How to Buy Kids' Cycling Clothes

Cycling is an excellent sport for families, allowing adults and children to improve cardiovascular fitness, develop endurance and have fun. Just like their parents, kids enjoy activities more if they are properly equipped for comfort and performance. Kids' cycling clothes can be hard to find but worth buying if your child catches the cycling bug and is ready to gear up for the ride.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Let your child take part in picking out his new cycling clothes. Kids' cycling gear comes in colors and themes that fit all ages and interests, from Curious George to patriotic prints.
2. Buy a snug-fitting youth cycling jersey, selecting sleeve lengths based on the time of year and the climate. Jerseys are perfect for road racing or mountain biking, and depending on the fabric, they are either designed to keep in the heat or wick away moisture and keep the rider cool. If your child will be riding at night, buy a jersey with reflective strips to keep her visible and safe.
3. Purchase youth cycling shorts or tights to keep your child streamlined and comfortable. Choose from lycra/nylon-blend fabrics for temperature management on warm or cool days. Consider buying knickers, which provide knee protection and warmth in cooler climates.
4. Add some arm or leg warmers to help your child transition to cooler weather. These wind-resistant accessories make great additions to a rider's wardrobe, making it seasonally flexible and allowing kids to wear short-sleeved jerseys on cool days.
5. Buy a couple of pairs of cycling socks. Cycling socks are very thin and designed to fit in snug cycling shoes. Avoid cotton socks, as they hold in moisture. Select socks made of a polyester-blend fabric to keep feet dry.
6. Complete your child's outfit with cycling gloves made of moisture-wicking fabric and padded to prevent hand blisters on long journeys. While short-finger gloves may be cooler and more comfortable, consider buying your child full-finger gloves instead, as they will protect little fingers from brush and tree-limb scrapes.

Tips & Warnings

• Finding kids' cycling clothes can be a challenge, so consider purchasing from an online vendor. UpsideOver.com specializes in fitness gear for kids and carries a wide selection of brands and styles (see Resources below).
• Safety should be your number-one concern when outfitting your children for any activity. Make sure kids always wear properly fitted helmets when riding anywhere.
• If you have a future cycling pro on your hands, make sure she has a pair of snug-fitting cycling shoes to go with her new outfit. Cycling shoes are specially designed to transfer power from the legs, maximizing performance and preventing foot fatigue.