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BUYER'S GUIDE

Best cycling jackets 2023 — keep yourself warm, comfortable and dry on the bike with a quality top layer

Protect yourself from the elements with one of the best cycling jackets, from deep winter options through to waterproofs you can deploy year-round

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You may have heard the saying, or a phrase equivalent to: "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing"... which is pretty spot on when it comes to cycling, especially during the colder months of the year. Luckily you won't find any bad clothing in here, just a selection of the best cycling jackets we've reviewed recently to cover every riding eventuality. 


Whether you're looking for a reliable commuting jacket, the fanciest weather protection money can buy or just a decent waterproof layer to keep you dry, you'll find examples of all jacket genres below. We’ve also included a range of fits, be it unisex, women's-specific or a generic men's fit, and for a wide range of budgets. 

Couple any of these fine jackets with one of the best cycling base layers and some winter bib tights, and you’ll be ready to head out in any conditions. This guide is meant to provide an overview of all types of cycling jacket, but if you're specifically after one for winter then check out our more detailed guide to the best winter cycling jackets instead. We've also got guides to windproof jackets, waterproof jackets and gilets if you know what you're after and want to refine your search. 

Without further ado, here are our choices... 

The best cycling jackets

Endura Pro SL 3-Season Jacket

Endura Pro SL 3-Season Jacket

9
Best cycling jacket overall
Buy now for £128 from Sigma Sports
Warm
Loads of venting
Extra pockets work well
Gilet can twist

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.

Read our review:
Rapha Men’s Pro Team Insulated Gore-Tex Rain Jacket

Rapha Men’s Pro Team Insulated Gore-Tex Rain Jacket

8
Best money-no-object cycling jacket
Buy now for £310 from Rapha
Brilliant waterproofing
Excellent breathability
Very windproof
That price
Short cut can leave jerseys sticking out

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. 

Read our review:
Gobik Jacket Unisex Thermal Armour Vanta

Gobik Jacket Unisex Thermal Armour Vanta

9
Best super warm cycling jacket for winter
Buy now for £197.04 from Gobik
Warm
Comfortable
Waterproof
Only available in black

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. 

Read our review:
Gore Race Shakedry Jacket

Gore Race Shakedry Jacket

9
Best waterproof cycling jacket
Buy now for £299.99 from Sigma Sports
Best-in-class waterproofing performance
Easy to care for
Still predominantly black
Expensive

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, bhoth 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!  

Read our review:
dhb Aeron Packable Jacket

dhb Aeron Packable Jacket

8
Best budget lightweight jacket
Buy now for £30 from Wiggle
Snug fit
Attractive colour
Impressive details
Packs down tiny
For dry days only

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.

Read our review:
Stolen Goat Men’s Mango Alpine Epic Jacket

Stolen Goat Men’s Mango Alpine Epic Jacket

9
Best softshell cycling jacket for cold weather
Buy now for £190 from Stolen Goat
Warm
Good water repellency
Excellent fit
Unusual short length won't suit everyone

The Stolen Goat Men’s Mango Alpine Epic Jacket is an excellent winter cycling jacket that will keep you comfy in even the worst winter weather. Not to mention, it’s also in nice, bright colours. 

Performance-wise this softshell jacket offers brilliant warmth which is thanks to the waffled/dimpled fabric Stolen Goat has used on the inside of the jacket that helps to insulate. Not only that but the outer layer of fabric also blocks the wind extremely effectively, and insulates even when it's damp. It also offers impressive water-resistant qualities, keeping you dry in showers and light rain. 

The Stolen Goat Men’s Mango Alpine Epic offers impressive warmth in cold climates, good water repellency for rainy miserable days and an excellent fit to help keep warmth in, and the elements out. A solid choice for anyone who wants to keep cosy on the bike.

Read our review:
Gore Lupra Jacket Women’s

Gore Lupra Jacket Women’s

9
Best versatile women’s jacket
Buy now for £95 from Sigma Sports
Lightweight
Well made
Good protection against wind and rain
Thoughtful pocket placement
Hood might be on the small side for some helmets
A bit more reflectivity wouldn’t go amiss

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.

Read our review:
Assos Mille GTS Spring Fall Jacket C2

Assos Mille GTS Spring Fall Jacket C2

9
A cycling jacket for mild weather
Buy now for £189 from Wiggle
Excellent windproofing
Very comfortable fit
Fluoro colour very useful at this time of year
Expensive
Not ideal for layering

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. 

Read our review:
Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 Jacket

Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 Jacket

9
Best water-resistant jacket for winter
Buy now for £146 from Sigma Sports
Brilliant breathability
Good water resistance
Excellent fit
Easy to layer
Big pull-loop on zip
Price increase

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 the best water resistant jacket 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. 

Read our review:
Castelli Perfetto RoS Long Sleeve Women’s Jacket

Castelli Perfetto RoS Long Sleeve Women’s Jacket

8
Best women’s water-resistant jacket
Buy now for £132 from Saddleback
Breathable
Lightweight fabric
Decent water repellency
Two-pocket setup might not be for everyone
The 'drop' at the rear provides limited coverage

As we've reviewed the womens version of Castelli's Perfetto too, we can't reallt not call it our best women's water-resistant jacket! As we've already explained the Perfetto is a lot more than that, featuring quality Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper fabric.

It isn’t fully waterproof, but it does offer impressive protection against showers and is impresive for such a breathable jacket. The addition of useful zip air vents at the front also ensure you stay well ventilated during warmer days.

This jacket will undoubtedly impress you with regards to its water repellent abilities whilst still keeping you warm and dry. Another solid piece to add to your cycling wardrobe. 

Read our review:
Altura Nightvision Electron Jacket Best cycling jacket for commuting

Altura Nightvision Electron Jacket

8
Best cycling jacket for commuting
Buy now for £133 from Wiggle
Comfortable
Cleverly placed light strips for visibility
Waterproof
Breathable enough for hills
Pricey
Lights not overly bright

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.

Read our review:
Santini Guard Nimbus Jacket

Santini Guard Nimbus Jacket

8
Best cycling jacket for a slim race fit
Buy now for £116.41 from Alpine Trek
Sleek but stretchy, unrestrictive fit
Breathes well
Nice big zip pull
Bright colours available
Scrunches pretty small
Sleeves and tail could be just a little longer
Shoulders can flap a little if the back rides up

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.

Read our review:

How to choose from the best cycling jackets

faq-icon
What are the best jackets for road riding?

Generally bike jackets for road cycling will be closer fitting, because you don't want anything flapping about when you're trying to go faster. Not everyone will want to of course, so it's worth asking yourself what you want in a cycling jacket and the type of riding you do. 

As we've discussed above, there's also the conditions you'll be riding in to consider: if it's something to deal with showers in the spring and summer months, you'll want to consider a thin waterproof like the Gore Race Shakedry Jacket. If it's something for winter you're after, look for jackets described as softshell, and anything described as thermal will be ideal for winter.  

faq-icon
What should I look for in a cycling jacket?

Again, it will depend on what you want it to do. Need a jacket for commuting and aren't bothered about watts? You might be best served by a commuting jacket like the Altura Nightvision Electron, which has weatherproofing, a hood and pockets for all eventualities. 

It's worth noting that you can't get a cycling jacket that does absolutely everything, although Endura's Pro SL 3-Season is a decent attempt with the removable parts. If you want something totally waterproof then make sure the jacket you're buying is described as such. It should have fully taped seams to stop any water ingress. 

The flipside of fully taped seams is that as well as preventing any moisture from getting out, they will also hold it in, which is why most winter jackets for road cycling will be more water-resistant rather than waterproof, because otherwise you'd just overheat. To deal with cold and wet weather, your best bet would be to layer up with a base layer, something windproof and then something waterproof and packable over the top for when it's hammering it down. If you want a do-it-all jacket for less serious riding/commuting though, you might be better off looking for a winter jacket that has fully taped seams. 

To summarise, knowing what to look for will ultimately come down to your needs and uses for the jacket. 

faq-icon
Which jacket is best for winter bike riding?

We've named the Gobik Jacket Unisex Thermal Armour Vanta as our best winter cycling jacket, because it can cope with the harshest conditions. It's very warm, which of course is very much needed when riding in the winter, thanks to it's fluffy Polartec Alpha lining. Not only that but it is also super comfortable, which is a really important aspect of a winter jacket as some can be heavy and restrictive, but not this one.

When it comes to picking a winter cycling jacket, look for those with brushed, thermal inner linings, and note down the recommended temperature range from the manufacturer. Some of our reviewers who tend to run warm report that jackets recommended for 5°C and above are fine in lower temps for training rides, and it's not always the thickest jackets that are the warmest or the most practical.  

faq-icon
Is Goretex good for cycling?

When searching for a waterproof jacket, you may notice Gore-Tex as a noted feature, such as with the Rapha Men’s Pro Team Insulated Gore-Tex Rain Jacket, which is definitely a great sign of a high quality and effective waterproofing that will both protect you from the rain but also allow your sweat to evaporate through. 

Not only does Gore-Tex offer very good waterproofing, it also protects against the wind. The Gore-Tex Infinium material is used by numerous other brands, notably the Castelli Perfetto RoS Long Sleeve Women’s Jacket, for unbeatable wind stopper technology which also offers impressive water-resistant benefits. Basically, Gore-Tex offer some seriously good materials that are perfect for all outdoor activities no matter what the weather, which is why it commands a slightly hefty price tag; but if you can afford a bike jacket with this tech, it's undoubtedly worth it and perfect for cycling. 

Having learnt to ride a bike in order to race age 4, Charlotte is no stranger to life on two wheels. Racing across multiple disciplines over the years, she now focuses her time on road racing. Racing at the UCI continental level with her British based team. Not only that, but Charlotte has many years experience working within the cycling industry alongside her racing endeavours. Therefore, it’s fair to say that anything with two wheels is right up her street.