Conquer the cold and rain with one of the best cycling jackets

The Albion All Road Pertex Shield Rain Jacket is excellent, with great waterproofing and high breathability, very low weight and good packability. We found that it was let down a little – for taller folk, at least – by having slightly shorter sleeves than you might expect, and it’s not the fastest-drying fabric we’ve ever encountered, but the wet weather performance still makes it an ideal option for road riding, gravel riding and bikepacking.

The three-layer fabric has a PFC-free membrane (without the toxic chemicals used to make waterproof clothing) sandwiched between a soft inner and outer, and a C0 Durable Water Repellency (also free from perfluorocarbons) to shed water on the face fabric. You get fully taped seams throughout, and the material has a bit of stretch to it.

As far as waterproofing goes, the Albion All Road Pertex Shield Rain Jacket is very good. The membrane will keep you dry even in an hour’s deluge although, unsurprisingly, the DWR will eventually lose out and the fabric does wet out in some areas.

In terms of weight, the Albion came in at 200g for an XL, which is seriously impressive, and it will scrunch down to just a bit bigger than the size of a tennis ball.

Overall, this is a top-quality waterproof jacket that excels in many areas.

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Thanks to a combination of cosy warmth, wind and rain protection, and casual good looks, the Grid softshell hoodie is a top you’ll be reaching for time and again. It’s well made, effective, and very, very useful. 

Reviewer Lara Dunn said, “It’s the softshell I never knew I needed but now can’t do without.”

The Altura hoodie is like a cross between a sweatshirt and a softshell jacket. Made from 100% polyester with a thermal grid fleece lining, it has a half zip at the neck, an adjustable hood with peak, zipped side pockets, a shaped tail, and long stretchy cuffs. It also has reflective print patterns along the rear hemline, at the cuffs and on the chest.

The cut allows you to wear layers underneath without being overly loose, while the sleeve length is good but not over-long.

You can use this hoodie for a variety of types of riding, although the fairly short zip means it lacks the ventilation necessary to cope with more intense efforts, and the style feels best suited to gravel rides, commutes and casual pootling around town. 

It’s pleasantly windproof and warm enough to use with a fairly thin top underneath until the temperatures really start to drop. 

This is a really versatile design that looks as good off the bike as on, its warmth and weather resistance making it useful for all sorts of activities.

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The Altura Nightvision Electron Jacket is a really great option for anyone looking for a waterproof cycling jacket with a relaxed fit (including a detachable hood) with the addition of usb rechargeable LED lighting built in on the back, which has a 50 hour run time, to improve upon your visibility. With these features considered, it’s safe to say that this jacket has all the bells and whistles for the commute. 

Inside of the jacket, there is a thin fleece lining at the front and the sides of the jacket which adequately provide you with the right amount of warmth while riding without it being overkill. More so the outer layer of the jacket is made from 10K waterproof rating material which very effectively keeps the rain out and you dry. 

The Altura Nightvision Electron Jacket really is a great option for those wanting a reliable commuting jacket that offers plenty of waterproofing and warmth. The fleece lining and relaxed fit also makes throwing over the top of work attire easy, unlike some more slim-fitting jackets.

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From the luxury cycling brand Assos comes the Mille GTS C2 jacket, which our reviewer found to be an excellent piece of kit for mild weather conditions. Therefore, if you were looking for a milder weather jacket with a high quality feel (with an equally high price) then this is the jacket for you.

The jacket performs very well in mild and dry weather, with Assos’ Airblock.888 material that features across the front of the jacket, offering brilliant windproofing protection. Furthermore, the sleeves are made from the RX Evo Light material, which offers a degree of water resistance. But the jacket itself isn’t particularly thick, more a long sleeve jersey, hence it’s perfect for mild conditions. 

If you want windproof protection in middling temperatures and have deep pockets, this is a great choice. 

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The Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 Jacket is a renowned piece of cycling kit that is very popular among road cyclists who are eager to get out on the bike come winter time, and for good reason too. This really is one of the best water resistant jackets thanks to its Gore Infinium 205 material. 

For off-season performance, this jacket really is tough to beat. It blocks the cold air very effectively, thanks to the brushed Gore-Tex Infinium 205 fabric on the front ensuring you keep warm. This jacket is also water resistant rather than waterproof, coping really well with road spray, continuous light rain and short showers. But you will want to reach for a proper waterproof cape to wear over the top if you’ll be riding in heavy rainfall. The addition of useful zip air vents at the front also ensure you stay well ventilated during warmer days.

The Perfetto is properly warm, has taped shoulder seams to keep you dry and three good sized pockets for your belongings. A cycling wardrobe must and worth the investment. 

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The dhb Aeron Packable Jacket is a really great outer-layer for those dry days where you just want a little added warmth or protection. If you just want a packable layer in your pocket or want the option to layer up in colder dry climates, this is a decent affordable option. 

Although this is more suited to dry weather conditions, it will offer a little protection when caught in a shower due to being made from polyester. Due to the mesh like panels placed around the jacket, it’s also very breathable ensuring you don’t feel horrible and clammy, making it great for slightly warmer days. The zip at the front is also double ended which helps improve ventilation as well as access to your rear pockets underneath. 

This budget jacket won’t protect you from the rain, nor is it a thermal winter staple, but it is a brilliantly priced extra emergency layer that is super easy to fold up small to pop in your back pocket or bar bag. It’s also usefully bright to help other road users see you and offers a great snug fit, meaning it’s not flappy and annoying.

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The Scottish based brand Endura really knows how to make clothing to suit whatever the Scottish weather has to throw at it, come rain or shine. The Endura Pro SL 3-Seasons Jacket is testament to this. With the ability to transform into a jacket for any time of the year, this is a really fantastic overall jacket to invest in, with removable Primaloft lining as well as some massive vents for warming temperatures. 

Not only does this great all-round jacket offer some solid features for the warmer climates, but it also features waterproofing  which is from a PFC-free water repellent finish. This finish works very well: water beads and rolls off easily, which paired with the accurate fit allows this process to be more effective as there are no deep folds or creases where rain can pool or soak in. There are also four pockets on the back of the jacket which is really useful, not the biggest but they are fitted with mesh on the inside so thankfully won’t fill with water when it’s raining. 

This jacket is ideal for temperatures down to -2° with just a base layer under thanks to the removable Primaloft inner gilet that clips on and off, all the way up to 16° with the vents open. Therefore, it really is a do it all, three-Season jacket that will really take you through all the seasons, protected, warm and well vented when needed.

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The Galibier GrandTour jacket is perfect for grim British winter weather. It’s an excellent option that offers a quality to rival that of some of the top cycling brands around – and it comes at an appealing price.

Reviewer Josh Price was immediately struck by this jacket’s fabric and cut, and found it to be warm whatever the weather, even with just a thin base layer next to the skin. He wore it at 15°C and then down to below Zero with Galibier’s accompanying gilet.

Galibier makes no claims about the jacket’s water-repellent or water-resistant properties, but Josh found the fabric to have a slight hydrophobic quality, with water beading on the surface and rolling off. This means the jacket will keep you reasonably dry during a slight shower or when there’s road spray around.

The GrandTour jacket is cut close to the body so it doesn’t flap around, while the tail is slightly dropped, and comes with a silicone gripper inside, to give you extra coverage.

The excellent zip comes with a big tab so it’s easy to operate even with the thickest winter gloves, and the neck is reasonably high. The arms are long enough to avoid any gaps around the wrists and the cuffs are snug.

Our man Josh thought the rear pockets could do with being a little bigger but found the one on the chest handy for keys or a mobile phone.

All in all, this is a warm and comfortable jacket for winter riding, with good looks and an even better price.

Galibier’s Tourmalet 4 is waterproof and breathable, the fit is great with minimal flappage, and it’s an absolute bargain.

In terms of waterproofing, the Tourmalet 4 is pretty much faultless. During testing, the fabric and taped seams proved impenetrable in both heavy showers and prolonged steady rain; even after being washed countless times, our reviewer reported that the waterproofing remained excellent.

The new HydraStop 2.9+ membrane is not only incredibly waterproof, it’s also soft against your skin, so you can wear it comfortably with a short sleeve base layer or a jersey underneath. The fabric helps the Tourmalet 4 stay lightweight and packable, so you can carry it easily in a jersey pocket when there’s a chance of rain.

On the whole, the Tourmalet is best suited to cooler days in spring, autumn, and winter, but you can still wear it when the temperature is in the mid-teens centigrade. Reviewer Stu Kerton says this is probably the only waterproof jacket he’d consider using year-round,

The cut is well-tailored without any flapping, but it’s not so close that it restricts your movement or limits what you can wear underneath.

Galibier has delivered a high-performing jacket at a very good price.

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If a big cosy winter jacket is what you are looking for, then look no further than the Gobik Thermal Armour Vanta. There’s a reason UAE Team Emirates use Gobik as their kit provider: if it’s good enough for the pros and their demanding needs, it will for sure be good enough for anyone demanding a lot from a winter outer layer. 

Not only is this jacket impressively warm and cosy, even in single digit temperatures thanks to its Polartec Alpha lining, but it also offers very good waterproofing protection. The Polartec NeoShell has a 10k waterproof rating, allowing water to bead and run off very well, keeping you dry underneath. The feature of vents also do a great job at regulating your temperature, keeping you comfortable and dry. 

Overall, this is a top winter jacket with a unisex fit. If you want a well insulated thermal jacket that offers great waterproof protection then this really is the jacket for you. However, if you were wanting something brightly coloured then this won’t be too suited to your needs as it only comes in the one colour, black. 

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Although the Gore Lupra Jacket Women’s does come from Gore’s ‘trail’ range, it is perfect to use for many different types of riding, be it gravel riding, commuting, bikepacking, road rides or mountain bike shreds. It wouldn’t even look out of place being used on a walking adventure, which is why we’re giving it our versatility gong in this guide. 

With regards to the performance, Lupra protects very well from chilly winds as well as moderate showers. This impressive protection is thanks to the Gore-Tex Infinium material used which offers great protection against both the wind and rain without hugely compromising breathability. More so, the shoulders, chest and hood offer extra waterproofing, along with taped seams in the hood and shoulder for further rain protection. 

This jacket doesn’t have an obvious cycling kit aesthetic, allowing for it to be used in other activities. The hood and high quality materials are also particularly useful features, keeping your head warm and dry even if you opt to wear a helmet underneath.

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The Gore Race Shakedry is well and truly one of the best – if not the best – rain and wet weather cycling jacket on the market. Gore’s Shakedry fabric technology does a very good job of stopping any water from coming in, combing the waterproofing with stretch panels to create a closer fit. Also, as the name suggests, you can simply shake the jacket dry, before packing it back away in your back pocket, both hugely useful features. 

For pure performance, Shakedry is really is hard to beat. The surface of the jacket is the membrane, which allows for a lighter and easily packable waterproof, making it ideal to pop in your back pocket. This membrane additionally is naturally hydrophobic, meaning no special treatments are needed to keep the waterproofing, maintaining its brilliant waterproofing performance.

All in all this is a really brilliant jacket, and the tech is so good it features on numerous other waterproof jackets from other brands like Castelli. You do need to thoroughly check sizing or pop into a shop to try them on as the material isn’t very stretchy, and at the time of writing there are rumblings of the fabric being discontinued… but if you can overcome both of these hurdles and afford it, we highly doubt you’ll be disappointed!  

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The MAAP Training Winter Jacket isn’t cheap, but it’s exceptionally good. It’s warm, comfortable and well-made, with excellent protection from the elements and good breathability.

It comes in a semi-relaxed fit and is comfortable to wear in a variety of situations as you can layer up to suit. There’s plenty of stretch in the fabric – not as much as you get in a lightweight jersey, but more give than many softshell jackets – so it’ll work over anything from a light base layer to a long-sleeve jersey.

The jacket’s Drytex TPU membrane provides weather protection, combined with taped seams and YKK Aquaguard zips. Reviewer George Hill reported that it kept out all the wind and rain the British climate could throw at it… and there were plenty of heavy downpours during the test period.

A zip guard helps keep the wind out while the fleece lining helps you stay warm and comfortable even in sub-zero conditions. Despite being warm and comfortable in even the most foul conditions, it maintains good breathability and ventilation.

While it’s not cheap, you are paying for a high-quality jacket that performs exceptionally well. Putting that price to one side, it’s an excellent jacket.

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The Rapha Men’s Pro Team Insulated Gore-Tex Rain Jacket offers both brilliant waterproofing thanks to the Gore-Tex material that it’s made from, as well as excellent breathability to keep you warm and dry. However, it’s not a cheap piece of kit, at £310.00 it’s understandably a little steep. But, for the quality you get, it’s without a doubt a rain jacket to consider, hence we’ve positioned it as the best money-no-object jacket in our list.

This jacket from Rapha features effective insulation which further helps make this a useful ‘winter’ jacket rather than strictly a rain one, making it great for colder rainy days any time of the year. It’s also very waterproof, very windproof and still impressively breathable. This means you can throw it on if rain looks likely without having to faff about removing or adding layers. The fit itself is slim and racy with (as mentioned before) an impressive level of windproofing thanks to the 2L Paclite shell, which also allows it to be effective at holding onto warmth. 

All in all, this is a really fantastic money-no-object jacket that helps you to feel cocooned away from the cold and rain. It is also available to buy in a women’s specific fit with the Rapha Women’s Pro Team Insulated Rain Jacket, which we also reviewed and highly recommend if you were wanting a smaller fit. This jacket will keep you dry, protected from the wind and comfortable, be it an extra layer for spring, summer, autumn or winter, it’s a great additional layer of Gore-Tex rain and wind protection. 

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If you dabble in road racing in the UK and were looking for a slim-fitting jacket to add to your cycling wardrobe, then look no further than the Santini Guard Nimbus. It’s a very high quality and high-performing piece of clothing that offers a stretchy and unrestrictive slim fit.

This jacket has taped seams coupled with the 5,000mmm water column rating to offer brilliant levels of waterproofing, as well as wind protection without compromising on the breathability of the jacket. 

This flap-free cycling jacket is also packable and very stretchy too, making it more convenient than most other options on the market. Not only that, but it features a small rear pocket and is available in bright colours too if you’d like to stand out while out on the road, or just fancy a change from black.

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The Showers Pass EcoLyte Elite Jacket is a lot of cash, but you get an incredibly waterproof jacket that comes with great ventilation, a cut that suits all kinds of riding styles, and it’s packable too.

Reviewer Stu Kerton used the EcoLyte mainly for gravel rides; its style suits that sort of riding, what with the removable hood (that’s large enough to fit over the top of a helmet) and everything, plus the fit isn’t quite as close as you get with some road jackets. You could easily use it on the road too, though.

The sleeves are long enough to keep your wrists covered and the hem drops down at the rear to provide plenty more coverage back there.

The outer face and lining are made from 100% recycled material, so the EcoLyte Elite has some eco credentials. The same goes for the zips on the vents and rear pocket. There are no nasty chemicals in the dyes, either.

The three-layer fabric is coated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish which sees rain and road spray bead up and roll off even in long, heavy downpours, and the fully taped seams mean that water ingress isn’t a problem there either.

A certain amount of moisture can escape through the fabric and you get lengthy side vents and a vent flap across the back.

This means that the range of temperatures in which you can comfortably use the EcoLyte is wide – below freezing up to the mid-teens centigrade, depending on what you wear underneath.

If you have the cash and you want one of the best waterproof, breathable, packable jackets on the market then you will not be disappointed.

The Vulpine Mens Regents Mac is a stylish and practical raincoat for cyclists that’s good both on and off the bike and has a host of cycling-specific features – although the price tag will be too steep for some.

This jacket is clearly designed for urban riding rather than long sporty rides in the country, and meets its brief when the rain is falling. It’s versatile enough to look the part whether teamed with jeans or dressed up with tailored trousers and smart shoes.

The detailing is superb. For example, the external pockets – two at the side, plus a larger one at the rear – are secured with magnetic closures so they’re easier to access when you’re wearing gloves than ones with buttons or zips.

You get a full-length, two-way front zip at the front, and also four buttons which are hidden inside the placket when done up so the strap of an over-the-shoulder bag won’t get caught on them.

Ventilation is provided by a pair of eyelets under each armpit, plus a small mesh panel across the shoulders that is hidden from view.

The outer shell is 100 per cent recycled polyester, with a pleasing softness to the touch, and it does its job of repelling water, whether that be a brief shower or a longer downpour, while also providing excellent windproofing.

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