Matt Ischt-Barnard
Let us be honest, you can absolutely wear regular outdoor cycling kit for your turbo sessions or spin classes. However, the best indoor cycling clothing can make a noticeable difference in performance, keeping you cooler and increasing comfort.
Working similarly to a best short-sleeved jersey for summer riding or a baselayer, indoor-specific kit is designed to help the body regulate its temperature by wicking away sweat. Regulating the body's temperature is crucial to enhancing your cycling performance, as overheating can lead to a drop in performance.
The quick list
Best Shorts and Bibs for Indoor Cycling
Lightweight and breathable while still delivering compression for longer sessions. An exceptional pad adds to the comfort.
High-tech material choices and perforated Lycra over the quads promise serious functionality when breathability is paramount. This solid performer comes with a true chamois and all-around comfort, and a hefty price tag.
Ultralight by name, Ultralight by nature. At just 150g/5.2oz, there isn't much to the Velocio Ultralights, which is part of why they perform so well indoors, with less fabric to hold in the heat.
See three more of the best indoor cycling shorts
A tried and tested formula is found in the Core Cargo Shorts. Raphas' top-quality chamois and fabrics make for very comfortable shorts, and the pockets are a nice extra for indoor cycling.
With a minimal Chamois and large venting thigh cutouts, the Castelli Insider 2s are ideal for a spin class followed by yoga or HIT classes.
A lightweight main body construction makes for a looser fit, but the utilisation of mesh side panels and perforated chamois provides ample airflow to meet the demands of the most intense indoor riding conditions.
Best Jerseys for Indoor Cycling
Weighing less than 100g and made from 100% mesh, this is a super breathable jersey, with the bonus of three pockets.
With large areas of mesh fabric and a decent amount of compression, the Assos Skin Layer is ideal for indoor riding and also serves as an excellent summer baselayer.
Don't be deceived by its appearance. The Rapha indoor jersey is very well designed, and it wouldn't look out of place in any fitness scenario. To top it off, it is one of the most affordable garments Rapha sells.
Best accessories for Indoor Cycling
Best shoes
Exceptionally high performance for such a budget shoe. The IC100's sock-like feel offers great support and comfort to anyone looking to clip in at a spin class or at home.
Best cap
Designed to work similarly to a lightweight jersey or base layer in hot weather, the Castelli A/C cap works hard to keep sweat from running down your face.
The Cycling Weekly tech team named the Velocio Signature socks the best lightweight option for warmer conditions, offering superior heat dissipation and comfort.
The best indoor cycling clothing: Our picks
Best Indoor Bib Shorts
Assos Superleger
Released as part of a collection, the Assos Equipe RSR Cycling Bib Shorts Superléger S9 uses the S9 construction - with braces which cross at the rear in order to prevent the pad from moving around.
Assos is renowned for its chamois pads, and the insert here is no exception - it's a little less bulky than that in the S9, but our tester found it extremely comfortable.
The fabric is lightweight, but not perforated - this means it provides compression and still appears like a normal short, so we felt that you could wear these outside on hot days, too.
Currently the range is in men's only options. Judging by our 5/5 review, we'd like to see Assos extend this to the women's range as well.
Read more: Assos Equipe RSR Cycling Bib Shorts Superléger S9 full review
Best budget indoor bib shorts
Santini Forza
Bringing another indoor-only option to this category, the Santini Forza threads the needle between high-tech materials and traditional quality in pursuit of an excellent bib short for the niche indoor riding application. The Forza is priced squarely within the premium price point for the category. This can be hard to reckon with for a piece of clothing with such a specific application, but premium pricing absolutely aligns with premium performance, in this case.
Sporting a true indoor-focused design, you are not going to want to take the Forza beyond the garage door. But for a true indoor bib short, it doesn’t get a whole lot better than this blend of high-tech features and premium comfort.
Much like other indoor-specific players in this category, the Forza dives headfirst into high-tech design aimed at maximising breathability and moisture management. Several key features deserve primary credit for the product’s performance in this pursuit. High-tech material choices that “actively promote cooling and enhance breathability” can be found throughout. Large perforations line the quad and the lower part of the hamstring to encourage airflow. Even the hotter, more intense sessions feel a little less spicy in these bibs.
Importantly, these application-specific features do not come at a compromise to comfort. Santini’s top-tier C3 chamois boasts multilayer foam and gel inserts. The pad offers plenty of cushioning, but also impressive support and structure so as to not bog down with moisture after even the sweatiest session. Both initial leg feel and active testing provides validation that the legendary Italian brand is alive and well at the forefront of both tech and comfort in this emergent space.
Best Women's indoor cycling bib shorts
Velocio Ultralight bib shorts
The Velocio Ultralight bibs are indeed “ultralight” - the medium weighs in at just 150g and holding the bibs in your hand feels like holding hardly anything at all. The Ultralight bibs have an effective “easy pee” design, with extra-stretchy fabric just above the tailbone making for an easy way to pull down the bibs without removing the straps for a quick restroom stop.
The chamois is thick enough to be comfortable during longer indoor rides, but not so bulky as to become sweat-logged or chafe while sitting in the same position on the trainer or a spin bike for long periods of time. The Ultralight bib straps have a nice horizontal strap about three-quarters of the way up the back connecting the two shoulder straps, so no matter how sweaty you become, you won’t experience any shoulder strap slippage.
These bibs are expensive and this may cause you to raise an eyebrow when considering that the Ultralight fabric is a tad rough - it didn’t cause any chafing or discomfort while riding, but be warned that these aren’t silky smooth bibs like the Rapha Core bibs. The fabric is also a smidge see-through when stretched, such as when bending forward for a more aero position or when standing to climb. This may not matter as much if you’re riding solo in an indoor pain cave, but it could be frustrating for some.
Lastly, Velocio’s bibs run small and sizing up is encouraged. The brand offers a nice range of sizes from XXS-3XL, so finding a size that fits may not be as difficult as with other brands, but it is still a bit of a guessing game given that Velocio’s size chart goes off of height and weight and not specific body measurements.
Best Indoor Cycling Shorts
Rapha Core Cargo shorts
Rapha has taken a different approach with its indoor turbo-specific range clothing range. There are some new specific pieces, but the brand has chosen to gather pieces from its existing ranges and group them under the indoor banner.
Not that it's a bad thing as we felt the Rapha Cargo shorts offered an excellent pad and a comfortable fit. Our only criticism was the lack of a bib, but arguably the waist shorts are a more desirable option for indoor riding.
Read more: Rapha Core Cargo Cycling Shorts full review
Best indoor cycling shorts for cross training
Castelli Insider 2 Shorts
The Castelli Insider 2 shorts are the quintessential indoor ride shorts for sessions lasting 60 minutes or less. The shorts are true to size with a nice compression to them—just the right amount to feel snug in the shorts but not so much as to feel like a sausage.
The Insider 2 chamois is the definition of “barely there” —Castelli’s classic honeycomb padding design is present as with the Velocissima 3, but the extra layer of padding beneath the honeycomb (again, as with the Velocissima 3) is not included in the Insider 2. As such, the padding is minimal but comfortable enough to ride for about an hour before starting to shift around on the saddle.
Thanks to the more minimal chamois, the Insider 2 could be worn for a post-ride stretch, yoga, core work or lifting session.
The Insider 2 is highly breathable and lightweight, and much of that stems from the thigh cutouts, which feature perforated fabric (so yes, the outer thigh area is definitely see-through). This allows for tons of breathability and sweat-wicking but could be uncomfortable for those who don’t like to show so much skin. Rest assured, the groin and behind areas are covered in non-see-through fabric, though.
Best Relaxed Fit
Isadore Indoor
Not all riders desire the suspenders of a bib short. Indoors, strapless shorts can be a natural fit. Less time in and out of the saddle, along with the elevated importance of lightweight, breathable construction, make the indoor arena a prime market for this design. Isadore has capitalised on this opportunity with their Indoor Shorts.
Despite an extended waistband and generous silicone-free grippers on the Indoor Short, the absence of bib suspenders combined with a lightweight main body construction makes for a looser fit that can be a bit uncomfortable for those less accustomed to the strapless style. For those who are more familiar with the strapless system, I would imagine this impact is negligible, but it is worth noting for those considering the switchover from the more common bib style.
Working alongside the strapless design, the overall lightweight material choices utilised in this short, mesh side panels, and perforated chamois, provide ample airflow to meet the demands of the most intense, static indoor riding conditions. Despite these materials, the short is well constructed and comfortable over the skin. It is an indoor-specific application, although the shorts could presumably be used as a liner under mountain bike baggy shorts quite happily.
The open-cell chamois is pronounced but well-engineered to provide support only where it is needed most. Perforations in the pad increase airflow to the most constricted portion of the shorts, resulting in a satisfying reduction in absorbed moisture over the course of both extended and higher-intensity sessions.
Overall, this represents a good option for a unique product offering in a very niche application. I don’t believe this represents a good option for most riders, however. There is a good reason the bib short is the dominant design, but if you are looking specifically for a strapless system for indoor riding, the Isadore Indoor Short may be your best bet.
Best Indoor Cycling Jersey
Castelli Insider Jersey
If you want to go matchy-matchy, there is a jersey to match the Castelli Insider bib shorts.
This is made from a 100% polyester mesh, and weighs in at a claimed 88 grams. With two rear pockets, the idea is that you could still wear it for outdoor rides in hot weather, so it's highly recommended for indoor cycling clothing and for taking outside too.
Read more: Castelli Insider Jersey full review
Best Baselayer
Assos SS Superléger Skin Layer
Assos's entry into indoor cycling tops, the Skin Layer Superléger is a baselayer with an opaque front, but open mesh shoulders and back, meaning it could work for summer baselayer duties, not just on the turbo.
Despite its lightweight, Assos's base layer is mildly compressive, so it doesn't flap around and the thicker front does a good job of catching your drips without getting too damp.
Read more: Assos SS Skin Layer Superléger full review
Best budget jersey
Rapha Indoor Training T-Shirt
The Rapha Indoor Training T-Shirts are indoor-specific pieces of cycling apparel.
Available in both female and male fits, Rapha says that the lightweight and breathable sleeveless shirt has been cut for comfort on the turbo.
Both versions are made from 100% polyester with high-stretch side panels and armholes cut for an on-bike position.
Cut shorter at the front to avoid bunching, and longer at the back to keep you covered, the Indoor Training T-Shirt is also looser fitting than a standard bike base layer, but tighter than a regular T-shirt - the perfect indoor cycling clothing if you don't want a tight fit.
While training on the turbo, our tester found that it effectively wicked sweat away and due to the weight of the jersey, it didn’t flap about annoyingly in the fan-induced breeze.
Read more: Rapha Indoor Training T-Shirt full review
Best indoor shoes
Shimano IC100 Indoor Cycling Shoes
The Shimano IC100 shoes are very good value and a perfect introduction to cleated shoes for spin classes or training indoors on the turbo, and feature as one of our best indoor cycling shoes.
The sock-like upper fits very comfortably and doesn’t put pressure on any areas of your feet. The Velcro strap offers reasonable fastening for your feet but there is some give when sprinting and the strap can cause pressure on the side of the foot.
The sole is reasonably stiff but suffers when doing big gear efforts or sprinting. This isn’t a problem for static bike training, but for E-racing it will limit performance. The ventilation in both the sole and the upper is reasonable but not exceptional.
Although not made for high-performance maximal efforts where ultimate power transfer is key, as a spin class or training shoe at such a low price, these are exceptionally good value and do everything that is required of them.
Read more: Shimano IC100 Indoor Cycling Shoes full review
Best Indoor Cycling Socks
The feet are a powerful form of thermoregulation for the body, like a fin on a radiator. If your feet are hot and your body warms up, the body will struggle to regulate itself effectively. That is why a good pair of socks when cycling indoors can make a big difference.
The signature socks for Velocio do an incredible job of heat dissipation even in regular cycling shoes. Compared to the Castelli Superleggera and Assos Essence socks, which offer similar performance, the signature sock has them beat in feel. The Velocio socks are a lot softer and the thin material makes them feel like you're not wearing any socks.
Best Indoor Cycling Cap
For those who don't use cycling caps, they are rarely a quality piece of clothing. Used to help direct sweat away from your face or just look cool cycling caps are rarely high-quality. With a mesh design, allowing for better airflow and high-wicking qualities the A/C from Castelli is a unique offering.
Originally designed for hot days out in the sun, this high-performance cap has found a secondary use in indoor cycling. While hard to quantify I found it to wick the sweat away from my head and kept me noticeably cooler across the sessions especially when intensity ramps up. As with any cap, it absorbed the sweat well keeping it off my face, I'd argue the mesh design did this better than any other.
How we test indoor cycle clothing
Indoor cycle clothing doesn't need to resist elements like wind, rain, or UV sunlight, but it should still create a comfortable, warm, and humid environment. However, because of frequent sweating and washing, it requires a different kind of durability.
All the indoor cycling kit is worn multiple times, sweated in, and washed repeatedly during testing to see how they fared. After each wash, garments are checked for pulling, roughness of the fabric, or any signs of holes. Our testers also check to ensure the garments aren't retaining any unwanted smells.
Overall marks were awarded for comfort on the bike, moisture management, durability, and value.
Frequently asked questions about Indoor Cycle Clothing
Do I need indoor-specific cycling clothing?
The honest answer is no. There’s a good chance you’ll already own some summer kit that’s light and breathable and designed to wick sweat away from your skin efficiently. Even if you don’t have a favoured summer jersey, you could wear a mesh base layer or a gym shirt, both of which are designed to help deliver some moisture management.
That said, indoor-specific clothing is focused solely on delivering comfort on the turbo. If you train extensively indoors, it’s likely that you’ll benefit from the tailored approach that the dedicated kit offers.
What should I wear for indoor cycling?
While you don’t have to worry about the elements - such as rain, wind or the sun’s rays - when cycling indoors, you do have to deal with getting hot.
Without a natural breeze, you’ll likely build up sweat quickly and notice it remains on your skin. This is why high-performing fabrics designed with high-wicking properties are vital indoors, even if you use a fan. It’s also important that the fabric dries quickly, which really does help with comfort levels. A shorter, breathable and even thinner chamois pad in your shorts makes for a far more comfortable experience.
Do you need specific shoes for indoor cycling?
Just like any piece of indoor-specific clothing, the honest answer is no, you don't need the best shoes for indoor cycling. If you already own some of the best cycling shoes, it is fine to use them indoors.
Unlike normal cycling shoes which have to be versatile and more forgiving, indoor-specific shoes tend to feature much stiffer soles and lighter-weight designs for increased airflow. There are more subtle differences like many just won't want wet or muddy shoes in the house, with indoor shoes also tending to be kinder on hard floors like gyms or the oak parquet.
