Cycling Kit for UAE Clubs: Comfort in the Heat

Most club riding in the UAE happens early: a dawn start, a long ride and a finish as the sun climbs. A club kit has to be comfortable through that whole window, identify the group on the road and fit riders of very different builds.

This guide explains the decisions a club captain or kit officer needs to make before ordering, from jersey cut to bib shorts, sun coverage and sizing.

See our custom cycling kits page for the garment options.

What this guide covers

• Jersey cuts: club fit or race fit
• Bib shorts and the seat pad
• Sublimated club designs
• Sun coverage and visibility
• Sizing and modest options
• Club fit and race fit compared
• Kit officer’s checklist
• Start your club kit
• Frequently asked questions

Jersey cuts: club fit or race fit

Cycling jerseys are cut for the riding position, so they are shorter at the front and longer at the back than a normal sports top. Within that, there are two broad fits.

Club fit has a little room through the chest, waist and sleeves. It suits social riders, newer members and anyone who prefers a garment that does not feel tight when standing at the coffee stop.

Race fit sits close to the body with longer, snug sleeves and very little spare fabric. It suits members who train and compete, but it feels restrictive to riders who are not used to it.

Zips, pockets and hems

A full-length front zip lets a rider open the jersey for ventilation on a climb or when the temperature rises. Three rear pockets are standard; a small zipped pocket for keys and a phone is a useful addition. A gripper at the rear hem keeps the jersey from riding up when the pockets are loaded. Check all three on a sample with the pockets full.

Bib shorts and the seat pad

Bib shorts replace the waistband with shoulder straps. The straps hold the shorts and the seat pad in position and remove pressure at the waist, which is why most regular riders prefer them. Waist shorts are simpler for beginners and can be offered alongside bibs in the same design.

The seat pad, or chamois, matters more to comfort than any other part of the kit. Pads differ in shape, thickness and density, and men’s and women’s pads are shaped differently. Ask what pad options are available and which ride durations each is intended for. Final specification will be confirmed during quotation.

Also check the leg length and the leg grippers. A gripper band that is too tight is a common complaint on longer rides, and leg length affects where the club artwork sits.

Sublimated club designs

Cycling kit is almost always sublimated, because the design runs across every panel, including the sleeves, side panels and pockets. Sublimation dyes the artwork into the fabric, so there is no printed layer to add weight or reduce stretch.

Plan the artwork around how the rider is seen. On the bike, the back, shoulders and the sides of the shorts are the most visible areas; the chest is partly hidden. Put the club name across the upper back and down the side panels, and keep sponsor logos clear of zips and pocket seams, where they will distort.

Our guide to sublimation, printing and embroidery for sports jerseys explains the method, and the garment printing service page covers what we need from your artwork.

Sun coverage and visibility

Sun coverage

Riders who finish after sunrise often want more skin covered. The options are separate arm sleeves worn with a short-sleeved jersey, a lightweight long-sleeved jersey, and a higher collar. All can be produced in the club design.

Treat this as coverage advice, not a protection rating. If a tested sun-protection value matters to your club, ask the supplier for fabric test evidence before you rely on it.

Visibility on early rides

Many groups set off before first light. Bright or pale colours on the back, shoulders and sleeves make a group easier to see than a dark all-over design, and some clubs ask for reflective details on the rear pockets or legs. Clothing does not replace lights, and riders should follow the rules of the road or cycle track they use.

For fabric background, read breathable sports fabrics for the UAE climate. Fabric recommendations are advice for local conditions, not a performance promise.

Sizing and modest options

Cycling kit fits closer than everyday sportswear, and a rider’s usual T-shirt size is a poor guide. Size from chest, waist, hip and height measurements, and have members try a size set where possible. Judge the fit leaning forward in a riding position, not standing upright.

Members can try a size set at our Jebel Ali showroom, and we keep the sizes on record for later orders. The measuring guide shows how to take each measurement for members who cannot attend.

Women’s and more covered options

Kits are available in men’s and unisex, women’s and more covered fits. A modest cycling set is typically a long-sleeved jersey in a looser, longer cut with full-length padded tights. Riders who wear a hijab should check that a thin sports hijab sits comfortably under their own helmet without changing how the helmet fits.

Club fit and race fit compared

Mustang recommendation: offer both fits in one artwork instead of forcing the whole club into race fit. Ask each member to choose a fit and a size at the try-on, and record both. A club where everyone is comfortable in the kit is a club where everyone wears it on the group ride.

Kit officer’s checklist

• Member list with the fit, jersey size and shorts size for each rider.
• Club logo and sponsor logos as vector artwork, with colour references.
• Decision on bib shorts, waist shorts or both.
• Seat pad options reviewed for the distances your club rides.
• Coverage items agreed: arm sleeves, long-sleeved jersey, tights.
• Visibility considered in the colour layout of the back and sleeves.
• Any event or federation rules on kit and logos checked for the current season.
• Care instructions shared with members; see the fabric care guide.

Start your club kit

Every order begins with a free design mock-up and a free sample against your confirmed order (LPO), and your sizes and artwork are stored for repeat orders and new-member kit. Riders can try a size set in person at our Jebel Ali showroom before committing. Delivery timelines are confirmed during quotation.

Browse cycling kits, see how we work with clubs and academies, or return to sports uniforms. Then request a quote or request a sample.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between club fit and race fit?

Club fit has some room through the body and sleeves. Race fit sits close to the body. Both are cut for the riding position and can carry the same club design.

Should a club choose bib shorts or waist shorts?

Most regular riders prefer bib shorts because the straps hold the shorts and pad in place without a waistband. Waist shorts suit newer riders. Many clubs offer both.

Does the kit provide sun protection?

Long sleeves, arm sleeves and tights cover more skin, but coverage is not a tested protection rating. If a rating matters, ask for fabric test evidence at quotation.

Are women’s and modest cycling options available?

Yes. Women’s cuts and more covered sets, such as a looser long-sleeved jersey with full-length tights, can be produced in the club design.

How do new members get matching kit?

Approved artwork and sizes are kept on record, so later orders can be matched to the original design. Delivery timelines are confirmed during quotation.