Indoor Cycling Clothing – What to Wear in 2023

When you’re cycling outside, choosing the right indoor cycling clothing can be an issue if the weather is variable. So indoor is straightforward, right?

Well, not quite.

At the end of the day, the cycling gear you end up wearing indoors are actually designed for outdoors, ie going through the wind at 20mph or less in my case.

As a result, you run the risk of overheating and that can affect your training. So, we’re going to take a quick look at what products could be best suited for the pain cave, when the only wind is from your Honeywell fan.

Indoor Cycling Base Layers Table

Things to consider about what to wear cycling indoors

First off, have a think about where you are training. For example, you could be heading into the garage where it is normally quite cold, so you add some layers on. Although you know you are going to get warmer, it is advisable to start your session warm too.

As the indoor cycling session continues you are going to sweat. Like horses, humans are able to cool themselves down without stopping the exercise. It’s sweating that does this. It is actually taking the heat out of the body.

Outside, it evaporates. But what people don’t realise is, is that indoors this just builds up. And as it does so does the temperature of your body. Hence why we have fans.

Indoor cycling clothing helps remove the sweat

No matter how good your fan(s), it’s never going to replicate the outside.

Your instinct might be to wear nothing but your bib shorts. But counter-intuitive as it might seem it’s worth thinking about layers.

Two layers.

For example, a base mesh-like layer can remove the sweat from your skin. This moisture can then go into the layer above, which can then be sorted out by the fan.

The key is to remember that sweat isn’t designed to keep you cool but to remove the heat as your body works itself above 250w.

Base clothing layers for riding indoors

It’s unlikely you’re going to find base layers that have been manufactured for indoor cycling. But regular base layers do the job well enough as long as they are light and breathable.

Unless your trainer is based in the garage in the Arctic, summer cycling wear is the best option. A good base layer – made of polypropylene for example – is not designed to keep you warm. It’s created to remove sweat from your skin.

Another sport that is like indoor cycling is mountaineering. Sweat is a problem as it is so cold. This has seen the development of base layers by mountaineering brands like Helly Hansen.

It is also worth mentioning that Assos run a layering system. It breaks its range down into three parts of the year. Effectively Autumn – Winter, Spring, and Summer.

Bibshorts – keeping you warm on the turbo trainer

Bibshorts are great when you’re out on the bike. But do you need them when you’re indoors on the cycling trainer?

Considering you’ve gone out and bought a decent base layer to wick away the sweat that is keeping you warm, do you really need to have those shoulder straps on? Could they be hampering the all-important removal of sweat?

So just pull down the straps or wear an ordinary pair of shorts, providing you can get them. Riding on a static trainer is going to pull far less on the shorts. But you still need the padding!

Quick note – there are a couple of affiliate links on this page including one for Amazon. It just means that some extra money comes to the site if you purchase one of the products. Hope that’s ok!

Conclusion

Simple. Get your indoor cycling clothing right, and you will be able to achieve more on the turbo. And what is more, you will enjoy it.