This page presents and reviews the best available cycling jackets. We hope you find it useful! We have included waterproof jackets, windproof cycling jackets, jackets for women cyclists, and cheap cycling jackets.
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Related Post: 7 of the Best Women’s Cycling Jackets – Waterproof and Windproof
Best Men’s WATERPROOF Cycling Jacket
Showers Pass Elite 2.1 Waterproof Cycling Jacket
This jacket is the top of the line in Showers Pass cycling jackets and really has it all: top quality materials and construction, and meticulous attention to every possible detail. It’s got so much going for it that it’s almost certainly got everything you need. First off, it has 3 layers of eVent rip stop fabric, which gives exceptional breathability, waterproofness, and durability. The tail is especially long to ensure a dry lower back and butt. And the arms are especially long so you never end up with exposed wrists. Of course, you can cinch them closed.
The Elite 2.1 features a big back pocket and a breast pocket, both with excellent quality waterproof zips. The main zip tucks away at the neck so it doesn’t irritate your neck! The breast pocket has an audio port for the cord of your cell phone. This video shows you all the features of the jacket:
An extra special feature is the moisture-wicking comfort lining on the inside of the neck, which can really help you to feel warm and cozy on a cold bike ride. Plus, you can cinch the neck with a pull cord to make sure no air gets in. The neck has concealed attachments for a waterproof hood (available separately). One of the main problems with cycling jackets is that once you start cycling, you rapidly heat up. This cycling jacket tackles that problem with an impressive SEVEN vent options to let in air: 2 pit vents, 2 cuff vents, a two-way zipper and back vent. The two-way zipper means you can unzip the jacket from the top or the bottom to let cooling air get to your chest or stomach, as needed. Finally, there is 3M reflective trim all around the jacket to make you more visible. And it’s available in red, black, yellow, blue, and pink. This is a simply outstanding jacket – well worth the price for those who can afford it. No wonder it is a top choice with everyone from bike commuters to pro cycling teams to kayakers to skiers to motorcyclists. It fits small, so order a size larger than usual.
Need More Choices in Cycling Gear?
Check out our Popular “7 of the Best” Series, which feature in-depth comparisons of 7 of the best in class for essential cycling gear. Clicking on any of the slides below will take you to the post you want. Otherwise, the post continues after the slide show!
7 of the Best Waterproof Cycling jackets for Men and Women
Best CHEAP Men’s Windproof Cycling Jacket: Arsuxeo
ARSUXEO Winter Warm Up Thermal Softshell Cycling Jacket
This jacket is very cheap but gets very good reviews, and I have noticed that a lot of my readers buy it and don’t return it. In fact, it is ranked as the no. 1 best seller in men’s recreational jackets on Amazon, and I know that they take returns into account when they calculate those ratings. It does not offer any advanced technology, such as WINDSTOPPER. Not that I would expect that, at this price point. It comes in several different colors, and includes two zippered pockets. This jacket does a good job of keeping you warm while cycling in spring and fall weather. And when I tried it out in LIGHT rain, it kept me dry for almost an hour.
Best Women’s WATERPROOF Cycling Jacket
Showers Pass Elite 2.1 Waterproof Cycling Jacket
This jacket rates no. 1 for our choice list of best women’s cycling jackets because it has it all, much like the men’s version reviewed at the top of this page. Also, its women-specific design is very well done.
The Elite 2.1 has a big back pocket and a breast pocket. This is an outstanding jacket and well worth the price. It fits small, so order a size larger than usual.
Best BARGAIN Women’s Waterproof Cycling Jacket
Showers Pass Club Pro Waterproof Women’s Cycling Jacket
Mrs. Average Joe Cyclist’s favorite cycling jacket, this jacket has lots of reflective trim, making it easy for other road users to see you signalling. Another great feature is front and rear pockets. The clincher for Maggie however is she says it’s the best women-specific fit jacket she has ever tried. Also, it is completely waterproof, with taped seams, yet it is still very light, made of two and a half layers of ARTEX shell fabric. The pricing on this particular jacket is very competitive. And you can buy a compatible Showers Pass rain hood separately.
Related Content: In-depth review of the Showers Pass Women’s Club Pro Jacket
Note that there is also an excellent men’s version of this jacket. If you are a Small or a Large, you can get often one for under $100.
Best Cheap Men’s Waterproof Jacket
The Showers Pass Pro Tech ST Cycling Jacket
The Showers Pass Pro Tech is a lightweight, clear race cape. It’s out of Portland, Oregon, where they know about rain! Decent venting, fully taped seams, good length, reflective strip on the rear, stylish looks (off center zip), and a nice collar with a soft fleece material that keeps your neck snug. At 156 g it’s reasonably packable – tight fit in a jersey pocket, but easy to throw in a pannier and forget until you need it. The sleeves are a little wide, so they may flap a bit in the wind. It’s only partially breathable, so you could get warm in this jacket. The main application for this waterproof cycling jacket would be to keep it in a pannier for a sudden downpour.
It’s a great deal at Amazon right now. And the prices from Competitive Cyclist and Back Country are great too.
Best WINDPROOF Cycling Jacket
The Gore Bike Wear Phantom 2.0 WINDSTOPPER Soft Shell Jacket
The Phantom 2.0 is a much loved windproof cycling jacket that was designed for serious cyclists and commuters who want a versatile softshell for comfortable cycling in the spring and fall. This jacket includes a WINDSTOPPER membrane to keep out wind.
One of the great things about softshell cycling jackets is that you can wear them on or off the bike. That makes the dazzling array of color choices for this jacket really handy – you can pick out a jacket you can happily wear all day, on a hike or on your bike!
The Gore Bike Wear Phantom 2.0 WINDSTOPPER softshell jacket is a great jacket with a comfort cut, which is always a happy surprise in cycling jackets.The front of this jacket is laminated with WINDSTOPPER to keep the wind out, while the rear is much more breathable and lets sweat out. Personally I sweat the heaviest on my back, and especially on bike rides when my chest is cooled by the wind but my back is not, so this is an ideal setup. And of course, the zip-off sleeves option makes this a great choice. You can see how the sleeves zip off in this video:
The arms are long enough to keep your wrists covered, and the tail is long enough to keep your lower back warm. There are 3 stretchy pockets on the back (although there is no front pocket for your phone, which is a problem for me, although it might not be for you). This jacket also offers the versatility of zip-off sleeves, making it an ideal jacket to get you all the way through spring or fall.
In summary, this is a comfy jacket that blocks wind well at speed, while letting you sweat through the back. Once you warm up all over, it is easy enough to take the sleeves off and stuff them into the rear pockets. The versatility with the sleeves also makes it easy to wear this softshell cycling jacket all day long – on your bike ride to work, on your walk at lunch time, and then back home in the evening! Clearly, this is a jacket that totally meets the requirements of a great softshell cycling jacket – it is COMFY, it keeps you warm and cozy between 35 and 60°F, it protects you from the wind, and it lets you sweat and get a great workout.
Note that there is also an excellent women’s version of the Gore Bike Wear PHANTOM 2.0 WINDSTOPPER Soft Shell Jacket.
We hope this page will help you find the cycling jacket you need to make your cycling comfortable and cozy!
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