How to Dress for Cycling in Warmer Weather

A guide to dressing for warmer weather, from MAAP.

The heat is cranking, your legs are purring nicely from a decent winter and spring of training, now all you want to do is ride outside.

We’re all about performance at MAAP, and wearing the right kit for the conditions is the key to unlocking your potential. 

Dressing for hot conditions in a cycling context means lightweight kit, minimal layering, and technical features that aid rather than inhibit your body’s own built-in cooling processes.

With your body producing more sweat than in winter, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for anything antimicrobial or odour-reducing, to avoid that dreaded summer jersey stank.

When you are equipped for cycling in hotter climes – and know how to deploy the various pieces of kit – you’ll find you get even more out of your warm-weather riding.

Keeping cool in the heat of the day relies on a couple of things, but if there’s one word that defines the discussion it’s ‘fabric’.

Firstly, you’ll want breathable fabrics that aren’t too heavyweight. Too thick of a material and you’ll find yourself sweating way more than you need to, which in turn dehydrates your body and impairs your ability to perform. 

You’ll also need a fabric that efficiently wicks moisture away from your body to prevent pooling of sweat and unpleasant odour buildup.

While it may seem counter-intuitive, layering also has a part to play in effective summer dressing strategy. The kit you chose needs to work well together, so it can act like a single system to cool you down.

The first thing you put on should be a lightweight base layer, ideally with a vest cut or a t-shirt cut. A long-sleeve base is great for winter riding when it can provide extra warmth, but you probably want to avoid that in summer time.

At MAAP we make our own summer-appropriate base, the Team Base Layer, which is available in core colourways year-round, but also frequently included in our seasonal collections if you’re looking for something a bit more lively.

The Team Base Layer employs mesh fabric panels to maximise airflow. The base layer is quick to dry, so you don’t feel like you have damp material clinging to you when you stop working out – and all the fabrics used are bluesign® approved. The sides of the women’s version are also contoured for a more precise fit.

During the summer you’ll want to get your lower legs out as much as possible, which means bib shorts rather than tights.


Look for lightweight fabrics with with UPF 50+ protection, and high-performing chamois pads.


Our partners Elastic Interface are the industry-leaders when it comes to chamois – what is the plural of that word? – and all our bibs can be relied upon to keep performing well into the peak of summer.

We collaborated with Elastic Interface on a proprietary 3D thermo-moulded chamois, which allows us to deliver multi-layer density in our Team Bib Evo and Pro Bib 2.0. That means greater comfort and a more durable chamois that keeps providing the same level of performance over time.

Our Training collection is an enduringly popular ‘range within a range’, and the bibs are especially well-loved among the MAAP family.
 

Our professional athletes choose them for their daily training and – as well as standing up to the rigours of regular wear – they do very well in the heat. The materials used in the Training Bib 3.0 are extremely lightweight, to provide UPF 50+ sun protection.

The Team Bib Evo, as well as boasting that 3D thermo-moulded chamois, also packs durable moisture-wicking performance that doesn’t decline over multiple washes. That means more hours in the saddle with the fabrics keeping you feeling cool, dry and fresh.

The Team Bib Evo Cargo is an evolution of the all-time favourite, with the addition of seamlessly integrated pockets. This frees you up to ride in either a jersey or a tech tee, without worrying you’ve sacrificed storage space. On a hot day, stuff an extra sachet of isomix in there to help restore some electrolytes.

Climbing further up the performance ladder, you’ll find our Pro Bib 2.0, simply our most elite short option. Optimised for use in temperatures up to 40°C, they boast an awesome UPF 50+ protection from the sun’s rays.

The blend of fabric in the main bib is 71% polyamide, 29% lycra – allowing an impressive balance of strength and support. The compression fit supports your muscles in motion, while the fast-drying, quick-wicking properties keep you cool, dry and fresh on even the hottest days.

Fresh to the line-up, our AEON Bib is built for endurance riding, with a particular focus on high-heat performance. We designed them with thermoregulation as a core aim, helping to keep you cool throughout a long day in the saddle.

The legs of the AEON Bib are high-wicking, constructed with non-abrasive seams and they feature a clever hem gripper that’s actually woven into the fabric, rather than printed on. Plus, more UPF 50+ fabric protection to keep the UV in check—just don't forget to screen up any exposed skin.

The short-sleeve summer cycling jersey is the item the majority of cyclists will own most of. More than any other garment, they offer a combination of performance benefits and an opportunity for self expression. They’re fun to design, fun to buy and fun to wear.

While shorts, socks, mitts, even your helmet can add to your on-bike style, the short-sleeve jersey takes it to another level, carrying the potential to dramatically influence the character of a ride.

Our summer jersey list is built to perform across every ride style, with each item precision-crafted with lightweight, breathable and sweat-wicking fabrics that are sustainably sourced. Expect elevated detailing, purpose-designed form-fitting profiles and short sleeves that contour perfectly to your arms.

At the top of the tree, we have our Pro Air 3.0 Jersey. It’s a big step on from the previous 2.0 generation, with even lighter fabrics and a more open mesh (which means more breathability). The sleeves are 75g lighter, while the main fabric is 10g lighter.


The fit of the Pro Air 3.0 is also more stable, so even the super-light fabrics stay perfectly in place throughout a ride. The back pockets also get a rework, making them lighter while adding a secure zip side pocket.

The sweet spot of short-sleeve jerseys can be found in our Training collection, a perfect balance of technical performance and all-day comfort. The material used in our Training Jersey is sustainably manufactured in Italy, it is lightweight, high-stretch, moisture-wicking and engineered for durability throughout summer and beyond.

Another firm favourite when things hot up is the Evade Pro Base Jersey 2.0. The Evade is a longstanding best-seller, and version 2.0 sees it take a step on in terms of sustainability and design detail. Advanced moisture-wicking ability will keep you cool and dry even when the pace is on.

Sitting alongside the bib shorts we already mentioned, our AEON Jersey is part of a collection that aims for perseverance and performance. These pieces are there to support you on long days, hot days, the most demanding distance days.

The AEON Jersey is made with Polartec® Delta™️ fabric, which is optimised for hot weather. It doesn’t cling when wet, and doesn’t stay wet long as it efficiently moves moisture away from the body.

Long sleeves in summer? Hear us out.

Our lightweight long-sleeve jerseys are designed for riders who want the added coverage without the added heat. Built from highly breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics, they offer optimal cooling performance in a longer length style.

The AEON Jersey features a long-sleeve silhouette along with a refined endurance fit and extended airflow with an all-over micro-mesh design.

Meanwhile, the Pro Air 3.0 Long Sleeve delivers our most breathable construction yet. Featuring an open-knit sleeve and side panel design, bonded front hem and rear pocket edge, and a barely-there feel, it's purpose-built to perform at peak when the temps climb. Given the open-mesh nature of this design, this jersey does not offer complete UV protection. So as always, use a quality sunscreen when wearing the Pro Air 3.0 during UV hours.

And if you're after a more structured fit, the Evade Pro Base LS Jersey 2.0 brings pro-level comfort in a streamlined, full-sleeve package with honeycomb mesh sleeves that breathe as hard as you do. Because full coverage doesn't have to mean overheating..

While we’re focusing on warm weather riding, it’s worth remembering that summer mornings can be cooler than you’d expect. Clear skies give way to a chilly air before the sun is high in the sky, and so carrying a lightweight packable vest or jacket with you can be a smart move.

Our Atmos Vest is the lightest and most packable vest we’ve ever made. Not only that, it’s also waterproof to 20k, adding an extra dimension of protection if you get caught in a summer storm. We also produce the Atmos Jacket, which has full arm coverage with all the same stashability and weatherproofness.

An alternative to the Atmos family, the Flow Jacket and Flow Vest provide impressive packability, versatility and excels at the beginning and end of big summer days when there’s a noticeable chill in the air.

With the sun beating down on your brow, a cap is a great addition to your summer cycling apparel. Inspired by the desert soldiers of days gone by, the Alt_Road™ Legionnaires Cap gives you the option to extend the neck coverage down when needed. Key features to look out for in a cycling cap for summer are breathable fabrics and – ideally – some sort of antibacterial properties to keep down bad odours that build up over many rides in the heat.

No ride in the sun would be complete without a pair of shades. We collabed with 100% on a couple of pairs of super-luxe looking Hypercraft cycling sunglasses sunnies, which offer full-spectrum UV protection including UVA, UVB and UV400. Enjoy the view without being dazzled, or worrying about the long-term damaging impacts of the sun on your skin. 100% is a company that got its start in motocross, before stepping confidently into the pro cycling world. They have sponsored some of the top professional athletes in our sport, and seriously know how to build a pair of sunnies that look awesome and perform even better.

At MAAP, we understand how important sun protection is for every ride. But we also know that providing inaccurate or inconsistent information can have serious consequences.

Each of our jerseys is crafted from multiple performance materials—often with different fabrics across the sleeves, back panel, front, and pockets. Add to that the variety of colours across our collections, and the level of UV protection can vary from piece to piece, even within the same item.

Given this complexity, and our commitment to clarity and safety, we’ve chosen not to assign a universal UPF rating to every jersey. As an Australian brand, we’re acutely aware of the impact of sun exposure. With some of the highest UV levels and skin cancer rates in the world, we take this seriously. That’s why we always recommend wearing sunscreen on any exposed skin, regardless of what you’re wearing on top.

For riders seeking maximum coverage, our UV Arm Sleeves and Leg Screens are rated UPF 50+—offering high-performance protection without compromising breathability or comfort.

Let’s go over the key things one last time.

1. Focus on lightweight fabrics that boast excellent moisture-wicking properties. This way you can still feel cool and fresh, while the temperature gauge is climbing.

2.For extra coverage, look for kit and accessories designed with UV protection in mind—like UPF 50+ rated arm sleeves or leg screens. And don’t forget the quality sunscreen, even under your jersey—especially if it's designed using our high-performance, breathable open mesh fabrics.

3. Consider adding some lightweight, warmer items to your wardrobe, for those chilly moments you might encounter at the start and end of long summer days of riding.

4. Antimicrobial is a great property when you’re choosing your summer kit, as it stays fresh-smelling and clean-feeling for longer.

And finally…


The best way to get to grips with dressing for hot weather is to get out there and ride. If you have any questions about MAAP products and their performance in the heat, don’t be afraid to ask on our social media channels, or by contacting us directly via our website.