What to wear cycling in every temperature: Dial in your perfect kit

Riding through the raging elements needn’t ever be miserable. Good quality cycling clothing will see you through the heaviest of downpours or the hottest days, and you may even be grinning ear to ear when you get home. 

Whether you’re commuting through traffic, ripping through wet forest floors, or scaling up a mountain road, there’s a whole menagerie of clothing that’ll keep you comfortable, which means you can focus on the ride.

You know the feeling: you’re cycling uphill in a non-breathable water-resistant jacket. Your hair is sticking to your face. Your clothes are sticking to your back. 

You can miss out on the enjoyment of the ride if you’re uncomfortable in your kit. 

The key is balancing the clothing’s performance, comfort, and safety. Because your body will be generating a fair amount of heat while you’re cycling, wearing the right cycling clothing in different weather conditions keeps you protected, comfortable, and content. 

Here are the keywords to look for: 

• Thermoregulation: This is your body’s process of maintaining a comfortable core temperature. If your cycling apparel is any good, it’ll support this by balancing heat retention and cooling.  
• Moisture wicking: This is when the fabric has technology that moves sweat away from your skin. It keeps you dry but stops you from getting the chills if temperatures change. 
• Layering system: This will be clothing with a strategic combination of base, mid, and outer layers that will allow adaptable temperature control across a range of different weather conditions.

Because when you’re cycling, you generate 3-5x more body heat than when you’re at rest. The wrong clothing can trap sweat, which can lead to either overheating or rapid cooling once you stop or descend.  

And when you’re riding at any speed, the wind chill effect increases heat loss. So even mild temperatures can feel a lot colder.  

So reduce the amount of energy your body needs to keep your core temperature stable by choosing the right clothing. 

The ‘three-layer system’ is the foundation of any cycling clothing temperature guide.

Summer cycling clothes, winter cycling clothes, or just layering up for any scenario? A combo of base layers, mid layers, and outer shells will keep your body in balance.

The base layer sits directly against your skin, so it’s the most important contact point. You want it to manage moisture, wick sweat, and support your body’s natural thermoregulation.  

Here’s what to generally look for in a base layer: 

• Merino wool: This is a natural fibre that gives you odour resistance and gentle insulation, even if it gets a little wet. It even works to keep you cool in the summer too. 
• Synthetic blends: Polyester and nylon blends are popular for their quick drying, moisture-wicking performance.  
• The right fit: You want your base layer to be snug but non-restrictive because you don’t want to chafe or have your clothes bunch up.

After donning your base layer, the mid layer will add extra insulation and temperature control. If it does its job well, it’ll trap warm air close to your body while letting moisture escape. And the nice thing is, you can take it on or off based on the outdoor temperature or the level of intensity your ride is going to be.  

Think the Canyon Core collection. 

Here’s what to look for: 

• Light insulation: Think thin fleece, jerseys, or light synthetic fills for fresh and mild temperatures. 
• Breathable options: Go for soft-shell jackets and thermal jerseys to regulate temperature during climbs or interval efforts. 
• Removability: Prioritise pieces that you can easily take on and off mid-ride, like zippered vests or packable layers.

The outer layer is the ultimate protection against the elements. Wind, rain, sun, or a combination of all three... the outer shell completes your cycling kit. 

Check out the Canyon Adventure Collection and look for the following: 

• Waterproof breathable jackets: Look for membranes like Gore-Tex® or Pertex® for full protection against the rain when you’re finding your winter cycling apparel. 
• Windproof shells: Beat the chill and manage wind resistance without trapping heat. 
• Packable options: Like the mid layer, lightweight shells that fold neatly into a pocket are ideal for your summer cycling clothes setup.  

When riding at these temperatures, safety becomes the top priority because your body’s ability to maintain your core temperature is challenged. Without proper protection, you risk hypothermia or frostbite.  

This is where the right winter cycling clothes make a real difference - helping you stay warm, block the wind, and regulate body heat. You should aim for maximum insulation, complete wind protection, and strategic layering.  

Head on over to the clothing section and you’ll see: 

• Thermal base layers: Heavyweight merino wool is a good choice, as it wicks moisture and traps heat close to the body. 
• Insulated mid layers: Here’s where fleece-lined jerseys or synthetic jackets provide crucial warmth while maintaining breathability. 
• A windproof outer shell: Look for a fully wind-sealed outer later to stop any sharp cold air penetrating your clothing. 
• Waterproof trousers: Don’t forget to protect your legs.

Your hands, feet, and head are the first to lose heat in freezing conditions. It’s extremely uncomfortable, and even dangerous, when they go numb. 

We recommend winter gloves, thermal socks, shoe covers (also known as booties), and head and neck protection to make sure you don’t get any numbness on your ride.

This temperature range is probably the most finicky range for choosing your cycling outfit — it’s cold enough to require insulation, but you’ll warm up significantly once you get going. So, knowing what to wear is all about balance.  

The Canyon Adventure Collection is a great place to find your gear. Here’s your approach: 

• Wear long sleeved thermal jerseys for medium insulation with top moisture management when you warm up. 
• Thermal leg warmers will give you full warm leg coverage with breathable panels behind the knees for ventilation. 
• Light insulation layers like a removable vest, or a light jacket, adds warmth at the start and can be packed away once you get your blood pumping.

Accessories shouldn't be optional - they can make the difference between surviving and thriving. For rides between 0–10°C you want thermal comfort without bulk. Like full finger gloves, a thermal headband or cap, neck warmers, and toe warmers.

This nice, mild range is often the most comfortable temperature to ride in. This is because you can stay comfortable with minimal layers. In regard to clothing, it’s a simple case of balancing light insulation with breathability.

A base layer in these temperatures may or may not be useful to you at this point. It depends on your rider type, how long you’re going to be out for, and whether you feel the cold more than others or not. 

If you’re off early in the morning, going for a longer ride, or if you feel the chill easily, it’s probably a good idea to use a base layer. But if you run hot or you’re going for a short trip in the middle of the day, you can probably go without it.

Don’t discount warmers – they're a cyclist’s best friend, being ideal for this temperature range as they target the areas of your body that get cold easily in transitional weather. They’re also easy to put on and remove.

Look for compact arm, knee, or leg warmers that you can roll up and tuck into your jersey pockets once you warm up.

In this temperature range, the focus shifts to moisture management and breathability. So choosing the right bike clothes for these conditions will prevent overheating and keep you dry and comfy.

Look for clothes that support airflow and quick-drying performance. Like loose-fitting, lightweight jerseys with mesh panels and moisture-wicking material. Collections like the Canyon CORE Collection are designed to deliver comfort and performance for everyday riding. 

If you’re cycling in the midday sun, you probably don’t want to wear sleeves. You’ll also feel cooler. But it does come with a trade-off: the less fabric you wear, the more sunscreen you’ll need to apply. 

In this temperature range, you’ll need to pay attention to sun protection and hydration. The goal isn’t retaining warmth with your clothing, but wearing apparel that actively cools you and wicks sweat from your body.

If you’re cycling on a hot, sunny day, UV protection is as critical as ventilation in preventing fatigue and long-term skin damage.  

First and foremost, you want to aim for light-coloured clothing that reflects the heat. It may seem counter-intuitive, but lightweight, UV-protective long sleeves can actually feel cooler than bare skin in direct sunlight. If you look for UPF-rated fabric, you can avoid applying sunscreen to those areas. And obviously, a ventilated helmet will keep your head cool and can even have visors for glare reduction. 

Scroll through Canyon’s collection of clothing to find what you need, from light-coloured jerseys to aero-performance helmets. 

And beyond what you’re wearing, you can also apply a few of these tricks to keep your endurance levels up on a hot day: 

• Buy special jerseys that have pockets for hydration sachets. 
• Step into your clothing slightly damp from a cool shower. As you ride, you’ll dry off and keep your core temperature cool. 
• Wrap a damp neck towel around yourself at the start of the ride.

Weather isn’t just about temperature. If it’s windy and raining sideways, you’ll just feel miserable, especially if the rain is seeping into your shoes or your collar. Special windproof and waterproof cycling clothing and cycling gear will protect you against the elements while keeping things breathable and comfy.

If it’s a windy day, the actual temperature will feel a lot cooler even if it's mild. That’s because moving air creates heat loss. Windproof clothing blocks airflow, which feels a little more stuffy, but if you go for wind-resistant cycling clothing you’ll get more breathability with the milder protection. 

And if it’s a wet day, you need effective rain protection. Finding the right waterproof rain jacket that doesn’t cause you to overheat is a whole topic on its own. Alongside doing a few online comparisons, it’s worth looking at Canyon’s range of waterproof cycling jackets, designed to balance weather protection with breathability for riding in the rain. 

If you’re going out for a moderate intensity ride in colder weather, you may start out your ride wearing clothes that make you feel slightly cold. It might be uncomfortable, but the workout will warm your body up soon enough and the body heat will remain stable with your consistent pace. Of course, this is a slightly risky practice in the sense that you might have an unexpected stop, so we always recommend carrying a warmer layer when riding in colder conditions. Just in case. 

The right bike paired with the right kit means you’re ready for anything the forecast throws your way. Our bike buying guides help you get the perfect bike, whether you’re choosing a road bike, mountain bike, or gravel bike. From there, you could fine-tune your search with the Bike Finder or see which models fit you best by using our Bike Comparison Tool.  

An old hiker's proverb states that “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”, and that couldn’t be more true for cycling either. Ultimately, getting your clothing right while riding can feel tricky. Even experienced riders who’ve been cycling for decades get it wrong sometimes. Through learning by doing, you get better at layering up or down and knowing how to maintain your body at the right temperature for you.  

And that’s a wrap - get your cycling clothing sorted, embrace the conditions, and we’ll see you out on the road.