Road biking and mountain biking seem like similar sports. You will be wearing equal women’s sportswear for each sport, but there are some differences. Road cycling is a much more elegant sport that focuses on speed and efficiency. The general rule of thumb is that the tighter, the better. For road cycling, spandex/lycra is the choice for shorts. A fitted short will look good, feel good, and help you fit into the road cycling subculture for t-shirts; it is important to have a tight-fitting garment that does not have loose material that flaps in the wind. Also, road cycling jerseys are very likely to match your shorts or reflect your sponsors (if you choose to have one).

What should a woman wear cycling?

For mountain biking, the attitude and vibe are more laid-back, just like the clothes you wear! Mountain biking focuses more on baggy shorts with ample room to move on the bike while riding the trail and overcoming obstacles. These shorts are a specific piece of sportswear for women as they are going to be cut for a woman’s body in addition to having a suede pad on the shorts designed for women. A relaxed or semi-tight leotard is a semi-tight for top sportswear for women when practicing mountain biking. This will ensure comfort, style, and the ability to maneuver with ease without getting caught on your bike or feeling restricted in your movements.

Woman Cycling on Road on Mountain Bike

For the use of the helmet in each sport, the differences are also easy to see. Mountain biking helmets will generally cover more of the head (mainly in the back and side areas) and will also include a visor at the front to block out the sun and protect your eyes from shrubs or low tree branches. A sleek and refined helmet without a bill is just the ticket for road cycling. Road cycling helmets will have larger ventilation holes in the helmet shell to pass through more air. A comfortable pair of sunglasses is a must for any sport to protect your eyes. A couple of wraparound or semi-wrap sunglasses will protect your eyes from direct wind, as well as UV rays and glare from the sun.