Roller training from head to toe: What clothing for Zwift and co?

"If you ride a road bike on a roller, you sweat a lot", as it says in the TOUR test of indoor-specific cycling clothing from last year. Nothing has changed. Why does sweat drip faster during indoor training than at the same intensity outside? Quite simply, there is no airstream to evaporate the sweat and keep you cool. A fan such as the Wahoo Kickr Headwind (to the TOUR test) cannot replace it. In conclusion, cycling clothing for Zwift and Co. should firstly absorb sweat quickly and transport it to the outside, and secondly it should offer protection - the seat area from pressure and friction, the eyes from sweat and wind, and the body from cooling down.

Indoor cycling clothing - a brief overview

A complete cycling outfit from head to toe for indoor cycling training can consist of the following items: Sweatband, glasses, baselayer or jersey, sports bra, cycling shorts, socks and shoes. It is important that the clothing is airy, absorbs sweat quickly and wicks it away from the body. At the same time, a sweatband or cap can help to keep sweat away from your glasses or eyes. Sweatbands on the wrists prevent the sweat that appears on the arms from running onto the hands. If you also perspire heavily on your hands, you may even want to put on light gloves so that you can operate the gears and avoid slipping off the handlebars.

Which cycling shorts for roller training?

Indoor cycling shorts are often made of particularly thin material or even mesh and are therefore (semi-) transparent. These shorts are therefore not suitable for outdoor training. An alternative to special indoor cycling shorts are lightweight summer bib shorts for hot days. It is also conceivable to try out mesh shorts that are designed to be worn under mountain bike shorts.

It is important to feel comfortable in the trousers and on the pad. Do the sit bones sit on the pad? A finger test can help. To do this, sit on the bike saddle in your cycling shorts and grasp the handlebars, pedalling a little to find your natural position on the bike. Now take one hand off the handlebars and slide it sideways between the saddle and buttocks to feel the sit bones.

TOUR tip: Perhaps you still have an old pair of cycling shorts in the wardrobe that are no longer suitable for cycling outside because the fabric has become transparent, they have faded due to sweat and sun or something else. Are the shorts still comfortable for shorter sessions? Perfect for virtual bike rides at home.

Indoor cycling jersey, baselayer or topless?

Anyone who has ever done roller training or run on a treadmill knows how quickly sweat drips. It makes sense to wear as little as possible to stay cooler. Anyone who has ever touched their stomach after a sweaty indoor session topless, perhaps with the window open, knows that the fan and sweat really cool you down. Your stomach is freezing cold. And yet the sweat runs out of every single gland. Functional base layers and airy cycling jerseys are made for precisely this purpose. They absorb the sweat and transport it away from the body. Try it out!

Indoor clothing in the TOUR test

The TOUR editorial team took a close look at some jerseys and bib shorts and tested and rated them. In the The indoor collections were tested of the following brands.

• Assos
• Castelli
• Gore
• Maap
• Nopinz
• Santini
• Rapha
• Ryzon
• Wahoo X Le Col

There is also clothing for indoor cycling training from other manufacturers. DHB's Aeron Turbo Shorts are lightweight and, according to DHB, quick-drying strapless cycling shorts for men and women. With the Interval Cargo Bib Short from Pearl Izumi, snacks are always to hand. The pockets on the thighs are ideal for this. The shorts are designed for hot conditions on indoor and outdoor bike rides.

Indoor cycling shoes

Summer cycling shoes are well suited for cycling training at home, whether with racing bike or mountain bike cleats. Of course, it is important that the right pedals are fitted. Of course, there are also special indoor shoes, as TOUR presented a pair of Nikes last winter: Indoor novelties 2021. One aspect speaks in favour of a second pair of cycling shoes: if the training is carried out both indoors and outdoors. If you ride outside in autumn and winter, perhaps preferably on a gravel bike, because off-road keeps you warmer due to the full-body effort and less wind, your shoes are always dirty. A pair of clean shoes and a pair of muddy shoes keep the cleaning effort to a minimum.

Cycling goggles

"One Cycling goggles for cycling training on the roller, is that serious?" may be a question that arises. TOUR answers with a clear "yes, cycling goggles can certainly be useful". A fan is often used to provide some cooling. The airflow can lead to dry eyes, especially if contact lenses are used. Transparent cycling goggles protect against this.

Sweatbands

A Sweatband or a Radcap on the head absorbs sweat and thus reduces the amount of sweat that runs into the eyes. Sweatbands can also be useful on the wrists, as they catch the sweat that occurs on the arms. If you sweat a lot on your arms but not too much on your hands, this keeps your hands drier. As a result, there is less risk of slipping off the handlebars or gear lever. It can also be used to wipe sweat from the forehead.

Sports bra

For those who find cycling outside with a sports bra more comfortable, this is certainly also true for roller training. TOUR recommends the Favourite sports bra.

Low budget clothing for virtual cycling

You don't necessarily have to buy special clothing for effective cycle training at home. Instead, how about putting on old bib shorts for cycling or similar that are already too old for the road? This way, clothes can be given a second life. It's more sustainable and easy on the wallet at the same time. Outdoor cycling clothing is ideal for hot summer days.