Ride Dry

The 11 Best Pieces of Gear for Bike Commuters

Silhouette of commuter riding bike during misty early morningPatrick Fraser / Getty Images

by Adam Bible

It’s hard out there for a bike commuter. Whether you’re new to active commuting or a seasoned cyclist, you know gear can be difference between great rides and miserable slogs. But never fear, bold biker. We scoured through the most advanced, newest, and best commuter cycling gear out there to find the best bike commuting gear you could want.

From bomber backpacks and grippy gloves to sweet shoes and bright lights, we put these 11 products to the test. We’re confident this equipment will keep you going back to your bike for an active commute.

Here’s the best bike commuting gear of 2018:

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Hunter Mid Gloves by Sweet Protection

A strong grip is essential when navigating slippery streets on a bike. Protecting your palms from errant sidewalk spills is doubly important. These low-profile gloves from Sweet Protection are a perfect pick. They have a synthetic leather palm made from Clarino with added silicone strips for extra grip, plus pads on the index finger and thumb for swiping on your smartphone. Ventilated fingers and a breathable and durable fabric on the back of the glove keep your hands cool and collected, no matter the traffic.

[$29.95; sweetprotection.com]

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2. Lightweight Waterproof Socks by Showers Pass

Walking into work with sopping wet socks and shoes is not fun. And while Gore-Tex shoes can shed most moisture, pedaling in a driving rain means water will seep in above the shoe, filling up waterproof kicks. The solution: Put on pair of waterproof socks, like these from Showers Pass. They’ll keep your dogs dry without becoming too hot and sweaty, thanks to the combo of breathable Artex membrane and wicking Coolmax FX anti-bacterial lining. Note: They’re a bit bulky, so you’ll want to wear them with a slightly bigger shoe.

[$37; showerspass.com]

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3. Front Range Sweatshirt by Kitsbow

This luxe sweatshirt will quickly become one of your favorites, whether you’re wearing it under a shell for unseasonably cold days or tossing it on just to beat an early morning chill. Created with nylon-faced merino wool for durability, the inside has a softer feel, plus a bit of Spandex so it moves with you. Abrasion-resistant Schoeller panels on the shoulders and elbows add even more durability, and a handy zippered back pocket is perfect for storing your ID and keys when riding without a bag.

[$150; kitsbow.com]

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4. Annex Helmet by Bell

When riding your bike to work, one of the biggest concerns—besides drivers who can’t stop texting—is sweat. Optimizing your gear to combat swamp ass and stinky pits is essential. Thanks to its Active Air system, Annex keeps your head cool. Its large back vent acts like a heat exhaust. A novel sliding vent on the top quickly opens up six large holes for a boost of cooling, but can slip shut in case the air gets chilly. The included MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system) makes sure your lid stays on nice and tight should you take a spill in the street.

[$125; bellhelmets.com]

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5. CT5 City Touring Shoe and CLICK’R PD-T400 Pedals by Shimano

This cool Shimano combo gives you the confidence of clipless pedal system without the dorky road-race look. The casual silhouette means you can wear them into work without instigating any co-worker snickers, and you can use them with standard SPD pedals on the bike to keep your cadence tight. Regular laces and a cushiony EVA foam in the midsole means sneaker-like comfort and style. Beginners to the clipless experience can also use Shimano’s new CLICK’R platform pedal, which uses a more intuitive and friendly click-in system.

[Shoes for $85; pedals for $64; bike.shimano.com]

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6. Seat Roll Premio by Silca

This slick little seat roll is made from a durable waxed canvas, and it’s stitched together in a stylish diamond pattern from reflective thread. The best part: The roll closes and attaches to your seat rails with a Boa closure system, which uses plastic-coated, stainless-steel wire mated to a quick-adjusting dial so you can easily take it on and off. Three pockets mean you can stow a multi-tool, CO2 cartridges, inflator, and an inner tube so you can quickly get back on the road (and into work) when flats strike.

[$48; silca.cc]

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7. Front Triangle Bag by Deuter

If you like to travel light—or just prefer to avoid back sweat from a big backpack—the Deuter Triangle Bag is a smart choice. It features almost 80 cubic inches of space and mounts quickly to the front of your frame with Velcro tabs. Reflective details boost your visibility, and 150 denier ripstop nylon construction means durability even though it only weighs 5 oz empty.

[$20; deuter.com]

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8. The Vandal Backpack by Mission Workshop

If you’re serious about bike commuting, step up to The Vandal from Mission Workshop, a brand renowned for handsome, high-quality, and tough cycling products. This burly pack can double in size (29L to 64L), and it’s full of cool details and features like a bunch of weather-resistant pockets with urethane-coated zippers, carbon-fiber reinforced frame, and a main compartment you can access with either a flip top or roll top.

[$325; missionworkshop.com]

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9. Vya Pro lights by Light & Motion

You won’t often have to worry about dead batteries—these lights turn on when they detect motion and turn off after you park the bike. They’re considered waterproof when locked in the mount (the casing is made from a tough, plant-based, bio-renewable material). The headlight can sense ambient light, so it pulses during the daytime but puts out a steady 200 lumens at night. The taillight will shed a 100 lumens in a 180-degree pattern. Rechargeable by USB, they last up to 6 hours.

[From $49.99; lightandmotion.com]

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10. SpokeLit LED Wheel Light by Night Ize

Being visible in low light is ultra-important for cyclists, but most cycling lights don’t shine to the sides. Slip a pair of these easy-to-attach spoke lights on your wheels, and make sure you’re easily visible. The lights will last up to 25 hours and can flash or glow in a microchip-controlled cycle through a spectrum of colors; alternatively, you can choose from six standard colors.

[From $8.99; niteize.com]

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11. Cinch Lock by Ottolock

Your bike lock probably depends on your workplace. Busy urban locales often call for a hefty chain, plus a bulky U-lock to secure the bike and both wheels. This slim, small, strong, and light lock made from Kevlar and steel bands can easily take the place of a heavy U-lock—and maybe your chain too, if you’re not too worried about determined thieves. It coils up to under 3 inches, and the shortest length weighs only 120 grams, but it’s stronger and safer than cable locks. A combo dial means no need to add more keys to your already overburden key chain.

[From $55; ottodesignworks.com]

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