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As an integral part of cycling gear and road cycling apparel, cycling underwear provides many benefits. Gone are the cotton undershirts of 1970s cycling, gone are the high-tech fibers! Insulating, comfortable, breathable... in summer and winter, baselayer is your ally. Discover our buying criteria to help you choose the right technical underwear to wear under your jersey. But before that, a clarification is necessary.
What is meant by cycling underwear?
You need to know one thing: in road cycling, you don't wear underwear per se. That's right, the real ones ride naked under their shorts. No panties, briefs or underwear, just like under a kilt! If this surprises neophytes, the explanation is nevertheless obvious.
Far from being all Scottish, cyclists seek to avoid any factor of irritation, often caused by the seams or elastic of underwear. With a pedaling cadence of about 90 revolutions per minute, we'll let you imagine the potential skin damage on a several-hour ride...
Antibacterial, the chamois of the cycling shorts is specially designed to accommodate your delicate crotch. For women, on the other hand, a sports bra remains essential to maintain the chest. There are cycling bras that provide excellent support and high resistance to repeated rubbing.
When we talk about men's cycling underwear or women's cycling underwear, we are thus well and truly referring to tummy shirts, also called baselayers or underwear. These technical and functional membranes are worn underneath the cycling jersey or thermal jacket to optimize their performance.
Seasonality: to each season its underwear
In summer, it's hot; in winter it's cold! So you need to dress accordingly and have underwear to juggle with according to the weather conditions:
Sleeveless bike underwear: a perforated, ultralight tank top, perfect in the middle of summer for riding in the heat;
Short-sleeved bike underwear: an ideal version of the mid-season baselayer to keep you cool during your spring or summer rides;
Long-sleeved cycling underwear: the first layer of the 3 layers essential to the cyclist during the winter, or even the fall, to protect you from the harsh temperatures.
Breathability: a breathable fabric
This is the number one criterion when buying cycling underwear. In direct contact with the skin, the baselayer's mission is to evacuate the sweat released by your body throughout the effort. Without this first layer, your cycling jersey would absorb all this moisture. As a result, you would be wet for the rest of your ride. Nowadays, summer undershirts are made of innovative, highly breathable and lightweight fabrics. Their open-worked mesh guarantees a quick evacuation of perspiration. Remember to compare different brands before ordering your suit, as the technicality of the fabrics can vary and influence the quality of the product.
Buying a cycling underwear and adapting your cycling outfit is the assurance to stay dry on the saddle!
Thermal insulation: baselayer to keep warm
Our buying guide continues with the winter undershirt, essential for going out in cold weather. Cyclists are warriors who never stop riding, even when the thermometer reads zero degrees. There's only one way to keep your body temperature in balance: the 3-layer rule.
That's where the long-sleeved cycling underwear comes in. Placed under the cycling jersey and thermal jacket, it plays a crucial role in keeping you warm. Just as breathable as the mid-season version, the membrane has excellent thermal properties that allow for thermoregulation of your body.
In short, the base layer creates a true microclimate protecting you from temperature variations.
Comfort: fluid movements
Last but not least: comfort. Baselayers are generally very comfortable and have flat seams to prevent any risk of irritation.
With a snug fit, the underwear offers a sheathing effect, like a second skin. Don't worry, the fabric doesn't hinder your movements in the least. Stretch inserts and raglan sleeves (sleeves formed in one piece that go all the way up to the neckline) promise incredible freedom of movement.
Cycling underwear is the key to cycling in comfort and in all weathers!
