The Best Skinsuits for Cycling

If you’re new to cycling, the term ‘skinsuit’ may sound a little horror movie-ish or just plain disconcerting. But picture a short-sleeve (or in some cases, long-sleeve) onesie made of Lycra: That’s a skinsuit. Whether you’re a crit racer, a cyclocrosser, or a triathlete, you’ve likely landed on this article because you’re trying to find a cycling skinsuit—also known as a speedsuit—to wear for some kind of racing. And honestly, unless you’re on a team that has custom-printed skinsuits for its riders, it can be a little confusing as far as what kind to order and what style is right for the race you’re doing.

First of all, when would you actually want to wear a skinsuit? Honestly, most casual riders can skip this article entirely. Unless you’re planning to race criteriums, cyclocross, or triathlon, skinsuits will likely not be an important part of your cycling wardrobe. Designed for aerodynamics (or in the case of triathlon or very rainy cyclocross races, hydrodynamics), skinsuits are for racing, not casual riding. Rarely do they come with full-size pockets, and unless it’s laundry day and all of your other kit is dirty, you wouldn’t wear one on a training ride.

But if you’re trying to improve your aerodynamics while racing or streamline for a triathlon, you may want to consider a skinsuit. There are differences between the options, though, so here we’ve gathered several of the best for men and women. But first, some guidance on how to pick the right one for you and other questions you should ask yourself when buying.

How Do I Choose a Skinsuit?

• Know what you want: Some people really love pockets, while others prefer to be a bit more minimal. Few races where you would wear a skinsuit require storing anything in a pocket, but some people like having the pocket for riding around with a phone or gel before the race.
• Look for the "full zip” when possible: Skinsuits used to have a more onesie-style construction in terms of the zipper, but in recent seasons, most brands have shifted to a "full zip" construction that visually looks more like the bottom of a jersey. This allows just a bit more wiggle room and often lengthens the life of your zipper since it takes some of the strain off of it as you wiggle in and out.
• Avoid commitment: Because sizing can be so whacky on skinsuits since you’re trying to fit a top and a bottom as a single piece, you’ll want to avoid committing before trying on whenever possible. Look for options that offer free returns and exchanges, or, in the case of custom options, look for brands that will send a fit kit so you can try a few sizes to figure out what’s best for you.
• Check your measurements and their measurements: A soft tape measure will be your best friend in this search, since everything from bicep to torso length can affect how well a skinsuit will fit.
• Get aero: When you do try on your new skinsuit, don’t just stand around. Get on your bike and assume the aero position to ensure that nothing pulls or sags once you’re bent over.
• Beware of mixing up triathlete and cyclist skinsuits: Triathlon skinsuits or speedsuits will have very, very light padding, but not much by way of a chamois, since you’ll be swimming and running in it as well as riding. So they won’t be as comfortable on the bike. And you wouldn’t want to wear a cycling-specific skinsuit for a triathlon, because the swim will cause the chamois to get waterlogged and pretty darn gross and squishy for the ride and run.

Why Are So Many Companies Only Making Skinsuits for Men?

Here’s the deal: It is wildly frustrating how few options are available for women unless you decide to go custom. This just plain sucks, and it’s incredible to me how brands who make men’s skinsuits skip the women’s side altogether—even the big ones like Rapha that are otherwise doing awesome things with women’s clothing. My personal speculation (and what I’ve heard from some manufacturers) is that women are rarely racing seriously enough without a team to want to get a skinsuit, while men are more inclined to race solo for longer. This is a crappy reason, and hopefully as more and more women enter the sport, we’ll have more options for women’s skinsuits widely available. But for now, we’ve pulled together a few great options from brands who do understand that women are just as entitled to excellent racing gear as men.

Any Advice for While I’m Wearing It?

Two tips: First, apply chamois cream directly to your nether regions rather than putting it on the chamois, otherwise you’ll likely end up with it all over the place. Second, when getting ready to race, have someone help you pin your race number to your skinsuit while you’re wearing it and bent over in your aero position (make sure you trust the person to not stab you with a safety pin!), because pinning it before you put it on inevitably leads to ripping your number or the material.

How We Selected

As someone who got her start in triathlon and eventually fell in love with cyclocross after a quick jaunt in the crit racing world, I consider myself a bit of an expert when it comes to riding around looking like you’re wearing a pair of onesie pajamas. You’d be surprised how much cycling kit has evolved in the last 15 years, since the day I first pulled on a tri suit (backwards, oops) to now. I’ve raced and worn a skinsuit in everything from a boiling hot Ironman or a ’cross race in a blizzard, so I know what I’m looking for in a skinsuit (and what to avoid).

As I evaluated the best skinsuits available for cyclists, I factored in a few things. Primarily, I looked at the overall fit and comfort, the durability of the fabric and the zipper, and the general aesthetic. That little extra “something” didn’t hurt either, whether it was a bonus pocket, a design detail in the fabric, or a particularly grippy-yet-comfortable silicone band on the legs.