What to wear cycling, by temperature
Dress for how cold it feels at riding speed, not for the forecast. Enter the weather and your speed to see what that is.
The chart
By how cold it feels at riding speed. At road speed that’s usually 5–10°F (3–6°C) below the air temperature, more into a headwind, less in strong sun.
| Feels at speed | Wear |
|---|---|
| Above 70°F (21°C) | Short-sleeve jersey and shorts |
| 59–70°F (15 to 21°C) | Short-sleeve jersey and shorts · Arm warmers you can stash |
| 50–59°F (10 to 15°C) | Long-sleeve jersey or arm warmers · Knee warmers · Light gloves |
| 39–50°F (4 to 10°C) | Thermal jersey plus a vest or light jacket · Tights or knee warmers · Full-finger gloves |
| 28–39°F (-2 to 4°C) | Thermal jacket · Winter tights · Winter gloves · Shoe covers · Cap under the helmet |
| Below 28°F (-2°C) | Winter jacket over a base layer · Thermal tights · Lobster mitts · Shoe covers · Balaclava |
Tips that matter more than the chart
- Hands, feet and ears get cold first. If you’re unsure, bring the warmer gloves and a cap. They’re small to carry.
- Start a little cold. Ten minutes in you’ll warm up. If you’re comfortable standing at the start, you’re probably overdressed.
- Long descents are colder. At 30 mph, 45°F feels like the low 30s. A vest or jacket for the top of a climb is worth the pocket space.
- Wet is colder than dry. Rain or wet roads make everything feel colder; add a layer and waterproof gloves.
Get this for your actual ride
Route Forecast works out the feels-like at speed for every stretch of your route at the time you’ll ride it, including climbs, descents, headwinds and sun, and lists what to wear. Open a route to see it.
Questions
What should I wear cycling at 50°F?
At 50°F (10°C), what you need depends on how cold it feels at riding speed, which is usually 5–10°F colder than the air. Around a 40–50°F feel: a long-sleeve jersey or arm warmers, knee warmers and light gloves. Add a vest if it’s windy.
What should I wear cycling at 40°F?
At 40°F (4°C) it typically feels around 30–35°F at road speed: a thermal jersey with a vest or light jacket, tights or knee warmers and full-finger gloves. Below a 28°F feel, switch to a thermal jacket, winter tights, winter gloves, shoe covers and a cap under the helmet.
Why does it feel colder on the bike than the forecast?
Your own speed is wind. At 17 mph the air moving past you is about as chilling as a 25 mph breeze on someone standing still, and a headwind adds to it. The forecast’s feels-like doesn’t know you’re moving.
Does the sun make a difference?
Yes. Strong sun can make it feel 3–7°F warmer, less at speed because moving air carries the warmth away. Under cloud the effect is small.