How to dress your lower body for summer road and mountain biking?

Legs are at the heart of our cycling! Dressing them well in summer is essential for having fun and optimizing your road and/or MTB training. MTB. Even in the height of summer, temperatures can vary depending on the time of day, altitude or simply the conditions of the day.
A few simple tips are all it takes to choose the right lower-body garment.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUMMER LOWER-BODY GARMENTS

• Type of garment : short, corset, long, with or without braces, shorts, pants, overpants
• Materials: technical and elastic mesh, breathable fabrics, antimicrobial technologies

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACCESSORIES FOR THE LOWER BODY IN SUMMER

TYPE OF GARMENT

Short shorts

The shorts are the cornerstone of cycling apparel. Even if choosing a saddle that's adapted to your morphology will already ensure great comfort, cycling shorts can contribute enormously to pain-free support during long hours in the saddle.

In addition to the quality of their manufacture (anatomical cut, flat seams, or virtually no seams at all) and the fabrics used (compressive, highly supple and elastic, ultra-light and breathable, heat- and UV-resistant), the key to their comfort, and which often justifies their price, lies in the quality of their chamois leather.
The materials used for the covering and the arrangement of foams of varying thickness and density will have a major impact on the degree of comfort and performance.

Worn without underwear, the shorts can be used like a second skin, and are self-sufficient for many cyclists. In a short version for summer, bib shorts provide perfect support. Strapless versions are also available, and are easier to remove. Built-in pockets are available, as well as an opening for urgent needs.

Corsaire or long shorts

When temperatures are intermediate, between 10 and 20°, or for chilly runners, a ¾ (corsaire) or long shorts can be chosen.
In fact, manufacturers have developed models that are long but not excessively warm and suitable for mid-season use.

Shorts

For those seeking a more casual look, the shorts is a good solution. These can be sold on their own or with integrated shorts, usually clipped to the shorts and detachable, depending on taste and preference. Loose-fitting shorts with plenty of pockets are very practical and comfortable.
Shorts can also be worn over shorts (with suspenders) to combine the comfort and support of shorts with the practicality and look of shorts. It's worth noting that in recent years, the cut of shorts has become more and more closely tailored to the rider's body shape, ensuring total freedom of movement and a very pleasant pedaling experience. Stretch fabrics, in two or even four directions, are also increasingly lightweight yet extremely robust, with particular emphasis on abrasion resistance.

Pants

The pants have not said their last word. They're light enough for summer outings in the mountains, when the weather is less than ideal or uncertain.
What's more, the materials used are increasingly lightweight, and the cuts are much better adapted to the cyclist's position than in the past, considerably increasing freedom of movement and pedaling comfort.

Overtrousers

Overtrousers are a practical modular solution for summer showers. They can be slipped on over short clothing and stored compactly once the weather has passed.
On the other hand, they are not designed to be worn for long periods like pants, notably due to their unlined materials, which are not very pleasant to the skin, and to the often limited breathability of this type of product.

THE MATERIALS

Technical and elastic mesh materials are in the limelight on cycling shorts. As is often the case with today's cycling apparel, these shorts use fabrics capable of wicking away perspiration. They also provide protection from the wind, without overheating during exertion thanks to their thinness.
Antimicrobial technologies can be deployed to ensure hygiene and perspiration management. Finally, top-of-the-range models sometimes feature compression fabrics to reduce and delay muscle fatigue, and treatments to reduce the impact of heat from the sun's rays.

WHAT SUMMER UPPER-BODY CLOTHING SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR MY SPORT?

While the same swimsuit can be used for a number of different activities, there are a few specific features to bear in mind:

Hiking

Mountain bikers can choose to wear shorts on their own, or shorts with integrated shorts or chamois. A straight or loose fit that reaches above the knee and lightweight materials are recommended.

Cross-Country

Lightweight, breathable, snug-fitting shorts offer the best comfort for the Cross-Country runner. Pockets make it easy to carry the bare essentials. Sweat is wicked away by technical fabrics and the multi-density chamois means the rider can forget about his gear and concentrate on the race.

All-Mountain

Here, loose-fitting, ventilated shorts, cut to the knees or possibly ¾ length, are indicated. Reinforced against falls and encounters with vegetation, they should ideally be fitted with a comfortable undershort. The cut should not interfere with pedaling or the wearing of knee pads. A water-repellent or waterproof surface will be welcome to cope with the hazards of mountain riding. 

Enduro

Enduro shorts are based on the same principles as All-Mountain shorts, but with added reinforcements. Glove-friendly Velcro fasteners let you adjust the fit as you ride. The cut goes down to at least the knee, or even lower, to offer optimum coverage even when the rider is far back. Some brands are developing accessory systems compatible with their shorts, such as saddlebags anchored to the waistband. Some shorts feature an integrated belt.

DH / Freeride

DH / Freeride pants are used extensively throughout the season. They provide ideal protection against abrasion in the event of a fall, thanks to wide reinforcements. Their cut is more or less wide, but must remain snug-fitting to limit wind resistance and the risk of snagging a branch. Generous knee room is desirable, to accommodate knee pads. At the bottom of the leg, a drawstring will secure the pants in place and prevent chafing. Shorts designed along the same lines also offer great protection, while providing air to the calves, which is appreciated in summer!

Road

Limited wind resistance, lightness and ventilation: the Route shorts adapt to the contours of the body thanks to a material that's chosen for its elasticity. Straps are designed to limit chafing. Synthetic chamois ensures comfort during long hours in the saddle... Its density and thickness, often variable, should be chosen according to your size, the length of your outings and the regularity of your riding: a cyclist who rides 4 hours a week will not have the same needs as a courier or cyclosportif who rides 4 hours every day.
Some riders will be able to opt for a combination of shorts and jersey, especially for time trials.

Gravel and Cyclocross

For Gravel, lightweight shorts with a comfortable chamois, or shorts worn over shorts, will keep you in the saddle for hours on end, even on the roughest trails. Pockets are a plus, as is a water-repellent coating.