How to dress for a bike in autumn?

Are you wondering whether autumn is a good time for cycling? Certainly this time of year is full of contrasts. On the one hand, we admire the colourful trees on the cycle paths, while on the other, we have to struggle with unpredictable weather. Colder days, frequent rain and wind make the right choice of clothing and accessories the key to a comfortable and enjoyable ride. However, with the right equipment, you can get maximum satisfaction from this form of activity even in autumn, enjoy beautiful views and breathe fresh air on almost empty trails. Find out what you should include in your cycling wardrobe for autumn.

Read the text and find out:

Which rainproof jackets are the best for cycling?
Which cycling trousers and sweatshirts should you choose?
Which cycling gloves will serve you the best?
What to wear for cycling in autumn depending on the weather?

Which cycling trousers and sweatshirts to choose?

Cycling trousers should be made of water- and wind-resistant fabric to protect against autumn rains and chilly air. Flexible, close-fitting pieces, often with a membrane, are ideal for those who want to avoid excessive air resistance while riding, but still ensure thermal comfort. It’s also worth considering buying cycling trousers with extra insulation in strategic areas, such as the knees, which are more prone to the cold while riding. Men’s Rapha cycling trousers, which are designed to train even in winter are deal for cycling in cold conditions. Their legs are made of brushed fleece to keep your muscles comfortable. The flat seams fit perfectly to the body, ensuring comfort and no chafing. The brand also has a range of women’s cycling trousers ideal for cool autumn and winter conditions.

Choosing the right cycling sweatshirt is crucial to riding comfort, whether you are a beginner or a professional cyclist. The most important aspect to look at is the sweatshirt’s fabric. Good quality cycling sweatshirts are made from breathable fabrics that effectively wick sweat away from the body while preventing overheating. Protection against various weather conditions is also extremely important. On colder days a sweatshirt should provide protection from the wind, if you cycle on rainy days, opt for a piece made from waterproof fabrics. Some sweatshirts, especially those equipped with special membranes such as GORE-TEX, offer excellent protection from the rain while allowing the skin to breathe. The X-Bionic sweatshirts available at S’portofino, such as the Instructor 4.0 hoodie, feature the Climate Fix System, which supports your body’s internal temperature management systems and prevents overheating and undercooling. In addition, the brand’s sweatshirts prevent from odours thanks to SKIN NODOR® fibres, which stop the growth of bacteria by releasing skin-neutral ions.

What is the best rain jacket for cycling?

A high-quality cycling rain jacket is an indispensable part of every cyclist’s outfit. Why is it so important? Because it significantly influences the comfort of riding on rainy days. What should you pay attention to when choosing a rain jacket for your bike?

Water resistance - make sure the rain jacket has a high water column (e.g. 10 000 mm or more). This indicator tells you how much water the material can withstand before it gets wet.
breathability - during intense exercise, the body produces more heat and sweat. A rain jacket should be made of a material that will allow excess moisture to escape to the outside while keeping water out.
ventilation - choose a jacket with ventilation under the arms or on the back. This will allow additional heat and moisture to escape during intense riding.
reflective elements - safety is essential during any physical activity. When choosing a rain jacket, pay attention to whether it has reflective elements. It gets dark quite quickly in autumn, so this is extremely important to be visible to others on the trail.
weight and compatibility - choose a lightweight and compatible jacket that can easily be folded and packed into a rucksack.

At S’portofino you will find a wide selection of rain jackets from brands such as Rapha, Ale Cycling, Assos or POC. New to our range is the Rapha brand created out of a passion for cycling. In its range you will find everything you need for an autumn cycling trip: women’s and men’s cycling jerseys and jackets, rain jackets or cycling trousers will keep you comfortable whatever the weather conditions. When choosing a rain jacket, look out for the Rapha Core. This women’s rain jacket made from waterproof and windproof material provides protection from adverse conditions while cycling. Laser-cut underarm vents are responsible for breathability and adequate thermoregulation, while reflective elements on the sleeves and back ensure visibility after dark. The Rapha Core cycling rain jacket also comes in a men’s version.

See the collection by Rapha

What gloves are best for cycling in autumn?

Fingers get cold quite quickly, so it is extremely important to protect them during autumn cycling trips in order to fully enjoy this form of activity. Their choice depends on several criteria, such as the type of cycling (urban, road or mountain) or the time of year. We will focus on the choice of cycling gloves for autumn. During autumn rides, it is advisable to choose gloves with full fingers. They provide better protection against the cold, dampness and unexpected rainfall that is typical of this time of year. It is important that the cycling gloves are made of a tactile material that will protect against gusts of wind. The inside of the gloves should be padded with a soft surface to ensure a firm grip on the handlebars.

How to dress for cycling in autumn depending on the weather?

Let’s be honest - completing an appropriate wardrobe for an autumn cycling trip is quite a challenge. When choosing an outfit, we must be prepared both for temperatures below 10°C and 15°C (mornings in autumn are already really cold, but midday can be very warm). How to dress for cycling in such a case? Opt for layering, which works not only in sports fashion, but also in casual fashion. Sweatshirts, T-shirts, waistcoats - with these items of clothing you can put on and take off extra layers of clothing at any time, adapting to the prevailing temperature.

What to wear on your bike when temperatures reach 15°C in autumn

In October, cycling clothing doesn’t have to be so advanced yet. At 15°C you can still use summer clothing, but be sure to take a warmer sweatshirt and jacket with you. We suggest what to wear when it’s quite sunny and warm outside.

Vest - an extremely useful piece of cyclists’ equipment for early morning and evening bike rides. The waistcoat by Rapha is extremely lightweight, made of polyester and compatible. Thanks to its DWR waterproofing, it protects against adverse weather conditions.

cycling sweatshirt - the main task of a cycling sweatshirt is to insulate against cold and wind, so choose those made of synthetic fabrics. In the S’portofino range you will find X-Bionic unbuttoned and unbuttoned cycling sweatshirts with the 3D Bionic Sphere® system, which cools you down when you sweat and warms you up when you are cold.

cycling longsleeve - ideal for slightly cooler days. It can be worn solo or over a thermal jersey. In the S’portofino range you will find a cycling longsleeve by Rapha. Long-sleeved jerseys are great for mountain bikers. They provide outstanding comfort and performance on demanding trail rides.

thin jacket - at 15°C, a lightweight rain jacket is all you need. It takes up little space and is lightweight. The weather in autumn is unpredictable, so if the weather suddenly breaks, it will protect you from getting wet and chilling your body. You can find lightweight rain jackets from Rapha and X-Bionic.

How to dress for cycling when the temperature in autumn reaches below 10°C?

When it gets colder outside and the temperature drops below 10°C, you need to reach for warmer blouses, jackets and long-sleeved shirts. It’s also a good time to pull thermal underwear out of your wardrobe. These garments are worn directly on the body, designed to wick perspiration away from the body while providing thermal insulation. We suggest what to wear when the temperature drops below 10°C.

long cycling trousers - in colder weather, long cycling trousers are essential equipment for every cyclist. They provide outstanding comfort and performance on any route. They are often equipped with a layer of DWR waterproofing to protect against adverse weather conditions. You can find men’s cycling trousers from brands such as Rapha, X-Bionic or Assos.

cycling jacket - for weather between 3°C and 10°C the best choice are jackets made of softshell, i.e. with light insulation.

cycling gloves - protect against abrasions and provide thermal insulation on colder days. You can choose short-fingered cycling gloves from Assos with maximum breathability for warmer days or the Assos Spring Fall Gloves Evo cycling gloves ideal for the autumn period on colder days. They offer freedom of movement, wick away moisture very well and protect against the encroaching cold.