Cycling in autumn is nothing short of unpredictable. It can deliver rain, sleet and snow – or, if we’re lucky, warmer temperatures and sunshine. In fact, you may encounter several of these situations within a single ride, making it difficult to dress appropriately on the bike.
Luckily, there’s plenty of quality clothing designed for riding this time of year, whatever the weather brings, and for a range of budgets.
Having riding kit that is versatile is the secret and layering can help with warmth, without over-heating. On milder days, a long-sleeve jersey will do the trick. For added insulation, the addition of a gilet will keep the wind at bay and can be easily stuffed into a jersey pocket.
For cool or damp weather there’s a new wave of jerseys designed for autumn riding that feature jacket-like qualities in a lightweight package. These offer warmth and breathability without bulk.
Some may also feature windproof panels or a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment to see you through a shower, though you’ll need a waterproof jacket for properly wet weather.
Moving down the body, bib shorts and knee warmers offer the best bang for your buck in terms of flexibility. Some brands even offer shorts that are thermally insulated with a fleece lining for colder rides.
Another autumn option is the ¾ bib knicker. These don’t offer the same flexibility but are extremely warm and comfortable. They’re also great for gravel riding and racing ’cross. You’ll be shocked how much use they get once you own a pair.
After a summer of riding and gaining fitness, don’t let autumn put you off getting out there. Riding kit is better than ever so there’s no excuse.
Get the look
We’ve tested complete autumn outfits from 10 leading brands, with options for all budgets. Read on for our verdicts.
For more advice on what to look for when shopping for autumn clothing, check out the buyer’s guide at the bottom of this article.
- B’Twin: £56 (jersey £18 / bib shorts £25 / knee warmers £13)
- DHB: £173 (jersey £65 / bib shorts £80 / knee warmers £18)
- Madison: £210 (jersey £85 / bib shorts £100 / knee warmers £25)
- Endura: £190 (jersey £85 / bib shorts £85 / knee warmers £20)
- Giro: £270 (jersey £120 / bib shorts £120 / knee warmers £30)
- Sportful: £287 (jersey £155 / bib shorts £100 / knee warmers £32)
- Le Col: £295 (jersey £135 / ¾ bibs £160)
- Gore: £355 (jersey £100 / bib shorts £220 / knee warmers £35)
- Castelli: £369 (jersey £180 / bib shorts £145 / knee warmers £44)
- Rapha: £400 (jersey £150 / bib shorts £200 / knee warmers £50)
B’Twin
Triban RC-100 Long Sleeve Jersey
- RRP: £18
- Sizes: S – XXL
- Colours: Black/Blue, Navy/Orange
If you’re on a tight budget, the mid-weight Triban RC-100 long sleeve jersey offers exceptional value. This panelled jersey uses a lightweight polyester fleece-style fabric that does a solid job of keeping the chill off on milder autumn days.
The cut, which is true to size, is generous without being baggy or ill-fitting. The collar is tall and soft, and seals well but there’s no zip garage. There’s plenty of length in the body.
The three main rear pockets are easy to get in and out of, and there’s a neat side pocket for a gel, too. A full-length zip allows for temperature control but we did miss an internal draft flap to keep the elements out.
The RC-100 isn’t windproof but breathes well and performs far above its price tag.
Triban RC-100 Bib Shorts
- RRP: £25
- Sizes: S – XXXL
The legs of the Triban RC-100 Bib Shorts are tight-fitting but not uncomfortable and this helps to keep everything in place, especially since there are no silicone grippers on the leg ends.
Inside, the pad looks the part with its channelled design. When you first slip the shorts on, the chamois feels overly big and bunches up but on the bike it spreads and sits well to do a solid job, price considered.
We had no issue with the upper bibs. They are made from mesh for added breathability and are wide enough for a comfortable ride.
B’Twin Cold Weather Knee Warmers
- RRP: £13
- Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL
B’Twin’s Cold Weather Knee Warmers offer superb value and are made from a brushed fleece fabric, with silicone grippers to keep them in place. Paired with bib shorts, they are ideal for milder autumn days when full winter kit isn’t required, particularly if you’re on a tight budget.
Verdict
Well-fitting kit, ideal for relatively dry and mild autumn riding. Exceptional value.
dhb
dhb Aeron Equinox Thermal Jersey
- RRP: £75 / US$95 / AU$120
- Sizes: XS – XXL
- Colours: Black, Black/Yellow, Green/Navy, Red/Black
The lightweight dhb Equinox jersey uses two different Italian fabrics. The body is cut from a dimpled brushed fabric that traps air for warmth, while the arms use a lightly brushed, tighter knit fabric.
This combination breathes well and the full-length front zip provides further temperature control. We also appreciated the zip garage on the soft and comfortably tall collar.
Three large rear pockets provide ample room but sag if overloaded. The additional zip pocket with a sweat resistant flap is perfect for valuables. A silicone gripper holds everything in place. It fits true to size and the jersey works well with a base layer on all but the coldest autumn days.
dhb Aeron Equinox Bib Shorts
- RRP: £80 / US$100 / AU$120
- Sizes: XS – XXL
The main body of the dhb Aeron Equinox bib shorts use a neat panelled design featuring three different fabrics. The inside leg/sit panels use a stretchy, highly breathable fabric that helps draw sweat. On the lower back and exposed panels, dhb uses a thin, tight-knit, lightly brushed material that’s highly wind resistant but remains breathable.
The upper bibs use a mesh fabric with comfortable and wide shoulder straps while silicone leg grippers do their job equally well. Inside the shorts, the Paris HP pad, which uses three foam densities, is wide-covering but feels fine on the bike, even on longer rides.
dhb Equinox Thermal Knee Warmers
- RRP: £18 / US$22 / AU$30
- Sizes: XS – L
The Equinox knee warmers from dhb are the perfect autumn partner, using a stretchy yet breathable thermal brushed fabric, with double silicone tops to hold them in place.
Verdict
A great value combination that works well on all but the coldest or wettest days.
Madison
Madison Roadrace Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey
- RRP: £85
- Sizes: XS – XXL
- Colours: Burgundy, Navy
Designed in conjunction with the former Madison-Genesis pro team, this jersey comes with a race fit but is forgiving. It uses a heavier weight Italian-made Thermal Roubaix fabric that’s shaped for the riding position.
This fabric seals against the elements and provides superb insulation while breathing well. Madison has added a zip garage on the tall, soft collar for comfort.
On the rear, the three well-located pockets take care of stash duties. Ideal for cooler, drier autumn days – but on wet days you will need an outer shell.
Madison Roadrace Premio Thermal DWR Bib Shorts
- RRP: £100
- Sizes: XS – XXL
Madison’s Roadrace Premio Thermal shorts use a brushed Italian fabric for added warmth and feature a DWR treatment that sees rain roll off in a shower, but they’re not completely waterproof.
The panels remain relatively thin, which adds to their comfort. The raw end legs stay where you want them to thanks to wide, half-leg grippers.
At first the internal pad felt cumbersome but it sits comfortably on the bike. The pad features three densities of foam that ensure a pain-free ride.
Madison Sportive Thermal Knee Warmers
- RRP: £25
- Sizes: S – XL
The brushed Sportive Thermal Knee Warmers work well here, delivering warmth and comfort thanks to the stretchy fabric and wide upper grippers with silicone inner detailing. Reflective logos help to keep you seen.
Verdict
Race pedigree kit that works well for autumn pedalling without costing a fortune.
Endura
Endura Pro SL L/S Jersey
- RRP: £85 / US$130
- Sizes: S – XXL & XS – XXL
- Colours: Navy & Black, Blue
Endura’s Pro SL is a mid-weight thermal but doesn’t use a brushed fabric like many. This makes for low-bulk insulation ideal for milder autumn rides.
Sealing is good and the front zip has a garage to avoid neck irritation, plus a flap to keep drafts out. The overall cut is race style but remains forgiving, while fit is true to size with a tall collar, drop tail and proper length arms.
A zipped valuables pocket and the three easy-access main pockets do a fine job of kit carrying duties.
Endura FS260-Pro Thermo Bibshort
- RRP: £85 / US$130
- Sizes: S – XXL
The shorts are cut from Endura’s soft-brushed Thermo Roubaix fabric that provides insulation on the inside, while the outer is given a DWR coating that sees rain roll off. They’re not completely waterproof but will see you through a shower.
Inside, Endura’s 600 Series stretch pad, which is computer cut with a continuously variable profile and gel inserts, does a top job of delivering a forgiving ride. The shorts have a close cut, which fits true to size, and feature wide raw-end leg grippers with silicone detailing to keep them in place.
There are also neat reflective stripes on the rear, which, along with the brand logos, help to keep you seen. The high front with zip and rear panel help to keep your midriff warm.
Endura Thermo Knee Warmers
- RRP: £20 / US$30
- Sizes: S/M – L/XL
When pairing the Pro SL jersey and FS260-Pro Thermo shorts with Endura’s equally top-performing Thermo warmers, which are cut from the same fabric as the shorts, you have a classy get-up for colder, damper days.
Verdict
Versatile setup that offers good value and delivers on-the-road performance.
Giro
Giro Chrono Windbloc Pro Jersey
- RRP: £120 / US$160
- Sizes: S – XXL
- Colours: Black, Grey/Orange
Giro’s new mid-weight, long sleeve jersey is the ideal partner for cooler days. The Polartec windproof panels found on the front and top of the arms do a good job of keeping the cold out, while also helping to retain heat.
Giro uses a soft fleecy Italian thermal fabric on the rear panels that is not only warm and cosy, but breathes well. On damp days the DWR treatment helps to keep you dry in a shower and road spray at bay.
Wide articulated wrists, which easily fit under gloves, along with the tall fleece-lined collar, front zip draft flap and the main hem help to keep you sealed. Three rear expandable pockets do their job well when fully loaded.
Giro Chrono Expert Bib Shorts
- RRP: £120 / US$150 / AU$250
- Sizes: S – XXL
The legs on Giro’s Chrono Expert shorts have plenty of length offering good coverage. The fit, which is true to size, is good all round and the compression leg grippers hold things in place without feeling tight.
Mesh upper bibs with wide straps sit comfortably and do a good job of keeping you cool and sweat-free. The soft inner pad, which is custom made for Giro, sits well. It features ample padding where you need it most and has tiny air channels and punched holes for added ventilation.
Giro Knee Warmers
- RRP: £30 / US$45 / AU$50
- Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL
Giro’s knee warmers use a soft and stretchy knitted Wikopro fabric. This highly breathable polyester/nylon blend moves well with your legs without the need for silicone.
Verdict
Well-made autumn riding combo with a jersey that excels in bad weather.
Sportful
Sportful Fiandre Strato Wind Jacket
- RRP: £155 / US$250 / US$280
- Sizes: XS –XXXL
- Colours: Black, Blue, Grey, Orange
The latest incarnation of the Strato comes stacked with jacket-like features yet feels more like a jersey. The brushed NoRain fabric used throughout not only insulates superbly but helps rain to bead and roll off.
As do the breathable Gore-Tex Infinium front and shoulder panels that are completely windproof and water resistant. Hidden zipped front vents aid temperature control.
We liked how well it seals around the soft tall collar, long cuffs and wide-brimmed hems. The three rear pockets aren’t as wide as some but we never had any luggage capacity problems. The cut is ideal for racers but mortals will need to size up.
Sportful Fiandre Norain 2 Bibshort
- RRP: £100 / US$130 / AU$181
- Sizes: S – XXXL
The Fiandre NoRain 2 bib shorts come into their own on cooler and potentially wet rides thanks to the combination of lightweight brushed inners with water resistant outers. Sportful has also kept seams to a minimum to help reduce damp penetration, seeing rain roll off in all but the heaviest of storms.
The legs offer plenty of coverage and the raw-edge silicone grippers do a top job. Mesh uppers prevent overheating and sit comfortably. The multi-density TC Pro inner pad delivers an impressive ride on long days.
Sportful Norain Knee Warmers
- RRP: £32 / US$50 / AU$64
- Sizes: S – XL
The matching NoRain knee warmers use the same top-performing, water resistant fabric as the bib shorts, making this a versatile and high-quality combination that’s a winner on cold or damp days.
Verdict
Quality, high-performing cold and damp-weather riding kit that justifies the price tag
Le Col
Le Col Pro Aqua Zero LS Jersey
- RRP: £135 / US$185 / AU$245
- Sizes: XS – XXXL
- Colours: Black, Navy
The stylish Aqua Zero jersey from Le Col bridges the gap between jersey and jacket. This mid-weight top is aimed at racers with a matching fit, though we did find the sleeves shorter than most.
It’s made from Le Col’s soft but warm Blizzard thermal fleece fabric that comes into its own on colder days yet remains impressively breathable. This also features a DWR treatment so you’ll also have no problem during a shower although we did get some water penetration through the zip.
Sealing is good all round and we liked the zip garage on the tall collar. Three rear pockets offer ample storage but these sit high, making access a little more restrictive. On colder autumn or spring days, the Italian made Aqua Zero comes into its own.
Le Col Pro 3/4 Bibs
- RRP: £160
- Sizes: XS – XXXL
The Pro ¾ Bibs make life easy and getting out of the door quicker on cooler days with their added coverage, removing the need for knee warmers. Le Col uses an Italian Roubaix fleece fabric throughout, even on the uppers. This provides good insulation and added warmth around the shoulders and midriff.
The wide logo’d, silicone-lined grippers hold the legs perfectly in place so there’s never any bunching behind the calf muscles, which translates into a smooth and comfortable ride.
Inside, Le Col goes with its wide-covering Dolomiti memory pad. This feels wide, but the fit is good once pedalling and the memory foam does a top job of looking after your rear. The channels here are deeper than some and they help to reduce sweating and improve airflow.
While ¾ bibs aren’t for everyone, we like them, and the Pros are a quality example perfect for autumn riding duties, if a little pricey.
Verdict
High-end performance for the worst weather that autumn can bring, well-suited to riders who like ¾ bibs.
Gore
Gore C5 Thermo Jersey
- RRP: £100 / US$130
- Sizes: S – XXL
- Colours: Black/Red, Black/White, Blue/Black, Neon Yellow/Black, Red/Black
Gore’s form-fitting C5 is a comfy and forgiving jersey that fits true to size. Decent length arms along with a drop tail and generous front panels provide maximum coverage.
The cosy medium-weight brushed thermal fabric sits well against the skin; same goes for the tall collar.
The three large rear pockets are easy to access on the fly. There’s also a zipped valuables pocket. All of this comes together in a warm jersey that performs well on cool, dry autumn days, and also works well as a mid-layer with an outer shell on wet or windy days.
Gore C7 Race Bib Shorts+
- RRP: £220 / US$270
- Sizes: S – XXL
The C7 bibs’ panelled design uses a compression fabric to support the muscles, while the fit is true to size and not overly tight.
The four-way stretch fabric is abrasion resistant and anti-piling, as well as feeling soft against the skin. Gore’s Central Torso Architecture, which means the shorts are anchored around the thighs, lower back and shoulders, works well and holds the legs and inner pad perfectly in place in or out of the saddle. The Windstopper front cup panels are especially useful.
Gore C3 Thermo Knee Warmers
- RRP: £35 / US$50
- Sizes: XS – S, M – L, XL – XXL
Gore’s panelled C3 Thermo knee warmers are the perfect partner to the high-performing and comfortable C7 shorts. They’re warm with pre-shaped knees and sit well.
Verdict
Solid autumn performance for milder weather, with the usual Gore quality.
Castelli
Castelli Nelmezzo RoS Jersey
- RRP: £180 / US$250
- Sizes: S – XXXL
- Colours: Black/Red, Blue/Yellow Fluro, Navy/Orange, Grey/Orange, Red/Black
This double thickness jersey has a membrane with a warm brushed inner and a Nano Flex Xtra Dry outer. The latter does a solid job of keeping the wind at bay and will see you through a shower. The lack of membrane improves breathability to work across a variety of temperatures.
Sealing is good all round and we appreciated the tall, soft collar. There’s no zip garage here but it rides irritation-free. The classic three-pocket setup works perfectly. There’s also a covered valuables pocket on the right side.
The cut is fitted and mortals will need to size up. The combination of warmth, shower protection and superb breathability means the Nelmezzo works well for all but the wettest autumn rides.
Castelli Nano Flex Pro 2 RoS Omloop Bib Shorts
- RRP: £145 / US$180
- Sizes: S – XXXL
Castelli’s Omloop shorts are ideal when the weather takes a turn for the worse with their warm brushed Nano Flex Xtra Fabric. This double-faced fabric provides added insulation and the tight weave helps to keep the wind out. The outer surface sees rain roll off.
The long-angled raw-edge legs reach the top of the knee – they are longer than regular shorts – while the rear sits higher for unhindered pedalling. Wide mesh uppers provide comfort and a sweat-free ride. Inside, Castelli’s Progetto X2 Air inner pad provides a luxurious ride.
Castelli Nano Flex 3G Knee Warmers
- RRP: £44 / US$60
- Sizes: S – XL
The Nano Flex 3G Knee Warmers from Castelli offer comfort, insulation, and wind and shower protection.
Verdict
Top-end race performance covering most autumn ride situations… if you have the money
Rapha
Rapha Pro Team Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey
- RRP: £150 / US$205 / AU$260
- Sizes: XS – XXL
- Colours: Green/Grey, Grey, Navy, Navy/Chartreuse, Red, Ultramarine, Yellow
A lightweight, long-sleeved jersey that offers fleecy thermal protection, with a fitted cut designed to help save watts. This is aided by no front seams and bonded shoulder and back panels. Stretchy side panels help with a body-hugging fit but it doesn’t feel restrictive.
This does limit the width of the outer rear pockets. On the plus side they do sit flat when empty and there’s an internal pump loop.
The Pro Team Thermal is soft and feels good against the skin. It offers good insulation and breathability but is expensive for a jersey with no wind or water protection.
Rapha Pro Team Thermal Bib Shorts II
- RRP: £200 / US$275 / AU$350
- Sizes: XS – XXL
Rapha’s Pro Team bibs feature warm brushed inners, while the outers see rain roll off during a shower and help keep the wind out. The legs aren’t as long as some but the wide hems with silicone grippers sit pretty. We appreciated the warm fabric around the midriff.
Inside, Rapha’s dual density Pro Team pad feels thick and a little cumbersome at first but impressed us on the road. The fit is close but not overly compressive once pedalling, and the sizing was spot on.
Rapha Merino Knee Warmers
- RRP: £50 / US$70 / AU$90
- Sizes: S – L
Rapha’s Merino knee warmers are expensive but soft, offer a good fit, provide insulation and breathe well. They’re not wind or water resistant but, being made from Merino, retain warmth and dry quickly.
Verdict
A quality combo that works well but you pay a premium.
Six things to consider when buying autumn clothing
01: Bibs
Whether it’s shorts or ¾ knickers, we recommend going for bibs that feature upper shoulder straps. These hold everything up, keep the internal pad in place for comfort and offer midriff warmth.
02: Breathability
Sweat is produced as you pedal so good breathability is vital and will stop you catching a chill when you slow down. The process of pulling sweat from the body and through the fabric is called wicking. Zips also help with temperature regulation.
03: Hydrophobic treatment
Some shorts, jerseys and warmers feature a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment. This slows penetration and encourages water to roll off in beads to see you through a light shower, but it’s not fully waterproof.
04: Chamois pad
The inner pad is the most important contact point when it comes to ride comfort and its importance shouldn’t be underestimated. Quality is often reflected in the price.
05: Features
Whether it’s full-length front zips, easy-access pockets or comfortable collars, these features can all improve comfort and convenience. The addition of reflective detailing is also useful.
06: Warmers
Warmers, whether it’s for arms, legs or knees, make for a versatile ride setup. Many now feature a thermal fabric for cooler days or a water resistant treatment to see you through a shower.
Clothing care
Autumn riding kit is pretty tech these days and if you want it to keep functioning at its best follow the instructions carefully. Don’t just throw it in the wash with your regular clothes.
There are now sports detergents designed specifically for these duties that are kind to kit. Fabric softeners and tumble drying should be avoided though. A little care goes a long way.
