How to choose the best cycling clothing in spring according to the weather and your type of bike
Choosing the best cycling clothing based on the weather is not a simple matter, especially in spring, a season characterized by its changing weather. Should I wear short or long sleeves? Should I put on arm warmers or a thermal jacket? Wool or cotton socks?
Equipping yourself to go cycling during this time of year requires versatile garments that can adapt to very variable conditions. Thermal contrast is common, and changes in weather, even within the same day, create real dilemmas in front of the wardrobe.
This challenge is common both for those who ride mountain bikes, riding technical trails in the heart of nature, and for those who train with road bikes, facing wind and asphalt during long rides. In both cases, having the right clothing makes a difference in terms of comfort and performance.
That’s why dressing in layers is a key recommendation in spring. This strategy allows you to regulate your body temperature as the day goes on: if it gets warm, you can take off a layer; if it gets cooler, you’ll always have an extra layer handy. This way, you can better adapt to any unexpected weather without sacrificing your cycling experience.
Image: Munbaik
And how do you choose the right clothing? There are no one-size-fits-all solutions, but rather outfits adapted to different circumstances and types of cyclists. It’s not the same to go for a casual ride as it is to give your all in a training session.
Getting your cycling gear right is essential for maximum comfort and performance.
But although every cyclist is different, there is indeed technical clothing that helps make a spring bike ride a pleasant experience. In the following guide, we help you get dressed from head to toe to enjoy cycling at this time of year.
Shoes
As spring progresses, it’s normal to start using fresher footwear or summer. If possible, with mesh inserts at the toe and instep to achieve maximum breathability. Unless you are caught by a storm of rain and cold, forget about overshoes and high winter boots designed with neoprene or thermal fabrics. Otherwise, your feet will suffer from annoying overheating and will be swimming in sweat. 
You could, occasionally, use thin lycra overshoes. On cool and humid days, they provide light protection and keep your shoes safe from splashes. Even toe covers can be a good alternative, as you can easily take them off and they take up hardly any space.
Socks
You should also have thin cotton socks on hand. Early in the morning, you may feel a bit cold. But keep in mind that on a calm spring day the temperature rises quickly. Therefore, we advise against wearing thick winter or wool socks. With the movement of pedaling, the feet and legs are the parts of the body that warm up first. 
Also remember to equip yourself with socks designed specifically for cycling: with flexible and anatomical seams, and reinforced areas at the heel or toes. Never use regular street or standard sports socks.
Bib Shorts
In spring, short bib shorts take center stage. However, during this time of year there are still days with very cold mornings, strong winds, and even rain. Therefore, don't rule out a long bib short and a pair of leg warmers. The latter will be even more practical on days with great temperature variation. Another increasingly popular option is the use of three-quarter bib shorts, which cover down to below the knee. This area is particularly sensitive to cold, so at temperatures below 15-16ºC they are an option to consider.
Jersey
How do you choose the most suitable cycling jersey when spring arrives? Perhaps this is the garment that generates the most doubts. Should I wear long sleeves or short sleeves? When cycling, the torso and arms are the parts of the body that take the longest to warm up. If you go out on cold or cloudy mornings, we recommend a short-sleeved jersey with arm warmers and a base layer underneath. 
Before buying arm warmers, by the way, it's important to check their fit. These garments are made from elastic fabric that tends to stretch, so it's not unusual for them to end up slipping down after several kilometers. If you are especially sensitive to the cold, you can equip yourself with a long-sleeved mid-season jersey, with a base layer. As you can see, a technical base layer is recommended in any circumstance, as it allows sweat to be quickly wicked away from the body. The choice of fabric and thickness of the garment will obviously depend on the ambient temperature when you go out cycling.
When in doubt, always choose to wear more clothing. If you dress in layers, you can adapt your gear on the go as the temperature rises.
We always recommend having a general guide or scheme by temperature range. It will surely make it easier to choose your cycling gear in spring:
- 5 – 15º C: long-sleeved jersey with base layer.
- 15 – 20º C: long-sleeved jersey without base layer or short-sleeved jersey with arm warmers. If you are not very sensitive to the cold, you can just use a short-sleeved jersey.
- 20 – 25º C: short-sleeved jersey. Summer kit.
Jacket
The light or mid-season jacket is a very practical garment for this time of year, almost as useful as leg warmers or arm warmers. Unless you are especially susceptible to the cold, you should already do without your winter jacket. This thinner jacket can be worn over a short-sleeved jersey on cool days with temperatures between 5 and 15ºC. Or even as a third layer on especially cold mornings, over your jersey and base layer. When buying a mid-season jacket, make sure it is breathable and lightweight. And if it has a full-length zipper that opens it completely, even better.
Rain Jacket
Although it is not essential in your kit, a rain jacket is recommended if you live in a rainy region. If the temperature drop is significant, the best choice is a waterproof jacket. If you don't have one, you can choose between two options: either a mid-season jacket with jersey and base layer, or a long-sleeved jersey, base layer, and rain jacket. It's up to you. 
Image: Pavel Danilyuk
Another useful garment is the vest. The best brands offer models with a good balance between waterproofness and breathability. Likewise, it is a garment that will be useful at the start of your ride. It's a lightweight accessory that takes up almost no space. Therefore, it will be easy to store it away as your body temperature rises.
Gloves
With the arrival of spring, short summer gloves become more prominent. Also, thinner long gloves in the case of MTB. The hands are one of the cyclist's most sensitive areas to the cold, so don't skimp on their protection. Don't forget some long or waterproof gloves for cloudy days, with rain, or to protect yourself from the cold early in the morning. There are lycra ones, which offer minimal protection.
Accessories: neck warmer and head protection
Finally, don't forget protection for especially sensitive areas, such as the neck and head. To keep your neck warm, the most recommended option is to use a thin neck warmer that provides minimal protection and is breathable. The neck is a sensitive area, and wearing a winter neck warmer (even in spring) blocks airflow, radiating heat to the chest, back, and head. 
To protect your head in spring, you can use a thin and breathable bandana. It's a very useful accessory for rainy days or cold mornings. Alternatively, you can wear a cycling cap under your helmet, although this accessory tends to be less breathable. These are some of our suggestions. Now it's your turn: What is your favorite cycling clothing to enjoy biking in spring?