Gravel biking shook the cycling world as no other discipline has ever done. One minute we had some adventure bikes that cyclists were experimenting with on gravel roads. Then next, we had the UCI organizing professional races. Gravel cycling came on the scene so quickly that it took companies a year to catch up. Graveling cycling is a mix between mountain biking, road cycling, and adventure riding. It left everyone needing clarification about what they should wear while on those dusty trails. Gravel cycling clothing requires not just comfort but functionality and should look great. In this article, we’re going to be telling you exactly what gravel bike clothing to wear and why you should be wearing it.
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Why do you need gravel cycling clothing?
Gravel cycling is very different from other disciplines. It not only requires you to be aerodynamic, but it requires control, power, and endurance. To perform your best, you need to be in the correct gear. Here’s what the best gravel bike clothing can do.
Functionality
The first thing to mention is functionality. When gravel cycling, you need to be leaning all around the bike, so you need the clothing to be flexible and not get in the way. With gravel cycling being faster than some sports, such as mountain biking, having aerodynamics and tight-fitting gear can make a difference if you’re in a race.
Comfort
Gravel cycling requires a kit to keep you a little more comfortable. Unlike road cycling, the terrain is rougher on the body, and clothing with a bit more cushioning goes a long way. You will get very rattled on bone-shaking trails and feel tender on long days out. When it comes to multi-day riding, comfort is key.
Durability
Gravel cycling clothing is made to be a bit more durable. Many companies design gravel clothing with multi-day riding in mind, and they also understand there’s a much higher chance of you falling off gravel bikes.
Style
Gravel cycling has its own style, and when you compare it to mountain biking and road cycling clothing, then you can see the differences. The designs are a bit crazier, and the clothing typically comes in a slightly different cut.
Gravel Cycling Clothing
It’s all well and good telling you about what makes gravel cycling clothing different, but instead, why don’t we just show you? Next, we’re going to run through all the different items of gravel cycling clothing so you can see what makes it different.
Gravel Cycling Jackets
Companies must be more creative when they think of gravel cycling jackets. You need tougher materials in case you fall off, and they have to have a great fit. With a lot of gravel cycling for many people being multi-day, you often need the jackets to be packable and functional.
Here are some of our favorite gravel cycling jackets. These are some of the best of the best in our opinion and offer not just warmth but visibility and good protection too. When it comes to jackets, you get what you pay for, and we highly recommend investing more as it will last longer and work much better.
Here we have selected three different types of jackets. We have one from Gore, Assos, and 7Mesh. These are all high-end jackets that offer superior waterproof technology, a more relaxed fit, and are very packable.
Options we like: Sigma Sports | Sigma Sports | Sigma Sports
Jerseys and Shirts
When it comes to gravel cycling, you really have the freedom to wear whatever you want. If you came from mountain biking, you might want something looser. If you come from road cycling, you might want to keep a shirt with a tight fit. Gravel cycling gave manufacturers a lot of creative freedom.
Unlike road cycling, you have many options for styles of shirts. You have tight-fitting race jerseys with a long cut, relaxed T-shirts giving a loose fit, and some very creative long sleeve designs with rear pockets. Here are some of our favorites for gravel rides.
Firstly we have the Evade Pro, which is our tight-fit jersey. You can see it’s got a longer cut which is very common in gravel riding. Then we have the 7Mesh T-shirt, a three-quarter fit and a very popular style for gravel riding. Finally, one of our favorite gravel bike jerseys is the Solange fleece. It got a relaxed gravel style. It’s functional, retro, and screams adventure.
Options we like: Sigma Sports | Sigma Sports | Other
Shorts
Then we have bib shorts, and like jerseys, you can get a little creative with what you want to wear. There are a few different styles you have when it comes to cycling and what companies mainly focus on is functionality and practicality.
It’s not rare to see a blend of mountain bike shorts with a road bike pad inside when it comes to gravel cycling bottoms. Another common practice by companies is to use long-cut bibs with extra padding and add pockets on the side, commonly referred to as cargo bib shorts. A lot of gravel riders are even happy with not using gravel specific clothing and just baggy shorts.
Here we have the Rapha over shorts which are very functional, comfortable, and perfect if you plan multi-day riding. Secondly, we have Pedaled shorts. Pedaled is known for making very good clothing for long-distance riding on and off-road and support multi-terrain events such as the Transcontinental. Finally, we have the Shimano Breakaway kit. Made for adventure and gravel riding no matter what the trail throws at you.
Options we like: Rapha | Pedaled | Shimano
Pants
When it comes to those cold winter rides having a set of cycling pants or trousers goes a very long way. It keeps you warm and comfortable and stops you from getting completely covered in mud off road riding and banned from entering cafes.
When it comes to gravel pants, it’s challenging for companies. Finding pants that offer the right protection, a comfortable fit, and functionality is very challenging. You can expect to spend a little more compared to bib shorts, but you can’t put a price on comfort.
Here we have picked three of our favorites. We have the 7Mesh Thunder pants. Not only do they offer excellent waterproofing and comfort, but you also can unzip them in half when they get too warm.
Secondly, we have Fox racing‘s defend. Although quite MTB focused, they offer an excellent solution for gravel riding with full leg coverage, waterproof ability, and nice and tight at the bottom to avoid them getting into the crank. Finally, the Fox Flexair, which is a more casual version of the above, the color suits dry gravel ride conditions.
Options we like: 7Mesh | Jenson USA | Wiggle
Socks, Sunglasses and Other Accessories
Then we come to accessories, and when it comes to gravel, there’s a huge variety for you to choose from. With gravel being a lot dirtier and a little more fashionably relaxed, we are lucky enough to see some excellent and very creative add-ons for those dusty trails.
When it comes to accessories, there’s a lot to choose from. We have gone with socks, sunglasses, and although not clothing, we have gone with the frame bag because every gravel bike should have one. They are extremely useful for keeping clothes in and storing your goods.
Our first pick was the Pongo London Sahara Classic gravel cycling socks. Although functionally, they are socks, what makes them great for gravel is the color. White socks are not ideal when gravel riding and the color of these couldn’t be better.
Then we have sunglasses, and the style screams gravel. They are a much more casual style and something you can wear in public without looking too sporty, perfect for multi-day trips and long rides riding off road.
Finally, the frame bag. It’s very common in gravel cycling, socially and professionally, to have a frame bag. It can help you store food, water, tools, spares, and clothing. They are very useful, and if you like bikepacking, they make your life easier, especially when in the middle of nowhere.
Options we like: Pongo London | Jenson USA | The Pros Closet
Gravel Biking with Style and Function
Gravel biking is a unique cycling discipline and offers a much more relaxed style than road cycling or mountain biking. You can get away with wearing really whatever you wish. The only thing you need to be cautious of is functionality.
A good example is a gravel cycling jacket. You need it to not only keep you warm, dry, and clean as possible. You will also need it to be packable for when the bad weather clears, as you will want it to fit in that frame bag. When it comes to gravel cycling clothing, we believe we’re only touching the surface, and in coming years, when companies learn a little bit more about what works and what doesn’t, we will see some very defined clothing.
Read More: 7 Best Gravel Bike Shoes