Winter road cycling kit: how to dress for the cold

The three layers: the basic method for cycling in the cold

The three-layer system forms the basis of any effective road cycling outfit in winter: a base layer that wicks moisture away from the skin, an insulating layer that retains the heat generated by exercise, and a protective layer that blocks wind and water. These three functions cannot be substituted for one another: a jacket worn on its own over a summer jersey leaves moisture trapped against the skin.

The Baselayer LS road base layer is worn from autumn to spring, under an insulating layer or a protective layer: it is the garment that stays in place whilst the other two are adjusted to suit the wind, rain and duration of the ride. The three-layer cycling system is primarily designed to allow for this range of adjustment.

What to wear for what conditions, from autumn to freezing weather

The right kit for a road ride depends on the actual conditions on the day, such as the temperature at the start, wind, rain and the duration of the ride, rather than on the thermometer alone.

When the temperature approaches zero, the insulating layer is supplemented by a thermal jacket, worn over the base layer and long-sleeved jersey.

The same guidelines apply to women’s road cycling clothing, where thermal and water-repellent items follow the same layering system, and setting off at dawn or returning after dark adds one final consideration: visibility.

Set off slightly less wrapped up than your current sensation suggests: the first few minutes are the coldest of the ride, then your body temperature rises as soon as you start pedalling.

Base layer and insulating layer: wick away moisture, then insulate

In a winter outfit, the base layer wicks moisture away from the skin and the insulating layer retains the heat generated by exercise. When choosing a long-sleeved thermal base layer, the key factor is how quickly it dries, as a fabric that retains water keeps the skin damp. The Baselayer LS road base layer, a men’s cycling base layer with a structured square-mesh fabric, features micro-ventilation that allows air to circulate and speeds up drying.

The insulating layer should be chosen according to how long the cold is expected to last: the Aksium Thermo Jersey is ideal for rides where the cold persists from start to finish. The Ksyrium Thermo Vest, meanwhile, features Polartec® Alpha® insulation, combined with windproof and water-repellent properties. Designed for autumn and spring, it is a windproof vest for the transitional seasons, and a mid-layer under a jacket in the depths of winter.

Warmth, in the right place, at the right time: our approach to thermoregulation is to strike the right balance between protection, warmth and breathability. Our Body Mapping designs place protection where it’s needed, such as on the Cosmic TH Hybrid road cycling jacket, which combines a warm fleece with a lightweight, windproof fabric on areas exposed to the wind. Smart insulation such as Polartec® Alpha® helps to retain heat without overheating: during intense exertion, they wick away moisture to keep you dry, and when you’re on a descent, they help keep you warm and dry, ensuring constant thermal comfort.

SMART WARMTH

Our Body Mapping designs place protection where it’s needed, whilst smart insulation such as Polartec® Alpha® helps retain heat without overheating.

PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS

When the rain gets heavier, the Cosmic H2O Jacket offers extreme waterproofing to keep you dry, even when conditions become particularly challenging.

VISIBILITY

Almost invisible by day, essential when the light fades. Our reflective details blend discreetly into the design of our garments, without ever compromising their aesthetics.

Wind or rain: two jackets for two uses on the road

A winter road cycling jacket should be chosen based on the prevailing conditions during your rides: a thermal jacket blocks the cold wind and insulates your torso, whilst a rain jacket keeps the water out without providing insulation. Cold and bad weather shouldn’t dictate your ride: our Aksium Thermo Jacket effectively protects you from the cold wind thanks to a construction designed to shield you from winter conditions, featuring a 3-layer softshell on exposed areas, a 10K Schmerber membrane, a brushed inner lining and a breathable honeycomb fleece under the arms. On the road, your torso stays protected whilst your underarms wick away sweat at a rapid rate – the two essential requirements of a men’s road cycling jacket in the depths of winter.

When the rain gets heavier, the Cosmic H2O Jacket offers extreme waterproofing, rated at 20K water column, to keep you dry even when conditions become particularly challenging. Its Pertex® Shield fabric and waterproof two-way zip keep out water and wind, whilst its side pocket allows it to be packed down into itself before being stowed away.

Lower body and extremities: long cycling shorts and gloves

Long winter cycling shorts for the road protect your leg muscles from the cold wind, and your extremities need separate protection: hands, feet and head are covered by none of the three layers. The Ksyrium Thermo Bib Tight long road shorts are built on a brushed Superroubaix® fabric and a 4-layer ErgoEndurance chamois with an Ortholite insert, rated for rides of 7 hours and more. Two criteria that set summer shorts apart from a pair of winter men’s cycling shorts.

Their outer water-repellent treatment repels splashes and light rain, without making the garment waterproof. Our guide to cycling shorts covers the choice of chamois in detail.

Almost invisible by day, essential once the light fades: our reflective details blend discreetly into the design of our garments, without taking anything away from their aesthetics. As the light drops, they take on their full importance in making you more visible on the road, such as the reflective prints on the thighs and calves of these long shorts.

Leg warmers and arm warmers make your kit adaptable when the day warms up, and gloves and overshoes for the cold, together with thermal socks, complete the protection of your extremities.

Role in the outfit	Model	Key details	Price	Recommended use
Additional insulating layer	Ksyrium Thermo Vest thermal vest	Polartec® Alpha® insulation, windproof, water-repellent, packable	€149	Autumn, spring, or under a jacket
Thermal protective layer	Aksium Thermo Jacket	3-layer softshell, 10K Schmerber membrane, brushed inner lining, breathable fleece under the arms	€169	Harsh winter conditions
Rain protection layer	Cosmic H2O Jacket	20K waterproof Pertex® Shield fabric, two-way waterproof zip, packs down into its side pocket	€179	For heavy rain, then as a windbreaker
Lower body	Ksyrium Thermo Bib Tight	Brushed Superroubaix®, 4-layer ErgoEndurance chamois, water-repellent, reflective strips on thighs and calves	€159	Short days, long rides

Choosing your winter road cycling kit

Choosing your winter road cycling kit comes down to building three coherent layers, then adjusting only the outer two to the conditions on the day: the base layer stays the same on every ride, the insulating layer follows how long the cold lasts, and the protective layer is chosen on the prevailing condition, cold wind or rain.

In the autumn-winter road clothing collection, invest first in the base layer and the long bib tights of your winter road cycling kit, then in the jacket suited to your prevailing weather.

FAQ – cycling in winter

A waterproof rating such as 10K or 20K indicates the height of a water column, in millimetres, that a fabric can withstand before allowing water to pass through: 10K corresponds to 10,000 mm, 20K to 20,000 mm. The 10K Schmerber rating of the Aksium Thermo Jacket road cycling jacket therefore describes a barrier designed to withstand cold wind and winter rain, with the rest of its performance determined by the garment’s construction – in this case, a 3-layer softshell with a brushed inner surface and a breathable fleece under the arms. The Pertex® Shield fabric used in the Cosmic H2O Jacket is rated at 20K, designed for sustained downpours. Two factors are just as important as the water resistance rating: breathability, which determines how well sweat is wicked away, and the finishes that seal out water, such as the two-way waterproof zip on this rain jacket.

Merino wool and synthetic fibres serve the same purpose as a base layer – wicking moisture away from the skin – but differ in terms of drying speed, shape retention and care. A quick-drying base layer prevents you from feeling cold as soon as the intensity drops, and this is the approach taken by the Baselayer LS road base layer, with 87 per cent polyester, 13 per cent elastane, a structured square-knit fabric and micro-ventilation. The elastane keeps the garment close to the body, which is essential for moisture to transfer to the next layer. Before considering the fibre, take a look at the fit and how it dries: a loose-fitting base layer creates a pocket of damp air, regardless of the material used.

A packable rain jacket is no substitute for a thermal jacket in winter: it keeps out water and wind but provides no insulation, and should therefore be worn over an insulating layer. For cyclists who are only buying one jacket, the Cosmic H2O road rain jacket can be paired with a long-sleeved thermal jersey and will cover most of the season if rain is more common than frost, as it packs away into its side pocket as soon as the downpour passes. Whichever jacket you choose, the base layer remains an essential item.

The cost of a complete winter cycling outfit is built up piece by piece, and the prices in the men’s road range provide a useful guide: €59 for the Baselayer LS road base layer, €109 for the Aksium Thermo Jersey road thermal jersey, €139 for the Cosmic TH Hybrid road cycling jacket, €159 for the Ksyrium Thermo Bib Tight road cycling shorts and €189 for the Ksyrium Thermo road cycling jacket. The order in which you buy items matters more than the total cost: start with the base layer and long-sleeved bib shorts, as these are worn on every ride throughout the season, followed by the thermal jacket, and then the rain jacket when showers become frequent. Leg warmers, arm warmers and gloves then complete the outfit, avoiding the need to layer the main items.

A water-repellent finish wears off with use and can be recognised by the way water stops beading on the fabric. This treatment does not make a garment waterproof: on the Ksyrium Thermo Bib Tight road cycling tights, it repels splashes and light rain, and on the Aksium Thermo Jacket road cycling jacket, it protects the three rear pockets from splashes. As long as the drops roll off the fabric, the treatment is working; when they spread out and the surface becomes darker, it is time to refer to the instructions on the label. All Mavic products also come with a 2-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, which does not cover normal wear and tear of a surface treatment.

Winter road cycling gear is available in women’s versions for certain items only, and the range does not always correspond across different models. The Aksium Thermo Jacket Women road cycling jacket, priced at €169, and the Ksyrium Thermo Vest Women thermal vest, priced at €149, are both tailored to a woman’s figure and available at the same price. The Aksium Thermo Jersey Women thermal road jersey is priced at €109. When it comes to the lower body, the line-up differs: the Cosmic Thermo Bibtight Women’s road cycling tights, priced at €169, are a different model – and at a different price – to the Ksyrium Thermo Bib Tight men’s road cycling tights. There is no women’s version of the Cosmic H2O Jacket road rain jacket available online; however, the women’s road range does feature the Aksium Wind Jacket Women road windbreaker, priced at €99.