just like in the other three seasons, your winter cycling outfit should be brightly colored to help you stay visible to vehicles — safety first.
4. Choosing the right eyewear is important — it helps reduce wind irritation to your eyes. This is especially crucial after snowfall, as it minimizes eye damage caused by sunlight reflection.
5. If you feel too cold in full-finger gloves, wear a thin pair of white liner gloves underneath before putting on your full-finger gloves. This will provide effective insulation.
6. Small items can make a big difference in your ride. A sports scarf is a great choice — the popular magic scarf can be styled in multiple ways and serve various purposes. Whether used as a face mask, headband, or neck warmer, you’ll likely find it very useful.