Best commuting clothing: What to wear on your ride to work

Commuting by bike is a great way to cram in some exercise and destress after a hard day at work, but things can quickly take a turn down the more miserable side if you’re unprepared with the correct clothing – tackling heavy rain without waterproof gear is enough to make even hardy cyclists grimace.

Luckily, there is now a wide variety of commuter clothing available, designed for every type of weather, whether it be waterproof protection for pouring rain or keeping you cool in the scorching sun. The best commuter clothing will also be designed with safety in mind, helping to keep you illuminated so other road users can easily spot you.

If you’re struggling to narrow down your clothing choices, we’ve got you covered. In this guide we’ll take you through the best clothing for every type of weather and lighting conditions commuters regularly encounter.

New to commuting by bike? Check out our top tips in GCN’s beginner’s guide to cycling to work.

Commuter cycling clothing: What should you wear on your rides to work?

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It's important to wear appropriate clothing for the conditions

Contrary to popular beliefs, you don’t necessarily need to wear dedicated cycling clothing for a commute. In fact, many cyclists wear regular clothing as they find it more comfortable, and that is ultimately the most important factor when choosing what to wear.

However, there are scenarios where dedicated cycling clothing will come in handy, and your clothing choice should ultimately be decided by a few key factors.

• How far is your commute? - If you only have a short ride to the office, your regular clothes may suffice. After all, it could end up taking you longer to swap clothes than complete your commute. Longer commutes may require dedicated cycling clothing, though, as you’re more likely to work up a sweat, plus longer rides will put more pressure on your rear end, at which point you’ll appreciate the extra padding bib shorts provide.
• How hard is the commute? - No one wants to trudge into the office in a hot and sweaty state. Things won’t be as bad if you’re wearing cycling clothing, but it’ll be an uncomfortable day ahead if you cycled in your work clothes. On relatively short and easy commutes, you may be able to avoid building up a sweat, but for anything else it’s best to change when you get to work.
• What are the weather conditions like? - This is the most important factor of all as picking the wrong clothing for the conditions will lead to an uncomfortable ride. If it’s hot, you’ll need something breathable, while for the rain, clothing will need to be waterproof. You may want to avoid riding in your work clothes if it’s raining too, as it can be hard to keep them dry and clean from any dirt that kicks up off the ground without adding additional layers on top, which can then create a sweatier ride.
• What facilities are available at your workplace? - Hopefully your workplace has shower facilities, which you should take advantage of. And if you’re going to have a shower, you might as well carry your work clothes separately so that they’re fresh for once you’ve showered. Some workplaces may have limited or no changing facilities at all, which could make wearing your regular clothes to work the easier option.

With that out of the way, here are the best clothing options for different scenarios and conditions.

From mudguards to bike lights, learn how the best commuting accessories can transform a ride to work in our complete guide.

Essential waterproof gear for cycling commutes

If you’ve woken up to the sound of rain pattering against the window, you can be forgiven for taking the car – in fact, it is usually safer to drive when the rain is heavy.

However, riding in lighter downpours is safe and – you’ll have to take our word for this – can still be lots of fun, as long as you have the right clothing. This most obviously means something waterproof, but don’t simply buy the first piece of clothing you find with a waterproof tag attached to it, as there are different levels of waterproofness. Most commonly, this is measured in millimetres on a scale from around 5,000 to 30,000 – this essentially refers to how much water pressure the clothing can withstand before it starts leaking. The higher the number, the better the protection.

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Waterproof clothing will protect you from rain

You won’t just need a waterproof jacket either, although this is important, but clothing to cover your whole body. This means investing in waterproof trousers and overshoes that will protect your feet – no one likes soggy feet!

It’s also possible to buy waterproof gloves and helmet covers too, as well as waterproof covers for bags (this isn’t clothing related, but we’ve heard too many stories of water-damaged laptops not to mention it).

Explore the GCN X AGU Commuter Cycling Rain Jacket

Waterproof and winter cycling gear on a budget

Waterproof rating doesn’t necessarily correspond to budget, so you don’t always have to spend a small fortune buying new clothing.

Take time to shop around and you should be able to find clothing that offers a high-level of protection without breaking the bank. You won’t necessarily need the highest level of protection either. Anything that tops out the waterproof scales will only come into its own in really heavy rain, although you’ll appreciate the added protection should you ever find yourself caught up in a torrential downpour.

Top tips for staying dry and comfortable when you commute by bike

Beyond clothing choice, there are some other steps you can take to maximise comfort on those wet and rainy days.

• Use a mudguard - Okay, this won’t hold off the rain, but it will provide a welcome barrier between you and any dirt or grime on the road. Any cyclists riding behind you will also appreciate it.
• Put wet clothes on a radiator - There’s nothing worse than changing into wet clothes at the end of the day for a ride home. That’s why it’s important to put clothing on a radiator straight after you arrive at work or home.
• Wear cycling sunglasses - It sounds counter intuitive, but some sunglasses have clear lenses for gloomier weather, and this will stop any dirt flicking up into your eyes.
• Avoid puddles - It sounds obvious, but don’t ride directly through puddles. This is also a safety tip as you don’t know what potholes could be lurking beneath.

Commuting by bike in the cold and winter

As the days shorten and the winter months roll in, the air starts packing in a sharp chill. It can be a refreshing change to the warmer weather, although it won’t be much fun if you’ve gone too light on clothing, leading to a shivering ride.

The key to commuting in colder weather and the winter is to wear clothing with thermal qualities. Thermal clothing is designed to keep heat in while letting sweat out, which helps the body to stay at a comfortable temperature.

There is cold-weather clothing available for every part of the body, from jackets and jerseys to bib shorts and over shoes, although you may not need all of these and it is ultimately down to personal preference.

Read more: The best ways to get your bike ready for winter

Layering tips for cyclists

You’ll also need to think carefully about how you layer clothing. When you first abandon your bed for the cold outdoors, piling on layers will seem like a good idea. That is until you’ve started cycling and your body warms up, at which point it’s very easy to overheat. Even in temperatures bordering on freezing, it’s possible to overdo things.

This is another thing that will vary per person and that you’ll learn to perfect over time, but you can make life easier by wearing easily removable clothing that can be stored either in a pocket or bag should it need to be removed mid ride.

Why you need gloves for winter cycling

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Gloves aren't just important for comfort, they're vital for avoiding numb hands which can be a safety hazard

Staying warm during a cold commute isn’t just about comfort, it’s also about safety. If you’re shivering with the cold, your attention could be distracted from the task of cycling, while numb hands are a common problem. This in turn makes it hard to operate the brake levels, which is obviously a big safety problem.

We’ve never heard of anyone struggling with overheating hands, so it’s best to plan for the worst when it comes to glove choice. If it’s raining, make sure your gloves are waterproof too, otherwise your hands will go really numb, like the GCN X AGU Weatherproof cycling gloves.

Cycling to work in the summer: Essential hot weather gear for commuters

Clothing choices become a little easier in the summer when staying cool is the name of the game.

The key here is to find clothing that is both lightweight and breathable. Depending on your effort level, you may get away with wearing regular clothes, but dedicated summer cycling clothing will be specifically designed with these factors in mind. Even with the right clothing, you’ll still get sweaty when it’s warm, which is why it’s best to bring a spare set of clothing to change into when you arrive at the office.

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Many commuters wear regular clothing for commutes in warmer weather

Sometimes you will have the opposite problem of having to strike a balance between the crisp early morning or late evening air and the warmer conditions once the sun starts beating down its warmth.

This can easily be remedied by using a lightweight jacket that can be stored in a pocket or bag. Make sure it is lightweight too, that way you’ll be prepared for both cooler temperatures and rain.

Read more: Commuting errors: 10 mistakes all cyclists make riding to work

Bright cycling clothing to stay visible when riding to work in the dark

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It's important to use bright clothing alongside lights when riding in low-light conditions

As most people commute in the morning and late afternoon, there will be times when you are riding in low-light conditions. That’s when clothing can become a useful and important companion, helping to keep you illuminated so other road users can easily spot you.

As a minimum, cycling clothing should ideally have reflective strips but many have completely reflective colouring. Avoid wearing dark colours which are hard to spot.

When it comes to making yourself visible, we believe in a ‘more is better’ type philosophy – after all, it’s all about staying safe. Try out high-vis helmets or helmet covers, attachable body lights which straps around your arms and legs, and there are even lights that attach to shoes – these are especially good as moving lights are easier to spot.

Whichever accessories you buy, you may be able to take advantage of and make savings through the Cycle to Work scheme. Find out more about the pros and cons of the Cycle to Work scheme in our complete guide.

AGU

AGU is a Dutch company that manufactures cycling clothing and accessories, including bike bags, helmets, sunglasses and shoes. It has a long and illustrious history in the sport, dating back to 1966, and has worked with some of the biggest cycling teams in the world.

GCN x AGU Commuter Bundle

Rain Jacket features: Fully waterproof. Windproof. Highly breathable. The entire jacket is reflective. This is AGU’s so-called mist-print. Integrated back pocket. Lightweight and easy to fold away. YKK zipper with windflap and rain gutter Elasticated cuffs prevent water from entering through the sleeves. The hood is easily adjustable and can be folded away. Extra ventilation panel on the back. Slim fit with an on-bike cut. Made from 100% recycled polyester, which comes from PET bottles. This jacket carries AGU’s Greensphere label. Shelter Backpack features: Capacity: 21 litres. Size: 32 x 44 x 15cm Lightweight - only 850g. Reinforced 14-inch laptop compartment. 100% waterproof recycled polyester. Reflective logos enhance your visibility (3M reflection)