INTL
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Lebanon
The right cycling clothes — a jersey, padded shorts, a gilet (for colder days), and socks — are all you need to ride comfortably. Get these four pieces right and you can handle most conditions. This guide covers what each item does, how to choose it, and what changes when you are riding in Gulf heat.
What Are Cycling Clothes?
Cycling clothes are cut differently from regular sportswear. The fit is tighter to reduce wind drag. The fabrics are lighter and dry faster. Each piece does a specific job on the bike.
You do not need every item on day one. Start with padded shorts and a jersey. Add a gilet and socks as your rides get longer.
The Cycling Jersey
A cycling jersey sits close to the body without restricting movement. The back rides slightly longer than the front because you spend most of a ride leaning forward and can offer protection from cold air during noticeably cold days. Three rear pockets carry energy gels, a banana, a phone, or a lightweight layer.
Look for these features:
- Moisture-wicking fabric that pulls sweat away from your skin
- A full zip (half zip jerseys are not common) so you can cool down during hot days and on climbs
- UPF rating of 30 or higher for outdoor riding in the Gulf
- Flat seams to prevent chafing on longer rides
The Men’s Haze Cycling Jersey uses quick-dry fabric and has rear pockets sized for snacks and a folded gilet. It works for morning rides before the heat builds.
Padded Shorts and Bib Shorts
The chamois pad is the most important part of any cycling clothes kit. It sits between you and the saddle and reduces pressure on soft tissue. Without it, rides longer than 30 minutes become uncomfortable fast.
Two options exist:
Padded Cycling Shorts
Regular waistband shorts are easier to get on and off. They suit shorter rides and riders who do not want the full bib setup. The Streamline Padded Cycling Shorts use a shaped chamois and four-way stretch fabric, and they work well for rides up to 60 minutes.
Bib Shorts
Bib shorts have shoulder straps instead of a waistband. They stay in place better, avoid the waistband pressure point, and keep the pad centred on longer rides. The Driftline Cycling Bib Shorts use an anatomical chamois with flat-lock stitching across the pad seams. They are the better choice for rides over one hour.
Wear nothing underneath. The chamois works directly against the skin. Underwear adds seams and moisture in the wrong places.
The Cycling Gilet
A gilet is a sleeveless windproof layer. It blocks the wind on fast descents without adding sleeve bulk. Most gilets pack down to jersey-pocket size, so you carry it in your back pocket and pull it on when needed.
In Saudi Arabia and the UAE, gilets are most useful in winter months (November to February) and early morning rides year-round when temperatures are 12-18C. A gilet adds enough warmth for the first 20 minutes of a cool-morning ride, then you stow it.
The Aeroflow Cycling Gilet packs flat into a jersey pocket. The ventilation panels on the back prevent overheating when you push hard on a climb.
Cycling Socks
Cycling socks are cut taller than running socks — usually mid-calf height. The taller cut keeps debris out of your shoes and adds a small amount of compression. The fabric is thin and quick-drying.
In hot weather, mesh panels on the upper foot matter. They let air circulate inside the shoe and prevent the foot from overheating on two-hour-plus rides.
The Crew Flow Cycling Socks are cut at crew height and use a mesh upper with cushioning at the heel and ball of the foot. They fit most road and gravel shoes.
Cycling Clothes for Hot Weather
Gulf summer temperatures — 35C to 45C — change the kit priorities. The goal shifts from wind protection to heat management. Rides start at 5 am and do not last more than 3 to 3.5 hours. Temperatures during the early hours in Riyadh are relatively cool before they start to climb. In Jeddah and Dammam summer days tend to be more humid, leading to shorter rides and higher fluid consumption.
These adjustments help:
- Choose a lightweight jersey with mesh or perforated panels, not a standard knit jersey
- Ride bib shorts rather than regular shorts — the chamois stays better positioned when you sweat heavily
- Skip the gilet entirely — cycling caps are also best avoided in summer as they keep heat in rather than releasing it
- Socks with mesh uppers are not optional in summer — they are the only way to keep your feet tolerable past 30 minutes
- Pre-chill a water bottle and aim to start rides before 06:00 or after 17:00
Lightweight fabrics ventilate faster than heavy ones, but they also dry faster — you will feel cooler in a 120g/m2 jersey than a 180g/m2 jersey even if both claim the same wicking property.
Beginner Cycling Clothes Checklist
| Item | Priority | Notes |
| Padded shorts or bib shorts | Essential | Buy this first. Nothing else matters as much for comfort. |
| Cycling jersey | Essential | Any moisture-wicking jersey works for first rides. Rear pockets are useful. |
| Cycling socks | Recommended | Cheaper than shorts. Makes a noticeable difference over 45+ minutes. |
| Gilet | Situational | Skip in summer. Useful if you ride October to March in the Gulf. |
| Cycling cap | Optional | Skip in summer — caps keep heat in rather than releasing it. Useful for cooler months only. |
Browse the full men’s cycling collection for the complete range of cycling clothes.
How to care for your cycling clothes
Cycling kit is technical gear that lasts far longer with the right care. Wash it cold on a gentle cycle, turn bib shorts inside out to protect the chamois pad, and skip the fabric softener, which clogs the fibres that wick sweat. Always air-dry rather than tumble-dry, since heat breaks down both the stretch and the pad. Wash your kit after every ride, especially in Gulf heat, since sweat left in the fabric breeds bacteria and odour. Cared for this way, a good kit performs for years. For the full method, see our guide on how to care for your gym clothes.
When to replace your cycling kit
Even well-cared-for kit wears out. Replace bib shorts when the chamois pad flattens or the fabric goes thin at the seat, since a worn pad no longer protects you on long rides. Replace a jersey when it loses its stretch or stops wicking and stays damp. Good kit lasts for years, so buying quality up front saves money over time. When a piece is past its best, replace it rather than suffering uncomfortable rides.
Common cycling clothing mistakes
A few simple mistakes cost riders comfort and speed. Wearing cotton is the biggest one, since it soaks up sweat and turns heavy. Skipping the base layer in the heat leaves sweat against your skin instead of moving it away. Using plain gym shorts instead of padded ones causes soreness on longer rides. And washing your kit hot with fabric softener ruins the technical fabric. Avoid these and every ride feels better. For a deeper look, see our guide on the common cycling apparel mistakes.
What else belongs in your cycling kit
Clothing is the part of a cycling kit we can help with, but it is not the whole kit. Most riders also carry a small set of non-clothing essentials on every ride, and it is worth knowing what they are even if you buy them elsewhere.
- A helmet. Non-negotiable on every ride, and it should fit snugly with no rocking.
- A spare tube, tyre levers and a mini pump or CO2 inflator. A flat tyre is the most common ride-ending problem, and these fix it in minutes.
- A multi-tool. Covers loose bolts and small adjustments without carrying a full toolbox.
- A water bottle and cage. Hydration matters on any ride over 30 minutes, more so in Gulf heat.
- Lights, front and rear. Needed for early-morning starts before sunrise, which is when most Gulf riders train in summer.
None of this replaces the clothing side covered above. Get the jersey, shorts and socks right first, since that is what you wear every single ride, then build the tool and hydration kit around it as you ride more often.
Frequently asked questions
What cycling clothes do I need to start?
You need padded shorts and a moisture-wicking jersey at minimum. Everything else — gilet, specialist socks, cycling cap — improves comfort as your rides get longer. For Gulf riding, add socks with mesh panels early because foot heat becomes an issue past 30 minutes in summer.
What is the difference between bib shorts and cycling shorts?
Cycling shorts use a waistband. Bib shorts use shoulder straps. Bib shorts stay in place better on long rides and remove the waistband pressure point on the stomach. Most riders prefer bibs for rides over one hour. Regular cycling shorts are easier to take on and off, which makes them practical for shorter training sessions.
Do I need to wear anything under cycling shorts?
No. Cycling shorts are worn directly against the skin. The chamois pad is designed to work without underwear. Adding underwear creates extra seams and traps moisture where you do not want it. This causes chafing and discomfort on longer rides.
How tight should a cycling jersey fit?
A cycling jersey should fit close to the body without restricting deep breathing. If the jersey rides up when you reach forward on the handlebars, it is too short. If it bags at the sides or flaps in the wind, it is too loose. Most manufacturers offer a size guide based on chest and torso length.
What cycling clothes are best for hot weather?
Look for a lightweight jersey with mesh or perforated panels, bib shorts with a breathable chamois, and cycling socks with a mesh upper. Avoid heavy knit fabrics and anything with a tight weave across the chest. Fabrics rated 120g/m2 or lighter ventilate noticeably better in Gulf summer heat.
Do I need a gilet for cycling in Saudi Arabia or UAE?
In summer, no. Temperatures from May to October make a gilet unnecessary. During winter months — particularly December to February — morning rides in Saudi Arabia can drop to 8-15C. A lightweight windproof gilet handles that range well and packs small enough to carry in a jersey pocket once you warm up.
How many cycling clothes do I need?
One set of cycling clothes is enough to start. As you ride more often — three or four times per week — two or three sets make rotation easier. Cycling shorts and bibs should not go in a hot dryer; air drying takes 8-12 hours. A second set means you are not waiting for laundry before your next ride.
