Nobody enjoys riding in the rain but sometimes it’s unavoidable. And on those occasions you need to put something between you and the rain.
Mudguards help but they only stop the spray coming up off your wheels; they do nothing about the rain falling from the sky. Hence the need for a waterproof jacket, which generally means a hard-shell garment made from a fabric that feels more like plastic.
Things would be easier if it were simply a matter of keeping the rain out. But what complicates matters is the fact that the effort of pedalling makes you hot and sweaty, and the heat and moisture you generate need an escape route. The trouble is, the very properties that allow a waterproof jacket to keep the rain on the outside also make it difficult to deal with the damp building up on the inside.
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The ideal solution, therefore, is a cycling jacket that combines being waterproof with being breathable, which is a difficult — but by no means impossible — balance to strike. Some garments manage it by using advanced materials; others solve the problem by incorporating vents into their designs.
Aside from being both waterproof and breathable, it’s worth seeking out a jacket that packs down into a tiny package that’s easily pocketable. A garment that can be stowed in a jersey pocket, saddlebag or rucksack can be conveniently carried with you at all times. Better still, if the rain stops, you can take it off and put it away rather than be forced to keep wearing it long after it’s done its job.
What to look for when buying a waterproof cycling jacket
Taping
Taping is used to seal the seams in a waterproof jacket on the inside. It does add bulk, though, and reduces a jacket’s breathability – so some of the jackets here trade a bit of seam leaking for a better overall performance.
Breathability
Care
Waterproofing
Features
Endura MTR Emergency Shell
- Beautifully minimal with practical performance
- Lightweight and packing loop make it easy to keep it with you at all times
- Slim cut that doesn’t restrict your freedom of movement
Gore One Gore-Tex Active Bike Jacket
- True waterproof performance with excellent breathability
- Barely-there weight
- Doesn’t absorb moisture — shakes dry
B'Twin 700 Membrane
- Outstandingly good value
- Quality fabric and construction
- Plenty of nice touches, including storm flaps for pockets and pit zips for ventilation
Endura Women’s Singletrack
- Keeps you warm and dry without leaving you overly clammy
- Flattering slim cut that’s roomy enough for stylin’ your airtime
- A competitively priced jacket that does it all
Castelli Tempesta
- Exceptional eVent fabric is waterproof and breathable
- Great feel — more like a light windproof garment than heavy waterproof jacket
- Pockets are an unusual but welcome addition
Paramo Quito
- Multi-purpose jacket with cycling specific touches
- Non-rustling fabric keeps out the wind and rain
- Lacks the usual plasticky feel of waterproof jackets
Endura FS260-Pro SL Thermal Windproof Jacket
- Price: £129 / $224 / AU$TBC
- Fits like a thermal long-sleeve jersey, but with extra protection
- Front, arms and shoulders have a windproof and water-repellent exterior, and the rear is thick thermal
- Nice 'toothy' zipper, and the thick reflective stripes can withstand washing
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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