What to Wear Mountain Biking in Hot Weather

Photo by Cameron Clark

Written by Brie Lowrey

A lot of women say that they are actually “fair weather riders” when it comes to mountain biking, but “fair weather” isn’t necessarily universal. So, if you’re a hot weather fan, or just want to get out and ride no matter what the weather, here’s your guide to riding in the hot-hot-heat. 

HOT WEATHER ACCESSORIES

When riding in warmer weather, of course what you wear on your body is important, but your accessories are pretty important, too. Here’s a short list of hot weather accessories you want to make sure you have; 

• Polarized sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Gloves (to prevent your hands slipping)
• Towel (see below for cold towel usage or use a dry one to wipe sweat off)
• Well-ventilated helmet
• Bike tools (to get your bike fixed and you out of the heat ASAP)
• Headband
• Breathable Socks
• WATER!!! (for during your ride AND after)

Grab a Gear Sack or Tote-It-All Bag for all your accessories and get riding!

HOT WEATHER CLOTHING

Keeping your body temperature down as much as possible during your hot weather ride is super important. This can help lessen the chance of heat exposure and skin dehydration. Keep in mind that comfort is the biggest key when choosing clothing for your ride. If you aren’t comfortable in what you’re wearing, you could potentially amp up your anxiety and stress, which can slightly raise your body temperature.

When shopping for clothing look for light colors, sun protection, breathable fabric, quick drying, antimicrobial, and anything mesh. Do NOT buy anything cotton! You need something moisture wicking and while cotton is super comfortable, it’s definitely going to cling to your body when you start sweating.

Tops

Long sleeve shirts are okay! Our long sleeves offer more sun protection than a short sleeve or tank top. They are also antimicrobial, fast drying, moisture wicking, and have a mesh back panel for extra breathability. Just make sure you bring a short sleeve or tank top in case you get a little too warm in your long sleeves. Check out our ¾ sleeve shirts for a different type of coverage, too!

Short sleeve shirts are the happy-medium if you want more sun protection, but don’t want to wear long sleeves. Like our long sleeve shirts, the short sleeves have all of the characteristics you need when shopping for hot weather clothing. Be sure to check out our two mesh tops in Mint and Berry.

Finally, a tank top may not be the best bet for sun protection, but if you’re more of a clothing-free person, then you’ll want to ride with a tank top (just make sure to apply a lot of sunscreen). Additionally, if your trails offer a lot of tree coverage, you might choose to wear a tank top on your ride. Our tank tops also include your hot weather characteristics you want when shopping for tops. This collection also offers mesh tops, just like our short sleeves. 

Shop our full selection of tops here.

Bottoms

All of the mountain bike shorts on our website are perfect for riding in hot weather. They are all made with breathable recycled poly/spandex with 4 way stretch. This creates the utmost comfort and durability. These midweight shorts also contain an inseam gusset that enhances the ease of movement and added comfort. An added bonus is that our mountain bike shorts come in various lengths and sizes, including different styles of waistbands for added comfort.

The MTB Shorts Collection includes Short, Long, and High 5”. This collection hosts a mid-rise zipper and snap closure with a partially elasticized waistband. If you’re looking for a traditional feel in your mountain biking shorts, this collection is for you.

The Curvy Collection offers premium comfort, if that’s more your jam. The styles in this collection include Curvy 7”, Curvy Long, and Curvy Short. The high rise and yoga-style stretchy waistbands of these shorts have an internal drawcord for a more comfortable and best-for-you fit. These shorts also offer a shaped back panel for “3-D” articulation at the hips and thighs. 

Shop our full selection of bottoms here. 

POST-RIDE TO-DO LIST

Alright - your ride is over, but that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. You need to make sure you take care of yourself after your hot weather ride. Below is your checklist to do once you’re off your bike. 

Start Cooling Down. 
Use a little personal fan or get the AC running in your vehicle. Another great tip is to pack a cooler (a really great insulated one!) loaded with ice, water, and towels that you can put on your neck, under your arms, and in your groin area. These are the areas that have the largest blood vessels and will help bring down your internal temperature quickly.

Hydrate!
This is a no-brainer, the tip here is to hydrate very well the rest of the day, not just immediately after and during your ride.

Get Good Sleep.
Good sleep is good for your general health and exercise. Heat exposure can mess with your sleep cycle, so be mindful of getting good rest.

Take a Shower.
No offense meant here! Take a shower as soon as you can after your hot ride. The sodium in your sweat can cause skin dehydration. The sooner you wash it (or wipe it) off, the better.

Refuel.
Another no-brainer, but when you’re craving a beer and pizza after your ride, make sure you’re getting enough protein and carbs (ones that aren’t empty!). 

SLAY HOT WEATHER RIDING NOW!

You’re ready for your hot ride! Once you have finished your ride, be sure to drink plenty of water after and fuel yourself. Heck - you definitely need a reward afterwards, so pack an extra top so you can go grab a refreshing beer or delectable ice cream!

If it’s not quite hot enough for these tips, check out our blog on riding in spring weather here.

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Brie Lowrey is a lifestyle writer currently residing in the Midwest with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and 1 dog. If she's not biking on the trails, you can find her exploring new restaurants and breweries, planning their next trip, consuming a new travel memoir, or rewatching an oldie-but-goodie horror movie. Follow her adventures on Instagram: @briewasalreadytaken