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

In summer, a cycling shorts (Road and MTB XC) or a shorts (MTB LeisureA pair of cycling shorts (e.g., All Mountain, Enduro, DH, Freeride) and a jersey are all you need to rack up the kilometers on your bike, when conditions are mild. However, the weather can be unstable in summer, and today's technologies can provide extra comfort in places where it was never imagined. Here are a few tips to help you adapt your outfit to your riding style.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUMMER CLOTHING FOR THE UPPER BODY

• Type of garment : technical underwear, jersey, vest, jacket
• Materials : Merino wool, polyester and its variations, technical membranes

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SUMMER UPPER-BODY SOLUTIONS

TYPE OF GARMENT

Technical underwear

We don't often think about it, but wearing a first layer in summer can be very useful. Technical underwear will help wick away perspiration and keep the body cool by ensuring good air circulation. These lightweight knitted undergarments are generally available in both short-sleeved and sleeveless versions, depending on the temperature range.

Jersey

Representing the second layer of the system, the jersey will be of varying thickness. With a more or less snug fit, depending on your riding style, it's usually fitted with a zipper (full on Road and XC, and ¼ or ½ zip on MTB) to modulate ventilation. They often incorporate a number of practical details, such as rear pockets (including a zipped one on top-of-the-range models) on Road bikes, and a square of microfiber fabric for cleaning glasses on MTBs. Some jerseys use a material that provides more pronounced thermal protection, and are designed for transitional seasons when temperatures can drop significantly at the beginning or end of the day. On the other hand, there are very light jerseys, ideal for mountain biking (mountain passes or steep climbs) and hot weather.
Over the past few years, MTB jerseys have been increasingly designed to fit the rider's body shape, to ensure total freedom of movement. Stretch fabrics, in two or even four directions, are also increasingly lightweight yet extremely robust, with particular emphasis on abrasion resistance, especially on the back where repeated rubbing by the backpack can rapidly degrade the fabric.

Vest

A small, zippered vest can also keep you warm in unstable weather. Sleeveless, it provides good ventilation and just the right touch of comfort. Hardly ever used on mountain bikes (apart from XC), this vest is especially useful on the road, especially for calmly tackling descents. And when you don't need it any more, simply stow it in the back pocket of your jersey.

Jacket

An outing can start very early in the morning, when the sun is barely visible and temperatures are still cool. Altitude also has its surprises in store when it comes to climate. A lightweight jacket with minimum windproof properties can provide thermal comfort, depending on the materials and membrane used. Once the sun is shining, it's easy to roll up and find a place for it in your backpack or even in a jersey pocket, provided it's compact. Similarly, for difficult-to-anticipate weather conditions such as thundery showers, a waterproof yet breathable jacket is a good choice.

MATERIALS

While cotton is pleasant to wear when dry and doesn't encourage unpleasant odors, it doesn't dry fast enough when you start to sweat. To be avoided.

- Merino wool, contrary to popular belief, is not just designed to keep you warm. In summer, on the contrary, it keeps the pilot cool. What's more, it has natural anti-odour properties. It is mainly used in technical undergarments, as a first layer.

- Polypropylene Polypropylene: lightweight, breathable and quick-drying, it wicks perspiration away from the body and is resistant to repeated machine washing. Found almost exclusively in technical underwear.

- Polyamide has excellent moisture absorption and drying properties. Often used in combination with elastane, it ensures a soft feel and conforms perfectly to the shape of your body for total freedom of movement. This material can be found in both underwear and swimwear.

- Polyesterand all its variations, remains the most widely used fabric. It's breathable, quick-drying, lightweight yet robust, and perfectly suited to technical jerseys. Manufacturers often add anti-odour and anti-bacterial components for optimum comfort of use, outing after outing.

- Last but not least, jackets feature a wide range of fabrics, including technical membranes offering protection against wind, moisture and/or rain. Windstopper (for wind) and Gore-Tex® (for rain and wind) membranes are the most widely used, although many manufacturers also have their own membranes.

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

While the same jersey can be used for a number of different activities, there are a few specific features to be noted:

Hiking

A relatively loose-fitting jersey provides comfort and appreciable freedom of movement. Generous back pockets mean you don't need a backpack when mountain biking, and your bike won't be too cluttered. And for mountain biking, an abrasion- and tear-resistant fabric that's resistant to branch attacks will make your investment last! Sleeves can be short in summer, or ¾ length for forearm protection.

Cross-Country

A close-fitting, lightweight, breathable jersey, complemented by a sleeveless undergarment, lets the Cross-Country competitor's lungs express themselves at full throttle! Compact pockets are enough to carry a few gels and cereal bars. The zip can be easily operated to allow the rider to regulate his temperature as events unfold.

All-Mountain

A loose or even wide cut is the preferred choice for All-Mountain. Sleeves can be short, medium-long or long: the important thing is to leave enough room for elbow pads, or even back protection, under the jersey. Reinforced fabric to cope with falls and carrying the bike on your shoulders is not a luxury. For outings at altitude, a compact windproof jacket, water-repellent or waterproof if possible, is a must.

Enduro

Here, ¾ or long sleeves are preferred. A loose fit will leave room for protection but will be relatively snug to avoid snagging on high-speed obstacles, especially in narrow passages. A water-repellent windbreaker can be a valuable ally when the rain comes. Waiting times before the start of special stages in Enduro races can sometimes be long. In such cases, an undershirt that provides a little thermal comfort is appreciated.

DH / Freeeride

Long sleeves and a wide cut to allow full protection are well suited to DH / Freeride. However, we are noticing a return to close-fitting outfits on the world downhill circuit. While the discipline's international leaders are staking their careers on a few hundredths of a second, for a more modest type of riding, we advise you to prioritize comfort and freedom of movement! And, of course, style... But that doesn't mean you shouldn't choose a technical fabric that's both breathable and resistant to falls.

Route

A tight-fitting jersey means less wind resistance. On the road, the absence of a rucksack is compensated for by well-designed back pockets, including one that can be closed to store your phone or keys. The jersey's zip fastening, often integral, makes it easy to regulate body temperature. Lightweight, breathable and equipped with inserts for ventilation, the Route jersey also provides a barrier against UV rays. You can also opt for a one-piece jersey/shorts combination. This reduces the risk of chafing and overlapping of different garments.

Gravel and Cyclocross

For Gravel, a comfortable, technical outfit that keeps out moisture for long rides is the right choice. Competitors can choose from both Road and Cross-Country MTB outfits, depending on their sensitivity and taste in clothing.