Reappropriating Decathlon’s clothing.

I’ve always just ridden in joggers and T-shirts. I’m starting to ride further and in worse weather. I can’t afford to buy all the top end stuff and whilst decathlon’s bike range is good, the mtb stuff is a bit lacking.

I’m looking for long sleeve technical T-shirt’s preferably plain with a giant fox motif. Also a rain coat or softshell, which is better? Anybody found anything from their running, skiing, hiking ranges that would work for biking.

If you type seamless into decathlon’s search engine it brings up some good kit.

A softshell is more versatile than a raincoat – can wear it most weathers and will only get overwhelmed if you’re out for hours in the rain or it starts throwing own stair rods. I find raincoats uncomfortable and too hot, and rarely wear them for shorter rides regardless of conditions – they are good to have if you’re properly hitting the hills on an all dayer.
Decathlon soft shells are great full stop and doubleplus great value for money, but do not have fox motifs on them.

Joggers are OK for that I’ve-just-stolen-this-mountain-bike look, but there are better options. If they’re comfy, though, then that’s what matters. Wouldn’t they be horrendous in the rain?

Tech t is a tech t, base layer is a base layer. Cycling jackets tend to have a longer back but otherwise a tech jacket is a tech jacket….

I’ve used their climbing softshell thing for a year and it’s perfect. As is their not-Goretex lightweight waterproof with a hood big enough to go over a helmet.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/men-lightsoftshell-jacket-blue-id_8386970.html
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/men-alpinism-light-jack-orange-id_8544950.html

Keep your eye out for lidl and aldi stuff. Indeed if you are skinny I have some I bought that are too small for me – riding tights that is that you could have for much cheapness and a softshell as well

https://www.aldi.co.uk/search?text=cycling&category=specialbuys

I work next to a huge TK Maxx and I’ve got loads of stuff from there. New Balance base layers mostly but jackets and gilets etc.

That reminds me, I haven’t been in for a while and it might be full of cool winter stuff.

Wouldn’t they be horrendous in the rain?

Yeah they are, but if you’ve never used proper biking gear you get used to what you have.

Also it’s supposed to say WITHOUT a giant fox motif.

Thanks for your softshell advice.

I’ve got some Lidl running shorts which aren’t very good, compared to the Nike ones I’ve got.

Ime decathlon gear kicks the crap out of the Lidl/Aldi stuff. Decathlon consistently good, Aldi Lidl very patchy (as often bad fitting or poor quality than not)
Decathlon is definitely my go-to cheap brand. Everything I’ve bought from them has been spot on and you have to be paying a lot more to get better performance.
Other cheap brands I like – planet X 365 comoression/base layers (plenty long in the body and arms) and also merino socks.
I tend to spend more on bib tights and shorts though, haven’t ever found good cheap ones I get on with

El boufy is bang on, Decathlon is miles ahead of aldi n lidl stuff.

OP you really need to go in, there’s clothing for all sports that will work great for other sports, their footy baselayers frinstance.

I use the thermal leggings, think they are for cold weather running but bloody good when the wind is howling. As said you really need to go in and take a wander as you will probably find stuff in another section that does exactly what you need.

The end of line MT900 jackets were discounted down to £50 last weekend, someone in another thread was saying the MT500 is good but for the same price I’d look at that as well. The fit was weird on me though, medium was too tight and large swamped me.

Decathlon fan here. Be sure to browse the whole store as similar kit is categorised by sport and could be missed; e.g. long sleeve hi viz running tops with thumb loops (£6.99) make perfect cycling tops and their hunting boots are better than some of their hiking boots. The best bikepacking drybags are in with the sailing stuff. Climbing and hiking kit are several aisles apart. The baselayer you want could be anywhere! Many departments have sales racks / bins as well. Recently saw an 11sp XT rear mech for £29.99 in Braehead. Bargaintastic.

Go to Mountain Warehouse. Their stuff is pretty impressive these days, although I don’t know if there’s any biking stuff in the lineup. I’ve got some cheap Trespass walking trousers that are ace for riding in the cold. Go Outdoors have lots of cheap stuff and good sales. Also check out Sports Direct for their running/gym stuff. I have a really good Adidas (or similar) tech tee that I wear a lot biking.

Also a big Decathlon fan, but it’s worth avoiding their really cheap stuff – they usually have two or three ranges for any given sport, the dirt cheap stuff is fine if all you’re doing is going to the gym or just starting out in a sport, but if you’re planning on spending 3 or more hours out in the hills you’ll wish you’d spent a bit more.

I think decathlon stuff is brilliant. Try their summer full finger gloves they are much better quality and last longer than most brands.

JeZ

Big Decathlon fan here, and agree you need to sample all of the ranges to get the best stuff.
The football (Kipsta) baselayers are very good indeed, better than the cycling ones IMO.
The running (Kalenji) and fitness (Domyos) t-shirts, long and short sleeve are very good indeed too. They also have some relaxed fit stuff in their cycling range (B’twin or Van Reysel) which are fine too.
The shorts and tights in the cycling range are top class, the 900 series stuff is better than £150 shorts I bought from proper cycling brands.
I’d also echo the above, I’d pick a softshell above a water/windproof, much more versatile and unless it’s throwing it down it’ll serve you find. The hiking brand (Quechua) and the climbing brand (Simond) will sort you out.

Finally, I’d echo the above, the low end stuff, generally branded as 100 or 300 is fine but a bit low end, 500 series and upwards is where you’ll start to see really good kit for very good value.

And yes, I am sad enough to know all of the brand names without Googling them…

Thanks for the heads up @squirrelking

I have nothing to add, apart from that we know what Lunge’s specialist subject will be when he goes on Mastermind.

I have a great, sadly now very much wearing out at the zip, xc skiing waterproof (I’ve never been xc skiing, but it was great for commuting as the pit zips actually work without faff/2 hands) from them.

As others have said, there might be minor fit tweaks here and there, but you can certainly use stuff from other sports. I used a lightweight running windproof for years, and when I first got into riding properly (about 20 years ago) Ronhill Tracksters were the tight du jour across UK mountain biking.

I would say what you need is 2 or 3 layers (2 base, 1 top – I would go for a cycling top for the pockets particularly if you might want to ride backpack free), and a thin lightweight waterproof you can stuff into a back pocket (or easily fit into a backpack), plus some bibshorts and warm tights. Baggies can go over this if you’re so inclined, which most are.

The advantage of a lightweight waterproof is you can put it on if you get cold and take it off if you get too warm, no need to stuff away a huge jacket (a softshell is fine if you’ve got your layering right, but if you need to delayer it’s a pain to store).

The decathlon biking kit is generally very good IME. Ive got about 5 pairs of gloves in different weights!

Base layers are the same price across the ranges so may as well get the cycling cut ones.

The £35 rain jacket / race cape is apparently very good, but a bit black for the road in winter IMO.

The thermal jerseys are very good.

Bibs/shorts are very good.

Even the cheap ‘100’ range has its uses, but if you can only buy 1 of something stick with the 500/900 ranges, much better materials, especially for mid/outer layers and bib tights.

Ive got a few bits of the kipsta/domyos winter kit as it makes great off the bike wear for bikepacking (thick leggings and base layers that double as a thin jumper under a down jacket for example).

The only ‘problem’ is decathlons sizing is athletic average, not population average. If you’re an XL in some MTB brands you might find the decathlon kit is for someone a lot taller in the same size!

Lidl/aldi can be good but often odd fitting. Ive got a winter jersey (pseudo softshell) thats a L and fits great appart from unessecerily baggy arms. And an XL softshell thats just scaled up from a medium in all directions, fine if youre 6ft and 18 stone, but not a cyclists build! Does for casual commuting though. And the bibs/tights have always been woefull.

The only ‘problem’ is decathlons sizing is athletic average, not population average. If you’re an XL in some MTB brands you might find the decathlon kit is for someone a lot taller in the same size!

Now that is an odd comment as I too agree that Decathlon sizing can be a bit challenging but mainly as I find it cut a bit square. I’m 6’4″ and 82kg and find to get the sleeves the right length the body is a bit wide. I end up with a kit in all sizes from small to XL depending on what it is.

Now that is an odd comment as I too agree that Decathlon sizing can be a bit challenging but mainly as I find it cut a bit square. I’m 6’4″ and 82kg and find to get the sleeves the right length the body is a bit wide.

Conversely I have a pair of bib longs ive never worn that would probably fit you, they fit arround my legs but the legs are about 4″ too long!

Thanks, I’ve been to my local store a few times and have found the Domyos stuff to look good. I’ve got some of their ST500 shorts with liner, I just don’t get on with the nappy/liner so I’ll just be pairing lycra shorts with a baggy short. I’ll have a look at the Kipsta stuff. The Simond softshell looks great if it weren’t for the neon blue.

They could shift a lot of MTB stuff if they targeted it a bit more and robbed the specialized marketing team.

Outdoor kit and cycling kit are often very similar, the main differences are cycling kit tends not to have a hood and you get three pockets on the back. Obviously with shorts you can get the chamois sewn in, but that’s not essential.

The advantage of a lightweight waterproof is you can put it on if you get cold and take it off if you get too warm, no need to stuff away a huge jacket (a softshell is fine if you’ve got your layering right, but if you need to delayer it’s a pain to store).

I agree with this, which is the reason why I don’t own a softshell for cycling

Decathlon stiff just seens to work for me

I’ve given up thinking of it a cheap and cheerful and wishing I had better. It’s all been great

My wife walls dogs for a living. She buys loads of their stuff. The cheap walking boots last like 4 times longer, but cost less, than the ones she had before

a softshell is fine if you’ve got your layering right, but if you need to delayer it’s a pain to store

It took me 20-odd years, but I’m pretty damn good at layering now, if I do say so myself.

Rarely have to add/remove clothes during a ride these days. Just sometimes put a packable jacket n if it starts raining in the warmer months.

I literally spend hours in decathlon…

The gear is great. I’ve got everything from socks to tops from there.

I was horrified how much I spent when I last went in!

As said though, great value, decent quality stuff.

They could shift a lot of MTB stuff if they targeted it a bit more and robbed the specialized marketing team.

Its worth having a look, they do some decent cycling jerseys without pockets which are a better cut than the full on baggy downhill pyjamas or tecnical t’s.

Another top find is these shorts. Sort of XC fit baggies – light, tough, close fitting, quick dry and most importantly stretchy. From a “big” brand these would be £100 and rave reviews in all the mags.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/st900-mountain-bike-shorts-black-id_8381758.html

And the big hooded swim towel cape things are super cheap and great for changing after muddy races.

I just find sizing assumes super slim people – I’m small most gear but always medium in Decathlon.

Mrs uses the online only xc ski gear for short (regular clothes) bike commute in bad weather.

And free delivery to Asda is convenient if not in a hurry.

I tried those shorts on Mick, really nice then I bought the st500 with liner as I thought I wanted a liner. I was wrong!

I was horrified how much I spent when I last went in!

Yeah, I usually go in with the idea that I just need a new pair of running shorts and some socks, and end up spending €100 on all sorts of stuff 🙂

And I echo the sizing thing, generally you need to go a size up. If you’re in store just try it on in the changing rooms, of course.

Yeah, I usually go in with the idea that I just need a new pair of running shorts and some socks, and end up spending €100 on all sorts of stuf

Textbook Decathlon behavior that is, last trip I needed 1 pair of running socks at £5 ish and 1 base layer at £12 ish. Obviously I walked out with 2 pairs of socks not 1, plus a new jacket and some running tights. I’dd have bought another jacket too if they had my size.
My wife won’t let me visit very often…

It took me 20-odd years, but I’m pretty damn good at layering now, if I do say so myself.

Rarely have to add/remove clothes during a ride these days. Just sometimes put a packable jacket n if it starts raining in the warmer months.

Aye, the biggest step for me is starting off a bit cooler, then no need to stow whatever outer layer you have on once you warm up.

The best running shorts I have (and I have a few pairs!) are from Primark, they are flippin brilliant, liner attach, properly fitted look and stretchy material. 2 zipped pockets too, great for car key and phone – don’t even notice the phone moving.

Did two 65k Ultramarathons with them now, brilliant.

I’ve been using a Decathlon MTB jacket for several years, and it’s really good for the £50 asking price… the main zip is not that great, but it is very waterproof, seems breathable enough and has massive vents for cooling, has great cuffs for the winter, and it also packs up reasonably small so you can stow it if need be.

The current version is https://www.decathlon.co.uk/st900-waterproof-membrane-mountain-bike-jacket-grey-id_8546224.html

And free delivery to Asda is convenient if not in a hurry.

Did not know this, cheers

I have used various bits of Decthlon kit including bibs, jerseys, baselayers and gloves and to be fair it’s very good for the money.

As someone else said it’s worth not buying the very cheapest stuff, except for the ski baselayers which are super warm and cost about 8 quid!

It’s shame that there isn’t a Decathlon closer to me but also it’s probably good for my bank balance.

Serious Decathlon fan boy here.
As above – any 900 range kit is really good. Just so nice to be able to try on all the sizes and be almost guaranteed to get an item.

My favourite shop.