The best windproof jackets will form a protective barrier between you and the wind when out on the bike, while remaining light and breathable. They'll help you get out the door during those chilly early morning starts, and most can be easily stowed when the weather warms up.
Best overall windproof cycling jacket: Assos Mille GT Wind Jacket
Best windproof winter jacket: Galibier GrandTour Jacket
Best all-weather jacket: Gore Spirit Jacket Men’s
An excellent thick windproof: Santini Pure Dye Jacket
Best for breathability: Assos UMA GT Wind Jacket
A top-of-the-range women's jacket with wind and rain protection: Le Col Womens Hors Categorie Jacket II
Best showerproof option: 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid Jacket
Best dry weather windbreaker: dhb Aeron Packable Jacket
Best value for money: Galibier Gino Wind Jersey
Best option for visibility: Endura FS260 Pro Adrenaline Race Cape Jacket
Best packable windproof jacket: Bontrager Circuit Cycling Wind Jacket
Best for performance riding: Pearl Izumi Men’s Pro Barrier Jacket
Best for riding in extreme weather: Sigr Nackrosleden Transparent Pro Cycling Wind/Rain Jacket
Best for night riding: Altura Icon Rocket Men’s Packable Jacket
A casual women's jacket with windproofing: Gorewear Everyday Jacket Womens
A windproof jacket can be used year-round. A cycling windbreaker will aim to remain breathable for use in moderate temperatures and have room for piling the layers during cold spells.
Windproof jackets are shell-type layers and add no bulk to your ride. They'll keep out windchill and can be paired with cycling base layers to protect the core and bib tights for winter rides.
On the more budget side, you'll find jackets with tight-woven fabrics with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating that may claim to be 'resistant' to poor weather, but not completely wind and rain-proof.
Look for names like Gore, Polartec and Pertec on spendier jackets, which have added tech to better protect from the elements. Other features like a high collar, elasticated hems, and dropped rear will help to seal out the chill.
All of these windbreakers are designed to stop the wind in its tracks, with some doubling up as waterproof cycling jackets, and while most are packable we've also included some heavier duty options with windproof properties that could see you through most of the cooler months with some layering.
For a rounded introduction to all types of cycling jacket see our guide to the best cycling jackets, and if you need something for colder weather head over to our winter cycling jackets guide. If it's windproofing you're after though, read on!
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8 comments
Been very satisfied with my Band Of Climbers windproof jacket for a couple of years. Works well in winter with a long sleeve winter jersey to prevent the wind getting through (so keeping the warming air within the insulated part) and aslo in spring or on descents with a lighter jersey. mesh type back helps with not overheating.
Wind chill isn't prevented by wind proof clothing. Wind chill is prevented by insulation.
My wind jacket is ideal for rides where I just want to stop the air blowing through onto the front of me. Keeps the chill out when you're moving.
That's not what wind chill is.
And insulation is the installation of a layer or layers in order to prevent cold air reaching the body, and clearly a material designed to deflect cold winds is going to be the most effective way of doing that. Do you have to be contrarian on every single post?
Didn't ask.
A surface loses heat through conduction, evaporation, convection, and radiation. The rate of convection depends on both the difference in temperature between the surface and the fluid surrounding it and the velocity of that fluid with respect to the surface. As convection from a warm surface heats the air around it, an insulating boundary layer of warm air forms against the surface. Moving air disrupts this boundary layer, or epiclimate, allowing for cooler air to replace the warm air against the surface. The faster the wind speed, the more readily the surface cools.
I mean technically wind chill isn't prevented by insulation either, since it's simply a number, a function of temperature and wind speed. but feel free to think that putting on a windproof jacket doesn't help you stay warmer, if that's your thing.