Winter is here or almost and you are looking for the best jacket to keep you warm and dry while you tough it out in the harsh conditions. With the technology of todays clothing technology we are so lucky that we can use these too out advantage to be able to get out a explore eve if the weather is not too shabby.
If you are into bikepacking and exploring by bike, which is what we are all about here at Cycle Travel Overload. There is a good article we wrote specifying some of the best bikepacking clothing and this is where we started to introduce some of the best winter cycling jacket options. Along with some mentioned in that article we are going to include even more that have been recommended by cyclists who commute, race or prefer to stop and smell the flowers as the travel across country or even around the world.
Along with this are you potentially looking for winter cycling shoes or boots too? If so this article should be some help to get you introduced to some of the options and weather or not winter style cycling shoes would be for you.
What To Look For In A Winter Cycling Jacket?
When you first look at a winter cycling jacket. You might want to confirm what style of riding you intend to do. Are you road racing and training? Or commuting to work? Or bikepacking up in the mountains? We are going to cover the best winter cycling jackets for all these different categories of riding. But you should personally figure out what style you like best. Do you want to look and feel like a pro racer in tight lycra? And get all the aerodynamic benefits from a tight fitting jacket? Or are you more like me and prefer to look for casual and chill so you can go into cafes and shops and stiff feel comfort with a more loose fit? This is something you need to figure out for yourself. I care very little about being aero when I am bikepacking around Australia. But having this said most of the jacket options for commuting or touring are lighter weight then some rather bulky options you can find out there.
With winter it brings rain! This means a jacket that is either waterproof (ideal) or water repellent is still a good option. Along with this it would be perfect if the material of the jacket dries quickly too. If it is going to rain full on and non-stop your best bet is a fully waterproof rain jacket. But if it is just on and off drizzle, then something like a soft-shell jacket with water repellent fabrics is okay too. Waterproof specific jackets are often bigger, heavier and bulker then a soft-shell. The lighter weight soft-shell jackets are good at shrugging off road spray or a short shower, but usually offer better fit, comfort and breathability. It is best if possible to get a jacket that does a good job repelling water but also provides great breathability as you don’t want your own sweat making you cold when it rains.
Windproof fabrics are a godsend! With winter conditions comes cold winds. So you want to avoid very thin material jackets where the cold wind will go straight through the jacket. But you also don’t want a wind blocking material that stops the wind completely and does not allow for any breathability. Today though we are lucky as there are materials that exist which give us the best of both worlds; stopping cold air flow coming in and allowing our sweat or some of the hotter air to escape to stop from over heating and sweating too much. Also some well designed jackers offer heavier, less breathable fabrics on the front, and lighter, more breathable fabrics on the rear.
Choosing jackets with reflective details and are high visibility colors is something else that is important when selecting. As you want to be seen even if you have lights on your bike when riding at night or when it gets really overcast. Having this added visibility will be more safe while out on the road. Also this doesn’t mean you have to wear clothing that makes you look like a road worker. There are some really stylish jackets out there that offer high visibility colors that also look really cool.
Showers Pass Elite 2.1
This Showers Pass Elite 2.1 jacket by far takes the cake for one of the best winter cycling jackets on the market. It has been around for more then5 years and continues to deliver on great quality and value. Such a popular jacket that is has so many great reviews (don’t believe me? Read more here)
This is a 3-layer waterproof, breathable shell with fully taped seams, that delivers maximum weather protection! Talk about breathability the jacket has 7 ventilation points to keep you cool! 2 pit vents, 2 cuff vents, single back vent and 2-way zipper. When it comes to reflect-ability you get a 3M reflective trim keeping you visible from all angles. A YKK AquaGuard Vislon water-resistant front zipper with stormflap. The jacket is almost designed like a proper road cycling jacket but you get that space for some movement. You do get a large back pocket and chest pocket with audio port provide plenty of storage space. During long rides you are kept comfortable with a soft moisture-wicking lining at collar.
Again the type of waterproofing is a 3-layer waterproof breathable laminate. The material is nylon and the jacket weighs in at 15.5 ounces or 439.5 grams. The jacket keeps is great at keeping you dry even in a down poor, and the vents are plenty large enough to allow ample breath-ability when the hills get steep and you are more active. One of the great things about this jacket is the high visibility. The red is nice but more so those reflective trims shine bright at night. The only thing to consider with this jacket is that it comes with the velcro for an optional hood without including the hood. This jacket is priced at $269.00 from REI.com This is the mens options if you are after the same but in the womens model, that can be found here.
Arc’teryx Gamma MX
Arc’teryx make some really great quality stuff. I am a big fan of this brand! They re like the idealistic outdoor brand. I have two of their jackets to share with you today. The Gamma is a breathable, articulated soft shell jacket with some stretch. It is ideal for alpine climbing and backcountry activities, like bikepacking!
Marketed as highly breathable and abrasion resistant. While also best used for mixed weather conditions, When the weather conditions are changing. Made from a breathable material, which allows moisture vapour to escape, helping regulate temperature and elevating comfort inside garment. The material is called Fortius 2.0. At the face of the jacket this means: 85% nylon, 15% elastane. And the backer: 94% polyester, 6% elastane.
Designed around a regular fit this means you get some freedom of movement with room for layers. It has a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish that acts at repelling moisture. This could quite probably be the best soft-shell jacket you can buy. It works perfect for any high output activity in the cold, as it will regulate your temperature over a much broader range of conditions. Great when temperatures are anywhere between -15c to +10, with light wool to heavy fleece underneath depending on activity and temperature. Like most soft-shell jackets it is not the warmest when stationary. It is not the best when it comes to everyday wear. However, the jacket is rather durable and made for tough conditions expected when bikepacking or adventure cycling. Price is 30% off at $243.93 over at REI.com
7mesh Rebellion Bike Jacket
7 Mesh also make some really great bike gear, and it is no different from there rain jackets. Designed for those riders planning to put in long days. Making it a perfect match for use who like to go on bikepacking adventures of multiple days. This jacket features, GORE-TEX Active fabric and 13mm seam tape provide waterproof, highly breathable protection from the elements. The pass-through vents provide jersey pocket access. Completely waterproof jacket that has a watertight, zippered side pocket. And watertight #3 Vislon front zip; watertight zipper cuff vent closure; zippered wrist vents. They have even thought about potential chafing, with the soft brushed collar and chin guard. You also do get night riding visibility with the dropped reflective back hem.
The jacket weighs in at 6.4 ounces or 181.5 grams. The great thing about this jacket is the packability. The GORE-TEX Active membrane is very thin, so it’s packable and somewhat breathable. One little thing to consider about this jacket is the fabric sometimes makes a little noise in the high winds although it’s normally quite. Overall the Gore Active does what it is designed to do, keep you dry! Jacket is priced at $244.93 which is 30% off at REI.com
Showers Pass Double Century
Here we have another Showers Pass jacket that is also very popular! Newly designed to be lighter for even more compact packing. So if that is your main concern when bikepacking then this might be the best jacket option for you. The jacket packs down to fit in a jersey pocket. Great jacket for sudden showers and even steady rain. The men’s Double Century bike jacket feels soft next to your skin while keeping you dry. The waterproof, breathable membrane and durable water repellent finish provide reliable protection from rain and wind; seams are taped to seal out moisture. Venting options keep you cool when temperatures rise: 2 core vents, 2 cuff vents, a 2-way front zipper and a back vent.
They have even thought about your position when riding the bike and the long sleeves provide full wrist coverage and accommodate for reach when on bike. You also get a chest pocket with audio port and large back pocket with water-resistant zippers. Plus tons of reflectivity for enhanced visibility in low light situations. Yes this jacket is waterproof, however it is made from Atrex 2.5-layer waterproof breathable fabric. When compared to the other Showers Pass jacket that is a 3 layer design. The jacket weighs
11.2 ounces or 317.5 grams. Priced at $179.00 at REI.com
Patagonia Dirt Roamer
The last casual style cycling jacket that we have for you is from Patagonia and the name is fitting as the ‘Dirt Roamer’. That is a mountain bike specific jacket that is made from sustainable sources, containing recycled materials, Fair Trade Certified sewing. Weighs in at 8 ounces or 226.8 grams. The jacket features an extremely breathable, extraordinarily stretchy, 100% recycled nylon fabric allows unrestricted movement and eliminates the need for annoying pit zips. Durable water repellent (DWR) finish helps moisture bead up on the surface. V-shaped rear drop pocket centers and distributes weight, and nests between the Dirt Roamer liner bibs’ torso pockets. Another great thing is this jacket has small packability being able to pack down small and stow in the back pocket. Priced at $160.29 at REI.com
Rapha Classic Winter Jacket
Now that we have covered the best casual style of cycling or mountain bike jackets that are perfect for any type of bicycle touring or bikepacking. We have included these next two road cycling style jackets. That are tight fitting and best if you are after those speed gains and aerodynamics.
The Rapha Classic Winter jacket is a popular selling option. They say that this jacket is over 10 years of testing, Rapha’s evolutionary jacket with all their learnings in this one product. the most versatile bad weather jacket from Rapha. And if I was to be honest it kind of looks really trendy. Has the ability to withstand harsh conditions. Made from Polartec® Power Shield Pro® fabric. The jacket finds a nice combination of wind- and waterproofing with incredible breathability. Priced from $200 AUD
Gore C7 Gore-Tex Shakedry Stretch Jacket
Last but not least is Gore’s winter cycling jacket. Know for their popular gore-tex technology this jacket is built with a sleek, body-hugging design, combined with Gore-Tex’s Shakedry technology, which proves an impenetrable barrier from heavy rainfall and whipping winds. Also lightweight and extremely breathable. Weighing in at 6 ounces or 170 grams also making it very packable. It is essentially a protective rain jacket that fits like a second skin. Priced from $369.95
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