Cycling in spring: glorious after a winter of battling the elements (or hiding on the turbo trainer). But also incredibly difficult to dress for. Our winter cycling jackets might have been tentatively packed away. But with lingering chilly mornings, contrasted against far warmer afternoons, and the ever-present threat of bracing winds and spontaneous downpours. Knowing what to wear on the bike gets tricky. Sweat it out in winter gear, or shiver your way to the cafe stop in summer kit that’s ever so slightly premature? The good news is, with the right layers you can ride comfortably in ready-for-anything style.
In our guide to what to wear for road cycling in spring, we’ll talk you through the essential spring cycling gear you need – and how to layer it to face different conditions. So you can ride comfortably, come rain or shine.
Jump to…
- Why is choosing spring cycling kit tricky?
- Essential spring cycling kit
- What to wear for road cycling in different spring conditions
- Common spring cycling gear mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Build your spring cycling wardrobe
Why is it so tricky to know what to wear for cycling in spring?
It’s that time of year when the Sunday club ride is a mixed bag of cycling outfit choices. There are those still clinging on to full winter kit. Those who are determined that it’s “definitely shorts weather” (even when the temperatures are still only in the single digits). And those who can barely raise their arms above their heads because in their effort to be weather-ready, they’ve just ended up wearing everything they own.
Of all the seasons, spring is probably the most unpredictable. Head out early, and it still feels like winter. But by mid-morning the sun is blazing and your winter cycling kit is going to feel like overkill. And just when you get lulled into a false sense of ‘it’s actually quite pleasantly warm’ security and head out in your summer gear, the wind starts to howl, the rain starts to pour and you’re shivering the whole ride home.
The answer? Layering smart with lightweight, breathable cycling gear so you can easily adapt on the go.
Essential spring cycling kit – and how to layer it
The key to all-weather comfort in the spring is taking your core bits of cycling kit (think long sleeved jerseys and bib shorts/tights) and layering them up with versatile accessories that you can easily stash in your back pocket to deploy as and when you need. First we’ll guide you through the essentials to have in your cycling kit drawer. Then we’ll talk you through how to layer up depending on the conditions.
The must-haves for cycling in spring
- Lightweight, long sleeved cycling jersey.
A long sleeved cycling jersey is a layering staple. It’ll take the edge off cooler conditions, but with a lightweight construction and breathable materials it won’t have you overheating the second the sun comes out. If you tend to run hot, you could also consider going for a short sleeved cycling jersey with a set of arm warmers (which you can roll down if you start to get a sweat on). But for most riders, a long sleeved jersey is a great choice for spring cycling.
Shop women’s long sleeved jerseys | Shop men’s long sleeved jerseys - Bib shorts or bib tights: which is better for cycling in spring?
Honestly? We’d suggest having bib shorts and a pair of lighter bib tights at your disposal for spring cycling. We developed our Kiko bib tights (available for women and for men) precisely for spring and autumn conditions, when you want extra protection but full winter bib tights are going to be a bit much. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll use them! Your other option is to stick with your bib shorts, and layer up with a set of leg warmers or knee warmers.
- Cycling base layer
For spring riding, we’d recommend a lightweight, sleeveless base layer – the ultimate in versatile temperature regulation. On warmer rides, a base layer will help to wick sweat away so you don’t end up feeling clammy or ‘boil in the bag’. And on cooler rides, it’ll help to keep your core warm. - Waterproof cycling jacket
If the spring showers are persistent, a lightweight waterproof cycling jacket is a good idea to keep you warm, dry and comfortable. Look for a jacket which maintains some breathability and features built-in stretch – there’s nothing worse than a scratchy, restrictive waterproof that makes you sweat so much you might as well have just let the rain drench you instead.
Shop women’s cycling jackets | Shop men’s cycling jackets - Gilet
Spring and autumn is the humble cycling gilet’s time to shine. We took a deep dive into why gilets are probably the most underrated bit of cycling gear in a recent blog post, so we won’t bleat on too much here. But the TL;DR is a gilet will make a huge difference when it comes to reducing the impact of wind chill without making you overheat. And when you don’t need it – it’s super easy to roll up and stash in your back pocket. - Cycling neck warmers
Another ‘there when you need it, easy to carry when you don’t’ cycling essential. A cycling neck warmer will help to take the edge off chilly starts, doubles up as an ear warmer and if you get caught in a shower you can pull it up and wear it as a buff to keep the road spray out of your face.
How to layer your spring cycling kit: what to wear in different conditions
So that’s what you need, now let’s get into how to layer it depending on the weather conditions.
Cool, wet spring days
On rainy spring days where the temperatures are likely to be under 12°C for most of your ride, layer up with:
- Bib tights (or bib shorts and leg warmers)
- A long sleeved cycling jersey
- Waterproof cycling jacket
- Neck warmer/bandido
What about windy days? If conditions are dry but wind chill is likely to be a factor, add a mesh base layer under your jersey and swap the waterproof for a gilet. If you tend to feel the cold, you could also consider switching to a thermal cycling jersey for extra warmth.
Changeable conditions
If it’s going to be cool when you set off, but warming up nicely once the sun burns through the clouds it’s all about the versatile layers:
- Bib shorts (or bib tights if you run cold)
- Mesh base layer
- Long sleeved cycling jersey (or short sleeved with arm warmers if you run warm!)
- Gilet – start your ride wearing it and stash it in your pocket when the temps rise.
Warm spring rides
If the temperature is >15°C and the forecast is looking settled, we’d suggest wearing:
- Bib shorts (time to start working on that signature cyclists’ tan!)
- Mesh base layer
- Long sleeved jersey (because the spring breeze can still have a bit of bite to it)
3 spring cycling gear mistakes (and how to avoid them)
When it comes to tackling tricky spring conditions we’ve been there, made the mistakes and questioned our life choices – so you don’t have to. Here’s the common things cyclists get wrong when venturing out on the bike in the spring, and what to do instead.
1. Overdressing
It’s easy to feel the early morning chill and assume it’s going to stay baltic out there all day. But remember conditions can change quickly in the spring, which means if you ride out in full winter kit chances are you’ll be overheating an hour later.
What to do instead: Go for versatile layers rather than committing to the winter jacket. That way you’ve got the option to take things off and stash them in a pocket if the day warms up.
2. Ignoring the wind chill
When you check the forecast, don’t forget to take a look at the ‘feels like’ temperature and the wind speed. It’s easy to see the headlines and think you’re safe to roll out in shorts and short sleeves. But once you hit a stretch of headwind, the chilly spring breeze will soon have you wishing you’d layered up.
What to do instead: Wear a gilet. Most good gilets have windproof material on the front to keep your core warm, with breathable panels on the back so you won’t overheat.
3. Forgetting to do a stock take on your spares and repairs kit
Been a while since you’ve ridden your road bike? Plenty of us spend the winter months favouring off-road riding (or indoor training). Which means when spring rolls around and it’s time to bring the roadie out of hibernation, it’s easy to forget that your past self used your last inner tube at the end of the previous summer and figured it’d be a future you problem to solve. Which is all fun and games until you get your first puncture of the year, miles away from home.
What to do instead: Before your first road ride of the season, check your spares and repairs kit and make sure you’ve got everything you need to deal with punctures or other minor mechanicals.
Build your spring cycling wardrobe with Stolen Goat
Need to add a few bits of cycling kit to your collection before you’re ready to roll? Let’s get you geared up!
Step 1: Choose your bottoms
Bib shorts or lightweight cycling bib tights, we’ve got you covered (literally…)
Shop all men’s cycling shorts and tights | Shop all women’s cycling shorts and tights
Step 2: Pick a base layer
Base layers don’t have to be basic! Take your pick of our latest designs.
Shop men’s cycling base layers | Shop women’s cycling base layers
Step 3: Add a long sleeved cycling jersey
Lightweight and versatile, a true cycling kit staple.
Shop women’s long sleeved jerseys | Shop men’s long sleeved jerseys
Step 4: Layer up with a gilet
The unsung hero of your cycling wardrobe!
Shop men’s cycling gilets | Shop women’s cycling gilets
Step 5: Choose your accessories
It’s the little things. Our neck warmers, caps and cycling socks are here to add the finishing touches to every ride.
Check out the full range of cycling accessories
Shop the full Stolen Goat spring cycling kit collection