Touring - Touring clothing

What do YOU wear when you tour? Why? What do you find comfortable and multi-purpose?

I wear bike shorts in all temps over say 60, colder than that full length tights over the shorts, really cold days fleece tights over the shorts. On top normally a short sleeve jersey, colder days a long sleeve. I have an REI polypro T neck that I have had for more than 10 years (Thanks again Linda! whatta great Christmas gift that turned out to be!) On cold days that goes on under the jersey. I keep a polarfleece pullover in the pack for stopovers and light rain. I have a Gore tex jacket but I find it to be like a plastic bag when riding. The fleece dries as fast as it gets wet and breathes better. The goretex goes on over the fleece during stopovers and breaks. No cotton what-so-ever!

Thanks :) Great start..

I wear regular spandex cycling shorts and a jersery, but I always keep a pair of baggy shorts and a loose tee shirt handy for stops in small towns and other places where my appearance might offend or enrage. Just pull them right on over my cycling gear.

Paul

Cycling shorts, or cycling underwear.
Ron Hill tracksters or Rohan Bags (casual polycotton trousers) for cooler conditions.
A cycling jersey, normal looking, wicking T shirt and/or Paramo mountain shirt.
Fleece pullover for the cold.
Ultra-light windproof pullover, Goretex jacket for rain, or a pile/pertex jacket for colder conditions. Pertex over-trousers.
Cotton or wool socks. A merkalon head-over (neck-warmer/hat).

A lot of the gear in not cycle-specific, but doubles up as casual after-bike wear.

last tour poland and slovakia

one pair of shoes northwave spd sandals [best bit of gear i have got]

one pair of longs ronhill tracksters
2 pair bib shorts

one thermal underlayer baselayer[ klima]

mountain equipment bodywarmer [very little bulk] packs down to a coke can size

freestyle gortex jacket shell waterproof

seal skinz waterproof socks

thats it
:D

I have two pairs of bike shorts (no underwear!), two MEC cycling jerseys, and a Northwave cleated shoes (no socks!). I'll wear only this until 10C or so.

I don't have anything worth mentioning for cold/rain yet. The stuff I use now is just the cheapest I could find that doesn't work to well, I'm looking for something better.

for cold weather ie winter i use the buffalo pertex pile system
great gear worn next to skin also wear this for winter hillwalking

buffalo cycle shirt (http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/dp6.htm)

this is all you need for a winter tour for the top half#
i carry a thermal fleece [rohan] if i go into a pub for a warmin bowl of soup :D

letting the air flow through the side zips is strange at first

but you cant beat this system

no i dont work for buffalo :p

a lot of the british forces and mountain resue teams wear this gear

I use thin polypropylen clothing - pants and vest with a long sleeve. It's comfortable, and this clothing also protect the skin from UV that is very important to me in mountains. I don't use special bicycle clothes in long tour - this clothes demand regular washing that is not available.
For cooler wheather i add a polartec-100 pulower. When it rains or if weather is windly, i use Gore-Tex jacket and pants from Sympatex fabrics. For very cold conditions i have also PowerStrech pants, polartec cap and windstopper gloves.

i have finally discovered the wicking "tech-shirt".
when the sweat flows like niagra falls on a long climbing
mountain pass, my shirt is always dry... who knows where it goes.
also wear a paisley bandana...and movie star shades.
(just in case) let's start a trend on shades!
check-out the movie star shades! (http://bicyclelane.com/counter.htm)
mike.

Hi,
I really like coolmax alta.

Prety well what's gone before. Cycling shorts, cycling shoes and technical fabric tops/light fleeces depending on weather.

The one thing I always wear when touring is a smile!!

I dress in "civilian clothing". Starting from the top:

- A loose shirt or sweater; when it's very hot, it might not be tucked into the trowsers; when it's below 12-15 C, I add a long-sleve sweater.
- Trousers with the bottom end into socks or, if temperature is above 28-30 C, Bermudas.
- Helmet with it's mirror, cycling gloves and cycling shoes without cleats as I use toeclips.

I don't tour in Fall or Winter (my daughter would freeze too quickly), but I do long rides all four seasons. For cold weather, I add long underwear, a second pair of socks, a bandana under the helmet and thick gloves.

Regards,

On my 9 day trip, I took technical fabric tops/light fleeces, a bright color lightweight vest from Northface. One pair of bikershorts plus lightweight board shorts that could double as a swim suit. Also a technical fabric hooded jacket and rain pants. The pants were a challenge as we wanted to go to church on the way and so they need to be not only functional, ie breathable, lightweight and waterproof. But needed to look ok wearing them to church......

MBD

NOTE: I recently met the owner of a company that makes underwear for bikers, that you can wear them under regular shorts. I have not been able to test them on a long ride but so far they have been very good.

I try to avoid "cycle specific" clothing as much as possible (mainly because of the expense). My exceptions to this rule are a pair of plain-jane mountain bike shorts and a pair of Shimano cycling shoes. Typical summer tour garb is shorts, tee shirt, cotton quarter-high socks, and cycling shoes. Admittedly, this doen't work too well through the mountains, but it fills the bill for a summer tour across the plains and east.

Yes, I know this thread is from a while back, but it's still applicable today, and might be interesting as we think about our upcoming tours. :)

In answer to the question ... I've gone through a transition.

On my very first tour, I wore mtn bike shorts, a T-shirt, and runners, but at that time, I wasn't into wearing cycling gear for everyday riding either. Once I started wearing cycling gear for everyday riding, I also started touring in cycling gear ... until toward the end of my first Australian tour.

Queensland was so hot, and riding in cycling gear became extremely uncomfortable. Plus we were stopping at beaches along the way, so I started riding in a bathing suit and beach shorts. Thank goodness for my Brooks saddle!!

Since then I will usually wear cycling shorts, but not always, and I often wear a pair of basketball shorts or my zip-off pants over them. And I've got a small collection of wicking T-shirts which I like better than jerseys. I can wear them when I'm riding the bicycle, or when I'm sightseeing on foot, and look like a normal person.

In fact, my company amazed me the other day by giving me a really nice wicking golf shirt made by Ontour - a sports clothing company: http://www.ontoursport.com/home.html for the work I did on a particular project.

When they told me they were giving the team T-shirts, I thought they'd be those generic boxy cotton T-shirts most companies and events give away ... you know the kind. A person could use them as a tent they're so big, and they're too unflattering to wear anywhere, so they end up in the back of the closet.

So I was very pleasantly surprised by the kind of T-shirt they did give me!! I can wear it for spinning classes, and I can also wear it on a tour. :)

And wool ... I love my merino wool top for touring.

Thanks again, Machka!

For my two week-long tours I brought:

three pairs of bib shorts
two jerseys
two compression shirts
two t shirts, one synthetic, one cotton
two pairs boxer shorts
one pair running shorts
one pair casual shorts
three pairs cycling socks
swimsuit
my cycling shoes (not clipless)
Crocs for poolside and showers
headsweat cap (Neil F. called it a "beanie" :) )
helmet with light
short fingered gloves
cycling jacket

After riding, I don't want to hang around the rest of the day in bike gear, and since I don't like waiting for laundry to finish, I carried two days worth of clothes. Like many formerly sedentary folks who become outdoor types, I'm squemish about dirt, hence the three pairs of shorts. The compression shirts are to keep all my loose skin tucked in under my jerseys - it's amazing how irritating it is to have skin flaps bouncing around all day.

If I were riding in colder weather, I'd substitute wool socks for the synthetic ones, long-sleeved jerseys and gloves for the short-sleeved ones, and add long underwear, tights, a fleece jacket, and a balaclava. I might also replace the bike shoes with hiking boots.

wool. wool. and more wool.

I wear regular spandex cycling shorts and a jersery, but I always keep a pair of baggy shorts and a loose tee shirt handy for stops in small towns and other places where my appearance might offend or enrage. Just pull them right on over my cycling gear.

Paul

+1
Ditto...
If you've ever needed to stop for food or water in a postage stamp town saloon in the middle of nowhere, you know what we're talking about.

+1
Ditto...
If you've ever needed to stop for food or water in a postage stamp town saloon in the middle of nowhere, you know what we're talking about.

I've stopped in tiny towns, saloons, and truck stops in bike shorts never found it to be a problem. People were always friendly and generally treated me well. I never got the impression that anyone was offended. I do carry a pair of lightweight zip off leg pants and some tech tee shirts (underarmor heat gear), but only change into them in the evening. On the bike I wear bikes shorts and jerseys and if it is cold tights and a windbreaker. If it is really cold I add a tech sweater.

Cycling cap

Bandana around neck or in pocket

Smartwool mid-weight long sleeve zip T-shirt.

Marmot Driclime jacket if it gets cold.

Andiamo padded underwear

Rapha touring shorts or fixed shorts if the weather is cooler

Smartwool short socks

Shimano MTB shoes with recessed cleats.

I don't wear cycling shorts at all while on tour. I wear baggy synthetic shorts from Walmart. I think that it's important to eliminate as much pressure on the perineum as possible when you're in the saddle 6-10 hours a day for days on end, and the padding in cycling shorts is usually more than I want. Besides, cycling shorts get sweaty, and I got tired of stepping off the bike for short stops and feeling like I'm wearing a wet diaper. Baggy shorts, with no underwear, are almost always dry, and I've worn them for weeks on end on tours with no chaffing problems.

wool. wool. and more wool.

+ 10000000000!!!

I've tried all the cycling specific clothing and always stink after one day. Given the fact that we frequently can't take a bath for a few days at a time, it was always problematic, but I just dealt with it. Now I've discovered the wonders of wool - and can't imagine how I lived without it for all those years!!

On this tour, I'm going almost exclusively wool. I"ve got wool "running shorts" (unpadded bike shorts) from Ibex. I've got Ibex wool long underwear for my tights. I've got a couple thin Ibex wool long-sleeve shirts to layer on top of my Ibex wool short-sleeve T-shirt. I bought an XXL merino wool wool sweater vest at a thrift store and threw it in the washer with hot water so now I have a felted wool vest.

I do still have my fleece jacket - but I would ditch that for wool if I could justify the cost of buying a new wool one!

I like cheap MTB shorts-- the less padding the better. The more $$$ ones are bulkier.

Techical conversion shorts/pants (quick drying fabric, zip off legs) REI sells these.

Light weight base layer (Under Armor or simular) technical under briefs

wool jersey (short sleeve)

technical golf polo shirt (these are like bike jerseys with a collar and 3 bottons-- great for upper crust stops)

smart wool socks/trail runners

rain jacket

Hi,

Andiamos (like bike shorts but worn as undershorts), regular shorts on the long side with lots of synthetic content and wool on the topside, unless it's over 80, then searsucker or generic aloha shirts. Socks are thin wool, always. I can get off the bike and not announce my presence as a cyclist, but most important, I'm comfortable in all conditions.

Happy trails.

For my trip around Lake Superior, I brought three pairs of loose-fitting cycling knickers, three woolen jerseys (2 short sleeve, 1 long), three pairs of regular socks, one pair of knee socks, arm warmers, rain jacket and pants, a cycling cap, and a knit cap. I went commando so I didn't have to bother with undergarments.

[edit]

And holy crap, Machka, this thread is old... ;-)

I couldn't believe the difference when I switched from tech to wool. It's wool for me from now on except for when it's really hot then I wear a seersucker shirt.

Usually casual clothes, if it is hot, a regular t-shirt and shorts or hiking pants, if it is cold/very sunny, a long sleeve shirt.

I don't want to open a new thread so I'll ask here-> does anybody use theese shimano shoes? I'm looking for spd shoes in which I can easily walk, does anything like that exists? :)

http://tinyurl.com/5eqvkv

http://tinyurl.com/62yoq4

http://tinyurl.com/58vwro

http://tinyurl.com/6785ne

I wear Lake mtn bike shoes which are great on and off the bicycle.

I don't want to open a new thread so I'll ask here-> does anybody use theese shimano shoes? I'm looking for spd shoes in which I can easily walk, does anything like that exists? :)



There are many options for SPD's with recessed cleats that are decent for walking.

Another option is Shimano SH-SD65 SPD Sandals. They're very comfortable, yet the platform is still stiff enough for good support and power transfer. Once I got past my reluctance of "sandals" :eek: , I found these a great touring option.

I wear shimano sandals. Very comfy on and off the bike. Until this year I wore them year round (Oregon). In the rain I add seal skins socks.

kari

I haven't started touring yet, but so far my cycle clothing has evolved from regular clothing to moisture wicking ankle length tights and moisture wicking long sleeved top in warm weather. I've had a few hard core looking cyclists along the way ask 'Aren't you hot??' when they've stopped to ask me about 'bent trike. My response was, 'No, and I'm not chaffing or burning either.' :p

When I start touring, I think for shopping and what not, I'll bring along a pair of casual linen pants to slip on over the tights and some kind of shirt.

And I agree about the wool. Love my wool thermals. :thumb:

I wear regular spandex cycling shorts and a jersery, but I always keep a pair of baggy shorts and a loose tee shirt handy for stops in small towns and other places where my appearance might offend or enrage. Just pull them right on over my cycling gear.

Paul

That's how I do it... You gonna do the miles, first you must be comfortable.. But, ever go into that only establishment out in the desert. It just might be a bar.. I'd not worry about my semi- plain jersey, but the pull over pair of baggies just might keep you out of a fight.

I'd not worry about my semi- plain jersey, but the pull over pair of baggies just might keep you out of a fight.
Did anyone here actually ever have this problem?

I have never had any comments made about my clothing that I remotely considered to be a problem and I certainly never had anyone pick a fight because of my spandex. I have camped with a bunch of partying Harley guys and gone into little hole in the wall bars, but the people there were either friendly or ignored me (most often friendly). Once in a great while there might be some good natured ribbing, but that has been rare and only after somewhat of a rapport was established. Then again I am asleep before the bars are really rocking and if I wasn't I would have probably slipped on my long pants when riding was done for the day.

for cold weather ie winter i use the buffalo pertex pile system
great gear worn next to skin also wear this for winter hillwalking

buffalo cycle shirt (http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/dp6.htm)

this is all you need for a winter tour for the top half#
i carry a thermal fleece [rohan] if i go into a pub for a warmin bowl of soup :D

letting the air flow through the side zips is strange at first

but you cant beat this system

no i dont work for buffalo :p

a lot of the british forces and mountain resue teams wear this gear


+1

For really cold weather 0 to minus temps you can't beat this gear. I break mine out when it's really cold otherwise it's a bit too hot for me. It's very light too and can be washed in a machine with no special care needed. I've had my jacket for thirty odd years now and it's as good as new.

Did anyone here actually ever have this problem?

I have never had any comments made about my clothing that I remotely considered to be a problem and I certainly never had anyone pick a fight because of my spandex. I have camped with a bunch of partying Harley guys and gone into little hole in the wall bars, but the people there were either friendly or ignored me (most often friendly). Once in a great while there might be some good natured ribbing, but that has been rare and only after somewhat of a rapport was established. Then again I am asleep before the bars are really rocking and if I wasn't I would have probably slipped on my long pants when riding was done for the day.

I recall an Adventure Cycling article, posted to their website, that mentioned 'covering up' because some towns are very conservative and don't see cyclists all that often. (I'd provide a link but I can't find the article now.) Personally I find this hard to believe.

Did anyone here actually ever have this problem?

I have never had any comments made about my clothing that I remotely considered to be a problem and I certainly never had anyone pick a fight because of my spandex. I have camped with a bunch of partying Harley guys and gone into little hole in the wall bars, but the people there were either friendly or ignored me (most often friendly). Once in a great while there might be some good natured ribbing, but that has been rare and only after somewhat of a rapport was established. Then again I am asleep before the bars are really rocking and if I wasn't I would have probably slipped on my long pants when riding was done for the day.

Not that it's an everyday problem... But, certain locations can be.. Our example was the outback of Nevada.. We did not get into any fights. But, we sure had some snickering... Spandex and Gabby Hayes prospector types , just are not compatable. Maybe, if it was later in the day , there might have been potential for a fight.?... If they had downed a few more Bud's... That day, I sure would have put on a pair of baggies over my bike clothes; if only I had not left them on the sag wagon. Oh, well. It was an education for them.. Besides, there were about 20 of us and a half dozen of them..

+1

For really cold weather 0 to minus temps you can't beat this gear. I break mine out when it's really cold otherwise it's a bit too hot for me. It's very light too and can be washed in a machine with no special care needed. I've had my jacket for thirty odd years now and it's as good as new.

The lightweight wicking pile of the Buffalo system seems similar to Marmot's Driclime approach. I'm good down to freezing with a wool baselayer and a Driclime windshirt

I guess it more depends on where you are touring and what time of year it is. I'm not so sure I would be a very good cold weather tourer. I just don't like being cold for endless hours. I do have leg warmers, arm warmers, base layers, tights, full gloves, wools socks, and jackets, so i could do it, but I'm a wimp:p
I don't mind a couple of hours of cold, it beats the trainer for miles any day.

My load list has been narrowed down to rain pants, rain/wind jacket, two short sleeve jerseys, one set of arm warmers, two cycling shorts, a pull over regular shirt, a pair of zippered cargo pants, and 3 pairs of socks and two pair of underwear.

Wrinkles rule the day since that's why compression sacks were invented, lol.