When spring has arrived, for many it means the bike is coming out of the attic again and 'the season' is about to begin. Spring is wonderful, but it can also be treacherous at times. With expressions like 'March stirs its tail' and 'April does what it wants', you can still be treated to a hail or snow shower after a beautiful sunny day. When in April 2022 in the wadden region were, it was just freezing (and there was an icy wind). But a few weeks before, we were in Flanders and it was almost summer. Shorts weather in other words. So nothing is as unpredictable as spring weather, especially in the low countries. That's why we've created an ultimate spring clothing guide for you. Then you will always be right!
PHOTOS: Tycjan Tzrpiola & Sanne Meurice
Underwear
Undergarments (or base layers) are actually worn in all types of weather. If it's heading towards freezing temperatures, you'll want a nice warm thermo with long sleeves. But when it's between 8 and 18 degrees, you'd rather not. Spring is often a bit changeable, but we like to wear a slightly thicker undershirt then, actually preferably with (short) sleeves. Our clothing favourite Etxeondo has invented something really nice for that: the Epela baselayer. This one is perfect for spring. Unisex, short sleeves, thermocool fabric, dries quickly and it is suitable for 5 to about 20 degrees Celsius. Of course, it also depends on how you yourself tolerate the cold, but take this as a guideline. If it gets closer to 15 or 20 degrees, you can quickly switch to the mesh baselayer.
Outerwear
Outerwear in spring is always a thing. Here, the motto is actually 'layers'. The trick we saw from Etxeondo ambassador Haimer was wearing sleeve pieces UNDER your long sleeves, what an invention! So that you can wear, for example, an Alde (m) or Alda (v) long-sleeved shirt riding, but if it's still a bit chilly, put the sleeve pieces underneath. Then, should you still be bothered by the cold, you can add a vest (e.g. a Arima) about wearing them. When the mercury goes towards 15 degrees or higher, I switch to short sleeves by default, with only sleeve pieces. These then usually come off when the sun is shining. By the way, my weapon of choice is the Alde (Alda for the ladies) summer shirt. Good fit, nice colour combinations. Nothing more to do.
Trousers
Long trousers are soon too warm in spring because they are lined. Then again, only shorts are often too much. So before we move on to trousers, I want to give a vote for leggings. Because those are a lot of fine things after all. Leg pieces come in different thicknesses, but I actually ride with the ''LUZE' leg warmers, made of woven fabric. Easy to put on and take off, even while riding, not too big or too small. You can also go for the Ibai leg warmers, but they are hot again right away. I prefer trousers then.
Trousers, that is. A pair of shorts with a good bib is worth its weight in gold. The Bowl or the Orhi bibshort is your choice. For the ladies, you'll love having the Olaia hanging in your closet. These are the same bibshorts that the pro teams also have (with the top chamois, which many pros also like to have sewn into their trousers).
Useful other tips
- A tip I often hear is to use shoecovers. I have overshoes myself, but they are sometimes a bit warm (because they are thermo). A handy hack then is to buy a pair of white socks from Hema and cut a hole in them at the pedals and heel. That works like a charm.
- Also, sometimes a pair of gloves can come in handy. Thin gloves (Esku or Negu) are perfect for a chilly morning.
- Also handy: a buff. You're definitely going to love having that one with you. Also because you can put it over your ears on chilly mornings!
- Rather one layer too many that you can take off, than one layer too few. It is always handy to have a rain jacket with you in changeable weather. Especially the Busti (including the vest) are then a good solution. This one is also unisex
More tips? Check out our partner platform Cyclingreview.co.uk
