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Gravel riding has recently become a very popular and exciting way to explore the great outdoors, which also seems to have its own style when it comes to what to wear. Well, for me anyway!
When it comes to what to wear when riding gravel, road cyclists will tell you to wear your road kit and mountain bikers will tell you to wear your mountain bike kit. So, what’s the right balance for looking great on the trails?!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the trails, the most important thing is to have the right gear to ensure you’re comfortable and can focus on enjoying your ride.
In this article, I share some of the key clothing and footwear considerations for gravel riding, in my opinion, including tips on layering, fit, and protection. I’ve also shared some of my favorite tried and tested items, so you can hit the gravel (on wheels, lol) with confidence and style.
Ideas for what to wear when riding gravel
Helmet, cap and sunglasses
Personally, I use the same cycling helmet and cap as for road cycling. A cycling cap protects me from the sun and also protects my hair (natural hair, IYKYK).
When it comes to sunglasses, I sometimes use classic “cyclist” shaped sunglasses, and sometimes I go for something more casual, as pictured above. The most important thing is that the lenses are adapted to the conditions. Just recently I took out some very dark sunglasses on a very rainy day so I wasn’t able to wear them for my commute.
Cycling gloves
I always choose to ride with gloves because they provide better grip on the handlebars, especially in hot weather. I use fingerless gloves in milder weather and thicker gloves when the weather starts to change.
Storage and water
For gravel rides, I used either bike bags for storage and water, or a fanny pack for shorter rides. When I was using my cyclocross bike, I didn’t have a bottle cage so the fanny pack was useful for holding a small water bottle.
Bike storage bags can include full frame/half frame bags, handlebar bags, top bar bags, saddle bags or more. If you’re considering continuing your bikepacking adventures, check out my kit recommendations.
On my gravel specific bike I now have a bottle cage, a handlebar bag and a small saddle bag containing a few tools. A cycling jersey can add more storage space because it usually has pockets on the back.
Bib shorts for your Gravel outing
Since gravel riding has become more popular, more and more brands have released their own versions of “cargo shorts” that feature pockets for additional places to store items for your ride. Some bib shorts come with a nearly integrated base layer and an additional lower back pocket, suitable for wearing a t-shirt (see below).
I recently added the Le Col ARC Cargo Bib Shorts to my gravel collection, which were very comfortable on my first outing wearing them. The bibs are part of a wider collection from Le Col – the ARC collection which has been designed for hikes independent of weather or terrain.
T-shirt \ Jersey & Jacket
I usually choose what to wear on the upper half of my body based on how casual the ride or event is. I love the more casual look of an oversized cotton t-shirt over a base layer (for its sweat-wicking properties).
For more formal events, I will definitely wear a swimsuit. I recently added a few new jerseys to my collection, including a merino wool jersey from the Le Col ARC collection.
Merino wool is an ideal fabric for cycling, especially in variable weather conditions. It’s a natural fabric that can keep you cool when it’s hot and keep you warm when it’s cold, making it super versatile and comfortable. I also have a merino wool t-shirt from the same collection that works even better than a cotton t-shirt.
Now, I’m not one to cycle in wet or rainy conditions, but sometimes you can’t help it, especially with the changeable British weather. I think that makes me a good judge of rain jackets, because if a jacket is good enough to allow me to ride in the rain, it’s practically a miracle.
The flagship piece of the Le Col collection for me is therefore the ARC lightweight rain jacket which got me through two very humid days in the Bristol rain. The hood fits snugly over your helmet, which was a game changer because it kept my hair and upper body dry.
A lightweight, waterproof jacket that packs down to fit in a pocket or handlebar bag is also a bonus and useful to have with you on your gravel rides.
Gravel riding shoes and socks
In my mind, gravel is to cycling, what trail running is to running – a more casual, laid-back affair – and while Adidas makes excellent women’s trail shoes, they also make my cycling shoes preferred for gravel.
My adidas Velosamba cycling shoes are my favorite in the middle of summer – when it’s hot and dry – because having them in white means I try not to get them irreversibly dirty.
In muddier weather or conditions, I use the same cycling shoes as for cyclocross races so I don’t have to worry about getting them dirty.
The socks are simple; matches my outfit!
Can any bike be a gravel bike?
Until recently, I used my Liv Brava cyclocross bike for all my gravel adventures, because any bike can be a gravel bike. My Brava even flew to Finland for the FNLD GRVL with me in July 2023.
I feel like you can even use a road bike if you have enough clearance for slightly wider, more knobby tires. Handling will be a little more difficult, but it could be a great way to start gravel cycling and see if it’s something you could continue doing before investing in a gravel-specific bike.
I now ride a Liv Devote Advanced 0 (2024), an epic women’s gravel cycling bike.
What to Pack: Essential Items for a Successful Gravel Hike
Whether you’re planning to jet off to a gravel event, take a multi-directional gravel bike trip, or just go out for a social ride, here’s more content to help you decide what to take with you:
In case I didn’t mention it in any of the posts above, just make sure you pack enough snacks so you can enjoy your gravel ride and take time to look up!
What do you choose to wear when you’re gravel riding?
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