Commuting - Summer clothing

Well, it's well over the 100 degree mark here in Missouri, and it's still June! I would like some input on the best/coolest shorts/bib shorts and jerseys out there. I commute with my road bike and also would like some ideas on jerseys with plenty of reflective material. I currently have some Altura Nightvision jerseys and jacket.

Umm, lol you want a leotard?

Just wear some shorts and be done with it.

The lighter the color, the less heat they will absorb.

I tend to wear UnderArmour/Nike dri-fit stuff (ie polyester blend). Tad pricey but I bought a bunch a while back to workout in at the gym. Works just fine for biking. I don't put in enough miles in a day/week to need chamois cream just yet :D

im glad we don't get many hot days like that here .... nylon shorts and very light weight mesh shirt or jersey sounds desirable in those conditions .. a well vented helmet is a plus as well ... webbed fingerless gloves

I tend to wear UnderArmour/Nike dri-fit stuff (ie polyester blend). Tad pricey but I bought a bunch a while back to workout in at the gym. Works just fine for biking. I don't put in enough miles in a day/week to need chamois cream just yet :D

Thanks for the help. I'm looking at Underarmour Coldblack T's. They're expensive but should do the trick.

Well, it's well over the 100 degree mark here in Missouri, and it's still June! I would like some input on the best/coolest shorts/bib shorts and jerseys out there. I commute with my road bike and also would like some ideas on jerseys with plenty of reflective material. I currently have some Altura Nightvision jerseys and jacket.


Does anyone have shirts/jerseys that have good reflective qualities? If so what brand.

Does anyone have shirts/jerseys that have good reflective qualities? If so what brand.

Vest $6.00

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/The%20Real%2042%20South%20Ride/IMG_5612.jpg

Vest $6.00

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/The%20Real%2042%20South%20Ride/IMG_5612.jpg

but but but but but butt but... I want one of them fancy smancy dancy bicyle jersey thing of jingies!!!!!!!!!!

but but but but but butt but... I want one of them fancy smancy dancy bicyle jersey thing of jingies!!!!!!!!!!

Or preferably a shirt with reflective material. If you must know I have a vest. I'm just trying to get an answer to my question.

Find a jersey that's comfortable and add your own reflective material. 3M's heat-transfer reflective trim tape can be applied to poly jerseys with a household iron and holds up through a lot of washings.

As for lightest weight/fastest drying, I'd suggest triathlon gear, it's specifically designed for a soaking wet swimmer to dry out quickly on the bike. (Especially the chamois -- nothing says "saddle sore" like a diaper-weight chamois soaked in sweat...)

For summer, I also like the Halo Headband Solar Skullcap (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W3F704/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004W3F704&linkCode=as2&tag=pcfchllmn-20) -- squirt a water bottle into your helmet and it cools all the way down your neck.
259268

Not cycling specific, but http://alertshirt.com/

I ride in my jersey and bib shorts in the heat. I think it wicks the sweat away and is so thin that I feel the breeze.

Fast drying cyclosross shorts with minimal padding and thin Merino wool shirt and socks. Oh, and Headsweats under the helmet.

I have some saucony shirts for running that are Hi Viz Orange with reflective trim on them. They are super light and breathable (kind of like a mesh material). There's not as much reflective material as I would like, but there is quite a bit, and they are very breathable

Fast drying cyclosross shorts with minimal padding and thin Merino wool shirt and socks. Oh, and Headsweats under the helmet.

+1 This is the best of all possible worlds for really hot commuting. I've got several pair of padded lycra/spandex cycling shorts. I'll wear mtb or cargo shorts over them in deference to modesty upon arrival at work. Several different bandanas, poly-pro socks and light colored cycling jerseys. Everything is fast drying. Aerotech Designs, Pearl Izumi, Performance, Sugoi, etc. Have gotten them over a long period of time.

The temp can drop 30 degrees at night here, so I carry a J & G Clothing rain jacket that I'll use as a second layer should the need arise.

Not cycling specific, but http://alertshirt.com/
Thanks for the link.. I'm wearing a vest but looking for a simpler solution.

Bibs, I've got a couple pairs of Velowear that are light and cool. Sorry, I don't know which model -- they've also got some heavier ones. :(

My coolest top is a Performance sleeveless jersey in hi-vis. (I'm supposed to wear a reflective vest, but nobody's ever given me a hard time with the hi-vis yellow/green.)

Get one of these. I've found that keeping all the sweat from pouring down my face helps make me think it's not as hot.

http://store.haloheadband.com/Black-Halo-II-Headband-pullover-p/k200.htm

I dislike riding in extreme heat. no joy rides for me. if I'm commmuting it won't stop me. if it's the plan for the day on a campign trip to bike to the beach, it's a go. but if I get up too late having planned a joy ride for early morning, then I bag the ride for extreme heat and sun. no joy in that joy ride

I use my quick drying hiking shirts and a pair of Northface trekking pants that can zip off or fold up.

I second the Halo2 headband. It's better than anything else I've tried.

As for shorts, I use triathalon shorts. They have minimal padding, and are often shorter in the legs than traditional cycling shorts.

I'm now wearing Endura Hummvee Lite shorts over the triathalon shorts, both for style and the numerous pockets. The light color reflects the heat, and the shorts themselves are light as air. Nice and baggy, without being saggy. Simply awesome shorts. Just throw away the included liner when you buy them.

http://earlsbicyclestore.com/images/library/large/0248_pe_marl_09ss_m.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/410wXMnGBkL._AA300_.jpg

For shirts, I mostly use Champion C9 stuff from Target. They wick very well.

Get one of these. I've found that keeping all the sweat from pouring down my face helps make me think it's not as hot.

http://store.haloheadband.com/Black-Halo-II-Headband-pullover-p/k200.htm

I sweat a lot. I got tired of having burning, stinging eyes from sweat running into them. I love this headband; it fits my small head. It hold sweat on all my rides, longest one being 45 miles.

Get one of these. I've found that keeping all the sweat from pouring down my face helps make me think it's not as hot.

http://store.haloheadband.com/Black-Halo-II-Headband-pullover-p/k200.htm

+10
Best $13 I've ever spent to make my rides more comfortable.

As others mentioned, I wear cycling shorts for the chamois and comfort, with cargo shorts over them for modesty and pockets. I've never understood why so many people praise the new sports fabrics. I find most polyester fabrics rather uncomfortable. A cotton t-shirt works fine for me.