With gravel now a booming discipline that sits nicely between road cycling and🔴 mountain biking, it’s only natural that you need some suitable kit to go with it. Unsurprisingly, gravel kit is derived from both other disciplines, and falls within a spectrum from sleek and efficient roadie, to baggy and durable mou༺ntain biker.
Gravel kit needs to be as versatile as the bike, given the changeable nature of🐲 our chosen terrain. Whether you’re blasting around the woods on fire roaജds and bridleways or setting off on a 200km off-road epic, you need clothing that sits comfortably on that spectrum.
However, while there are a handful of cycling wear brands releasing gravel-specific lines, in many cases these are limited to male and unisex fits. This means that women who ride gravel (believe it or not, we exist in droves) will need to pick and choose the best bits from road- and mountain-specific💝 kit in order to create a custom gravel wardrobe that suits our needs.
Generally what you’re looking for is comfort, efficiency, and a wide range of movement. Durability is important if you’re riding for days or weeks at a time, as is storage space, breathability and temperature contro🐎l.
Emphasis on performance without the race aesthetic
Reasons to buy
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Well ventilated
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Performance fit
Reasons to avoid
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Best suited to warm weather
Sportful is one of the few brands at the moment to have released a women-specific grꦜavel range. Its Giara kit is designed for those who love a bit of dirt and drop-bar fun, and it’s cut ꧙to offer great performance while also being comfortable enough for all-day riding.
💝This jersey is particularly well suited to warmer weather, with its breꦫathable fabric and ventilation panel at the rear.
A sleek jersey that’s at-home on a road or gravel bike
Reasons to buy
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Designed for multi-day riding in tough conditions
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Coldblack technology for superior heat management
Reasons to avoid
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Sleeves come up tight
The dhb Aeron Ultra short sleeve jersey was designed for all-day riding and multi-day trips, ๊thanks to its light, breathable and moisture-wicking Revolutional fabric. It’s quick-drying, durable, and offers great ventilation, thanks to the wide mesh back panel and underarms.&꧃nbsp;
It also features Coldblack Technology on ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚthe main body of the jersey. This reduces the absorption of heat rays in dark colours, helping you to stay cool while the sun’s beating doꦉwn on you. It comes with a minimum of UPF30 protection, as well as an anti-bacterial treatment.
(Image credit: Endura)
Endura Women's Pro SL PrimaLoft Gilet
A surprisingly warm and packable gilet that’s perfect for navigating changing temperatures
Reasons to buy
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Well insulated
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Two way zip
Reasons to avoid
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Small pockets
Endura’s Pro SL Primaloft gilet gets a big thumbs up from us. Not onl𒈔y is it great at keeping you warm in changeable weather, it packs down pretty small and works just as well over a jersey as it does under a waterproof jacket.🎃
The front is insulated with a thin layer of Primaloft Gold, while the even thinner Primaloft Silver is adopted at the rear. This synthetic padding is sur💧prisingly good at keeping t🌳he warmth in, plus with a double-ended zip, on-the-fly adjustment is a doddle.
(Image credit: Morvelo Overland shirt)
Morvelo Overland Trucker Long Sleeve Shirt
Grind some gravel with some long-haul truckin’ style
Reasons to buy
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Four-way stretch fabric allows a good range of movement
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Casual shirt that’s also water-resistant and windproof
Reasons to avoid
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Unisex fit not ideal for all body shapes
For those wan💧ting to look a little less ‘bikey’, the plaid shirt is the pinnacle of the casual gravel adventure aesthetic. This one is cut 🐻specifically for an optimum cycling position: longer at the back with ample room across the shoulders.
Morvelo&rsquo🦄;s Overland range is designed specifically for dirt road exploration that culminates around a campfire. It’s constructed from four-way stretch breathable fabric that’s DWR treated, quick-drying and windproof, and includes two chest pockets that are accessible while wearing a backpack.
(Image credit: Morvelo)
Morvelo Overland Hoard Mountain Jersey
A casual hoodie ideal for riding and recuperating
Reasons to buy
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True all-rounder for on and off the bike
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Lots of storage
Reasons to avoid
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Not the most packable when the day warms up
A light hoodie is an ideal way to keep warm durin🗹g the darker and colder parts of the day, and of course you need something to wrap up in once the ride is over. This casual hoodie, also from Morvelo’s Overland range, is a great all-rounder and looks stylish to boot.
It’s made from a lightweight fleece fabric that feels sofꦚt to the touch and features small baffles on the back for addedও insulation. It’s both breathable and fast-wicking, making it suitable for riding when the temperature drops but you’re ploughing through that final homestraight.
(Image credit: Gore)
Gore Wear Women's C5 Gore-Tex Shakedry Jacket
Unbeatable rain protection that’s worth the investment
Reasons to buy
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Excellent waterproofing while remaining breathable
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Remarkably lightweight
Reasons to avoid
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Incredibly expensive
If you’re out for days at a time with wet weather🌌 looming, you could ෴do a lot worse than packing this jacket in your back pocket.
Gore’s C5 Gore-Tex Shakedry is a remarkable piece of engineering that hits the delicious sweet spot between wate🌠rproof and breathable. It’ll keep you bone-dry without boiling in the bag, and when you’re done you can literally shake it dry and put it back in your🌼 pocket.
What’s more, the women-specific fit won’t cost you anything in air resistanc⛎e if you’re trying to make it to your camp for the night.
Shorts
(Image credit: Morvelo)
Morvelo Women's Overland Bib Shorts
Wear them on their own or under baggy shorts
Reasons to buy
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Premium construction with flatlock stitching
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Offers light compression and Factor 50 sun protection
Reasons to avoid
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Requires full disrobing when nature calls
If you’re riding all day it’s wise to opt for bib shorts, even if you decide to use them as a liner beneath your baggies. Morvelo’s Ove꧂rland gravel range includes women-specific bib shorts for this🌜 exact purpose.
Constructed from premium🦄 Italian Lycra, the flatlock stitching reduces chafing, while the panelled construction offers light compression to help combat muscle fatigue. Lightweight mesh straps offer ventilation, and if that’s not enough, the Overland bib shorts also provide SPF50 coverage.
(Image credit: Assos)
Assos Women's T.rally_s7 MTB Bib Shorts
Packed with technology and convenient for nature breaks
Reasons to buy
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Proven technology and crash protection
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Magnetic clasp for quick and easy nature breaks
Reasons to avoid
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Extremely expensive
These bib꧅ shorts from Assos are specifically designed for moun꧃tain biking and off-road riding. Assos has developed its own MTB-specific chamois for women: wider for additional coverage and positioned for optimal off-road comfort. The type.499 fabric is tough and durable, while the kompressorFabric offers power-control compression.
They also feature the brand’s own impactPads, which offer extra protection in the event of a crash. A🔜ssos says that this extra padding isn’t noticeable while riding, but should yo꧅u fall off your bike, the impactPads should help with easing the pain.
(Image credit: Endura)
Endura Women's SingleTrack Lite Shorts
Great all-round form-fitting MTB shorts
Reasons to buy
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Hits the sweet spot between ‘barely there’ and durable
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Offers great range of movement
Reasons to avoid
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Pockets are fairly small
Endura’s SingleTrack Lite shorts are a popular choice for mountain bikers. They’re lightweight whichಌ helps you nail the techy climbs, and durable enough to handle the♊ rougher stuff. Four-way stretch nylon fabric lets you move freely, while the DWR treatment helps repel dirt and spray.
The waistband is easily adjustable and doubles up as a moisture-wicker, while the main body of the fabric is breathable and perforated with air vents. They don’t come with𝓀 a liner so you can use what you’ve already got, and they're Clickfast compa🗹tible if you’re already an Endura fan.
(Image credit: Sportful)
Sportful Women's Giara Over Shorts
Women’s gravel-specific casual over shorts
Reasons to buy
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Casual shorts that don’t look ‘bikey’
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Stretchy and breathable
Reasons to avoid
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Internal Velcro tabs can irritate
Sportful’s Giara range includes these simple and casual over shorts, suited for any riding from an epic gr𒉰avel adventure to a light urban pootle. They’ve got a nice tailored cut that’s loose but fitted, which paired with the four-way stretch fabric allows for a good range of movement.
If you prefer not to look too bikey, these have belt loops along with tw💫o extra jean-style pockets, and would pair v🙈ery nicely with the Morvelo Overland Trucker plaid shirt. Best combined with a base layer though, as the internal Velcro tabs can be quite irritating on the skin.
(Image credit: Gore)
GORE C5 Women’s Shorts
Quality gravel-ready over shorts for a mid-level price
Reasons to buy
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Comfortable, flattering fit
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Easily adjustable
Reasons to avoid
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Come up short in length
These C5 (mid-range) shorts from GORE are durable and water-resistant thanks to the DWR fabric, while the Polyamide and elastane blend stretches perfectly to accommodate a range of movement. They’re a great option for warmer weath✨er, thanks to the ventilation holes on the inner leg.
As opposed to the internal waist adjustment seen in the Sportf𒀰ul Giara shorts, this offering from GORE features an external elastic Velcro waist adjustm🔜ent, so you can comfortably wear them with a casual t-shirt if desired. Bear in mind these are quite short in the leg, so you’d need to pair them with a liner that won’t peek through.
Shoes
(Image credit: Giro)
Giro Sector W
‘Adventure-inspired’ gravel and cross-country shoes
Reasons to buy
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Extremely rugged construction
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Offers fast and tough performance
Reasons to avoid
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Comes with a hefty price tag
๊The Giro Sector W shoe features a supple and breathable upper, constructed from Synchwire. These ꦆcomposite layers form a lightweight material with zero-stretch for additional support.
Combined with a carbon-composite plate and dual-injected rubber outsole, the Sector shoe offers aggressive power output alongside excellent traction. Reinforced heel and toe sections offer durability while the 3D-molded footbed is treated with antimicrobial Aegis. Th🃏e whole thing is sealed via dﷺual BOA L6 dials for accurate adjustment on the fly.
(Image credit: Shimano)
Shimano RX8 Women
Super lightweight and racy
Reasons to buy
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Racy fit for maximum power output
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Extremely lightweight
Reasons to avoid
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Not the most breathable in hot weather
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Performance fit might be too much for some
These may look♛ a little racy in comparison; the Shimano RX8 looks like a road shoe from above, and a cross-country shoe from below, and ultimately comb♛ines the best attributes from both disciplines.
The TPU-covered carbon sole rates 10/11 on Shimano’s stiffness scale, providing an incredibly rigid base for maximum power transfer. Despite this, there’s still a buil෴t-in flex zone to allow you to walk properly when🍷 needed.
(Image credit: Specialized)
Specialized Recon 3.0
A solid, rugged choice for the rough stuff
Reasons to buy
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Trickle-down S-Works Recon technology
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STRIDE toe-flex is a game changer
Reasons to avoid
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Greatness doesn’t come cheap
Dr💫awing upon the technology seen in the S-Works Recon, the Specialized Recon 3.0 is designed specifically for the gravel grinder who likes to push limits. They can take on even the loosest terrain with their agg🃏ressive SlipNot rubber tread pattern.
Most importantly it features STRIDE toe-flex technology - a carbon outsole paired with a glass f🦄ibre forefoot - to 🦄create a sole that’s stiff enough to put down power but flexible enough to walk in. It’s truly a game changer for hike-a-bike fans.
(Image credit: Fizik)
Fizik X5 Terra
More budget-friendly gravel cycling shoes
Reasons to buy
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Reinforced and durable
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Laser-cut vents for airflow
Reasons to avoid
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Sizing comes up narrow
While the X5 Terras are available in both suede and synthetic, we recommend the latter for gravel riding, as it holds its shape well and is more resistant to abrasions than suede. These shoes are rugged, with reinforced heel and toe ar🔥eas, and pronounced treads for off-road traction.
The upper is constructed from Laser Perforated Microtex layered over a lightweight and breathable mesh, to prevent overheating. The outsole is vented composite carbon, mꦚated with the brand’s own insole to provide power transfer as well as support.
(Image credit: Sidi)
Sidi Jarin
If a road shoe and a MTB shoe had a baby…
☆☆☆☆☆
Specifications
Sizes (EU): 38 - 48
Closure: Tecno 3 dials
Sole: Carbon
Reasons to buy
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All the best Sidi features combined
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Just look at that colourway
Reasons to avoid
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Bank-breaking price
Sidi is known for its class-leading shoes, and the Jarins are no ℱexception when it comes to quality and performance. They combine all the best bits from Sidi’s high-end road- and MTB-spe꧑cific shoes into one gorgeous iridescent package.
The Techpro leather upper comes from the Wire 2 shoes, paired with a strap and Tecno 3 di♕al closure s🐬ystem. The SRS Carbon sole, on the other hand, comes straight from Sidi’s Flagship MTB shoes, with its replaceable tread blocks and reinforced toe box and heel cup.
Accessories
(Image credit: Morvelo)
Morvelo All Road Overland Gloves
Rugged Khaki goodness
Reasons to buy
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Double-stitched for durability
Morvelo’s Overland range includes these Khaki-coloured full-fingered gloves designed to be simple and rugged with their double-stitched seams. The Nylon palm is breathaജble and moisture-wicking, while the four-way stretch fabric allows for easy movement to gain optimal grip and control.
(Image credit: Assos)
Assos Trail FF Gloves
Impressive design
Reasons to buy
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Anatomic cut means no unnecessary bulk
The Assos Trail FF gloves are designed for rough terrain. They’re made from perforated synthetic leather, offering durability, grip, support and protection. Combined with 3-Mesh material, the gloves are breathable, keeping your ha🍬nds cool and dr♒y, and are cut with a ‘no wrinkle’ fit, providing a 3D curved structure that mimics the shape of hands while gripping handlebars.
(Image credit: Kask)
Kask Mojito X Peak Helmet
You’ll love it or you’ll hate it
Reasons to buy
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The peak (depending on your preferences)
Reasons to avoid
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The peak (depending on your preferences)
This one’s bound to be divisive, but the Kas๊k Mojito X Peak helmet definitely sits on that spectrum between road and mountain. It features a (removable!) built-in peak to help shield you from the elements.
It comes packed with Kask technologies, including its patented In-Moulding system combined with its MIT polycarbonate shell for excellent durability without added weight. It also features Kask’s Up&🧸rsquo;n’Down fitting system so you can adjust the fit to perfectio⛦n.
(Image credit: Sportful)
Sportful Giara Cap
All kit needs a matching cap
Reasons to buy
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Easy to pocket when you don’t need it
If you’re not a fan of the built-in peak offered by the Kas🦂k, then you’ll likely be after a cap, right? This one from Sportful’s Giara range is lightweight and folds up easily s♋o you can stash it when it’s not needed. It quickly wicks away sweat and looks pretty good as well.
Don’t let water ruin a🐷 perfectly good bike ride. Sealskinz waterproof socks are arguably the best on the market, and these in particular are great because they offer protection dur♔ing those awkward mid-season months where you could be dealing with rain and shine together.
They’re constructed from three-layers,🌠 offering warmth, durability, and waterproofing. The lining is made from bamboo, which offers its own moisture and temperature control, while the four-way stretch fabric allows for free movement and a comfortable fit.
How to choose gravel cycling kit
The first thing to ask yourself is how you intendܫ to use it.
If you’re riding short distances, you can get away with pretty much anything you’re comfortable in, whether that’s Lycra or baggy shorts with a lineඣr underneath.
For longer distances, you need to be a bit more picky. Lཧycra’s usually the best option because it dries quickly, and doesn’t restrict your range o𝔍f movement. You should opt for dedicated road or adventure bib shorts, because they generally tend to have a better quality chamois and will help you stay comfortable over a longer period of time.
1. Shorts
If you decide to wear baggy shorts over a 🐠liner or bib shorts, you don’t want them to be too baggy. This is important to bear in mind if you’re looking at mountain bike shorts, because they often tend to be cut wide to accommodate knee pads. You don’t want to end up carrying extra bulk that’s going to flap about and annoy ♋you.
Always pair your baggies with a liner or some bib shorts thatಌ are designed for long-distance endurance riding, since they’re usually 🃏made to be more durable. They’re more likely to have a chamois designed for long duration use, and will often feature weather resistance properties as well.
We’re starting to see more bib shorts that come with their own pockets as wellཧ, which are particularly suitable for gravel rides, since they tend to require some self-sufficiency. Any extra storage is a bonus.
2. Jerseys
Whatever you wear on your lower half will likely influence what you choose on top. If you’re wearing bib shorts on their own, then opt for a classic road jersey with a full front zip and rear pockets. Otherwise, a form-fitted mountain biking jersey would work wel🌺l with some casual baggy shorts.
It’s more important to consi꧋der which material your jersey is made of. Synthetic fibres are great for temperature control, offering superior ventilation to keep you dry and cool. If the weather is on the colder side, or is pretty changeable, we recommend something made with merino wool. It’s super versatile, keeps you warm even when you get wet, and tends to stay fresher for longer.
3. Shoes
Gravel shoes tend to combine the best of both worlds from 𒅌road cycling and mountain biking. Ideally they should hit the sweet spot between weight, stiffness, durability and grip.
Look for shoes that take two-bolt SPD cleats and feature a tread that offers decent grip on loose or slippery terrain, since you’l😼l likely be hiking your bike on occasion.
You also want to find a balance between stiffness and damping, so opt for shoes with a nylon or carbon-reinforced plate, and ideall🌃y a built-in flex zone for walking.
Mildred joined as Reviews Writer for Cyclingnews and BikePerfect in December 2🦂020. She loves all forms of cycling from long-distance audax to daily errand-running by bike, and does almost everything on two wheels, including moving house, and started out her cycling career working in a bike shop. For the past five years she's volunteered at The Bristol Bike Project as a mechanic and session coordinator, and now sits on its board of directors.
Since then she's gone on to write for a multitude o♕f cycling publications, including Bikeradar, Cycling Plus, Singletrack, Red Bull, Cycling UK and Total Women's Cycling. She's dedicated to provid🐎ing more coverage of women's specific cycling tech, elevating under-represented voices in the sport, and making cycling more accessible overall.
