Blaze a trail with our pick of the latest performance-enhancing cycling clothing, accessories and kit for women in 2023…
If you’re a complete newbie to cycling, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when searching for the best cycling clothing for women. You might’ve assumed your trusty 10-year-old trainers and gym kit would do the trick, but if you’re serious about becoming a cycler, you’re going to need to invest in some quality kit.
What cycling clothes do I need?
At the most basic level, cycling beginners will need a top, some shorts or tights, some socks and shoes, plus a safety helmet. However, if you want to enhance your performance and get the most out of your rides, you should look to buy some head-to-toe cycling-specific kit. Here’s a checklist of the best clothing, kit and accessories women should look for when starting their cycling journey…
- A helmet (safety first!)
- A lightweight, sweat-wicking and fast-drying cycling top, tank or jersey
- Some sweat-wicking cycling shorts, bib shorts or leggings. Look for ones with padding!
- A weather-resistant jacket or gilet for windy and rainy days
- Some cushioned socks, designed to reduce the risk of blisters
- Road trainers or shoes, created with cyclists in mind
- A cycling cap, to keep the sun out of your eyes
- A bike computer or GPS to map out routes
- Optional: an indoor bike to train at home
Best cycling clothing for women 2023
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best cycling clothing, kit and accessories on the market for women, to help you build your dream biking wardrobe…
Best lightweight cycling top: Cycology Frida Aqua Cycling Jersey
BUY IT NOW:
£70 / cycologygear.co.uk
This stunning Cycology Frida Aqua Cycling Jersey is made from a lightweight fabric that’s sweat wicking and fast drying to keep you cool and dry on warm days. Three rear pockets and a zip pocket keep essentials safe. Plus, it’s available in a range of fun colours and designs!
Best arm warmers: Stolen Goat Hot Sauce Orkaan Arm Warmers
BUY IT NOW:
£30 / stolengoat.com
Armed and ready Water- and wind-resistant, these Stolen Goat Hot Sauce Orkaan Arm Warmers are perfect for layering up in changeable conditions. The cosy inner Roubaix liner promises to keep you toasty!
Best cycling gloves: Proviz Classic Cycling Mitts
BUY IT NOW:
£19.99 / provizsports.com
Made from sweat-wicking material, these Proviz Classic Cycling Mitts have thick padded cushioning to protect your palms and absorb the impact of humps and bumps on the road.
Best cycling tights for women: Adidas The Padded Cold.Rdy Cycling Bib Tights
BUY IT NOW:
£150 / adidas.co.uk
Stay warm and dry in any weather with these wind-resistant and water-repellent Adidas The Padded Cold.Rdy Cycling Bib Tights. With a snug, body-hugging cut and gender-specific padding, you can conquer any weather in style while being prepared for long rides.
Best bike computer: The Hammerhead Karoo 2 GPS bike computer
BUY IT NOW:
£359 / wiggle.co.uk
The Hammerhead Karoo 2 GPS bike computer makes it simple for cyclists to do structured workouts, follow routes, and connect to Strava so you get the most out of every ride.
Best women’s cycling clothing brand: Kandescent
BUY IT NOW:
From £10 / kandescent.com
Ride in style wearing kit from women’s cycling clothing brand Kandescent. You’ll find jackets, jerseys, tanks and shorts in fashion-forward prints, plus matching accessories including caps, and arm and neck warmers.
Best cycling helmet for women: Lazer Sphere MIPS Helmet
BUY IT NOW:
£119 / freewheel.co.uk
This ponytail-friendly Lazer Sphere MIPS Helmet features an adjustable head basket for the perfect fit and 18 cooling inlet and exhaust ventilation holes for the ultimate comfort in hot weather.
Best cycling gilet for women: Stolen Goat Fuse Lava Orkaan Gilet
BUY IT NOW:
£85 / stolengoat.com
This Stolen Goat Fuse Lava Orkaan Gilet has wind- and water-resistant qualities yet is super breathable, so you stay snug but comfortable while racking up the miles.
Best women’s cycling shorts: Triban 500 Bibless Cycling Shorts
BUY IT NOW:
£19.99 / decathlon.co.uk
These Triban 500 Bibless Cycling Shorts have a breathable, ergonomic foam pad, complete with an antibacterial treatment, to help absorb vibrations and minimise chaffing while reducing the risk of intimate health issues. They also feature an elasticated lower thigh area for comfy support, along with breathable and technical material which actively wicks away perspiration.
Best indoor cycling bike: Wahoo Kickr Smart Trainer (£1099.99)
The latest version of the Wahoo Kickr Smart Trainer delivers improved power accuracy and the most realistic ride feel yet for a game-changing indoor cycling experience. Simply clip your bike in and get pedaling. Perfect for supplementing your training at home!
If you prefer training with full-bodied indoor exercise bikes, try the Wahoo KICKR Bike Smart Trainer (£2199).
Be sure to also check out our guide to the best indoor exercise bikes
Best long-sleeve cycling top: TRI-FIT Sykl Pro Earth Long Sleeve Jersey
BUY IT NOW:
£119 / tri-fitathletic.co.uk
This TRI-FIT Sykl Pro Earth Long Sleeve Jersey features a mix of temperature-regulating fabrics for controlled heat discharge and sweat management in key areas such as the neck, arms and lower back.
Best cycling cap: VeloVixen Cycling Cap
BUY IT NOW:
£16 / velovixen.com
This sweat-wicking VeloVixen Cycling Cap, will help your head stay cool and dry under your helmet and keep the sun and rain out of your eyes. Plus, the caps are available in a wide range of colours!
Best cycling bib shorts: Sundried Apex Bib Shorts
BUY IT NOW:
£22 / amazon.co.uk
With their elasticated suspenders and silicon grippers on the legs, these lightweight Sundried Apex Bib Shorts will always stay in place. Complete with an ergonomic foam pad to keep you comfortable even on your longest and toughest rides.
Best cycling shoes for women: Specialized S-Works Ares Road Shoes
BUY IT NOW:
£375 / sigmasports.com
Lightweight, comfortable and easily adjustable, these Specialized S-Works Ares Road Shoes have a carbon outsole to eliminate foot roll and reduce pressure on tendons.
Best cycling jacket for women: Rapha Trail Lightweight Jacket
BUY IT NOW:
£130 / rapha.cc
Lightweight and windproof, this tear-resistant Rapha Trail Lightweight Jacket packs up into the chest pocket and straps to your bike frame so you’re always prepared, whatever the conditions.
Words: Joanna Ebsworth | Lead image: Shutterstock
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