What do you need to wear when cycle touring? It is really up to you and your budget. Don't let anyone tell you that you are wearing the wrong clothing- the most important thing is to get on your bike and enjoy Scotland. There are certain items that can make cycling more comfortable if you are planning on doing lots of it and travelling over long distances, so this page highlights some of the items I have found to be useful.
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Helmet
It is not a legal requirement to wear a cycling helmet in Scotland. You will come across numerous for and against arguments about making it the law to wear one. I choose to wear one because I believe it will provide me with some protection in the event of a fall. Read my review of the Livall Smart Helmet which has indicator lights and other cool features. |
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Padded shorts
These are one of the best investments you can make for cycle touring. If you cycle any distance you will soon discover that sitting in a saddle becomes painful. Padded shorts eliminate that pain and I never leave home without them. My current shorts are made by Endura and they work very well. They are antibacterial and wick away moisture. Expect to pay around £20-£25 for a good pair of padded shorts.
These are one of the best investments you can make for cycle touring. If you cycle any distance you will soon discover that sitting in a saddle becomes painful. Padded shorts eliminate that pain and I never leave home without them. My current shorts are made by Endura and they work very well. They are antibacterial and wick away moisture. Expect to pay around £20-£25 for a good pair of padded shorts.
Socks
If you are using your bike for short commutes and not venturing much further than about 5 miles then any old socks will do, but standard cotton socks are not going to cut it if you are cycling any significant distance. In hot weather your feet will get warm and sweaty in cotton socks and in winter weather your feet will get cold. Socks made from a material like merino wool will perform very well over long distances and in warm and cold weather.
Read my review of Vulpine's stylish polka dot merino wool socks
If you are using your bike for short commutes and not venturing much further than about 5 miles then any old socks will do, but standard cotton socks are not going to cut it if you are cycling any significant distance. In hot weather your feet will get warm and sweaty in cotton socks and in winter weather your feet will get cold. Socks made from a material like merino wool will perform very well over long distances and in warm and cold weather.
Read my review of Vulpine's stylish polka dot merino wool socks
Vulpine's cycling socks
Baselayer Top
If you want to cycle outside of the summer months in Scotland a baselayer is essential to keep you warm. Even in summer the weather can be chilly so pack one in your panniers just in case. A baselayer traps warm air against the body and also moves sweat away from the skin. They tend to be made from synthetic materials or merino wool which is much better than wearing something made of cotton which is just going to soak up sweat and this could cause hypothermia. You can pay a lot of money for a baselayer, but something costing around £20 should be decent enough.
If you want to cycle outside of the summer months in Scotland a baselayer is essential to keep you warm. Even in summer the weather can be chilly so pack one in your panniers just in case. A baselayer traps warm air against the body and also moves sweat away from the skin. They tend to be made from synthetic materials or merino wool which is much better than wearing something made of cotton which is just going to soak up sweat and this could cause hypothermia. You can pay a lot of money for a baselayer, but something costing around £20 should be decent enough.
Endura baselayer, from Evans Cycles website
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Gloves that are waterproof and keep you warm
Another essential item for dealing with Scottish weather. If it is pouring with rain and there is a cold wind it is going to be very miserable and uncomfortable if you do not have a good pair of gloves. However, if you plan to only cycle in the summer gloves may not be necessary, but remember that cold winds and cold rain can happen even in summer in Scotland! |
Gore-Text bicycle gloves that are waterproof and thermal
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I currently use Gore-Text gloves which are excellent protection for average rain showers However, if you get really heavy rain that lasts for over one-hour they will start to feel wet. The good news is that they dry very quickly and usually these heavy storms are short-lived. The gloves are fleece-lined which keeps hands nice and warm and this is very important when there is a cold wind. If the temperature is freezing or lower these gloves will keep you comfortable for a shorter time, so if you are planning to do lots of winter cycling you will want to get gloves specifically for this. These Gore-Text gloves cost around £60, but you will be glad of the investment in poor weather.
Waterproof jacket
This is an absolutely essential item in Scotland. Jackets from cycle shops will be in bright colours and reflective material so that you can be seen easily by traffic, although there have been debates about how effective high vis actually is.
The number one quality that your jacket must possess is that it will keep out the worst of Scottish rain. This is another piece of kit where you can fork out a lot of money, but I have been using a jacket bought in discount retailer Aldi. I have had it for almost 10 years and it does a great job. However, if the rain is really, really heavy and goes on for hours and hours the water will come through. Get your jacket from a discount retailer and expect to pay £25 or go for something top end and you can be paying over £100.
Waterproof jacket
This is an absolutely essential item in Scotland. Jackets from cycle shops will be in bright colours and reflective material so that you can be seen easily by traffic, although there have been debates about how effective high vis actually is.
The number one quality that your jacket must possess is that it will keep out the worst of Scottish rain. This is another piece of kit where you can fork out a lot of money, but I have been using a jacket bought in discount retailer Aldi. I have had it for almost 10 years and it does a great job. However, if the rain is really, really heavy and goes on for hours and hours the water will come through. Get your jacket from a discount retailer and expect to pay £25 or go for something top end and you can be paying over £100.
Wearing my orange waterproof jacket purchased almost 10 years ago from Aldi
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Waterproof overshoes
Whilst we are on the subject of rain there is another product that I find essential. Waterproof overshoes will keep your feet dry in a downpour. If the rain is heavy your shoes will get waterlogged and make them heavy and uncomfortable. If this situation goes on for hours your feet will start to get cold. It is not a nice feeling and it will make the ride miserable. Waterproof gear simply makes cycling more enjoyable if you come across bad weather. |
Pearl Izumi overshoes
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Overshoes are pulled on top of your shoes in the same way that you pull on a pair of socks. Velcro secures them in place.
I use Pearl Izumi overshoes which are very good quality and keep you dry. If the rain is relentless and goes on for hours you will start to feel wet, but I wonder if any overshoe can stand up to the worst of non-stop Scottish rain? These overshoes cost around £50, but I bought them as an investment and do not expect to replace them for many years.
I use Pearl Izumi overshoes which are very good quality and keep you dry. If the rain is relentless and goes on for hours you will start to feel wet, but I wonder if any overshoe can stand up to the worst of non-stop Scottish rain? These overshoes cost around £50, but I bought them as an investment and do not expect to replace them for many years.
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Waterproof trousers
If you are keeping your chest dry, your feet dry and your hands dry why not keep your legs dry? I have a pair of Altura waterproof trousers that do an excellent job of keeping the rain out. They can be pulled over my shoes or whatever shorts or trousers I am wearing, so if it starts raining heavily all of a sudden I don't have to waste time taking off my shoes. If I had to do without one of the waterproof items I have listed here it would be the trousers. If you are wearing shorts it is not a big deal for your legs to get wet for a bit. They are not going to get uncomfortable in the same way that feet and hands will. You can get a decent pair of waterproof trousers for about £25 to £30. |
Altura waterproof trousers
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