There are many unique factors to consider when choosing the best waterproof jackets for cycling that are different from buying any other type of jacket. In this article, you will learn more about the essential features and considerations along with a product list of my absolute favorite jackets available in the market today!
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Top Waterproof Jackets for Cycling
Listed below are the eight best waterproof jackets for cycling that I have chosen from hundreds along with brief descriptions of each. Hopefully, this list can help you find your own favorites and narrow down your options to get a jacket that will suit your needs and taste!
ARSUXEO 15-K Softshell Cycling Jacket
The ARSUXEO 15-K Softshell Cycling Jacket is a waterproof and windproof thermal jacket that will keep you warm and protected from cold weather and the elements. It features three layers of fabric that shield you from water, retain heat, and improves air flow.
A highly visible reflective stripe and brand logo allow you to be seen and helps keep you safe when you go cycling in the dark. A back pocket and zipper pockets provide safe storage for your valuables and other small items.
The outer material is windproof and waterproof. The black part of this jacket is made with 4-way stretch fabric that is both elastic and breathable, keeping you comfortable and free to move as you enjoy your daily ride. It also wicks sweat to keep you dry. The inner lining is of ultra-soft fleece that helps keep you toasty and cozy.
This jacket works great for all kinds of outdoor activities in the winter and is available in black, green, orange, and red.
MUCUBAL Cycling Jacket for Men
This Mucubal Men’s Cycling jacket has everything you need in one, it is waterproof, windproof, breathable, warm, and reflective. Made with 100% polyester and brushed fleece, this jacket also acts as a raincoat and windbreaker.
The wrist cuffs can be adjusted and lengthened to prevent strong winds from catching your sleeves. The back is made with breathable fabric for improved ventilation and reduce that clammy feeling you get when you sweat too much while biking.
The interior of this jacket is lined with polar fleece to prevent heat loss from your body to keep you comfortable and warm. A front zipper pocket and a back pocket also act as storage for your things without affecting your ride.
Reflective stripes help you stay visible under low light conditions. Note, however, that the sizes run small and the jacket is slim-fitted so you may want to go a size bigger. The jacket comes in the colors red or blue.
ARSUXEO 16H Winter Thermal Cycling Jacket
Like the previous jacket from ARSUXEO, this next product is designed to help you conquer the cold winter weather while still allowing you to enjoy your favorite sport or recreational activity.
This jacket is waterproof, windproof, and insulated so you stay protected from the elements. Despite shielding you effectively from rainwater and harsh winds, you still get enough breathability and comfort thanks to the 4-way stretch spandex fabric on the back!
A reflective brand logo and stripes help keep you noticeable and safe when cycling in the dark while five pockets including two zipper pockets keep your stuff safe and accessible.
You can get this jacket in red, green, black or blue. However, sizes tend to run small and you may want to purchase something that is a size larger than your normal size.
Lixada Men’s Cycling Jacket
Dedicated to help you enjoy sports and outdoor activities with better convenience, utmost comfort, and in style, Lixada offers their Men’s Cycling jacket packed with features.
Made with spandex and polyester material, the fabric is breathable and soft. The exterior is waterproof to keep you comfortable and dry as well. The zipper has a mesh cloth cover on both sides for security while still maintaining breathability.
Reflective strips on the back and chest area ensure a safe ride even at night, in the winter, and under low light conditions. A silicone padded cushion at the hem offers comfort and skid resistance.
Three pockets at the back allow you to easily store and carry small items and essentials with you.
You can get this cycling jacket on itself or paired with matching biking trousers. You can also choose among three colors namely blue, orange, and red! The jacket comes in Asian sizes which are smaller than US standards so I advise you to check the size chart for a more accurate sizing.
Cycearth Softshell Cycling Jacket
The Cycearth Softshell Cycling jacket is a 3-in-1 jacket that offers windproof performance, waterproof protection, and heat retention! Made with high-quality materials, this jacket is also durable, breathable, and highly visible.
It has colored parts that are windproof and waterproof and black parts that are not. The black parts are made with a 4-way stretch elastic and breathable fabric that wicks sweat and keeps you comfortable while cycling. Therefore, you might not want to use this jacket if you are expecting heavy rain since water still has a chance to seep through.
The jacket’s interior is lined with high-quality fleece material that retains and conserves your body heat so you can stay warm while biking even during the winter. The elastic hem seals water and winds out and secures the jacket close to your body.
A back pocket and a zippered pocket provides safe storage for small items. Reflective strips on the back and front as well as a reflective logo increases your safety at night.
You can get this jacket in black, blue, green, and red. Sizes are fitted and run small so you might want to go one to two sizes larger.
Cheering Women’s Lightweight Jacket
Protect yourself not just from rain but from the sun as well with the Cheering Women’s Lightweight Jacket! Made with 100% polyester and nylon materials, it features multiple technologies including a skin-friendly, soft, and comfortable fabric.
It is water-repellent, breathable, windproof, odor-fighting, sweat-wicking, anti-fouling, quick-drying, and offers a UPF 40+ protection from harmful ultraviolet rays. It uses a strictly selected premium technology of sunscreen fabrics to block UV rays from the sun.
The breathable fabric with rapid sweat wicking ability allows you to stay fresh, cool, and relaxed as you go about in all your activities. This lightweight jacket is perfect for both indoor and outdoor activities during the summer, spring, and autumn.
Another cool feature of this product is the wind cap tightening rope design that allows you to seal the wind off. It even folds to be as small as a can of cola, making it super packable and easy to carry.
All jackets produced by Cheering have to pass a strict quality test so you are assured of optimum performance and durability.
You can choose among seven different colors when buying this jacket.
Showers Pass Men’s Elite 2.1 Waterproof Cycling Jacket
Next is a bestselling Gold Standard jacket: the Shower Pass Men’s Elite 2.1 cycling jacket! It uses eVent and three layers of rip stop fabrics that are mapped for the body for maximum breathability and windproof and waterproof protection.
This jacket was designed specifically with long-distance cyclists and has a trim fit design. Meaning, it is meant to be worn over jerseys of a trim-fitting base layer.
In case you get too hot, you can simply open some or all of the 7 vents including a back vent, two cuff vents, two pit vents, and two way-zippers to allow more ventilation.
The 3M reflective trim allows you to stay visible from all angles. A chest pocket with an audio port and a large back pocket offers plenty of safe storage space for your snacks, essentials, and valuables.
The long sleeves provide full wrist coverage while also giving you complete mobility and flexibility while cycling. When buying this jacket, you can choose among four amazing colors namely Black, Cayenne Red, Goldenrod, and Pacific Blue.
AKFLY Safety Hoodie Jacket
If you are looking for a reflective and waterproof jacket that does not feel like a plastic bag, you are in luck! The AKFLY Safety Hoodie jacket and windbreaker is made with 100% 3M reflective and waterproof fabric but still maintains breathability and durability.
This jacket features a 360 degrees reflective coverage that keep you visible in low light conditions, under all kinds of weather conditions. The interior is lined with mesh fabric to allow sufficient airflow.
Thanks to the wide hood, you won’t have to worry about getting wet when cycling under heavy rain. In case things get too hot within the jacket, you can also open six vent holes to quickly dry your sweat and to enjoy a cool breeze.
An adjustable hook & loop system and a water-resistant front zipper closure provide extra protection. You can even keep small items and your valuables in a chest pocket or two zipper pockets.
What to Look for in The Best Waterproof Jackets for Cycling
So now you have an idea about some of the common and unique features of waterproof cycling jackets. This time, let’s look at the most important characteristics you should look for to get maximum protection and benefits from whatever jacket you will end up buying!
Waterproofing
When purchasing a waterproof jacket, you want it to be REALLY waterproof. Nobody wants to get cold and wet while cycling, right?
So, to make sure your jacket will be protecting you, look for high-quality waterproof fabric and materials. Taped and sealed seams are also a plus to prevent water from the environment from seeping through the stitching.
Note, also that being waterproof, water-resistant, and water repellent are three different things. Waterproof jackets offer the best protection from heavy downpours but tend not to be as breathable. To be actually waterproof, a jacket must have a waterproof membrane, a durable water repellent (DWR) finish, and taped or sealed seams.
Water resistant jackets are designed to resist water due to light showers over a shorter period of time. They usually have a DWR finish and waterproof membrane but without taped seams.
Lastly, water-repellent jackets often have some sort of coating or hydrophobic treatment applied on a base fabric to reduce its absorbent properties. They can be protective but are not as reliable as water-resistant and waterproof jackets.
Ventilation
When you cycle, your body quickly generates heat and soon, you will be soaking wet with sweat! A good cycling jacket therefore offers enough ventilation to help you release some of this extra body heat.
This is usually achieved through the use of breathable materials or better yet, vents. These vents are zipped-up portions of the jacket located under the armpits, on the upper portion of the sleeves, or down the back.
Breathable fabrics also allow for some kind of ventilation. Usually, these are rated and those with a rating of 10,000g and above are recommended for cyclists. This will keep the interior from heating up and helps wick sweat moisture.
Note, however, that as most fabrics become more waterproof, they become less breathable. Very few materials like Gore-Tex successfully combines both properties but tend to be more expensive.
Some jackets also feature 3-layer fabric constructions with a breathable inner lining to help avoid that clammy feeling and allow air to flow inside the jacket.
Visibility
Obviously, visibility is a pretty important aspect of cycling jackets. Because bikes and trikes are not as big as cars, motorists may overlook cyclists by the side of the road, especially at night or under low light conditions.
Therefore, look for cycling jackets that are hi-vis (high visibility) or at least have reflective strips on the sleeves, shoulders, and back.
Insulation
Most waterproof jackets focus too much on keeping the water out, compromising on warmth. Some places, however, do not get as much rain but can get bitterly cold especially during autumn or winter months.
So, a good cycling jacket will offer some sort of insulation. Some manufacturers produce jackets that are breathable, waterproof, and insulated with soft materials like fleece on the inside. This is your ideal combination which will allow you to use your jacket all year round.
Fit
No matter how great your jacket’s features are, it is of no use if it does not fit properly. The type of fit you need will also depend on your body and type of riding.
If you are into fast rides and races, a tight-fitting or slim-fit jacket is your best bet. This will give you a more aerodynamic silhouette and reduce fabric flap in the wind.
For those who ride slower and as an all-day affair, a looser fit will be more practical as this will allow you to layer up underneath. Needless to say, this is also great for riding under really cold weather.
Thumb loops are also an added fit detail that helps stop the sleeves from riding up. They create a gap between your gloves and the jacket’s cuffs. Some designs even incorporate the loop into the cuff, which looks better and feels more comfortable. Make sure that there are no hanging elements as well that may flap against the wind.
Packability
Especially if you are riding in irregular or inconsistent weather conditions, packability will be a convenient and important thing to look for in a waterproof cycling jacket. Who knows, the weather may improve and you might want to stash your jacket into your bag or pocket.
Although most waterproof jackets tend to be fairly bulky, there are options that are non-bulky and lightweight. Otherwise, look for designs that allow you to fold down the jacket into a size that will fit a rear pocket.
Some manufacturers have made it a point to make lightweight and compact jackets more waterproof these days. There are now options that offer sufficient waterproof protection and also fold down to fit into a jersey pocket.
Other Important features
Here are the other important features that you should look for:
High neck
The neck is where many major blood vessels are located. When these blood vessels are exposed to rain and cold winds, your whole body will get chilly in no time. A high neck will help prevent this.
Dropped Tails
Cyclists are often crouched forward when riding. Therefore, if you wear a normal jacket, your butt and lower back will be exposed to rain and mud sprays from the back wheel of your bike.
This is why cycling jackets are longer and have dropped tails at the back. This will provide enough coverage and protection. Some jackets also allow you to stow or hide the dropped tail when not needed.
Elastic hem, rear neck, and cuffs
These will give you maximum mobility and flexibility while also offering protection from the elements. Your sleeves may also ride up your arms to expose your wrists, which allows the cold to enter. Elasticated cuffs will prevent this from happening without covering your fingers.
Velcro cuffs are also great because they can be adjusted easily and quickly. Look for cuffs that can be hidden under or cinched over your gloves so you leave no part of your skin exposed.
Pockets
Pockets or pouches on the rear and front of the jacket will give you somewhere to put essential items like snacks, your sunglasses, sunblock, valuables, and phone within easy reach. Some pockets even have holes to put your earphones through.
Removable or Stowable Hood
A hood is a great thing when you are riding under poor conditions. However, it can affect your field of vision and get in the way of seeing around you. So, look for a jacket with a removable or detachable hood or something that can be stored away.
Good Quality Zippers
When buying a waterproof jacket, look for high-quality zippers. They should also be waterproof, windproof, durable, and have large zip tags so you won’t struggle finding them while riding with gloves on. Some zippers are covered with flaps for even better protection.
Conclusion
Those are the factors I considered when choosing the best waterproof jackets for cycling listed in this article. I hope these tips and reminders can be helpful to you as well!
If you liked this article, check out similar ones like this waterproof messenger bag review and buying guide so you can be work-ready as you ride!