Best waterproof cycling jackets 2023 — get out on your bike whatever the weather

If you're on a budget, or want a lightweight, packable jacket that can be dragged out of a rear pocket in a rain emergency, then Galibier's Tourmalet needs to be on your list.

When we reviewed it we did mention that we would like some brighter colour options for overcast days, but other than that there was very little we could fault. The Tourmalet uses a Hydrastop 2.3+ membrane which provides a waterproof rating of 15k which is bolstered by fully taped seams and a stormproof zip. 

This is no boil-in-the-bag either, with a rating of 13.5k for breathability which seems to keep your core at a comfortable temperature unless you are riding very hard indeed.

Other neat details are a heavily dropped tail to suit an aggressive road position, snug fitting cuffs, a rear vent for er, venting, and a high collar to keep the worst of the weather out. The fact that you can get all of this for just £68 makes the Tourmalet one of the best bargains-versus-performance waterproof jackets on the market.  

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What works on the chain gang or your weekend blast on the road bike might not befit the daily commute to work, especially if your pace is a little less frantic and the drop from your saddle to handlebar is a bit less dramatic. This is where the City Jacket from Chapeau steps in. With a relaxed cut that looks just as good off the bike as it does on it, it is mostly at home in an urban environment.

Being very packable means that it also a good contender for the bikepackers or tourers amongst us. Our reviewer found that the Chapeau delivered impressive waterproofing thanks to the material and the addition of fully taped seams throughout, and the breathability was fine for the steady state riding typical of an urban commute. Push the pace a bit and things can get a little overwhelming, but that's forgivable as this isn't a jacket designed for riding flat out in.

The sizing allows you to wear it over standard civvy clothing should you so wish, and with a bright colour and a few reflectives thrown in you shouldn't just blend into the background.     

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Gore's Shakedry fabric has become a bit of a game-changer in the lightweight waterproof market, and while many brands have incorporated it into their own line-up of jackets, the Race Shakedry jacket is Gore's own offering.

Unlike most waterproofs that use an outer layer bonded to a membrane for durability, the Gore does away with that. What you see here is just the membrane fabric which means it is lightweight (174g) and very packable. A racer's dream jacket.

The waterproofing is immense and with no need for any kind of water repellant coating like that found on a typical outer layer the Shakedry's performance doesn't degrade over time. Should it get wet during a shower, a quick shake before after taking it off means that it is dry to stow away in your rear pocket.

There are a couple of downsides, with the biggest being that the membrane comes in the colour you see in the pics, and that can't be changed. If you want something bright you'll need to look elsewhere.

Also it's not quite as durable as a multi-layer jacket, but we found that it is tougher than it looks and for road riding there are few issues. Now all you have to do is decide which one of your internal organs you can live without and bung it on eBay, so that you can treat yourself to a Shakedry! 

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When it comes to keeping the rain out, not all of us necessarily want a hardshell jacket; especially if getting caught out in a heavy rain shower rather than heading out into weather that is likely to be wet for the duration of your ride. Stolen Goat's Climb & Conquer is a softshell jacket more akin to a long-sleeve jersey, made from Tempest Protect fabric which manages to be very warm while impressively waterproof.

It's not technically a full waterproof as the seams aren't taped (to aid breathability) and there is no protection behind the zip, but should the heavens open the results are still spectacular.

The Climb in Conquer comes in a range of different colours and designs which are constantly evolving so you should definitely find something that suits. The material looks grey in daylight but when light is shone on them they are a solid block of reflective light.

One great bonus that the Climb and Conquer offers are the rear pockets. Just like a traditional jersey you get three pockets across the rear, with an additional zipped pocket for your valuables.

Overall, the Stolen Goat makes a great option if a softshell is what you are after.   

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Let's face it, if you're riding in the rain it is likely to be dull and grey, so if you want to be seen you'll want something bright like the Altura Nightvision Storm Waterproof jacket. Other colours are available if you want something a little more subdued, though.

If you are a commuter and work the 9-to-5 then your rides to and from work are probably going to be in the dark too, which is where the huge amount of reflectivity in this jacket really comes into play. For our reviewer George the results were impressive, with the Altura shunning wet weather and blocking the wind. Breathability was decent too for all but the most spirited of rides.

Altura's Nightvision range has always been about visibility in the dark, and this jacket doesn't let you down. The side panels, the outside of the arms and the collar are all covered in an array of reflective dots, which give a distinct definition of someone human-shaped riding along. 

The reflectivity of the arms also helps with making your signals for turning more noticeable. There's a women's version of this jacket too which we've also reviewed.

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