As cyclists, we spend a lot of time focusing on gear. Everyone wants to talk about the fastest bikes, the best wheels, and all the accessories that help us get the most out of every ride. There’s nothing wrong with that, it's fun and there’s no reason you can’t obsess about it from time to time. Just remember that one of the best returns on investment is the clothing you wear. So, if you are in full gear obsession mode, you might want to start with the best cycling jerseys, the best road bike helmets or the best cycling shorts. If you're in the market for a new bike, check out our guide to the best bike brands.
Like all of our buyer's guides, the point of those articles is to point out some of the best products in particular categories. What is the best product though? The point of this article, the best cycling clothing brands, is to look beyond the experience of using a specific product.
Disclaimer
Brands regularly update their ranges, so although this guide was originally published as far back as January 2022, it has been updated multiple times since. Our last update came in April 2024, at which time all of the products included were current, and the brands represented are still those we consider the best.
1. Rapha
Genre defining bib shorts
+ Quick drying and water resistant
+ Lots of storage
+ Reflective details
- Narrow leg gripper
There's some debate about who invented cargo bib shorts but it's irrelevant. No one was wearing cargo bibs until Rapha brought them to market and seemingly overnight turned them into a must have for riders of all kinds. Even for a road cyclist, they are particularly handy for quick access items such as snacks or a camera.
If you are more of a technical tee kind of rider, then you'll want to also take advantage of the pockets on the lower back. Either way, the chamois is a dual-density pad that "offers long distance comfort and rapid overnight drying" and a free repair service helps with sustainability. The only downside worth noting is that the leg grippers are a bit aggressive given how narrow they are.
Read more details in our Rapha Cargo bib shorts review.
An updated version of the road cycling jersey that made Rapha the icon it is today
+ Sustainable Merino
+ Recycled Polyester
+ Zippered pocket
- Heavy construction isn’t the best on the hottest days
Updating the product that arguably built the foundation of a brand is no small task but after two decades, Rapha has kept the look and updated the technology. The latest version features an improved fit, longer sleeves, shorter overall length, and bonded seams to save weight.
Rapha has also updated the fabric to a new Merino blend called RPM150 — (Rapha Performance Merino, 150g per square metre). Although it still doesn’t compete with the lightest jerseys out there the update is a step in that direction. According to Rapha, the fabric is lighter, softer and more breathable than generic merino blends and it amplifies merino's "cool when it's hot, warm when it's cold" characteristics. The incorporation of recycled materials makes sure that it's a sustainable choice as well.
Surprisingly affordable for one of the best rain jackets on the market
+ Three layer fabric with membrane
+ Taped seams
+ Underarm venting
- Can still get sweaty when working hard
Rapha's Core range offers the brand's quality at more affordable prices and includes the full range of items you're likely to need for your riding.
A rain jacket is one of the top pieces to have in your cycling wardrobe and we rated the Rapha Core Rain Jacket II among the best waterproof cycling jackets we've reviewed. It's lightweight and low bulk, but still includes a three layer membrane construction with taped seams and an offset waterproof zip, while underarm venting holes help to keep you more comfortable. Reflectives on the arm and the rear increase your visibility in poor weather, when light levels may also be low.
Read more details in our Rapha Core Rain Jacket review.
2. Castelli
An upgrade of the original wet weather racing jersey
+ Ratio of waterproofing to breathability
+ Pocket specifically designed for a pump
+ Pockets that drain
- Tight fit won’t work for everyone
In 2010, the original Gabba jersey changed how road riders approached wet weather. The real innovation was an idea that maybe, in certain conditions, perfect was the enemy. The Gabba RoS 2 jacket isn't the kind of thing that will keep you dry and warm no matter the weather. Instead, Gore-Tex Infinium is a material that's not considered waterproof but will protect in surprisingly bad weather. The long sleeve Perfetto RoS 2 is probably all you ever need for short, hard rides, and the Gabba RoS 2 ups the adaptability even further by giving the option of using arm warmers. If you want to further explore Castelli jacket options, take a look at our article covering which Castelli jacket is right for you?
A one of a kind bib short unlike anything else
+ High-compression fabric instead of leg grippers
+ Progetto X2 Air chamois is the best on the market
+ Aero optimisation
- There are still some seams without flat-locking
The Castelli Free Aero Race bib short had been one of the best pairs of bib shorts on the market for years and when Castelli redesigned it, it quietly changed the market. The Progetto X2 Air chamois didn't change but it was already the perfect balance of thin and good for 12 hours plus. The real innovation came from the new fabric. It's compressive and it stays put without leg grippers. It's so different that when I initially reviewed the Castelli Free Aero RC bib shorts I didn't fully grasp how revolutionary they were. Since then, I've started to use them as the standard to judge against.
Perfect for those who are tall and thin
+ Large plastic zipper won't corrode
+ Aero optimised design
+ Plenty of room in the pockets
+ Long enough for tall riders
- Shorter riders will notice some zipper bulging
Back in summer 2021 when the Castelli Aero Race 6.0 jersey got a review, it was one of the flashiest options on the market. Since then, the design team has updated the graphic look a bit but the bones of the design remain unchanged. Castelli uses a unique and rather genius design for the pockets that puts them way down at the end of the drop for aero performance and stability. The long torso of this Castelli jersey is also something that's going to appeal to a lot of riders who are tall and have a hard time getting a jersey to fit without being short.
Read more details in our Castelli Aero Race 6.0 Jersey review.
3. Sportful
Road fit but with extra pockets
+ Pro fit
+ Colours available
+ Low back pockets
- Only one thigh has a pocket
Although Rapha might be responsible for bringing the idea of cargo bib shorts to modern cycling, there are a lot of choices now. Sportful put down a flag and claimed the race gravel market segment with its Supergiara line and these bib shorts are fantastic. They do lack a second thigh pocket but they come in fun colours and they have an innovative design at the low abdomen. The height and structure helps make sure you look your best even when bending at the waist in a very race fit pair of bib shorts. If you prefer a tight fit, even on a gravel bike, Sportful is an excellent choice.
For the times when moisture is more of an issue than temperature
+ Lightweight warmth with water resistance
+ Minimal seams to enhance water protection
- Needs better weather resistance in the low back
Depending on when in the winter, or where you are in the world, the weather you deal with can be drastically different. The best cycling kit companies have a range of clothes to handle all that variance but there's one piece that is frequently missing; if you'd rather stay away from shorts and leg warmers when it's warmer but still chilly, it's hard to find a solution. The Fiandre NoRain bib tights handle just that weather and even works if it rains. They aren't an extreme weather solution but they are comfortable and breathable. Perfect for when it's chilly and damp.
The best emergency jacket available
+ Integrated stuff pocket
+ Waterproof and with taped seams
+ No flapping in the wind
+ Comfortable against the skin
- Zipper isn't great
Emergency jackets pack down so small that you can bring them with you on every ride. They are ideal when an unexpected shower breaks out but they also keep you warm on long descents after you've worked up a sweat climbing for a few hours. Lots of brands have options but the Sportful Hot Pack No Rain jacket is one of the best. It's not the cheapest, or the most expensive, but it feels decent against your skin and the shoulders don't flap in the wind. Not everyone needs a jacket like this but if you do, the Sportful option hits the sweetspot.
Read more details in our Sportful Hot Pack No Rain jacket review.
4. Pearl Izumi
Outstanding insulation turned into a long sleeve jersey
+ Perfect pocket design
+ Just right length
+ Polartec alpha keeps your body dry while being highly insulative
- Unusable without a shell
In some ways it's almost unfair to give the credit for this piece to Pearl Izumi but that is actually what makes it amazing. Polartec Alpha insulation might be the best insulation available on the market right now. It's lightweight, doesn't absorb water, and it packs down very small. You can find it in a wide range of jackets from lots of companies and they are almost always some of the best. Sometimes though it's better to pick the shell you prefer and add your own insulation. The genius of this piece from Pearl Izumi is that the brand built a midlayer which is essentially the insulation layer of a jacket. Now you can add whatever shell you like.
You can read more details in our Pearl Izumi Pro Alpha Layer review.
Ultra warm and iconic gloves
+ AX grain palm feels like leather but it's vegan
+ Warmth vs price
+ 35% recycled content
- Wet weather performance isn’t great
Keeping your hands warm on the bike is a huge challenge. They sit out in the wind and don't move much. Solving that challenge is something that can be very costly and there's not always much return on investment. Anyone who spends much time trying to tackle this challenge will have come to recognize the Pearl Izumi AmFIB lobster gloves. Even if you don't have a pair, you know them. They have been around for a long time and they are an iconic piece of winter gear that Pearl Izumi can completely claim. The gloves offer just enough dexterity to shift and brake, don't cost a fortune, and keep your finger tips the right colour.
Read more details in our full Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Gel gloves review.
Ultrasoft and incredibly comfortable
+ Excellent Levitate Pro chamois
+ Comfortable shoulder straps
+ Super soft fabric
- Front panel needs better patterning
While some brands have chosen to focus on traditional racing, Pearl Izumi is holding strong to the brand's connection with cool people, doing cool things on a bike. A great expression of that in the product offering is the Pearl Izumi Pro bib short. The Pro bib short was one of the first to get the latest Levitate bib chamois and it only added further to what was already an amazing all day in the saddle kind of bib short. The chamois and the fabric feel incredible and you can often find good deals.
Read more details in our full Pearl Izumi Pro bib shorts review.
5. Endura
High quality shell jacket that is perfect for layering
+ Rear pocket access
+ High collar
+ Great drop tail length
- Prone to sweat build-up
For truly wet weather there's nothing more capable than a hard-shell. For Endura that means the Pro SL jacket. It's made from Endura’s ExoShell40 which uses a membrane sandwiched between a liner and a denier tricot laminate protective outer. This material boasts a claimed breathability rating of 60,000g/m²/24hr and a waterproof rating of 20,000mm to let the sweat out and stop the rain getting in. There is a small outside pocket for easy to reach food and zippered access to jersey pockets underneath. The fit is generous and comfortable with no flapping in the wind. It’s just right as an outer layer paired with the right insulation.
Read more details in our full Endura Pro SL Shell Jacket review.
Mid-layer insulation that is wearable on its own
+ PFC free DWR coating with no membrane
+ Two-way zipper
+ Fourth, zippered, valuables pocket
+ Comfortable tailoring
- Narrow centre pocket
The Endura Pro SL Primaloft II is all about flexibility. It's exceptionally warm, windproof, and it will hold warmth even when wet. The front of the jacket uses the heaviest Primaloft insulation while the arms and rear are less insulated. If it's cold but dry the pockets mean you only need a base layer under it. If it gets hot, use the underarm perforations and two-way zip on the front. When the weather is at its coldest, and wettest, pair it with the Pro SL Shell Jacket II and you can still be comfortable.
Read more details in our full Endura Pro SL Primaloft II jacket review.
Excellent value and some real colour variety
+ Lots of colour option
+ Excellent price
+ Gel insert chamois
- Branding on the legs can come off
Yes, Endura has a reputation for making mountain bike and winter clothes but the brand also makes excellent summer road riding products. According to Endura, the most popular bib short in the catalogue is the Endura FS-260 Pro. It makes sense because the pricing is almost unheard of when you start to look for a quality pair of bib shorts. There is more to it than just a bargain though. The chamois keeps bulk to an absolute minimum while gel inserts make sure that you won't ever develop bruises over your sit bones. It's also nice to have real colour options in a pair of bib shorts.
6. MAAP
Race fit, unforgettable colours, and unique fabric
+ Bluesign Certification
+ Vibrant colour options
+ Big tooth zipper that’s easy to use
- Pockets are high
Like everything about MAAP, the Alt_Road collection hasn't been around all that long. The brand has only existed since 2014 and it was initially an option only for road cycling. Clothing for adventures has been in the portfolio for only a few years but out of the gate it's unique on the market and very good. The material is a mix of natural and synthetic fibres that really stands up to abuse on the dirt. Perhaps even more core to MAAP though is that it's both Bluesign approved and offered in colours that are vibrant and unforgettable.
Read our MAAP Alt_Road half zip jersey review for more.
Bright, graphic, and bold
+ Bluesign Certification
+ Big, bold, typography and colours
+ Perfect fit
- Pockets are high
MAAP makes a whole range of clothes that covers every single piece you could want on a bike. Despite that, I've included two jerseys. They are just so unique that it's worth highlighting them. As mentioned when talking about the company, MAAP is a company that brings fashion design to cycling. It's more than that though and you can really tell when looking at the Pro Air Jersey. The style isn't your everyday fashion, it's a particular style of vibrant and graphic that is unlike anything else. This jersey features the name but, as the name says, fragmented across the front. It's typographic art and love it or hate it, it's unique.
Smart design eliminates chafing
+ No inner leg seam
+ Raw cut front seam
+ OEKO-TEX Certified materials
- Expensive
The first generation MAAP Pro bib short was a product almost two years ahead of its time. MAAP used a fabric unlike anything on the market at the time but it started to pop up in other options from brands like Assos and Eliel. For the MAAP Pro bib short 2.0, the fabric is more conventional but the patterning is where the biggest innovations are. Seams along the inside of the thigh are a common chafing issue from even the best manufacturers and MAAP removed them completely. Of course things like a perfect fit, great colours, and the high quality chamois are along for the ride. The only downside is a very high price.
Read our full review of the MAAP Pro Bib 2.0 bib shorts.
7. Velocio
High compression bib shorts with a luxurious finish
+ Leg grippers are easy to get into place
+ Comfortable all-day chamois
+ Gorgeous colour options
+ Excellent front height
- Low structure at front of chamois isn’t a good look
The Luxe bib shorts are one of the staple products in the Velocio range. They're available for both men and women, in a range of sizes from XS to XXXL, in seven different colours.
The bib shorts' ultra-soft fabric, high-quality chamois, comfortable bib straps and the overall fit make the Luxe bibs every bit as good as what's on offer from the brand's better-known competitors, and live up to the 'Luxe' name.
The women's version of the shorts also feature the brand's FlyFree technology, which makes them easy to pull down for a quick nature break, doing away with the need to completely disrobe.
Read more details in our Velocio Luxe cycling bib shorts review.
Clever material choice in a versatile on- and off-bike top
+ Antimicrobial materials
+ Relaxed fit makes for a versatile garment
+ Extraordinarily soft
+ Eco-friendly fabric
- No zipper for hot days
As we highlight the best products from a group of innovative brands, there are bound to be a lot of things that are unique. The Velocio Micromodal jersey is yet another one. The name is a reference to the material, which uses 86% Modal, a natural fibre made by spinning reconstituted cellulose from beech trees, mixed with a bit of spandex and some carbon threads. The end result is a jersey that is sustainably produced, antimicrobial, and incredibly comfortable. The uniqueness continues with the no zipper design that adds a lot of versatility.
You can read more details in our Velocio Micromodal jersey review.
Modern and compressive merino wool jersey
+ Merino wool fabric that doesn’t sag
+ Zippered valuables pocket
+ Long lasting
- Narrow pockets
There are a lot of people who have a deep love affair with merino wool cycling clothes. Then there's everyone else who really don't get it and aren't interested in a casual, loose, fit jersey. Both Velocio and MAAP have a take on a modern performance jersey built from merino and they are totally different. The Velocio Concept Merino jersey is ultra-light and thin while still managing plenty of structure and compression. It does offer a bit more warmth than the lightest synthetic jerseys but that also helps extend the window of wearability. As with other Velocio products, there is a range of vibrant colours available.
Read more in our Velocio Concept bib shorts and Merino jersey review.
8. POC
Good price, good features, and very sustainable
+ Constructed mainly from certified recycled fibres
+ Zippered pocket
+ Good price
- Zippered pocket is a bit small for modern phones
One of the things POC is well known for is a concept the brand calls AVIP. It stands for Attention, Visibility, Interaction, and Protection and it covers a huge range of products. The iconic colour for AVIP products is Zink orange which is eye searingly bright but simultaneously more sophisticated than typical high-viz colours. The Essential road jersey offers not only the Orange that will help you stay seen but also a range of more subdued colours if you'd prefer. No matter the colour though, the material is light and airy as well as being almost entirely made from recycled materials. It’s also seen a sharp price decrease compared to the previous generation of the product.
Aero and comfortable with an amazing chamois design
+ Elastic interface chamois design with silicone
+ Comfortable fabric
+ Highly breathable
- Sizing runs big
When you take a look at aero and race focused bib shorts it's almost a foregone conclusion that they will be uber tight. POC takes a totally different tack with the Aero VPDS Bib Shorts. They are aero optimised but they are also incredibly comfortable. The chamois in particular is the same design as the POC VPDs Thermal bib tights. In both cases, it's from Elastic Interface and simply said, it's incredible. The key is a bit of silicone that will never fully compress and always preserves a bit of a buffer between you and your saddle. These are not inexpensive but they are a great option if you want something for long days in the saddle.
The luxury of merino without a sky high price
+ Tall neckline
+ Quality pockets
+ Reasonable price
- Zipper stretches bottom hem in front
Sustainability is complex and almost every interaction with the environment has positives and negatives. Merino wool isn't without drawbacks but it is biodegradable and it reduces the need for petroleum based synthetic fibres so it tends to show up a lot in discussions of sustainability. There are other merino blend jerseys on this list but the pricing for both of them is quite a bit higher than the POC Muse jersey. The Muse is hardly cheap but it's significantly less than Velocio or MAAP and it has its own personality. There's a nice high collar and long sleeves that are a joy to wear plus quality pockets with plenty of structure.
