Clothes for motorcycling

Short answer: On a motorbike the wind never stops, and your riding suit is completely closed. The layer underneath is the only thing that can move moisture, and it shapes the whole ride. Choose a thin inner layer with flat seams, and bring a spare set on long trips.

The suit keeps everything in

Riding gear is built for protection, not for letting moisture out. The sweat you produce stays inside the suit, especially on warm days and in city traffic where you sit still. The inner layer has to move moisture away from your skin so it does not cool you later. See bamboo sweat for men and women.

The wind cools you at every stop

As soon as you slow down, or step off at lights or a petrol station, the moisture in your clothes turns into cold. Your body was warm under the suit, but the damp layer draws the heat out. A thin, smooth layer close to the body dries faster than a thick one and eases the change. See bamboo slips.

Seams under the suit

A thick seam under a tight riding suit becomes a pressure point. The suit presses everything against your body, and what you never notice day to day can rub after an hour on the bike. Choose inner layers with flat seams and no hard edges, especially at the shoulders, back and hips. See bestsellers for women.

Thin rather than thick

It is tempting to wear one thick layer when it is cold, but under a closed suit a thick layer soon gets damp and heavy. Several thin layers spread the warmth better and leave room to move. You can also take one off if the day warms up, without packing away a bulky jumper.

Neck and wrists

The wind finds its way in at the neck and wrists, and that is often where you feel the cold first. An inner layer with slightly longer sleeves and a collar that lies flat under the suit closes the small gaps. Make sure the sleeves do not ride up when you reach for the handlebars.

Breaks along the way

When you stop for a break, you cool down quickly because the suit no longer holds the heat from the engine and the sun. Open the suit a little so moisture can escape, and close it again before you ride on. A short break now and then helps you keep both warmth and focus.

Longer rides

Bring a spare set of inner layers. After two hours the inner layer is saturated, and a change transforms the second half of the ride. Roll it up in a small bag in your pannier or backpack so it stays dry. Put the damp set in its own bag afterwards so it does not soak the rest.

Washing and care

Inner layers worn under riding gear often stay damp long after the ride. Hang them up to dry straight away and wash them at a moderate temperature. Air drying is gentle on the fabric, so it keeps its shape and stays smooth against the skin. Keep two sets so a clean, dry one is always ready.

Frequently asked questions

What should you wear under riding gear

A thin layer that moves moisture and has flat seams. The suit lets nothing out, so the inner layer has to do the work all the way.

Why do you get cold on a motorbike

Because the wind cools you constantly, and the moisture in the suit cannot escape while you ride. At every stop you feel it as cold.

What about longer rides

Bring a spare set. After two hours the inner layer is saturated, and a change transforms the whole second half of the ride.