Clothing For Gravel Riding
Our Top Picks
Hailing from the neverending dirt paths of California, gravel riding has grown in popularity across the globe of late.
What to wear on a gravel bike?
While the simple and most common answer is ‘wear whatever you like’, we take a closer look at your options for the ultimate gravel riding wardrobe.
The perfect middle ground between mountain biking and road cycling, this exciting and somewhat new discipline has been the driving force behind many riders venturing further afield, exploring new routes and boosting their bike handling skills. With so many cyclists moving with the times and adding a dedicated gravel bike to their stable, questions regarding what to wear are flooding in.
As mentioned, with gravel riding sitting directly between mountain biking and road riding, there is an overlap in apparel, from both a technical and stylistic standpoint.
This holds true from a brand perspective too, performance led road brands including ASSOS have branched out to the off-road market, while mountain born brands like Patagonia have tailored their cuts to compliment days on the drops.
"Social media is full of shots of beards and sandals riding bikes out in the wilderness. Where we would all have once baulked at the idea of an SPD sandal and hairy legs, the trends have come full circle. What was once the staple of the round the world explorer has now become en vogue for anyone fancying an off-road adventure and night under the stars" .
Phoebe Sneddon, Adventure Ambassador.
Patagonia
Gravel cycling kit for the planet - Designing high-quality technical clothing with a focus on durability, Patagonia is globally renowned for their environmentally conscious approach.
Traditionally focussing on hiking, climbing, surfing and other ‘silent sports’, Patagonia has a wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to outdoor apparel. Unsurprisingly, their cycling collection is exceptional. From casual fitting technical t-shirts to dedicated bib shorts, this is kit you can depend on throughout the toughest days in the saddle.
7MESH
Founded by a group of riders working for performance outdoor brand, Arc’teryx, it’s safe to say 7Mesh has the passion and experience necessary to create market-leading gravel cycling wear.
Operating out of the heart of Canada’s cycling mecca, Squamish, the team can venture out and test the limits of their kit on some of the world’s finest trails. Offering everything from intuitive, fitted rain jackets to relaxed, mountain-inspired jerseys, their collection has something for every type of gravel rider.
THE OVERLAND
Brighton based brand, Morvelo, have taken all their experience producing both road and mountain bike clothing and created a dedicated gravel cycling range good enough to rival any other.
Fittingly named Overland, this collection sits directly between casual and technical wear, equally as suited to your post-ride beer, as it is to the ride itself. Made up of flannel shirts, riding hoodies, eye-catching base layers and more, Overland makes a top choice for the style-conscious adventurer.
ASSOS
Swiss cycling icons, ASSOS, are just one example of a premium road brand making the move over to the gravel cycling market.
Perfectly marrying their signature style, fabrics and quality with features and fits tailored to enhance your off-road experience, this is a top choice for those chasing optimum performance out on the trails. Whether you’re transitioning across from the road or starting your cycling journey on the off the beaten track, it really doesn't get much better than ASSOS.
ENDURA
Last but certainly not least, Scottish brand Endura epitomises everything off-road adventure should be - an ideal choice for the hardy gravel cyclist.
Tough, functional and technically advanced, their range has been tried and tested in some of the harshest conditions to ensure you can ride with the utmost confidence in your kit. Covering all elements of apparel, Endura offers everything from waterproof jackets through to summer-ready shorts. If no-nonsense durable wear sounds appealing, explore the range now.
So whether you’re looking to sit closer to the road or mountain bike end of the style spectrum, we have an option to suit your needs. There are no set rules, you may wish to follow social trends and marry a bib short with a technical t-shirt or go full aero, just remember, comfort is key.
Enjoy the trails!
