Best windproof cycling jackets 2024 ⁠— outer layers to protect you from the windchill while riding

The 7Mesh Cypresss Hybrid Jacket is targeted at cool mornings and windy days where you need lightweight protection, but not a full waterproof. Like some of its competitors, the Cypress Hybrid features Gore-Tex Infinium on the front; a light and breathable windblocking fabric with DWR coating that protects against light showers, without claiming to be fully waterproof.

The arms and rear are built in four-way stretch material and are highly breathable, impressive for fabric on which water just beads off. Again not waterproof, but good enough to shed a light shower while remaining supremely breathable.

There aren’t any pockets, but two long side zips allow easy one-handed access to rear jersey pockets and can double as vents when conditions start to warm up. Reviewer Mike praises the taped seams and reinforced stress areas, saying: “The build quality and finish is so good you could wear it inside out and it’d look just as sharp.” 

The jacket can be packed into a fist-sized ball and fit our tester’s tall and broad frame like a glove, with hems sitting at the perfect length and stretch at the back making for unrestricted range of movement.  

The Altura Icon Rocket Men’s Packable Jacket is a handy, lightweight cycling shell that protects against changeable weather. As the name suggests, the Icon packs down easily and very small for minimalist riding. The Icon is made using windproof Pertex Quantum fabric. Quantum is typically used in insulation, but is repurposed highly effectively in this outer layer as an excellent wind-blocker.

It performs on the breathability front too, being able to cope with fast-paced riding without becoming overly clammy. The DWR coating works very well in light rain and drizzle and even for short bursts of heavy downpours. The semi-fitted cut gives plenty of length in the arms, with elasticated cuffs stopping any draughts from slipping in, though they’re not roomy enough to fit over gloves. Up top there’s a very tall collar which does wonders for blocking the wind. 

Where the Icon excels is its visibility. Subtle reflectives woven into the front and rear panels are barely perceptible in daylight, but reflect approaching headlights like a beacon in low-light conditions.

The Assos Mille GT Wind Jacket is super compact in your pocket and more closely fitted than most wind/emergency jackets once on.The key to a good windproof shell is that it can be easily packed away, and this is where the Mille GT Wind excels. It’s feather light at only 90g, and the foil ultra-ripstop fabric is extremely thin, making it pack down to the tiniest parcel.

This doesn’t take away from the protection is offers when out on the bike though, forming a strong barrier against wind on blustery descents. Hunched down in an aero position, there’s no flapping to be heard, looks like Assos put their money where their mouth is when they coined it an ‘acoustically innocuous’ design.

Along with impressive wind-proofing, a DWR coating does a good job of fending off road spray and drizzle. Elasticated cuffs and a high collar keep out the chill, while the material on side panels make the Mille GT surprising breathable.  

Tester Jamie writes: “While Assos Mille GT Wind Jacket is pretty expensive for a windstopper, the performance, usability and quality mean it earns the price tag. You can easily buy cheaper, but they just won’t be as good.”

If you’re after a fully windproof cycling jacket that’s also completely breathable, reviewer Emma was blown away by the extremely light and packable women’s Assos UMA GT Wind Jacket.  

The front of the jacket is built with Assos’ light Foil Ultra windproof ripstop woven fabric, which is also effective at warding off light showers thanks to a DWR coating. Fit is improved by the flexible side panels made from a windproof textile, offering enough give to fit a few layers underneath on chilly rides.

The breathability of the UMA GT is second to none, largely thanks to a rear ‘stretch-net’ panel that’s made of a fine mesh and does wonders to keep temperatures down. The dropped tail still fits over packet pockets, with the elasticated hem staying firmly in place.

This jacket is considerably aero without being at all restrictive. The high stretch of the material pairs well with with elasticated cuffs, hem, and collar to keep out drafts and eliminate any drag from flapping materials. The entire jacket has a considered cut, with regular length and a feminine fit. 

The Bontrager Circuit Cycling Wind Jacket is a lightweight, packable shell with impressive windblocking prowess. It’s a good option for the sort of chilly, showery conditions commonly experienced on early and late season rides.

Given that the semi-fitted jacket is made from thin-feeling polyester, tester Shaun was genuinely impressed by its ability to completely stop the wind in its tracks and ward off particularly icy blasts. Temperature’s sufficient in mild conditions, but you’ll need to add some insulating layers for colder outings.

The Circuit is showerproof rather than waterproof, but the DWR coating allows it to withstand heavy downpours for half an hour or so. It dries off quickly between showers too, making it practical for riding in changeable weather with intermittent rain.

The jacket manages to prevent that clammy feeling thanks to vents under the arms, on the shoulders, and across the back. The zipper’s easy to use and has a two-way function, which gives easy access to jersey pockets on the fly (there’s also one in-built side pocket). Meanwhile, the elasticated sleeves block out any drafts and two pull cords mean you can opt for a relaxed hem, or to draw it tighter against the elements.

For early (dry) starts, late finishes or long descents, the dhb Aeron Packable Jacket offers ample protection at a wallet-friendly price, and it folds almost unnoticeably into a back pocket.

Being such a light jacket, the Aeron packs in plenty of features that make it a pleasure to wear: from well-fitting cuffs and a soft back collar, to the double-ended zip for adaptable ventilation and pocket access.

The Aeron is not a jacket with any claims to waterproofing, though the polyester shell will hold up in brief showers. This is largely due to the mesh panel which runs the full length of the back and provides great breathability. Even sprints didn’t cause overheating, though on the flip side, the armpit panels definitely let you know when there’s a crosswind.

While the GrandTour is a slim-fitting windproof jacket with thermal properties as opposed to a windbreaker, but we’re including it in our windproof jacket guide as a heavier duty option for cold and windy days, or just about any day where you want warmth and weather protection. 

Galibier says for the coldest and nastiest weather, the GrandTour is best paired with its GrandTour Foul Weather Gilet; and our reviewer said he is “yet to find weather cold and grim enough to outdo the pairing.” For any temps above zero, Galibier says you should be golden with just a base layer underneath, and our reviewer concurred. It’s also very comfortable against the skin and not at all bulky, so on milder days, anywhere up to the mid-teens, you could just wear it on its own. 

If you want superb, versatile weather protection without the big ticket price, the GrandTour would certainly make a grand old choice. 

The Galibier Trail Wind Jacket is a lightweight windproof with neat design cues that work well when you’re riding without it screaming ‘I’m a cyclist’ when your bike is nowhere in sight. If you have an urban commute and tend to wear standard clothing the Galibier looks just at home with a pair of jeans as it does with Lycra.

Reviewer Stu said, “As a trail jacket its more relaxed fit is ideal for mountain biking and the gravel riding that I mostly used it for. The sizing is pretty much spot on and the cut is tailored so I didn’t find it too baggy for riding on the road”.

Primarily it’s a windblocker, a job it does very well indeed as it kept those chilly gusts at bay, and while Galibier makes no mention of any water resistance, Stu found that there does seem to be something that makes water bead off it. Galibier has included a bit of storage with a zipped rear pocket, which is big enough for a phone and some snacks, and you get a small, zipped chest pocket for essentials like keys or your cash/cards.

It’s also an excellent price – you’re getting a lot of jacket for your money. 

While it’s not windproof throughout the whole garment, the Everyday jacket from Gorewear has Windstopper material on the front and sleeves to keep you toasty enough in most conditions for casual riding or commuting. 

The jacket’s fabric includes some recycled materials in its construction, and the claim is that it will protect you from wind and light rain. Our reviewer found this to be the case, with the material doing a good job of keeping the wind out, particularly when descending. It also successfully shrugged off light rain and drizzle.

If you’re after something casual that’ll look good on or off the bike, then the Everyday jacket is well-made, partially windproof and breathable, and will fit the bill for all types of riding and other outdoor activities. There’s also a men’s version that our reviewer also rated highly. 

The Le Col Womens Hors Categorie Jacket II is more than just a windproof, featuring Polartec’s Power Shield fabric that offers supreme protection against wind and rain… and it should do too at this price! 

Though it is a huge investment, this jacket is seriously impressive in terms of its warmth and protection from the elements, while still managing to be exceptionally breathable too. Polartec are also responsible for the fleecy inner material, that is soft against the skin and doesn’t make you sweaty. Even though it’s quite a thin jacket, you don’t need to layer up too much. Our reviewer paired it with just a base layer underneath and was fine in temperatures ranging from 5-8°C. 

While the price is a sticking point, if you were to own one jacket to see you through most of a British autumn and winter, you might feel like this one is worth the investment.

The Pearl Izumi Men’s Pro Barrier Jacket is a windproof performance cycling jacket that protects from adverse weather without adding any drag to your ensemble.

The Pro offers a body-hugging performance fit for aero riding, with no extra flappy material in sight. Despite this, the high stretch means you can still fit thin layers underneath if needed for colder rides, though where it excels most is blustery summer days.

Though the cut is slim, you do get a dropped tail for rear coverage in the rain, along with ample reach in the arms. Fabric used is Pearl Izumi’s PI Dry, a hydrophobic technology which makes the shell both water-repellent and at the same time, highly breathable and sweat-wicking. It won’t wash off like some DWR coatings either.

This translates to the jacket being able to withstand light showers for around an hour, but water will eventually seep in through the untaped seams. The Pro’s small size means it can be easily packed away into a pocket when the weather brightens, though it’s worth noting that the jacket has no pockets itself.

The Santini Pure Dye Wind Jacket is thicker than your average windproof, and has decent water-resistant too. 

You get a high neckline to keep out the winter chill, and our reviewer praised the quality construction, finding it very comfortable on long rides. A classic fit means it’s not super tight and fine for casual riding, and the eye-catching design is also a highlight. 

If you’re after a warmer windproof for colder days, the Pure Dye is well worth considering. It’s comfortable, stylish and also has large pockets for big days on the bike. 

It may be on the pricey side, but the Sigr Nackrosleden Transparent Pro Cycling Wind/Rain Jacket is an impressive piece of kit for fast road rides and racing in poor weather conditions. The transparent, 100% Nylon material allows you to see a race number or team kit through the jacket. Though the fabric can feel sticky on bare skin, it does a good job of regulating temperature thanks to underarm mesh sections and a high breathability level of 20,000gsm/24hr.

The jacket can withstand most prolonged downpours thanks to a hydrostatic head rating of 15,000mm. Only a ride of four hours in torrential rain saw some water seeping through (seams are taped), but few jackets could withstand that.

As for the fit, the Sigr sports a performance cut suitable for racing, with decent tail drop to protect against road spray and long sleeves to cover reaching the drops. Four-way stretch material keeps it comfy, and a double zip means you can reach rear pockets easily for re-fuelling on the go.

The Velocio Alpha Merino Air Jacket is a top that fits somewhere between a long sleeved jersey and a softshell jacket and is a lot better than both combined.

A clue into how the jacket is constructed is in the slight colour difference between the panels. The front, shoulders and arms are Pertex Quantum Air, a shell fabric that is windproof, water resistant, DWR treated, air permeable and stretchy. The lighter coloured back panel is recycled Italian-milled fleece-backed polyester, which looks and feels just like your regular thick jersey material and it’s there for mobility and breathability.

Tester Joe said, “The first proper ride out was into a zero-degree day with added wind chill and straight into a headwind, and I felt absolutely none of it. The Pertex Quantum Air that fronts the jacket does an amazing job of blocking the wind – you really can’t feel it cutting through.”