Posted 28/05/2026 by Jenny Lucas-Hill

Cycling in the summer: arguably, this is riding at its best. Sure you can make the case for the other seasons. But it’s hard to top the long daylight hours, the balmy temperatures and the first sip of something frosty-cold and delicious the second you’ve hit ‘save ride’ on your bike computer. With the right summer cycling kit, biking in hot weather can leave you feeling absolutely glorious. But get it wrong, and you’ll probably just feel hot and bothered. In our summer cycling gear guide, we’ll talk you through what to wear for cycling in hot weather and share some top tips to keep you riding comfortably when the mercury rises.

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Hot weather cycling gear

We’ll dive into how to make cycling in the heat more comfortable, and how to make sure you’re looking after yourself in hot weather later on. But first, let’s talk summer cycling gear. Because when the heat is on, what you wear on the bike can actually make a surprising amount of difference. Just like with winter riding, where the right gear for the conditions can be make or break – making sure you’re reaching for your most breathable, lightweight summer cycling kit will have you breezing through those summer miles.

Best cycling jerseys for hot weather: what to look for

Not all summer cycling jerseys are created equal. Just because a jersey has short sleeves, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to help you to keep cool when the heat is on! If your summer cycling kit collection is in need of a refresh, here are the key features you want to be looking for when shopping for a hot weather cycling jersey:

  • Lightweight, breathable materials. This is a non-negotiable. If your cycling jersey is too heavy and doesn’t let your skin breathe, you’re going to be overheating and feeling boil in the bag before you’ve even ticked off the first mile. Some aero cycling jerseys compromise on breathability to enhance aerodynamic performance, so check the fabrics carefully. We’ve developed our Kalahari jerseys to offer the best of both worlds: a comfortable, aero fit combined with ultra-lightweight and breathable materials.
  • Quick-wicking and fast-drying fabrics. You want your cycling jersey to do a great job of wicking sweat away from your body, and drying quickly. This will have a cooling effect as the sweat evaporates. And let’s face it: nobody wants a soaked, sweaty jersey clinging to their back all ride long!
  • A fit that moves with you. Our bodies tend to swell a little in the heat, so it’s crucial that your summer cycling jersey is constructed with 4-way stretch so it can move with you. A jersey that’s slightly too tight or a little restrictive in cooler conditions, is going to feel stifling in hot weather!

Breathable cycling jerseys

Check out the full spring/summer cycling kit collection for more warm weather cycling gear.

Cycling shorts for hot weather

Well-fitting, comfortable cycling shorts are important in all conditions to reduce saddle discomfort. But it’s even more important to get your shorts right for riding in hot weather. Because higher temperatures = more sweat. And more sweat = increased likelihood of friction if your chamois pad isn’t right – which can lead to chafing and saddle sores. Here’s how to make sure your summer cycling shorts are up to the job:

  • Female or male-specific, premium chamois pad. It doesn’t matter how great the rest of the shorts are, if the chamois pad is poorly constructed and not specific to your anatomy – they’re going to give you trouble. A sex-specific chamois pad is going to ensure you’ve got the right support, right where you need it accounting for differences in soft tissue distribution and sit bone width. Premium chamois pads are worth the investment because they’ll be made from breathable, supportive materials and they’ll be fitted to the shorts in a way that minimises annoying seams or raised areas.
  • Two-way breathability. Your shorts are going to be layered under your jersey, so for hot weather riding it’s crucial that they’re nice and breathable. Look for fast-drying, quick-wicking materials.
  • Additional cooling features. Aerated bib straps, mesh panelling… these are all great features to keep an eye out for when you’re shopping for cycling shorts as they’ll help to provide additional cooling.

Shop men’s cycling shorts | Shop women’s cycling shorts

Want more tips to find the best cycling shorts to suit your rides? Take a look at our in-depth guide.

Should I wear a base layer for cycling in summer?

More layers? In summer!? Yep, we’re not kidding. Some riders choose to wear a lightweight, sleeveless base layer under their cycling jersey during summer rides. That’s because a cycling base layer can actually help to regulate your temperature. Our lightweight mesh base layers are designed to wick sweat away from your body for faster evaporation, creating a cooling effect. Riders also like them because it means you can unzip your jersey for extra ventilation without going full ‘tops off’. And a lightweight cycling base layer can help to keep you feeling fresh even in hot and sticky conditions – particularly ideal if you’re on a multi-day bike packing trip or an audax and you’re going to have to re-wear your cycling jersey.

Shop women’s base layers | Shop men’s base layers

stolen goat hot weather training heat acclimation tips

Summer cycling accessories: the added extras that are worth ‘adding to cart’

Once you’ve got the basics covered, it’s time to turn to accessories. And for summer riding, there are three key cycling accessories we’d say are absolutely worth treating yourself to.

  • Summer cycling mitts: It might feel counterproductive to wear gloves in hot conditions, but fingerless lightweight cycling mitts are ideal for summer riding. They’ll protect the backs of your hands from the sun (an area we often forget when we’re applying the sunscreen) and they’ll give you better grip on the handlebars when you’re working up a sweat. Look for cycling mitts with a microfibre thumb panel – perfect for mopping the sweat from your brow.
  • Lightweight cycling socks: Let’s face it, cycling shoes aren’t flip flops. They’re great for power transfer through the pedals, but not so great for keeping your feet cool. In hot conditions, it’s important to treat your feet to lightweight, breathable cycling socks to avoid swelling, overheating and painful hot spots in your shoes. Our range of printed cycling socks don’t just look great – they also do a top notch job at keeping fromage-y hooves at bay.
  • Cycling cap. In our opinion, a cycling cap is one of those perfect all-year-round accessories that you’ll get a surprising amount of use out of. In the summer, it’ll help to protect your scalp and face from the sun (and it’ll absorb sweat to keep your helmet foam fresher for longer).

How to protect your skin while cycling in the summer

Cycling has so many benefits for your physical and mental health. But one thing we do need to acknowledge is that countless hours playing on our bikes out in the sun leaves us at risk of sun-related skin damage. And research suggests that a significant proportion of cyclists are either not applying enough sunscreen, or just not applying it full stop. Yikes! A study published by the Dermatology Times found that of a cross-section of cyclists, only 67% reported using sunscreen – the majority of which were female riders: 89.5% of male respondents did not use sunscreen. Research states that prolonged sun exposure can increase the risk of developing skin cancer, and accelerates skin aging. Even if you don’t tend to burn easily (which is caused by UVB rays), UVA rays penetrate deeper and cause unseen damage at a cellular level. Outdoor athletes like cyclists tend to spend prolonged periods out in the sun, and because sweat increases the photosensitivity of the skin (by influencing the hydration of the outer layer of the epidermis), we can be at higher risk of sun-related skin damage and associated malignancies.

So with that in mind, what steps can you take to protect your skin while enjoying summer cycling?

Use a sports-specific sunscreen

If you’ve been swerving the sunscreen because you hate the sticky, clammy feeling it gives you it’s time to upgrade your skincare. A sports-specific sunscreen is designed to be breathable and absorb quickly so you can protect your skin without feeling like you’ve oiled up for a bodybuilding contest. Sports sunscreens are also designed to be water- and sweat-resistant (so it won’t melt off the second you hit an uphill) and many of them (such as Pelotan and Ultrasun) offer 8-hour protection. Make sure you apply your sunscreen liberally, at least 20-30 minutes before you head out. If it’s a big day in the saddle, consider taking some extra sunscreen with you so you can top up. Several of the sports sunscreen brands offer mini roll on versions or even small sachets that you can easily stash in your back pocket.

Cover up with a lightweight long sleeved cycling jersey or use lightweight arm screens

If you’re particularly susceptible to sunburn or other photosensitivities, you don’t necessarily have to miss out on long, sunny rides. At Stolen Goat, we offer a range of lightweight long-sleeved cycling jerseys (shop women’s here and men’s here) which are highly breathable and designed for warm weather riding. If you want the option to cover up for some but not all of your ride, you could also consider wearing lightweight arm ‘warmers’ (aka arm screens).

Don’t forget your head

If you’re wearing a vented helmet, don’t forget to protect your scalp from the sun too. You can of course get sunscreen sprays designed for your scalp, but these can also leave your hair feeling pretty greasy. So a more practical option might be to wear a cycling cap instead – bonus points because it’ll also help to keep the sun off your face and the sweat out of your eyes.

Cycling in hot weather: quick tips to make heatwave rides more comfortable

Stolen Goat Faze cycling jersey pink cycling jersey

We’ve taken a deep dive into why exercising in the heat always feels so much harder, how heat training works and how you can make training in the heat more bearable if you don’t need to get heat acclimated in our guide to hot weather training for cyclists, runners and triathletes. But if an unexpected heatwave has swept in and you’re looking for a few quick tips to make your summer rides more comfortable, we’ve got you covered:

  • Hydrate way before you ride. If you’re leaving it until you’ve already started cycling to start thinking about getting some fluids down, you’re already firefighting. In hot conditions, you want to make sure you’re starting hydrated. For morning rides, it’s good practice to actually think about this the night before. Preload with a 500ml bottle of water with added electrolytes with your dinner the evening before a ride. And then have another 500ml bottle with your pre-ride breakfast.
  • Take extra fluids with you. As well as ensuring you’re starting already hydrated, keep in mind you’ll be losing a lot more fluid through sweat than usual so you’ll need to drink more. Take an extra bottle, and if it’s a longer ride factor in a refill stop (or plan a looped route so you can refill at home) to make sure you’re not going to be gasping for a drink in the final hour.
  • Ride out early. Early morning is going to be the coolest part of the day, so get up and get out before the mercury rises. What better way to start the day!?
  • Adjust your effort. As we’ve explained in our heat training deep dive, exercising in hot conditions when you’re not heat acclimated (which takes ~7-10 days of consistent heat exposure) puts a lot more physiological strain on your body. Work to heart rate rather than pace or power (heart rate gives you a better idea of how hard your body is having to work). Be prepared to take it easy and ride a little slower than usual. Don’t sweat what the Strava police might have to say about your average speed – just sit back and enjoy the ride. You can go after those segment leader boards another day!


Cycling kit for hot weather

Get ready for your summer rides with our range of lightweight cycling apparel. Check out some of our top picks below, or head over to our spring/summer collection to see the full range.