Home Cycling 5 essential items for the cycle commuter’s wardrobe

5 essential items for the cycle commuter’s wardrobe

Bikes are for all occasions, and even though they can be a major inconvenience to get around on, they can be a fun and rewarding way to get around. The bike commuter doesn’t need a particularly fancy bike, but they do need a few essentials. The bike commuter should have a bike helmet, a quality pair of cycling shoes, and a cycling jacket. The shoe is going to be the biggest investment the bike commuter needs to make, so choosing the right pair is a critical component of the bike commuter wardrobe.

Cycling is a great way to stay in shape. If you’re training for a cycling event or just want to reduce your risk of injury, a bicycle is a great way to get around. When you’re cycling, it’s important to wear the right gear.

The cycling season is long, and those of us who do it on a regular basis don’t always get the chance to get a new pair of clothes to wear to work, school or play. This is where a few cycle commuters have come up with a great way of saving money and getting a new wardrobe all at the same time. These bloggers have been able to provide cycling clothing that fits well, looks good and is great value for money.. Read more about types of hybrid bikes and let us know what you think.

These 5 essential items should be in every commuter's wardrobe

Every commuter’s outfit should include these five crucial things. Cyclist in the City

The high-vis jacket is a commuter essential for those that ride year round

For commuters who bike all year, a high-vis jacket is a must-have. Immediate Media / Oliver Woodman

This £30 leather trouser strap may be the most Brooks thing Brooks has ever produced

This £30 leather trouser strap may be the Brooksiest thing Brooks has ever made. Brooks

A quality backpack such as this option from Mack Workshop is essential for those that plan on schlepping any amount of stuff to and from work

For individuals who intend on carrying a lot of things to and from work, a good backpack like this one from Mack Workshop is a must. Immediate Media / Reuben Bakker-Dyos

Tuck 'em with pride

Tuck them away with pride. Immediate Media / Jack Luke

We're big fans of the Vans Transit Line range

The Vans Transit Line collection is one of our favorites. Immediate Media / Jack Luke

You wouldn’t ask a Lycra-clad biker for fashion advice, but the BikeRadar crew has you covered when it comes to cycle commuting attire.

This helpful guide will help you make the correct selections, whether you’re trying to trendify your commuting wardrobe or are a novice searching for advice on necessary clothes for riding to work in.

1. A high-visibility jacket

The high-vis jacket is a commuter essential for those that ride year round

For commuters who bike all year, a high-vis jacket is a must-have. Immediate Media / Oliver Woodman

A high visibility jacket should be at the top of your list if you want to put together the traditional commuter style. For individuals who just want to be noticed on the road, there are many excellent and relatively inexpensive alternatives available — but there are also more “luxurious” options — Naturally, the trick to making the high-vis jacket seem ‘dialed’ is to make it appear as though it has never been cleaned. Those who have worked in a bike shop are familiar with the smell of an unwashed Altura Night Vision jacket — one of the most popular high-vis jackets on the market — with the number of oil stains and the depth of the calcified streak of mud up the back of the jacket indicating the owner’s commitment to commuting.

A high-vis vest is also a good choice for people in warmer climates, with high-end sleeveless versions available for the more fashionable among us.

The trouser clip is number two.

This £30 leather trouser strap may be the most Brooks thing Brooks has ever produced

This £30 leather trouser strap may be the Brooksiest thing Brooks has ever made. Brooks

No matter how geeky they may seem, trouser clips are a commuting need for people who don’t wear shorts. A clip not only protects your pants from mucky drivetrains, but it also increases leg visibility if you select a high-vis version. A trouser clip may also be fashioned into a pair of make-do handcuffs to conduct a citizen’s arrest on a particularly cooperative crim’ in a hurry.

3. The horseshoe

We're big fans of the Vans Transit Line range

The Vans Transit Line collection is one of our favorites. Immediate Media / Jack Luke

While any pair of sneakers can serve for commuting, real commuters may want to invest in more durable shoes that will endure and keep them comfy in all weathers. For commuting, many people will choose for waterproof “trail” shoes, but it’s worth noting that several manufacturers also make more casual shoes designed specifically for riding. Vans’ Transit Line collection and Chrome Industries’ super-durable “forged rubber” sneakers are two of our favorites.

Of course, trainers aren’t the only choice, with a variety of companies producing’smarter’ alternatives for both sexes, like these $80 Betabrand ‘tech’ plimsoles that seem like they’re fashioned from a recycled wetsuit.

4. The backpack that is tailored to the needs of city dwellers

A quality backpack such as this option from Mack Workshop is essential for those that plan on schlepping any amount of stuff to and from work

For individuals who intend on carrying a lot of things to and from work, a good backpack like this one from Mack Workshop is a must. Immediate Media / Reuben Bakker-Dyos

Every urbanista worth their salt had an artisan messenger bag during the height of the fixie mania. Messenger bags, like fixed gear bikes, went out of favor with urban cyclists about 2008, with the simple rucksack ruling supreme once again. This rise in popularity is best demonstrated by the staggering number of rucksack-related crowdfunding campaigns — a cursory search for ‘backpack’ on Kickstarter at the time of writing reveals that the appetite for over-engineered portaging solutions is insatiable, with over 700 different projects currently active or funded.

If you’re a commuter, you’ll need to decide if a “modular” or “basic” backpack is best for you.

I like a big ‘sack’ type knapsack, while cameraman Reuben — who can actually keep track of his things — prefers a pocket-riddled bag like the Life Behind Bars Peleton Asphalt he’s now wearing.

5. The ideal pair of commuting socks

Tuck 'em with pride

Tuck them away with pride. Immediate Media / Jack Luke

Unlike road cycling, which has its own set of esoteric and harshly enforced regulations about sports hosiery, commuting has just one rule about socks: your trouser leg must be properly tucked into your right one, regardless of length, style, or color.

While combining this trouser cuff saving measure with the aforementioned trouser clip will undoubtedly get you additional points, the really daring among us may dare to wear a pair of ‘Wednesday’ socks on a Friday, displaying maverick disdain for the Gregorian calendar to the whole world.

  • Sponsored: Can you go the extra mile this summer, UK readers? You can participate in Red Bull’s UK-wide Million Mile Commute by running or cycling to work. Join the group on Strava for a chance to win a Red Bull sample kit to get you started. Remember to tag @RedBullUk and use the hashtag #MillionMileCommute to showcase your commutes.

if you cycle every day, then you know how vital it is to have a good kit. You can spend hours in traffic, your legs will be on fire, and you will probably have to spend a few hours in the gym for a quick fix. You’ll need some clothes that aren’t going to rub against the saddle, and the best way to do this is by riding in a jersey. It will be loose enough to let you move around and prevent chafing, and it will cover up parts of your body that you don’t want to show.. Read more about what is a hybrid bike good for and let us know what you think.

{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What do I need for bicycle commuting?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
A bicycle is a great option for commuting, but it does require some preparation. Youll need to make sure you have a helmet, gloves, and possibly knee pads in case you hit the ground. You should also be prepared with a water bottle and snacks.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What do you wear cycling commuter?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
I wear a helmet, a cycling jersey, and some cycling shorts.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What clothing do I need for cycling?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
You will need a cycling jersey, shorts and socks.”}}]}

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need for bicycle commuting?

A bicycle is a great option for commuting, but it does require some preparation. Youll need to make sure you have a helmet, gloves, and possibly knee pads in case you hit the ground. You should also be prepared with a water bottle and snacks.

What do you wear cycling commuter?

I wear a helmet, a cycling jersey, and some cycling shorts.

What clothing do I need for cycling?

You will need a cycling jersey, shorts and socks.

Related Tags

This article broadly covered the following related topics:

  • types of hybrid bikes
  • anatomy of a hybrid bike
  • hybrid mountain bike
  • what is a hybrid bike
  • what is a hybrid bike good for