INONI Official Guide · Layering System
How to Dress for Cycling: The Complete INONI Layering System
There's no such thing as bad weather—only bad layering. Learn about cycling's microclimate engineering, check out the clothing selection matrix for temperatures from scorching hot to freezing, and learn how to train in complete comfort year-round.
What to wear? Check the temperature outside
Cycling is a unique sport: your body generates a tremendous amount of heat, but the airflow mercilessly cools you down. The matrix below suggests a proven setup for every season.
June – August
Maximum thermoregulation and UV protection
Set: Sleeveless mesh sweatshirt (wicks sweat away before the jersey sticks to your body) + ultralight road or gravel jersey (e.g., Pro Tour 217/282 ) + 555/573 cycling shorts with a 7h+ pad. A sleeveless sweatshirt is a must – it prevents chest chills on descents.
May, September
Short sleeve + windproof vest in pocket
The set: Carbon polyamide sweatshirt + Pro Tour short-sleeved jersey + cycling shorts. The key piece: the V85 2.0 Windy wind vest , rolled up in the back pocket. You put it on in the morning, take it off in full sun, and throw it on on long descents.
April, October
Base + Cycling Jersey + Joint Protection
Set: Short or long sleeve sweatshirt + fitted Pro Tour 260.16 + cycling shorts with knee/leg warmers (or transitional tights) + V85 vest. Remember: knee joints below 15°C require protection against synovial fluid!
November, March
Thermal sweatshirt + sweatshirt + windproof jacket
Set: Primaloft or Merino thermal sweatshirt + 260.16 thermal sweatshirt + 301 Windy or 317 Classic outer jacket with Zero Wind membrane + long insulated trousers with insert + light shoe covers and long-fingered gloves.
December – February
Winter armor: Merino + Zero Wind Membrane + SuperRoubaix
Set: 100% Merino INONI expedition underwear + thermal sweatshirt + 390 2.0 Night Rider winter jacket (with 360° reflectors) or 327 2.0 SuperRoubaix + insulated winter pants with a windproof membrane on the thighs + winter gloves, merino neck warmer and neoprene shoe covers.
4 Iron Rules of Cycling Clothing
The difference between amateur freezing and professional riding lies in understanding the laws of physics and thermodynamics of the body.
The First 10 Minute Rule
When you leave home for training, you should be slightly chilly. While cycling, a cyclist's working muscles generate 600-800 watts of heat. If you're comfortably warm outside, after 15 minutes of road riding, you'll be completely drenched in sweat, which will lead to immediate hypothermia on the first descent.
Windchill Factor
A cyclist creates their own wind. Riding at 30 km/h at 10°C means your chest only feels about 4°C. Therefore, a tight wind barrier (V85 vest or membrane) on the front of your body is more important than the thickest fleece.
Onion vs One Thick Jacket
Micro-layers of trapped air between the garments provide the ultimate thermal insulator. Furthermore, the layering system allows for complete flexibility: unzip the jacket for a climb, and zip it up at the summit and throw on the vest for a descent.
ZERO Underwear Under Shorts
A cardinal rule of cycling: padded shorts should only be worn directly on the bare skin. Regular underwear rides up, its thick seams dig into the groin, and cotton traps moisture—a guarantee of chafing and pain after the first hour.
Explore the Individual Layers of the System
Base Layers & Sweatshirts
A staple in any outfit. It wicks moisture away from the skin. A comparison of summer mesh, polyamide with carbon fiber, Primaloft, and Merino wool.
Cycling jerseys
The heart of the outfit: aerodynamics, ergonomic pockets, breathability. Overview of the 217 road, 213 all-purpose, and 282 gravel models.
Cycling shorts
The most important element for comfort in the saddle. The harness design, compression materials, and pads are selected for the time spent in the saddle.
Cycling sweatshirts
A transitional insulating layer for temperatures between 5-15°C. The bestselling Pro Tour 260.16 2.0 hoodie and SuperRoubaix thermals.
Jackets & Vests
An outer shield against the elements: the ultralight V85 Windy vest, the 307 2.0 membrane jacket with taped seams and the 390 Night Rider winter jackets.
Long cycling pants
Knee protection below 15°C: lightweight AEROLIGHT 551 Lycra trousers, insulated Teflon DWR trousers, winter trousers with ZeroWind 690 membrane and gravel cargo trousers 699.
Cycling accessories
Protection for the body periphery: LC zone socks, baseball and insulated hats, AirTunel shoe covers, A26 arm warmers, buff scarves and a quick-drying towel.
INONI cycling inserts
A comprehensive overview of cycling pads: from proven foam models to innovative N3X 3D printing. Pad selection based on ride duration (3h, 6h, 7h+), SMARRR cream, and bikefitting.
