Outfit recommendations by temperature: An overview
The table applies to moderate intensity (endurance, not race pace). Adjustments for high intensity and different disciplines are provided below.
| Temperature | Baselayer | Upper body mid-layer | Toplayer | Shorts | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20°C | transtex® light or light grid | Short-sleeved jersey | – | Cycling shorts / Bib shorts | Sunglasses, and arm UV protection if necessary |
| 15°C | transtex® light 100 | Short-sleeved jersey | Windproof vest (packable) | Long cycling trousers or ¾-length tights | Thin gloves |
| 10°C | transtex® light 100 | Long-sleeved jersey or thermal jersey | Windproof vest | Thermo-Tight (0–10°C) | Fingerless gloves, headband |
| 5°C | transtex® warm 180 | Long-sleeved thermal top with full zip | Windbreaker / Airblocc Light | Airblocc-Tight or Thermo-Tight | Full-finger gloves, toe warmers / overshoes, hat |
| 0°C und kälter | transtex® warm 180 or Merino 200 | Long-sleeved thermal top with full zip | Airblocc Softshell or WPM-Jacket | Airblocc-Tight (−5–8°C) | Winter gloves, WPM overshoes, helmet liner |
Recommendation for moderate intensity (endurance pace). For high intensity, wear one layer less. Take individual sensitivity to the cold into account.
Quick tip: The colder it gets, the more layers you need – but the foundation always stays the same: a transtex® base layer next to the skin. This wicks sweat away mechanically, dries quickly and prevents you from getting cold after descents. On top of that, mid-layers and top layers adapt to the conditions.
Overview: Recommended outfit for each temperature
Die Tabelle gilt für mittlere Intensität (Ausdauer, kein Renntempo). Anpassungen für hohe Intensität und verschiedene Disziplinen folgen weiter unten.
20°C
Baselayertranstex® light / light grid
OberkörperKurzarm-Trikot
Toplayer–
HoseKurze Radhose / Bib Shorts
ExtrasSonnenbrille
15°C
Baselayertranstex® light 100
OberkörperKurzarm-Trikot
ToplayerWindweste (packbar)
HoseLange Radhose / ¾-Tight
ExtrasDünne Handschuhe bei Wind
10°C
Baselayertranstex® light 100
OberkörperLangarm-Trikot / Thermotrikot
ToplayerWindweste
HoseThermo-Tight (0–10°C)
ExtrasFingerhandschuhe, Stirnband
5°C
Baselayertranstex® warm 180
OberkörperThermotrikot Langarm Fullzip
ToplayerWindjacke / Airblocc Light
HoseAirblocc-Tight / Thermo-Tight
ExtrasVollhandschuhe, Überschuhe, Mütze
0°C und kälter
Baselayertranstex® warm 180 / Merino 200
OberkörperThermotrikot Langarm Fullzip
ToplayerAirblocc Softshell / WPM-Jacke
HoseAirblocc-Tight (−5–8°C)
ExtrasWinterhandschuhe, WPM-Überschuhe
Kurzlogik: Je kälter, desto mehr Schichten – aber die Basis bleibt immer gleich: ein transtex®-Baselayer auf der Haut. Der transportiert Schweiß mechanisch nach außen, trocknet schnell und verhindert Auskühlen nach Abfahrten. Darüber passen sich Midlayer und Toplayer an die Bedingungen an.
How intensity affects layer selection
Temperature alone isn’t the deciding factor. If you’re cycling hard, you generate significantly more body heat – and sweat more as a result. This changes what you need:
For high intensity (racing pace, hard intervals, steep climbs):
Fewer layers than indicated in the table above. Wicking takes priority over warmth. transtex® light or transtex® light grid as a base layer, no thermal jersey. A well-fitting wind vest is often sufficient down to 5°C.
At low intensity (commuting, leisure ride, long flat climb):
One extra layer. The body produces less heat. Here, transtex® warm is a good choice as a base layer, combined with a thermal jersey.
Rule of thumb: The higher the intensity, the more synthetic (transtex®). The lower the intensity, the more merino or transtex® merino hybrid.
| Temperature | Low intensity (commuting, leisure) | Moderate intensity (endurance) | High intensity (intervals, race) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20°C | Base layer + lightweight jersey, or a vest if necessary | Base layer + short-sleeved jersey | transtex® light grid + short-sleeved jersey |
| 15°C | transtex® light + long-sleeved jersey + vest | transtex® light + short-sleeved jersey + vest | transtex® light + short-sleeved jersey |
| 10°C | transtex® warm + thermal base layer + jacket | transtex® light + thermal jersey + vest | transtex® light + long-sleeved jersey + vest |
| 5°C | transtex® warm + thermal jersey + Airblocc jacket | transtex® warm + thermal jersey + windbreaker | transtex® light + long-sleeved jersey + wind vest |
| 0°C | transtex® Merino 200 + thermal jersey + Airblocc | transtex® warm 180 + thermal jersey + Airblocc | transtex® warm 180 + thermal jersey + windbreaker |
Baselayer recommendation: The higher the intensity and the more you sweat, the more suitable transtex® light is. The lower the intensity, the more suitable transtex® warm or merino is.
20°C
Low intensity: Base layer + light jersey, possibly a vest
Moderate intensity: Base layer + short-sleeved jersey
High intensity: transtex® light grid + short-sleeved jersey
15°C
Low intensity: transtex® light + long-sleeved jersey + vest
Medium intensity: transtex® light + short-sleeved jersey + vest
High-intensity transtex® light + short-sleeved jersey
10°C
Low intensity transtex® warm + thermal top + jacket
Medium intensity: transtex® light + thermal jersey + vest
High intensity transtex® light + long-sleeved jersey + vest
5°C
Low intensity: transtex® warm + thermal leotard + Airblocc jacket
Moderate intensity: transtex® warm + thermal base layer + windbreaker
High intensity: transtex® light + long-sleeved jersey + wind vest
0°C
Low intensity: transtex® Merino 200 + thermal jersey + Airblocc
Medium intensity: transtex® warm 180 + thermal base layer + Airblocc
High-intensity transtex® warm 180 + thermal jersey + windbreaker
Road bike, gravel or commuting: different requirements
- Road Cycling / Racing
Aerodynamics and light weight are the priority. Close-fitting design. No hood, no loose layers. At 10°C: short-sleeved cycling jersey + leg warmers + wind vest over the jersey. Leg warmers can be stowed in a pocket if it gets warmer. - Gravel / Bikepacking
Variable conditions over several hours. This is where the layering principle pays off. Packable wind vest, arm warmers, rain overtrousers if necessary. At 15°C, starting option: jersey + transtex® base layer, vest in the pocket. - Commuting
Little temperature buffer due to stop-and-go traffic. It often gets warmer during the ride, but at your destination you’ll be in an air-conditioned office. Modular kit makes sense: short ride → better to start off a bit warmer. Long ride → layer up as for a leisure ride.
Common mistakes
Dressed too warmly, with no way to take anything off. The first fifteen minutes feel cold – that’s normal. If you’re freezing at the start but haven’t brought any packable layers, you’ll start to overheat from kilometre 10 onwards. Solution: a lightweight, packable wind vest instead of a thick jacket.
Wrong base layer against the skin. A standard synthetic shirt or cotton base layer under your jersey traps moisture and cools you down. transtex® mechanically wicks sweat away to the outside without getting wet itself – you’ll feel the difference after 20 minutes.
Hands and feet underestimated. Extremities cool down faster than the torso. At 10°C, thin gloves and toe warmers are often not enough – full-finger gloves and closed overshoes are better.
Afternoon vs. morning ignored. A ride that starts at 8°C in the morning and climbs to 18°C by midday requires layers that can be removed. A vest in the back pocket, taking off the arm warmers – the outfit must allow for this.
FAQ
What should I wear when cycling in 10°C weather?
At 10°C and moderate intensity: transtex® light base layer + long-sleeved jersey or thermal jersey + wind vest. Wear long cycling tights (thermal tights or long tights with a thermal lining). Gloves and closed-toe shoes. If you’re cycling at a high intensity, you can replace the thermal jersey with a standard short-sleeved jersey and a wind vest.
What cycling kit is suitable for 15°C?
At 15°C, a short-sleeved jersey worn over a base layer is often sufficient, paired with long or three-quarter-length cycling shorts. A lightweight wind vest is a good idea for the first few kilometres or on descents. If you’re cycling at a high intensity, you can leave the vest off.
What should I wear when cycling in 5°C weather?
At 5°C, you’ll need three layers: a transtex® warm base layer + thermal jersey (long-sleeved, full-zip) + windproof jacket or Airblocc softshell. On the bottom, long cycling tights with a thermal lining or Airblocc tights. Full-finger gloves and overshoes.
What should I wear if it’s cold in the morning but warm in the afternoon?
Layering system with packable layers: base layer + jersey + lightweight, packable wind vest. The vest can be stowed in the back pocket when it gets warmer. Arm warmers are a great addition: put them on for a chilly descent, take them off when you’re warming up.
Which cycling shorts should I wear at 10°C?
Thermo-Tights or long cycling tights with a thermal lining are ideal for temperatures of 10°C. The Löffler Bike Thermo Tights are specifically designed for temperatures between 0 and 10°C. If you feel the cold more easily or ride at a slower pace, you could also opt for Airblocc tights (designed for temperatures between −5 and 8°C).
Do I need a base layer when cycling?
Yes, always when temperatures drop below 15°C. A transtex® base layer keeps your skin dry by wicking sweat away from the body. This prevents you from getting cold on descents or in calm conditions – the single most important factor, especially on long rides.
What is the wind chill effect when cycling?
When cycling, we travel through the air at speeds of 20–40 km/h – this significantly lowers the wind chill. At an outside temperature of 10°C and a cycling speed of 30 km/h, this equates to a wind chill of around 0°C. Windproof materials (Windshell, Airblocc) counteract this effect.
