In the colder months, many may find it a bit chilly riding to work in shorts. So, it’s time to invest in a pair of nice warm trousers or tights.
It’s not compulsory to cycle in Lycra, you just need a something on your bottom half that is lightweight, gives enough movement to turn the pedals, and will dry out quickly. Use the guide below to find out what the best cycling tights or trousers are for you.
Your main options are:
- Lycra tights
- Lightweight, quick drying cycling trousers
- Lightweight trousers with a Lycra liner
Lycra tights  >Browse now
Not everyone is so keen on skin-tight, figure hugging leggins but they are highly functional. And remember you are only going to be wearing these while cycling, they are not meant to be a fashion statement.
The fabric wicks moisture away from the skin, it’s drys quickly after rain and keeps you warm. The flexible fabric has plenty of give, meaning you can pedal in comfort. Cycling tights are also usually padded as well giving you more comfort, particularly over long rides to work.
Tights come either as standard waist tights which pull up like a pair of trousers around your waist, or as bib cycling tights, which have straps that go up and over your shoulders – a bit like a weightlifting outfit!
Although they look a bit strange, bib tights are very practical. They don’t ever fall down and keep your lower back safe, warm and dry even if your top rucks up.
Advantages of lycra cycling tights
- Quick drying
- Lightweight
- Flexible
- Padded
- Warm
Disadvantages of lycra cycling tights
- Skin tight
- Strange looking
Comfortable cycling trousers  >Browse now
Usually made from lightweight synthetic materials, cycling specific trousers are a lot more flattering than tights and offer some other functionality not available with Lycra.
Cycling trousers often have better waterproofing than Lycra, so will keep off the rain better. They are generally fitted with plenty of useful pockets, suitable for maps, mobile phones and anything else you may need close to hand on your commute to work.
While cycling trousers don’t allow as much freedom of movement as Lycra most are built with stretchy sections of material at the knees and around the waist to allow you plenty of movement. Most have velcro at the ankles as well to make sure nothing gets caught in the cogs.
Trousers can be nice and warm too, trapping an extra layer of air, so are ideal for those crisp autumnal days on the way to work.
These days many are also designed to take a clip-in padded liner, so you can be just as comfortable in trousers on your bike as those in Lycra but looking a whole lot better!
Advantages of cycling trousers
- Very Warm
- Look good
- Fleixble
- Waterproof
Disadvantages of cycling trousers
- Heavier and bulkier than Lycra
- Need to buy a padded liner for comfort