Gravel bike clothing

The best gravel bike clothing has developed an aesthetic of its own that’s distinct from other types of riding. Roadies have typically gone skin-tight, with brands boasting of the watts saved by their gear’s features like dimpled surfaces and flat seams. At the extreme are pocket-less skinsuits for that extra turn of speed. On the other hand, the typical mountain biker will be out in a loose t-shirt and baggy shorts or pants, even if there are padded Spandex liner shorts underneath.

Gravel bike clothing falls somewhere in between. There’s a range of options for gravel biking from slightly more relaxed and more rugged Spandex through to loose-fitting shorts and tops that are still a bit more fitted than mountain bike clothing.

The concept of pockets on the thighs of bib shorts was first introduced a couple of years ago, seemingly simultaneously by Specialized and Rapha. This feature has since become popular across many brands, and for good reason too.

With storage options on the legs, riders are now free to opt for a looser-fitting top, as pockets are no longer restricting how baggy you can make the tee or jersey