The best cycling jacket will keep the nasty heavy rain out, will keep you feeling warm on your commute into work and allow your skin to breathe so you won’t be dripping with sweat. But how do you know which one to buy? What should you look for? Is there any difference between a £50 and a £150 cycling jacket? All these questions will be answered here.
What to look for in a cycling jacket
A lot of people just think “why don’t I just pickup any old waterproof jacket?” There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, it’s perfectly fine and will no doubt work out cheaper. However, if you do cycle often then you are better off with a jacket designed for cycling. The instant difference you will notice with cycling jackets is that they are cut with a longer back to accommodate for forward leaning. Also they feel more comfortable and allow a full range of movement. Here some of the things you should look for when buying a waterproof cycling jacket.
- Light vs. heavy – In my personal experience it is better to have a lighter waterproof cycling jacket rather than a heavier one. The reason being that you soon warm up from the exercise and it is better to have the option to add layers than be stuck with a heavy jacket that makes you sweat. Also it is easier to fold away.
- Neck – a high neck is better to protect from wind and rain
- Waterproof zip – one of the main places water gets in, so look for a jacket that has a flap to keep it out
- Sleeves – these should go right down to your wrists when you’re in cycling position
- Reflective material – anything that helps you be seen by others is useful so pick a jacket that has at least some reflective material
- Hood – when cycling in London or any city cycling a hood can create dangerous blind spots. However if out and about on a trail then it can be useful for keeping you dry.
- Breathability and water resistant – often people buy cycling jackets expecting miracles, like no sweat what so ever. The truth is, if on naked skin there is sweat then there will also be sweat with a cycling jacket. Usually the more water resistant a jacket is the less breathable it is. It’s not a perfect world and you can’t have both!
- Storage – some jackets are better at folding into compact spaces to save space
- Fabrics – every cyclist you ask swears by a certain fabric. Gore-tex is an often mentioned name and this is one of the higher end materials. In all honesty I think you are better off not worrying so much about the fabric and instead looking for a jacket where the seams such as zips and vents are well protected as this is where water is likely to sneak in.
As a general rule the more you spend the less you have to trade off between the above features. Having said that if your just starting out then even the budget jackets are perfectly good.
(Note: Looking for something a little lighter? Checkout our windproof cycling jacket recommendations)
Popular waterproof cycling jackets
All of these jackets come highly recommended in reviews and are popular choices.
DHB Signal Cycling Jacket
I own this affordable £53.09 DHB jacket and love two things about it: It’s completely waterproof and it stuffs down nicely into a small enough size to store in my bag ready for the rain.
The jacket keeps me a little warmer than perhaps I would like but opening the under arm vents helps. It largely negates the need for a middle layer which sometimes isn’t such a bad thing. The well-sized waterproof back pocket is excellent for quick access to items and there’s also a couple of side pockets.
It is available exclusively from Wiggle in both male and female versions.
Altura Night Vision Evo Jacket
If you are looking for something a little more reflective and much warmer then the Altura Night Vision Evo Cycling Jacket comes well reviewed. The waterproof jacket is highly reflective, great quality and keeps you very warm. This is definitely one for winter cycling. One of the favourite features is the soft material inside the collar making it extra comfortable. Additionally the jacket is well designed on all fronts. Right down to the zips, which are designed to be opened even if wearing gloves. With ample pocket space there is not much more to ask for. It is available for £84.99 from Evans Cycles.
Gore Bike Wear Path Waterproof Cycling Jacket
At the higher end of the scale (Though believe me you can go much higher) is the Gore Bike Wear Path II. The high price is justified by having excellent waterproofing, warmth and at the same time packing down into a small size to fit into your bag. Additionally the Gore Tex material means that the jacket remains highly breathable to prevent you from sweating. It is available from Wiggle for £125.99.
See also:
- Windproof cycling jackets
- Gloves for cycling in the winter that keep water and cold out
- How to choose a bicycle helmet
- How to choose cycling shorts
Join 5,112 fellow cyclists who are subscribed to the London Cyclist newsletter
Sign up for our free newsletter to get...
- Advice on the best cycling gear
- A Friday roundup of all the latest London cycling news
- Exclusive content not available on the blog
Subscribe today, and get exclusive access forever! (It's free)
*No spam, ever!
As seen on The Guardian, BBC and The Independent.
I’ve had my Altura jacket for 3 years now, the bright yellow is fading and alot of the relfective stickers have peeled away but it still keeps me dry. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a jacket to use all through the year as it’s not that thick. They also do larger sizes than most cycle companies, so good for the *ahem* fuller figured cyclist.
Large sizes are good. I wish my Altura was just a little more breathable though, when the temperatures go above the mid 50s I find it’s just too warm for my comfort.
Great for winter riding, I just need a slightly thermal layer underneath it and it keeps out the wind and the rain. And in almost luminous yellow there’s no chance of anyone not seeing it.
John….oh yes there is….
PR.
I’ve had an Altura jacket that’s now going into its third winter. A bit grubby from tyre splash, but otherwise still keeps the wet out and (being yellow with reflective bits) keeps the cars off, too. One thing I would say, however, is that there are no reflective patches on the cuffs or arms. If you are a cyclist on the road who signals, then this would be a useful addition.
I recently bought the Altura Nightvision Evo jacket. Totally waterproof and you can’t miss me in that lurid hi-viz green! Lots of reflective strips on it – you can’t go wrong. Well worth the money.
Looks like I’m the only one with a negative experience of Altura cycling jackets!
> Looks like I’m the only one with a negative experience of Altura cycling jackets!
What didn’t you like about the Altura jackets?
I found that the reflective material faded out really fast making the jacket look tacky. Also I found it was very sweat inducing considering I’m not the type of person to sweat much. Also the pocket on it ripped within maybe 4 months of buying it. All in all was not impressed. But perhaps I had a bad experience and it seems that a lot of other people like them.
I also have had a bad experience with the Altura Evo. The chest pocket seam split (on the inside) after a couple of months, and now after only 9 months of use, the waterproofing is negligible. Won’t be getting another…
Hi Andreas, great article… My only Altura experience was unfortunately negative too. I bought an Altura Crossmax a few weeks ago, & the first time I wore it in heavy rain it leaked at the zip & through the shoulders as well. The website I bought it from said that the seam taping on the shoulders was probably defective, but that the zip was only meant to be ‘water-resistant’ – though fortunately after some cajoling they were good enough to offer me a refund. So now I’m on the lookout for a replacement, will definitely take a look at that DHB one.
Thanks Robin, glad you enjoyed
At least you managed to get your money back. It is weird how so many people have mixed experiences of Altura jackets. Maybe they don’t have good production quality checks so the quality varies. Hope you like the DHB one
used endura stealth jacket since they came out.reasonable water resistance,but not for downpours and the cuff stitching failed on both wrists
Just thought i’d add to this…. Today it is monsoon weather outside: Wet, Windy, FREEZING….
So my cycle jacket got put to the test (yes, i did cycle in. Once you’re out and commited, there’s no turning back).
I have an Altura Night Vision Evo Waterproof Cycling Jacket, and I can categorically state, it is totally waterproof, and windproof. And visible from space. What more can a girl want
Awesome, thanks for coming back and reporting on the jacket you bought! It’s much appreciated
Zip on my Altura Night Vision jacket lasted about six months before catastrophic failure. Not impressed by that.
Brushed my lightweight, waterproof jacket on a bramble as I cycled along. Any suggestions how I can repair a gaping hole?
Pam
I have tried most and have not been pleased until I recently purchased a Showers Pass Elite jacket. Nothing compares and it is well worth the price. Most impressive waterproof jacket I have eve owned.
You only bought it “recently”?
Well, as the Zen Master said, “Wait and see….”
Good luck!
P.R.
I’d swear on any Gore-Tex Paclite product, I Know it’s expensive, but it has never failed me. I’ve been in torrential rain and everything under my Paclite was dry (except for the sweaty bits). Packs up small, well tailored, fantastic
not sweaty in my showers pass elite. it is the most breathable waterproof jacket I have found, and has multiple features including ventilating cuffs and waterproof zippered pit zips.
Just bought a polaris quantum in black for £85 and am very happy with it. Very waterproof this evening, back pocket can hold compact camera, 2 lights and gloves at a push. Little pocket on front for map etc, nice velcro cuffs. Being black was bit apprehensive but the reflective bits seem to work. Personally I would have designed it with stripes, but hey. Most importantly the zips don’t run out in 3 months like altura. I would definitely recommend. Has a hood too.
Another thing to consider when buying a jacket is the number and size of pockets it has. Can be very useful if you are carrying, keys, mobile, inner tubes, mini pumps etc.
In ProBikekit – Polaris Neutron PBK Exclusive Waterproof Jacket was given 9/10 and a Best Buy award by CyclingPlus Magazine – Dec 2009 – It was on offer for around £50 a month or so a go. so worth watching as may reduce price sometime again.
The colour did not really appeal to me as want to be seen as much as possible.
I’ve got a set of OMM Kamleika Smock and trousers. Very light weight, stretchy and comfortable. The smock has thumb holes in the sleeves so that the sleeves protect the top of the hands too. It also has a deep zip at the front so that you can pull the jacket off over your head without removing your helmet, and provides good ventilation too.
Having gone through 2 Altura Nightvision jackets in recent years, I have to reluctantly agree with Andreas- while well designed, they lost their waterproofing to the degree where I would be soaked in a 10 minute downpour. This was within 1- 1.5 years of commuting, mostly wearing it just in the autumn- spring. With the most recent one, I thought to extend its life a bit by washing it with Nikwax proofing as per the instructions, and over half the membrane washed completely off leaving white bits all over the place.
I’ve ordered an Endura Gridlock jacket this time and will see if that is any better. I would have ordered a DHB jacket but for some inexplicable reason they seem to only produce them in Invisible Black now, the last thing I want to be wearing on a dark winter night in the city.
I see it is now almost a year and a half since my last post when I bought my Endura Gridlock jacket, used for commuting almost every day, and I have to say I am very happy with it. Nothing has broken, the zips are fine, and as far as I can can tell it is still waterproof. It is also still nice and bright yellow, unlike my Alturas which had faded badly by this age. Thumbs up from me and under £60!
Thanks for reporting back on it! Pleased to hear its been treating you well.
For me what it works best is a rain cape. About a month ago I bought one in Decathlon in Surrey Quays and it works perfectly fine. It has a heavy and sturdy rubber feel to it and offers excellent rain protection, keeping you well ventilated from underneath. Surprinsingly at the end of the journey the only wet parts are my toes, making me a happy under-the-rain biker.
I haven’t got the mudguards intalled yet so I can’t really ride too fast. I guess that as for a fast commuter a cycling jacket works better.
I thought I’d say that I saw a guy wearing one of these new Proviz jackets the other night – I thought it would be brilliant for commuting this winter. I’ve been thinking of buying a new jacket for this winter and seeing this made my mind up. The glow is amazing – really made him stick out! They’re a new company according to their website http://www.proviz.co.uk they do some cool stuff.
I agree, i saw a cyclist with a PROVIZ Helmet too, it had lights on the front and back integrated into the helmet and it was hi vis yellow, such a great idea. He was wearing a PROVIZ jacket too. Definitely going to get both of these as it sure is getting darker.
Hey Sam
Our Proviz going to do helmets in Orange too? and are they going to put them through SNELL tests? http://www.smf.org/
It seems Specialized the only big make that does?
C
Hi Chewy – I’m afraid I do no know the answer to that one. Sorry mate….Be cool if they did though.
S
I won’t be buying altura again
waterproof jacket losing stickers and where they come off the water seeps in and it’s less than a year old
shorts stitching coming undone after a few months
Can you contact them? No! They hide behind their retailers.
i paid £32 for a Muddyfox jacket in Sports Direct that was supposed to be waterproof and wasn’t. bizarrely the body was but the sleeves got sodden. so, doesn’t do what it says in the tin but looks cool…in a soggy kinda way.
I am completely skint (always!) so I went from ‘no jacket’ to a £15 Primark one. It has mostly kept me dry for over a year and is still bright and reflective after daily use, Taped seals and rain flap on the front. The zip is getting a little temperamental now but at that price it has done it’s job well! NB also used it on building sites and at the tip where you need a hi-viz work jacket so it has had quite a hard life and I would not use a more expensive one for those jobs.
Has anyone tried the Cycling Jacket from Mountain Warehouse for £34.99. Looks ok, jsut wondered if anyone has an opinion on it?
thanks.
Oh yes. I have been trying to avoid Altura due to failed waterproofing and dodgy zips and decided to give this a go. Looks good but it has very poor breathability and having done 12 miles home in the rain last night I can confirm that it is not particularly waterproof as I had wet soulders, back and some to the front! It’s going back!
http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/mens/clothing/bikewear/adrenaline-high-visibility-mens-jacket-p2785.aspx
Winter cycling jackets from Aldi. Believe me it’ll be the best £25 you’ll ever spend!!
Aldi wasn’t good for me….spent £20 on a waterproof jacket in their September 2011 cycle promo and was very happy with it…..unfortuntely the zip was broken by 2012. At first they were a bit reluctant to refund but I gently pushed and they agreed. Shame Aldi’s jacket didn’t last….cos £20 doesn’t go very far towards a replacement
I’ve had the Altura and took it back within a couple of months as the useful pockets had ripped with just carrying my phone. The zip had broken and had not lived up to the 5 years of my Gore before it. I found the Altura quite breathable. The high viz was good and a nice design.
The Gore Path II is one Ive recently bought and like my Gore its not as good as everyone makes it out to be on the breathability front. It is pretty waterproof and the manufacturing is a leap above Altura but for the price it should be.
The best fabric I’ve found is the eVent fabric in my trusty Montane cycling coat which is fantastic. I wish I’d bought the bright yellow one as safety is, at the moment on my routes, more important.
Just my ten kenneth..
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
I cycle with what I have learned is the absolute best waterproof jacket nd it is made by Showers Pass. The company is based in the states. Portland,Oregon where they get similar wet weather as the UK.
Absolutely agree. I’ve got the women’s jacket and it’s brilliant. A great name and a great philosophy!
I recently went on a cycling holiday, and wanted a light waterproof. I used to have one (lasted over 10 years so no complaints) that was waterproof, had a hood AND a “tail” if you know what I mean. I think if you have the kind of adjustable hood with the drawstrings visibility does not have to be an issue.
I have been totally unable to find a similar replacement, online or otherwise, so I ended up getting one without the tail. I do think the tail is very useful for cycling
has anyone else had any luck finding this kind of jacket
Thanks for a good article on jackets. I’ve had the same problem as others with my Altura jacket- i.e. the zip is shoddy and no longer works. The teeth seem to have become all ragged for some odd reason. I emailed to ask about this, and this was the reply I had. I do not think this is satisfactory and have decided to buy another brand of jacket, based on the recommendations you’ve posted. I think it’s reasonable to expect a jacket to last longer than 3.5 years if you only wear it occasionally as I do.
“I discussed the issue you described with the Altura Brand Manager and he advised that we have changed the zips we use on the Night Vision Jacket for smoother running versions to increase the life and we have also changed the pullers to avoid the issue we had with some snapping (mentioned in a few of the reviews). As your jacket was bought in September 2008 and is now 3 ½ years old we would recommend visiting a local seamstress where a replacement zip can be fitted in your jacket, this will enable you to continue to use your jacket. Customer.Services@zyro.co.uk“
I have an Altura jacket too. I don’t know how long jackets are supposed to last, but this one is now starting its third winter and the front zip is completely useless so must be a common fault
I have had the Gore Path II for some considerable time now and I would swear by it. Buy the hood and stick a lightweight fleece under it and it passes as a (very waterproof) casual jacket. I have re-proofed it numerous times by hand with NikWax wash and reproofer and it still works as well as the day I bought it.
Hi, I am considering buying the DHB Ladies Signal Cycling Jacket as the weather in Ireland is very close to monsoon weather all the time! Just wondering if anyone can help me out with a query…how small can this jacket be folded into?? Small enough to fit in a pocket of a cycling jersey??
Thanks
Two features you haven’t mentioned that I think are also vital when choosing a waterproof jacket for cycling:
1. pockets (eg need to be handy for keys/phone & spacious enough for map, wallet)
2. underarm zips (to cool down when you warm up with that extra layer)
My Paramo Quito jacket is close to perfect, but fails on pockets.
I have been wearing a Buffalo Special 6 jacket for years; it doesn’t keep the rain out, but thanks to the pile lining and windproof Pertex outer it keeps me warm even when soaked right through. It also has a hand warmer pocket, a large chest pocket and full length zips down each side. It has kept me comfy down to -18.
Another, perhaps less costly option, is if you go into builder’s shops, big chaine ones, they sell outdoor, high-visibility jackets, padded (great for winter) for less than £35.
You know these jackets are made to last, because of the kid of work that builders do.. and they are waterproof too..
Worth checking out.
O2 cycling rain jacket. I have used for about 6 years. I still can’t believe they work.
Negative: it is flimsy and lasts 2-3 years. no pockets or vents
positive: light, small packed, no rain comes in, sweat goes out. cheap 20pounds.
I carry it everyday commuting and use it 20 times a year. On training rides i use it during slow warm ups, and when i stop, or long descents.
good blog
their stuff looks perfect =:-) shame they only ship to US and Canada – maybe I’ll drop some hints to my brother for xmas!
I don’t know how old this article is but the link to Wiggle shows the gore jacket as discontinued.
I totally disagree that any energetic cyclist actually needs “waterproof” jackets at all, at any time of the year. If you use mudguards and dont stop pedalling your back stays dry, even in absolutely torrential sustained rain. I can vouch for this as I did the exmoor beast this year which was continual torrential rain the whole way round for 7 hours. my back was dry when I drank my beer at the end. so you only need a waterproof membrane on the front of any cycling jacket. That allows superb breathability at the back where you sweat. When a jacket says it is waterproof, the membrane they are using is just “too” waterproof also. something like windtex or winstopper is more than rain resistant enough. the heat from your body will do the rest of the job at beating the water back out. This is all true believe me. you just have to brave enoough to try it out in some proper rain on a proper bike with mudguards.
Any actual examples of such jackets?
Yes endura windchill is brilliant. It offers water resistant /windproof down the arms. Castelli transparente similar but not on the arms so not a deep winter jacket , but also superb nonetheless.
The great thing about a jacket like the windchill is that you can just wear it every day from September to may and you will not overheat (baselayer dependant!) but I guarantee you will stay dry when it rains and not drown in sweat. Anything that says ‘waterproof’ in the description will not do this.
Thanks for the tip – I’m looking for a new jacket for my commute but hadn’t come across the Windchill – sounds excellent.
One other thing: they have just updated the design ; there is the windchill and now the windchill 2 . I’ve had a look at the windchill 2 and its better. But the original windchill is still being sold at the same price to watch out.
Top tip, David!
Bought a “last year’s model” Endura Windchill for £25 cheaper than the new models, just in time for the recent spell of cold weather, and it’s been excellent – very comfortable, keeps me warm but not too warm. It’s closer fitting than a normal waterproof and I’m sure I’m making better time as a result. Had to wait until this week for some “decent” rain to test it in the wet – no problems.
Many thanks!
Oh great! I feel vindicated as most cyclists just laugh at me and walk away when I say you don’t need waterproof on your back!
> Hood – when cycling in London or any city cycling a hood can create dangerous blind spots.
I can’t believe there’s still no water/windproof jacket where we can turn our head without being blinded.
Wearing a cap isn’t good enough. I ended up tying a string around my head with one of those whatchamacallits used to ajust the length of a string (www.bit.ly/122RgvP)
VINCENT—-the “watchamacallit” is called a toggle……but back in the day (or in the night) when the rain came down hard, I wore a fisherman’s “SOU’WESTER”, (named after the strong wind at sea), made of yellow PVC, and it kept my head dry without obscuring rearward or sideways vision. And with the cotton racing cap under it with the peak pulled down, the rain stayed out of my eyes.
Of course, you wouldn’t wear all that and a helmet too—-but you can’t have everything!
P.R.
I have a Altura Night Vision and a Gore wear jacket. The Gore wear one is much more breathable and warmer if its cold but does not get too hot normally. Big price difference however. I have also been impressed with the DHB trousers pack small, waterproof and fairly breathable and a great price. One problem I had with the Night vision was getting hot with my mobile in the chest pocket on a cold night, created condensation that killed my phone totally new phone required. Gore is the best of the 3, but not the cheapest or smallest pack size.
Anybody got any thoughts on Waterproof Cycling pants??
If by pants you mean trousers then my advice from the last 5 winters of rural English (rainy) commuting 30 miles round trip 52 weeks of the year average commuting speed 17mph(I sweat!) ………use a pair of roubaix bib tights with a water resistant coating . Make sure they are a properly tight fit, and your legs will stay warm and dry in ALL weathers.
If you wear flappy waterproof trousers you will get wet and very uncomfortable from the sweat inside.
However if you only have a mile or two to go and wear your day clothes on your bike then they are probably a good solution!
The zip on my expensive Altura reflective jacket broke within a year. Clearly a common fault but frustrating nevertheless, especially as it had had only light use.
[[[ caf22------if it broke "within a year", you'd be covered by the guarantee, wouldn't you? Don't let them get away with selling junk....
P.R.