The Best Cycling Jackets For Riding When It's Cool Outside (2024)

No matter how often we wish it, life is not an endless supply of warm, sunny days. There will always be a chance that a cold snap and storm clouds may conspire to thwart our well-intentioned cycling plans. While dressing for cooler weather may seem difficult, especially on days that start out cold and windy, but end up warm and balmy (with an unexpected shower thrown in for good measure), it doesn’t have to be. All you need is a quality, versatile cycling jacket and the motivation to get out for a ride no matter what the weather promises.

As a dedicated all-weather bike commuter, I truly believe that, as Alfred Wainwright wrote in Coast to Coast Walk, “there is no bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Stashing one of the best cycling jackets in your pack or pocket ensures you’ll be prepared, no matter which way the weather turns.

More Gear For Cool-Weather Rides: Best Winter Cycling Caps ● Best Tights for Cold Weather ● Best Winter Cycling Gloves

The Best Cycling Jackets

• Best Overall: Rapha Brevet Wind Jacket
• Best Value: Pearl Izumi Quest Barrier Convertible Jacket
• Best for Men: Assos Mille CT Wind Jacket
• Best for Women: Assos Uma GT WindJacket
• Best Waterproof: Showerspass Elite 2.1 Cycling Jacket
• Best for Racing: Assos Equipe RS Targa rain Jacket
• Best Mountain Bike Jacket: Patagonia Dirt Roamer
• Best Reflective: Proviz Reflect 360+
• Best Overall new arrival cycling jacket (winter): Ostroy No Trainer Summit Winter Jacket

The Expert: I’ve worked as a journalist and gear reviewer for 15 years, specializing in cycling and outdoor equipment for publications like Dirt Rag Magazine, Adventure Cycling, BBC Travel, Popular Science, Fodors, Popular Mechanics, Bicycling, and many others.

A NYC-based cyclist, I commute regularly across the city, no matter what the weather. I also participate in long group road or gravel rides every weekend. My cycling jackets really get put to the test on my bikepacking trips: I’ve ridden through Central Asia, Georgia and Armenia, most of Europe, Pakistan, and, most recently, the Himalayas in northern India and Nepal. I always keep a jacket handy because you never know when the weather will take a sudden turn, especially while riding in the mountains.

What to Consider in a Cycling Jacket

You should wear a cycling jacket, rather than other kinds of outerwear, because of how it’s cut. Cycling jackets feature a shorter hemline in the front to accommodate a bent over position, and a longer, drop tail in the rear for protection from road spray and rain. They often feature lightweight materials and a packable construction, making them easy to stow and transport in a jersey pocket. In addition, jackets take all kinds of design features into account, even down to small details like zipper size and pocket placement.

How We Selected The Best Cycling Jackets

I have a jacket problem. It’s the type of clothing I buy most often, and I have no idea why. (Maybe a fear of being caught out in the rain?) At any rate, I own entirely too many cycling jackets, which means I’ve spent tons of time comparing features and determining which designs work best and why. (There may have even been a spreadsheet.)

In addition to my own personal testing, I’ve spoken to many of the cyclists I ride with across all kinds of disciplines (road, gravel, mountain, messenger, and commuter). Everyone has strong opinions, and I’ve done my best to pass along their recommendations and steer clear of their disappointments.

Named (and presumably designed) for competitive long-distance cycling events, the Brevet Wind Jacket is exceptionally light and packable, making it a great choice for long days in the saddle when you’re likely to ride through a range of temperatures.

It features hi-visibility reflective strips across the chest and back, as well as the brand’s recognizable left arm reflective stripe for visibility while riding in low light. There are also reflective details on the back of the sleeves above the wrists and lower left back.

In the women’s jacket, mesh side panels add breathability, while the elasticized cuffs and bottom keep unwanted drafts from creeping in. Instead of the mesh, the men’s version features laser-cut perforations on the sides, which provide less ventilation.

Successfully completing a brevet event involves pedaling for extended periods of time, including through the night. This jacket is durable, functional, and a perfect fit to meet that challenge.

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The Pearl Izumi Quest Barrier Convertible jacket feels like a bargain because you effectively get two garments in one. The lightweight, water-resistant jacket is perfect for days when there’s a chill in the air. (Some of the best kind of days, in my opinion.) When you start to sweat, you can remove the sleeves and wear it as a vest to protect your core from the wind, or as a high-visibility garment on evening rides.

I usually wear this jacket with a light wool base layer on late autumn or early spring days in the Northeast, when the weather is beginning to transition from cool to cold. When mornings are chilly but the afternoon sun is warm, I shed the sleeves. Either way, it’s very light–8.2 ounces–and easy to pack into a jersey pocket when it gets too warm.

The zippered side pockets give you enough space to securely stash your money, phone, and a snack or two. There’s also a two-way front zip and upper mesh panel in the back for ventilation control.

My only complaint is the choice to make the sleeves in the women’s version snap-off, as opposed to the zip-off designed use in the men’s version. If you’re out on an excessively windy day, these openings make it susceptible to the parachute effect. Despite this, it’s still one of my favorite jackets and the one I tend to reach for if I’m not sure what the weather may do on a given day.

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The Assos Mille CT wind jacket is perfect for in-between weather days, shifty forecasts, unexpected showers, and winds that pack some chill. It’s light, so you can shove it into a jersey pocket and forget about it if the day turns warm and sunny.

Assos calls this jacket “acoustically innocuous” which is both accurate and a rather satisfying way of saying it doesn’t emit any annoying rustling noises while descending. You may think that the noisiness of a jacket shouldn’t matter, but wait until you wear one that crinkles and rustles loud enough that you can’t sufficiently hear the sound of a vehicle (or fellow rider) about to overtake you.

The Mille CT has elastic at the cuffs and bottom for a secure fit and breathable, stretchy knit side panels to comfortably accommodate movement, and a dual-layered collar that has elasticity so you don’t feel as if your jacket is choking you when bent over in a riding position. It also comes in Fluorescent yellow and orange, in case you plan to ride at night and need extra visibility.

The only potential downside is the lack of pockets, but the packability, breathability, and comfort of this jacket will more than make up for that for many riders.

One of the best things you can say about a jacket is that it performs well in a wide range of situations, theoretically eliminating the need to buy lots of different options for varying types of weather. While it isn’t my only jacket, Assos’ Uma GT is highly weather-resistant, but also very breathable, which is a relatively rare combination that would allow me to buy fewer cycling jackets if I were inclined.

At 3.7 ounces, it’s extremely lightweight and stowable. It’s constructed with Assos’ DWR-treated ultralight Foil Ultra fabric in the front, which is water-repellent and exceptionally windproof. The side panels, made from a stretchy warp-knit material, allow for layering underneath without feeling restrictive. The back panel, made from a stretch mesh, provides significant breathability.

There are two rear vents that allow you to access the pockets of your jersey underneath, and elastic at the wrists eliminates any wind getting in. If someone insisted that I edit my cycling jacket collection to only a few, the Assos Uma GT would be on that short list.

While I participate in group road cycling rides every weekend, I am, first and foremost, a bike commuter. When I say I ride my bike everywhere all the time, I am not exaggerating. Errands, work, social engagements, interviews, appointments – I cycle to all of them, no matter what the weather. My Showerspass Elite cycling jacket is the one I grab when there’s rain, snow, sleet, or hail in the forecast.

The zippered chest pocket accommodates a cell phone, and the zippered full side vents regulate body temperature. As anyone who has worn a rain jacket knows, they’re usually not very breathable, causing you to sweat enough that you end up just as drenched wearing it as you would be not wearing it. Thanks to these side vents, a generous back vent, and body-mapping that maximizes breathability, this is not the case with this particular jacket.

One of the best things about this jacket, though, is that there’s ample room in the neck when zipped entirely closed to eliminate any choking sensation. I find this a rare thing in a jacket; especially cycling specific ones that always seem to lean towards a tight, constrictive fit in the neck area.

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Assos specializes in fitted, high-performance racing gear for cyclists. Case in point, the RS Targa rain jacket features a slim, tapered fit with long, fitted arms made from the brand’s proprietary Schloss Tex fabric–an ultralight hydrophobic material that pulls water away from your skin, while staying stretchy and breathable. It keeps you from getting wet to the point of feeling waterlogged or soggy (neither of which is helpful while racing), without restricting your freedom of movement.

The chunky two-way zipper gives you the ventilation you need, and is easy to adjust mid-ride. The elastic hem keeps it securely where it should be and a panel in the sleeve hem prevents drafting and flapping. These small considerations can make a big difference on a rainy race day.

Available in black or orange, the RS Targa also features a reflective strip down the back for visibility and a generous drop tail hem to protect you from road spray. In lieu of pockets, there are two vents in the rear panel that give access to your jersey pockets. That’s less than ideal for everyday riders, but exactly what you need when you want to post your best time.

Made from a stretchy, 100% DWR-coated nylon, the Patagonia Dirt Roamer provides a comfortable fit and feel for navigating technical trails. I consider it my Goldilocks jacket: It’s neither too heavy, nor too light, and it perfectly straddles the line between being breathable and weatherproof.

It functions as an excellent wind shell for cool mornings and adequately resists water throughout a ride that includes perpetual drizzle. Very little sweat builds up inside while climbing, which is a testament to its surprising breathability. Your body heat passes through the jacket and out into the world, as opposed to building up inside the jacket and rendering you a sweaty mess.

I also love its knit interior, which feels much better against bare skin than the plasticky inner linings on many weatherproof outerwear. The hood, a rarity among the top cycling jackets, is also a highlight: It’s large enough to fit around your helmet without blocking your view, and you can roll it down when you don’t need it.

I wish this jacket had one or two front side pockets for additional storage, especially since the rear one is difficult to reach under a backpack.

Last summer I spent two and a half weeks mountain biking across Madagascar, during which I experienced a full range of Malagasy weather. It was supposedly the cool, dry season, but that apparently depends on where you are in the country. I found temperatures ranging from the upper 40s/low 50s to the low 80s, and many mountains – sometimes all in the same day. And there was rain, light and heavy. I wore my Dirt Roamer through all of it. It even made it through a rather bad fall on a rocky downhill without ripping or tearing.

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If you plan to ride at night, you need to wear reflective gear to make sure cars and other riders will see you. Even among reflective cycling jackets, which are designed to stand out, the Proviz Reflect 360+ shines bright. It’s made almost entirely from fabric made with tiny reflective glass beads. When a light hits any part of it, the entire jacket lights up, transforming you into a literal beacon of light for all to see.

Proviz 360 jackets provide breathability via zippered underarm vents, a back flap vent, and zippered front chest pockets that double as vents when needed. For comfort, there’s a soft, cotton mesh lining and a fleece lined collar. Water- and windproof, it’s a reliable commuter cycling jacket that’s ready for all sorts of inclement weather. Plus, there are ample pockets for storing a phone, keys, money, and other sundries.

Originally only available in silver, the company recently released it in a wider range of high-visibility colors. All of them feature the same reflective technology, though, and shine bright in the spotlight (or, more likely, a car’s headlights.) While it isn’t my personal favorite only because I don’t really care for the color choices, riders who spend a good deal of time riding in traffic will appreciate that this jacket gives you an extra bump in the visibility department.

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I just brought the Ostroy No Trainer Summit Winter Jacket on a short bikepacking trip through a portion of the Himalayan mountain range–Leh to Manali–where there was snow and freezing morning temperatures. Though it looks thin, this jacket’s fleece-backed “fusion fabric” kept me warm through the bitter cold. Water-resistant with four-way stretch, my movement was never hindered and snow never penetrated the outer layer.

There are three back pockets for storage and a hefty 2-way zipper for ventilation when climbing. I also appreciated that the sleeves were longer than those of many of my other jackets, as well as their stretch-knit cuffs, which kept wind from creeping in.

The neck’s a little tight, likely for the same reason, but you can always soften that with a neck buff. Plus, the no trainer logo and olive color suit my personal style perfectly (I’m the cyclist you see pedaling to work in the sleet or snow). I own several pieces from Ostroy and have always been impressed with the quality and fit. This jacket is no exception.

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Q+A With Cycling Jacket Aficionado Vanessa Nirode