Best gravel bike clothing 2026: extensively tested by our gravel experts off-road
Full lycra kit or something more laid back, here's our gravel experts' top pick of the best gravel bike clothing and what to look for in kit for off-road riding
Matt Ischt-Barnard
As a style of riding, ‘Gravel’ encompasses a truly massive variety of terrains, intensities, distances and approaches, that's all before you factor everything from racing, bikepacking and just personal preference. This sheer vastness is reflected heavily in the available options for the best gravel bike clothing.
If you’re coming from road cycling, and speed and aerodynamics are important to your gravel riding, you’ll probably feel most at home in the more figure-hugging kit. The best gravel jerseys and best cargo bib shorts aren't a million miles from the best road cycling jerseys and best bib shorts. The main differences are greater use of natural fibres and additional pockets. The main benefits of this ‘roadie-influenced’ clothing include breathability, reduced chafing, lighter weight, and better aerodynamics.
On the other hand, if you’re coming from mountain biking or if you’re new to cycling in general, baggies will be the closest match to what you’d typically wear. These tend to be harder-wearing garments that will withstand errant foliage on the trails better. They also look more like ‘normal clothes’ - so if you don’t want to attract too much attention in a pub or when sightseeing away from your bike, baggies are generally the better option.
Best gravel bike clothing 2026
Best Gravel Bike Shorts
Rapha’s Nylon/Elastane blend is lightweight, stretchy and a truly excellent hot weather performer. With a shorter leg length, stretchy fabric, it was easy to forget I was wearing these overshorts - I didn’t have any pulling on my legs or excessive heat buildup. I also really appreciated the zipped pockets, reflective detailing and the loop of elastic inside the waistband, which you can use to roll up the shorts when packing away in a saddle bag.
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Stylish looks
- Great fit and stretchy fabrics
Cons
- Waistband isn’t as stretchy as the Assos shorts
Aside from Assos’ usual build quality and bombproof durability, these shorts are exceptionally comfortable with a markedly plush chamois and excellent all-around fit. The downside, if you see it that way, to all this comfort is that you feel a little isolated from the bike and the terrain. For harder and faster riding, you might want a bit more of a connection to the bike. I also preferred the slightly shorter leg; however, the trend and preference seem to be towards a longer one.
Pros
- Supreme comfort
- Extra protection for narrow trails
- Soft but durable fabrics
Cons
- Premium performance comes at a high cost
- Only in black
The Hummvee shorts are tech-packed, featuring an integrated liner to make hours in the saddle more comfortable and zip vents for enhanced ventilation. While a little heavy, they are of a very robust nature and fully up for contending with branches, brambles and any other trailside detritus. The maybe slightly obvious downside to this is the Endura's get very hot, the zip vents help but only to a certain extent.
Pros
- Super rugged construction
- Lots of pockets
- 'neutral' & casual aesthetics
Cons
- Quite hot even with the zip vent open
Almost the polar opposite of Endura, Assos’ shorts are super lightweight and pared down. They lack a variety of pockets, but they are highly comfortable even in hot spells. I honestly don’t find much use for pockets on baggy shorts anyway - and the two side pockets are plenty useful enough for stops at the cafe. They are sportier looking than most baggies though, so, if you don't mind that aesthetic and are after the highest performance baggy shorts on the market, being ultra light, fast wicking and super stretchy, then these are certainly it.
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Super stretchy
- Super Cool
- Super wicking
Cons
- Like almost all Assos, one of the priciest options
The best products are the ones you don’t think about, and the MK3 cargo bib shorts are exactly that. The chamois is excellent; the fabrics are quick-wicking and have plenty of stretch. The cargo pockets have a neat construction to them, too, with a generous folded-over flap of material which you can hook over to secure high-value items. This does bring a downside, and that is a little bit more faff to get your kit out, but I think that’s a price worth paying for the upside - and I haven’t come across a better solution yet. In all, these are simply really good cargo bib shorts that do the job without a fuss.
Pros
- Warm and great in the rain
- Excellent skin-tight fit
- Supportive pockets
Cons
- Greater use of synthetic fibres than merino
Best gravel bike jerseys
It is very similar in function and form to the Endura Hummvee, but the Mille GTC benefits from much higher-quality fabrics, which provide significantly better wicking and fit. Instantly, when you put on the jersey, the fabrics feel nicer and softer to the touch. But beyond that, as anyone who’s owned Assos products in the past can attest, the Assos kit just lasts incredibly well. Coming now to the second point, although this is a relaxed jersey, it still has a slim fit to it. A little like a high-end polo shirt - flattering but not tight.
Pros
- The fabrics feel lovely
- Nicely slim fitted
- Feels robust
Cons
- Pricey side for what is a Tech-Tee
If you’re in the market for a relaxed top, you’re probably more interested in the ride itself rather than your elapsed time or power numbers. If that’s the case, marginal gains probably also don’t mean as much as durability and good value. Happily, Endura’s Hummvee Jersey II represents an excellent option for that style of riding. It’s around half the price of those tighter fitting tops, but still offers excellent sweat-wicking for comfort in the heat - plus the half-length zip and general flowing feeling of the jersey helps to boost airflow too.
Pros
- Excellent value
- Cool and wicking
- Relaxed cut
Cons
- Easy to overweight the rear jersey pockets
Ashlu Merino Jersey has a particularly rich blend of wool in its construction (89%), and to some extent, more does equal better. The antimicrobial properties are greater, and there is something about the softness that just adds comfort. On the other hand, it simply doesn’t have the same elasticity as synthetic fibres. 7mesh mitigates this by adding 11% nylon into the mix, which, combined with thin wool, makes for an excellent relaxed fit that is ideal for very hot days in the saddle.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Wicking
- Great in hot conditions
Cons
- High merino content means it's not as form fitting
MAAP’s Alt_Road Jersey has a figure-hugging, race-oriented fit which incorporates a 47% merino wool blend into its construction. Combined with some synthetic fibres (which help the stretch and strength), it keeps you nice and warm! That’s not to say it doesn’t perform in the heat - on the contrary, conditions up to 28°C / 82.4°F are comfortable. But where I’ve found this jersey at its very best is in cooler weather and in changeable conditions.
Pros
- Warm and great in the rain
- Excellent skin-tight fit
- Supportive pockets
Cons
- Greater use of synthetic fibres than merino
How we test gravel clothing
Here at Cycling Weekly, we take our testing of all the best cycling clothing seriously. One of the beauties of riding a bike is being out in the elements and feeling the wind in your hair, but that leaves us vulnerable and exposed. That's why we rigorously evaluate performance, durability, and suitability for a number of conditions. We have assessed a wide range of garments, including jerseys, bibs, shorts, and accessories, ensuring they meet the demands of adventurous riding.
Our testing takes place across varied terrain, from loose gravel and technical singletrack to packed dirt and transitional pavement. We expose the garments to a variety of weather conditions and how they wash afterwards. As with everything we test but more so with clothing, rides vary in length and intensity, simulating real-world usage and performance.
Each gravel garment will be assessed and scored on several features and functions, with the key performance indicator being comfort and its suitability for purpose. As with all the clothing we test, breathability, durability, protection, visibility, and storage all play a significant role in a garment's overall score.
With gravel biking being a more relaxed pursuit within cycling, aesthetics and overall style play a key role in our selection of the best gravel bike clothing. Given that a reasonable amount of time is spent off the bike, it's nice not to always look like a cyclist.
For more on how the Cycling Weekly team puts the best cycling products through their paces, visit our How We Test page.
Meet our gravel clothing expert
Stefan, who is no longer with CW, left behind a legacy with the vast amount of cycling kit he tested during his tenure with the team. Stefan, like so many of the team, is a prolific cyclist and loves nothing more than loading up his bike and heading for the hills on multi-day adventures to faraway places.
How to choose the best clothing for gravel biking
What's best for gravel riding, lycra or casual?
The best style of kit for gravel riding ultimately depends on two things; the situation and rider preference. You'll tend to see most people in competitive gravel races wearing aerodynamic lycra kit much like road cycling, whereas for multi-day bikepacking trips many riders opt for loose-fit casual gear.
Lycra or baggy, the choice is down to you. There's more choice than ever in between with brands launching constantly launching gravel-specific threads in addition to road and mountain biking gear, for example baggy shorts that are slim-fit and shorter than traditional mountain biking shorts.
For many, gravel riding can be a more casual alternative to road cycling, and their clothing style reflects this.
Can't I just wear my everyday clothes?
You certainly can wear your normal casual gear for gravel riding, although you might soon realize the benefits of more technical fabrics and fits that are specific to cycling or at least active wear. Cotton t-shirts don't tend to dry out very well, and riding without any chamois support can leave you sitting less than pretty.
What materials are best for gravel clothing?
You can largely divide technical materials adopted for cycling gear in two; synthetic and non-synthetic. On the whole, non-synthetic materials including merino and bamboo can help significantly with odor control, which is important for rides over multiple days.
Some synthetic technical tees excel at moisture wicking and breathability, which is really important for hot days in the saddle.
Even though you probably won't be going as fast as you would be on the road, the extra resistance from riding off-road can really make you work up a sweat, so breathable fabrics and layers are key.
You're also likely to need a greater range of movement for riding off-road compared to road cycling, as you maneuver over the bike and out of the saddle for technical descents. Look for fabrics that have plenty of stretch to prevent binding and pinching.
Baggy shorts or bib shorts?
The age-old question. Again, this tends to be personal preference, however there have been technological advances on both sides recently. Cargo pockets on bib shorts now make carrying kit like your phone or snacks easier, and advanced mesh liner bibs for wearing under baggies mean that you don't have to compromise on chamois comfort.
Frequently asked questions about gravel bike clothing
How should I dress for gravel biking?
This is the beauty of gravel cycling: being an amalgamation of road cycling and mountain biking, there isn't one strict rule, and it certainly isn't a law like road cycling has become over the years.
Really, it is all about what you find most comfortable and what suits your style of riding.
If you are racing, for example, you might still want to think about the height of your aero socks and how white your shoes are. However, given the more leisurely pace of most people's gravel rides, it's nice to relax your clothing a bit.
Throw on a pair of baggy shorts and a relaxed jersey. Just because the clothing is not form-fitting doesn't mean it can't perform technically; there is a wide range of options now using highly technical fabrics and manufacturing techniques to achieve excellent levels of performance.
What is the best gravel clothing brand?
As you can see from our guide here there is a wide range of brands offering gravel specific clothing. Many recognisable from their high performance road kit like Assos and Rapha.
However, brands far more well known for their mountain biking kit are encroaching in on the gravel biking market. Brands like Endura and 7Mesh who are highly reagrded in the off-road communities already.
