How to dress for hot weather
07 JuLy 2023
By Dan Duguid
With heat waves hitting the UK, we’re experiencing warm weather and dry roads that make it a pleasure spending long days in the saddle. Here you will find our recommendations for keeping cool this summer, a challenge made much easier by investing in Castelli’s Superleggera kit.
Layering
Layer is something that we would typically associate with winter riding, with the emphasis being on keeping warmth in. When riding in summertime, it is important to remember that layers can still be your friend.
A lightweight base layer will provide a little bit of warmth and protection for early morning starts, but also help to wick sweat away from your body and keep you cool as the day warms up.
Castelli’s Core Mesh 3 SS is the brand’s lightest layer, and once the heat really kicks in, it will wick excess moisture away when you are working hard. Its open mesh design promotes airflow between the jersey and your skin, thereby helping to regulate your body temperature further.
Jersey
When it comes to summer jerseys, a model made from lightweight, breathable fabric that will aid sweat wicking and regulate your body temperature when the heat really cranks up is the perfect choice.
The Superleggera 3 Jersey is Castelli’s dedicated hot weather performer. Using a fabric called Oltre, it takes the Superleggera to the next level. It is incredibly light, and with the horizontal strips increasing its breathability and stretch, this jersey is great for wearing on long, hot UK days, as well as for excursions into the Alps.
Its all day performance won’t disappoint either, as it incorporates comfortable, no-sew construction around the sleeves and a close fit that is slightly more relaxed than that of the brand’s aero race fit jerseys.
Bib shorts
Your bib shorts, just like your jersey, are best off being made from superlight, breathable fabrics that will keep the heat at bay. Mesh uppers are a great addition and will work in combination with your base layer and jersey to regulate your moisture levels and body temperature.
Step into the Superleggera bib shorts, Castelli’s lightest ever road model, made using a seamless, graduated ventilation, stretch woven fabric. This ultralight fabric reduces the
weight of the bibs by up to 50% compared with the nearest equivalent, without any loss in durability, while its graduated weave will give you the support you need for all-day comfort.
In conjunction with Castelli’s top Progetto X² Air Seamless seat pad, its mesh straps, borrowed from the Free Aero 4 bib shorts, are lightweight and will keep you cool, especially when worn with a suitable summer jersey.
Socks
When the temperature soars, hot and sweaty feet are something you’ll want to avoid, even if just for the sake of your nostrils. Synthetic socks are generally thinner that wool ones and their key features will include a mesh construction, to encourage breathability and help wick sweat away.
The Superleggera T 18 Socks are made using a lightweight mesh material at the ankle and on top of the foot, for hot weather comfort, and whilst lightweight is important, Castelli hasn’t forgotten to include a midfoot band for arch support.
Castelli has woven these socks from Q-Skin yarn with antimicrobial silver ions to help avoid the development of odour, something you will appreciate in the hot weather, whilst their 18cm height and 200-needle construction will give you the comfort and stretch that you need to enjoy a long ride.
