Guide

Cycling gear to keep you warm and dry on autumn and winter rides

27-10-2025

Translation: Katherine Martin

Think pedalling away on an indoor bike trainer is better than heading out to face the elements? If you wear the right clothing, you’ll have almost no reason to give up cycling in the great outdoors over autumn and winter. Here are my cycling gear recommendations for the chilly season.

Over the next few weeks, I imagine my bike rides are about to get chilly, wet and windy. But weirdly enough, I’m almost looking forward to it. Alright, maybe I could do without the wind. I really can’t see the upside of that on a bike ride. But cool temperatures and rain? There’s definitely something enjoyable about those conditions. Mind you, only if you’re wearing the right clothes. Head into the elements unprepared, and the fun’s sure to come to an abrupt and chilly end.

Bardelli likes Castelli

Italian bike clothing manufacturer Castelli recently announced a collaboration with US functional fabric pioneer Polartec. The result? Polartec AirCore, a new material promising genuine miracles.

The first product on the market to feature this new technology is the Perfetto RoS 3 jacket, described by Castelli as «the perfect jacket for rain or sunshine». According to the manufacturer, Polartec AirCore keeps cyclists dry as a result of its air permeability. At the same time, the material provides wind protection and is water-repellent. Now that I’ve tested the jacket, I can almost unreservedly recommend it. Check out my full review here:

Product test
Perfetto RoS 3 from Castelli is the almost perfect cycling jacket
by Patrick Bardelli

Already looking for functional clothing for next spring? You might just find what you’re after here. Before things warm up again, however, temperatures will be dropping. Which is why I’m currently testing this winter jacket from Castelli. Stay tuned for my full review:

Cycling jackets

Castelli Alpha 150

Assos, a Swiss brand

While we’re on the topic of road and gravel gear recommendations, Ticino-based brand Assos certainly knows how to impress with its high-quality products. Here’s everything you need to know about it:

SQlab offers the best cushioning for your butt

German manufacturer SQlab initially made it onto my radar with its ergonomic saddles. However, the brand carries bike shorts in its range too.

While other manufacturers use the thickest, softest possible materials in the derrière area, SQlab deliberately designs its cycling shorts with thin padding. All of its shorts contain padding measuring between four and eight millimetres thick. In fact, the integrated SQ-Pad 12 in its ONE12 bike pants is only five millimetres. Despite this – or perhaps because of it – they won me over when I put them to the test. You can read (or reread) my review here:

Product test
The cycling trousers with the special seat pad impressed during testing
by Patrick Bardelli

For when things get dirty

Let’s move from road- and gravel-worthy gear to clothing suited to trails. This summer, I discovered Dirtlej, yet another German brand. Its products, developed in Baden, instantly won me over with their quality and functionality.

The ultra-versatile dirtsuit in particular is practically crying out for a muddy biking adventure. Plus, the other Dirtlej garments I’ve tested are brilliant too. If you want to find out more, I’ve written all about them here:

Guide
Dirtlej bike clothing: I wish I’d known about this brand sooner
by Patrick Bardelli

Young brand, new membrane

Canadian brand 7Mesh has been developing multifunctional sportswear for eleven years. This autumn, it’s releasing a brand-new clothing line called the Guardian Collection. It includes the Apex Pant, Air Jacket and Apex Jacket, which we’re expecting to add to our range within the next few weeks. The lightweight Air rain jacket and Air Pant from the new collection are already available, albeit with longer delivery times.

Jackets

7Mesh Guardian Air Jacket - Regenjacke - Herren

Bike shorts

7Mesh Guardian Apex Pant - MTB Hosen lang - Herren

I’ve already managed to put the Apex Pant and Jacket through their paces. Read on to find out what I thought of them.

Guardian Apex Jacket

Every product in the Guardian Collection features Gore-Tex’s new ePE membrane. Made from expanded polyethylene, Gore-Tex says the membrane provides «high-performing, durable products that are engineered for long product life».

It’s light and thin, but strong at the same time. Not only that, but it’s also PFAS-free and has a reduced carbon footprint (whatever that means exactly). So far, it’s always managed to keep me dry in the rain. I’m also impressed by the two side pockets, ventilation zips and two-way zip. Though very breathable in dry conditions, the 310-gramme jacket struggles with the same issues as any other product in rain. As I’ve already mentioned several times, if the humidity goes up to almost 100 per cent during a rain shower, even the inside of a jacket will be damp.

The Apex Jacket features Gore-Tex’s new ePE membrane.

7Mesh has put a lot of effort into the jacket’s fit. Thanks to 360° Articulation, the Apex Jacket’s tight-fitting at the chest while allowing you to move as freely as possible when you’re on your bike. With its special cut, the hardshell jacket is as stretchy as a softshell model. Another cool feature is the jacket’s stash system. As a result of the very compact pack size, you can fold the jacket away into an inner pocket usually designed for a phone, then attach it to your handlebars.

In the dry spell between two downpours, the Apex Jacket disappears into a pouch on my handlebars.

Guardian Apex Pant

The trousers have a reinforced seat pad to prevent chafing when you’re in the saddle or taking a break on a rock or tree trunk. Like the Apex Jacket, you can fold the trousers away into a side pocket to a very small pack size. The integrated belt allows you to comfortably adjust the 250-gramme trousers without it getting twisted. This is down to the specially made waistband.

My favourite feature of the Apex Pant, however, are the zips on the legs. These can be used to adjust the cuffs, keeping them open, tight or wide to suit your situation and requirements. If the zips are open, you’ll have easy access to your knee pads when mountain biking. When gravel biking or trail running, tight cuffs are the way to go. If you’re wearing the trousers on a hike, you can use the zips to widen the cuffs so they fit over your boots.

The zips on the Guardian Apex Pant allow you to adjust the cuffs: from tight to wide…

… to completely open. — The zips on the Guardian Apex Pant allow you to adjust the cuffs: from tight to wide…

Castelli, Assos, SQlab, Dirtlej and 7Mesh

So, there you have it. Five interesting brands and countless products for road, gravel and trails, designed to keep you warm and dry on your road bike, gravel bike or mountain bike. You’ll also find even more cycling clothing in our range. Right here, to be exact.

Header image: Patrick Bardelli

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Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

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Cycling gear to keep you warm and dry on autumn and winter rides

Bardelli likes Castelli

Perfetto RoS 3 from Castelli is the almost perfect cycling jacket

Assos, a Swiss brand

SQlab offers the best cushioning for your butt

The cycling trousers with the special seat pad impressed during testing

For when things get dirty

Dirtlej bike clothing: I wish I’d known about this brand sooner

Young brand, new membrane

Guardian Apex Jacket

Guardian Apex Pant

Castelli, Assos, SQlab, Dirtlej and 7Mesh

These articles might also interest you

Dirtlej bike clothing: I wish I’d known about this brand sooner

Commuting by bike in winter? These tips might help

This keeps you visible on your bike even in the dark and at dusk - and therefore safe

15 comments

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Perfetto RoS 3 from Castelli is the almost perfect cycling jacket

The cycling trousers with the special seat pad impressed during testing

Dirtlej bike clothing: I wish I’d known about this brand sooner

15 comments