Tokwan

Hi Folks, I live in Malaysia (South East Asia, just immediately north of Singapore and south of Thailand and yes! Penang is in Malaysia), where the average humidity level is +- 80%. Average rainfall of about 98" a year and average temperature is about 81 degrees Fahrenheit, the highest ever recorded was 104. I love off-road Mountain Biking

When I cycle, I usually start early in the morning at about 6.30am when its much cooler until about 11am when the it gets really hot. I usually take the jungle canopied trails.

I would wear a cycling jersey and arm Lycra sleeves. A cycling baggy shorty with long pants Lycra and spandex cycling shorts underneath. The arm sleeves and long pants are to cover my expose arms and legs.

Of course a cycling helmet, gloves and glasses are in order. Water is absolutely a must with some snacks if its more than an hour of cycling.

As for shoes, its my old Adidas cycling shoes on my SPD (long distance touring are limited o platform pedals and I wear normal sports shoes with the laces tucked.

My questions are:
1. What do you wear when you are cycling in hot weather?
2. Are cycling shoes really necessary and a must have if you are touring?

Thanking you for your inputs.

manapua_man

There's a touring forum where your questions are probably better directed.

That said, I wear a light(ish) cycling jersey and cycling shorts under mtb shorts.

Cycling-specific shoes aren't necessary when touring, but a lot of people prefer to have them anyway. I personally run double sided SPD/pinned platform pedals on my touring bike.

FBinNY 

I can wear anything from jersey, shorts, and cycling shoes, to regular street clothes with loafers. It depends on which bike and type of ride. No rules except whatever works.

Tokwan

When I mountain bike, as mentioned I do wear Jerseys and baggy shorts, however, most cycling jerseys are seldom light colored. Mostly are in a few colors and when I need to go on the road that leads to the trails, I am a bit worried.

DomaneS5

Depends on which bike I'm riding.

Hardtail mountain 29er... regular cargo shorts, Salomon hiking shoes and dark-colored bike jersey
Gravel bike.... baggy shorts with chamois, Shimano bike shoes and dark-colored bike jersey
Road bike.... lycra shorts with chamois, Pearl Izumi bike shoes and bright-colored bike jersey

PDKL45

Riding distance on my AWOL in hot weather I wear light long sleeve tops like Fox Racing MTB jerseys or long sleeve sports sweat wicking tops. I wear 3/4 or full length tight cycling pants under very light shorts. I also wear buff scarves as a helmet liner and face mask.

Most of my stuff is UV rated so I avoid sunburn with long sleeves and facial covering and the evaporation of sweat keeps me cool enough. I drink a lot of water with electrolyte tabs and pocari sweat sports drinks as well for electrolyte replenishment. I get salt crusts on my clothes often, but I keep the sun off my skin (thanks Irish ancestors!).

I always wear Shimano SPD shoes with a ratchet strap to keep my feet secure and I splash out on XT or XTR pedals, even if my other components aren't always as nice. The higher end Shimano stuff is more gentle on my feet over long distances and I love the feeling of being securely attached to my pedals.

kuroba

I do recommend SPD pedals when gravel grinding, at least they seem to help me stay on my bike when things get sketchy.

As for attire, just jersey and padded shorts. And tons of sun block. I live in a mild desert climate, sun exposure is a concern but humidity not so much.

I get jerseys cheap on Aliexpress, not the best quality but they work for me. I prefer original brands rather than buying "replica". I like the brands Monton Sports, Santic, Lance So Bike and Paladin (been meaning to try Racmmer too). They have original designs and the quality is best than replica kits.

Trevtassie

For hot weather, the Clubride long sleeve shirts are good. That being said they have a stitching issue on the ltested Go Long shirts which needs resolving or maybe has been resolved since I told them.
I may be a bit crazy but I normally wear a rice farmers hat attached to my helmet, keeps both the sun and the rain off.

PDKL45

That hat is the bomb. Such a good idea and one that I will borrow.

Ballenxj

Agreed, that is pretty COOL! How do you attach it to your helmet?

Dirt Farmer

Sexy negligee

Trevtassie

Velcro, with some glue reinforcing around the attachment points. If the hat isn't varnished already, like mine was, get a can of spray varnish and treat it, stops it from getting wet and heavy and strengthens it.

mcours2006

1. As little as possible, but when sun is out you want to cover up as much of your skin as you can. Tight lycra is good as it doesn't chafe. This is especially uncomfortable when there is sweat, and with humidity at 80+ there's going to be plenty of sweat. Light arm warmers are a good idea. I wear them even in 30*+ because I hate putting on sunscreen. A short sleeve jersey is fine. Sometimes I'll put on light leg covers too, again, to protect against UV. The wind generated by the moving bike has enough cooling effect to make it not uncomfortable.

2. Cycling shoes are not necessary for any sort of recreational riding. MTB shoes with recessed cleats are ideal for riding and walking around.

Ballenxj

Thank You for the answer and idea about varnish. One more question, does the wind try to rip it off your head? I'm sure you can just lower your head, changing the winds effects into down force like an air dam on a race car?

Trevtassie

It's a lot more aerodynamic than it looks, strangely enough. I had it tugging at my head a little bit on one day last trip, but it was really windy from behind. In head winds and descending I angle it slightly down, like the nose cone on a rocket. That being said, it does take a little while for the neck muscles to get used to the extra weight. Worth it for all the laughs, smiles and conversations it starts though. I can recommend wearing a funny hat when touring. My partner has a helmet cover with a cat face and ears on it, that gets lots of smiles and thumbs up too.

Ballenxj

Haha, thanks again.

Trevtassie

These shirts are excellent for touring. I had some problems with the stitching on the sleeves on mine, I think they had a problem with a sewing machine, but that's been fixed. The materials are excellent, all weather and doesn't stink after a few days. The sleeves are soft and easy to slide up your arms if you want.
https://www.clubrideapparel.com/coll...oducts/go-long

Wileyrat

On my road bike, I'm full on lycra with clipped in cycling shoes. It's the right tool for the job.

On my mtn bike, I wear one of my sweat wicking gym shirts, gym shorts with padded liner shorts underneath, and worn out gym sneakers.

I have different helmets for road and mtn riding, and different cycling gloves too.

Wildwood 

If you go up long hills with loaded touring bags, I would want clipless pedals which make a higher cadence easier and much more secure. Just about any system will work = you pick. or at least, good and tight toeclip and strap pedals with a Very stiff soled shoe (especially for long mile days). For shorter trips or flat terrain almost any pedal and shoes work ok.

For longer touring trips you want clothes that wash and easily dry overnight.

drlogik 

I live in a hot and humid climate as well. This time of year it hovers around 70% - 80% and the temps are between 80 and 90 f. In August it will be between 80% and 99% and the temps go up to the 90's f....sometimes hitting 100 f.

I wear a moisture-wicking bike jersey and same for cycling shorts. The wind dries the moisture from the fabric and in-turn cools the fabric and keeps your body cooler. The jersey should fit snug but not tight to maximize the cooling effect. Shoes? I don't think it matters a whole lot as long as they have a fairly stiff sole.

I used to live in Arizona where what they lack in humidity is by far offset by shear heat. Riding in Arizona in the summer when it hit 117 f was far and away hotter than where I live now. And, I've lived in this area for about 40 years. I wore the same clothes out in Arizona as well for the same reason.

Tokwan

Thank you all for the replies and wonderful ideas. Even though I have been cycling for some time, it never hurts to ask and learn. To me, learning is a never ending process. Thank you so much folks.
I like the rice farmer hat..

Lazyass

When I ride in high humidity I wear regular cycling jerseys and bibs, but also a summer baselayer top underneath the jersey. That's what they're for. Keeps your torso dry and core body temp down with an evaporate cooling effect, since it wicks the sweat from your skin. And the people who say they make you hotter, as someone surely will, have no clue what their talking about.

Tokwan

Something I read about Summer base layers..

Should you still wear a base layer in the summer? | Cyclist

big chainring 

A happy face.

Lazyass

There was some grossly wrong information in that article. The dude from Sportful has no clue what he's talking about, and has probably never ridden in high humidity. A summer baselayer is mesh and it's so thin it almost feel like you'll tear it when you put it on. In no way does it retain heat. It does keep your torso dry and cool your skin when the air passes through the wet baselayer. Same concept as evaporate air conditioning systems used in houses in the desert. Your core body temp rises when your skin is wet and clammy. Baselayers work and it's not even debatable.

Now if you wear a skin tight racing jersey what has wicking material then cool, and I mean skin tight, but then you'll have a soaking wet jersey.