Best waterproof cycling jackets 2023: tried and tested models that'll keep you dry
A good waterproof cycling jacket will make cycling in wet weather that little bit more bearable


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The best waterproof cycling jackets have improved greatly over recent years. With the latest breathable fabrics, concerns of getting wetter from the inside than the outside have been wholly dispensed with, while bulk has been reduced to a point that you can even fit some jackets in your fist – let alone your jersey pocket.
When it comes to choosing the best waterproof jacket for you, it can be a bit of a minefield with lots of technical terminology to wade through from a huge selection of clothing manufacturers. Below is the list of our favourite jackets we've reviewed, rated and can highly recommend.
Leaving home in the wet is pretty miserable, so it's well worth stopping by our guides on the best waterproof cycling trousers and the best cycling overshoes in a bid to stay as dry and warm for as long as possible on your ride.
Our pick of the best waterproof cycling jackets
You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.
Rapha's Brevet Gore-Tex Rain Jacket is easily packable thanks to its lightweight construction
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Rapha Brevet Gore-Tex Rain Jacket comes in what Rapha calls its ‘classic fit’. Essentially, this is just a looser cut – which makes the jacket perfect for winter layering and more relaxed summer rides when there’s a chance of showers. But if you are after more of a second-skin style rain jacket, you can save yourself some time and move on from this one.
Assuming you do want a bit of extra room, Rapha has got the balance spot on. We found that there wasn't too much extra material to cause unnecessary flapping in the wind. In our experience the waterproofing has been flawless – as it should be with Gore-Tex’s 2L Paclite Plus fabric being used throughout the construction.
There are some niggles, though. The offset zip is a little annoying and the pink retention band for packing away the jacket isn’t as effective as a simple integrated stuff-sack. That said, we found the breathability to be excellent, putting Rapha’s Brevet Gore-Tex Rain Jacket on a par with models from other brands that are much more expensive.
Comparing it directly with the Assos Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa ($400 / £290), the Rapha jacket doesn’t feel quite as tough – but then that Assos jacket does particularly stand out for how it’s managed to combine packability with a robust feel. Either way, it would be a multi-season test to determine exactly how long either will really last. Neither showed any sign of early wear.
Read more: Rapha Brevet Gore-Tex Rain Jacket full review
dhb's Aeron Lab jacket is light and breathable and cut for an on the bike position
Specifications
Reasons to buy
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The dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight 2.0 is a respectably light, race cut jacket that easily rolls up to be kept in a back pocket for when the need arises. The long drop-tail and angle cut cuffs keep the worst of the rain off you, whilst the close fitting lined collar keeps your neck snug too.
We found that the cut made it quite tight across the chest until you are riding, whereupon it fits nicely and there are two venting flaps which allow access to your jerseys pockets. The Atlantic Deep color is rather nice and there is a Sulphur Spring option if you want to be more visible.
In sustained rain it is not quite as waterproof as others, and we found that a little damp got through the front of the shoulders and arms. However, it dries off quickly as it is very breathable. Ideal for changeable days.
Read more: dhb Lab Aeron Ultralight Waterproof Jacket 2.0 full review
The Equipe RS rain jacket uses a softshell fabric for a blend of protection and breathability
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Made from a softshell, Schloss Tex fabric, designed specifically for the Equip RS, the jacket is waterproof as you can get, but also breathable. The hydrophobic membrane is DWR coated, seams are taped and its race cut design helps keep most of the water out, although the stretch wrist band did let it down when not orientated directly out of rain spray.
It's not quite as compact as some of the others on this list, but this Swiss jacket will easily stuff into a pocket and the high viz color options get the thumbs up from us as one of our favourite waterproof jackets.
Read more: Assos Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa full review
Rapha's Core Rain Jacket blends classic styling with technical details
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Rapha Core Rain Jacket II is billed as an "all-round" waterproof jacket and we found that it was certainly comfortable in squally rainy conditions as well as on dry windy days. It is available in both mens and women's versions, and in six and two colors respectively.
The fabric has a matt finish and it allowed water to bead up, stopping any drenching of the material. A flick of the arm removed the water easily. The Bright Orange version felt very visible on a murky, low light day but there are more subdued colors if you prefer.
It is very light at 127g (medium) and rolls up small enough that we barely noticed it in our back pocket. The double cuffs are quite tight, which - whilst keeping the weather out - are quite hard to pull on over wet mitts. The AquaGuard zip is also quite tight in operation and I had to leave it down 1cm at the top to fit comfortably around my neck. Overall, the Core II is a highly breathable, waterproof and visible jacket that's a very reasonable price too - it's just not the easiest to take on and off in a rush.
Read more: Rapha Core Rain Jacket II full review
Le Col's Pro Rain Jacket is cut with racing and high-tempo road riding in mind
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Available in a men's or women's cut the Le Col Pro Rain Jacket impressed us as one of the most effective waterproof jackets with high breathability.
The men's model fitted close to the skin, with tight cuffs to create a smooth glove-to-sleeve transition, although we found the women's version a bit generous so would suggest sizing down on your normal choice.
Like most of even the best waterproof jackets, after a while, it'll start to lose its waterproofing qualities; that just means the tangled fibres have loosened up to the point that liquid water can now pass through. To tighten them back up, all you need to do is whack the jacket in the tumble dryer on a light setting and it’ll go back to its waterproofing ways.
Read more: Le Col Pro Rain Jacket full review
Castelli's Idro Pro 3 jacket features a race fit
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Castelli Idro Pro 3 Jacket is a very focused design using the best materials currently available. We found that the 2-layer Gore-Tex ShakeDry is highly water repellant along with being very breathable. To enable a close fit for the rider the non stretchy ShakeDry has Stretch Gore-Tex side panels from the waist to the cuffs.
The high waist and close body cut at the front stops any interference between the jacket front and moving legs, and the long drop tail keeps the worst of the road spray off the rider. The neck section is lined and is a good compromise when zipped up - we found that it didn't choke us but still created a good seal against rain. The close fit elasticated cuffs allow a winter glove to sit underneath to also keep a good seal. Whilst the close fit could feel constrictive the Stretch panels on the side allow easy movement and breathing. It does feel unusual to start with but it's not a problem.
We found that the water beads up on the shell and can easily be removed with a flick of an arm. The jacket can be shaken at the end of a ride to remove most of the water and it dries very quickly. It rolls up pretty small but you'll need a slightly larger jersey pocket for it to be put in than some other jackets. That said, it's a jacket that you'd start out wearing on an inclement day and keep on rather than a 'get you home' item.
An excellent jacket for the racer/pro but it is expensive.
Read more: Castelli Idro Pro 3 Jacket full review
The Icon Rocket jacket delivers lightweight protection without having to break the bank
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you’re looking for an affordable lightweight, packable jacket that’ll keep you dry in most types of wet weather conditions, the Altura Icon Rocket should be seriously considered.
Most definitely used in the shoulder season and when necessary in summer temperatures, the Altura Icon repels moderate rain and road spray. As for the fit, we found it to be tight without ever being too obstructive.
Aside from a small, open pocket on the right of the jacket that can store food, we found that the main disappointment is the lack of access to the jersey’s back pockets. But apart from this oversight, this is an essential piece of kit when the rain threatens.
Read more: Altura Icon Rocket Men’s packable jacket review
The Perfetto RoS delivers on its promise to keep you both warm and dry
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Ok, so strictly speaking this may not be a jacket, but it's as good as. In wet weather, we found that it's water resistance is good enough to keep you dry, with visible beading on the surface as rain and road spray literally roll off. A high collar keeps the wind and chills out while a long tail protects your back from road slop.
Read more: Castelli Perfetto ROS Long Sleeve Jacket full review
How to choose a waterproof cycling jacket
What are the key elements to a waterproof cycling jacket?
Key elements to look for in a waterproof jacket are waterproofing, breathability, fit and packability. The best waterproof cycling jacket for you will perfectly match your priorities for your style of bike riding. We’ve got in-depth details of all these features below – but as a quick summary:
- Waterproofing: There’s a big difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Waterproof will normally come with a claimed waterproof rating of at least 10,000mm, be multilayered fabric with a perforated membrane, have taped seams and storm-proof zips. Water-resistant will usually have a Durable Water Resistant (DWR) coating and be lightweight, making it more packable.
- Breathability: It’s a tricky balance between staying dry from rain and staying dry from sweat. Breathability can also be rated and claimed ratings of above 10,000g will help prevent you from boiling on the inside. Generally speaking, the more waterproof a fabric is, the less breathable it becomes, although there are some expensive exceptions to the rule. Jacket design often takes account of breathability with the inclusion of more breathable fabrics under the arms, or additional ventilation.
- Fit: It’s horses for courses, or in this case: jackets for jockeys. Fast riding or racing will require a tight-fitting rain cape, which minimizes fabric flap to maintain your aero performance, while slower all-day affairs may be more comfortable with a looser fit for layering up underneath. Other fit details, such as a long tail to keep your backside dry or thumb loops will appeal to some, but not others.
- Packability: If conditions are changeable, then it’s likely you’ll want to be able to stow the jacket in a rear pocket. Waterproof jackets tend to be heavier and bulkier, and don’t often pack down small enough for a rear pocket, while water-resistant options can usually be scrunched into a ball the size of a fist. But the technology has come a long way since the original Gore-Tex days, and Gore's 'Shakedry' technology, also adopted by some third parties like Castelli and Rapha, is exceptionally waterproof and very lightweight. Take a look at our guide to the best packable rain jackets if that's better suited to your needs.
How do I keep my jacket waterproof?
Even the best waterproof cycling jackets will tend to become less effective over time, with reduced waterproofing and/or breathability. That's due to a combination of the build-up of dirt on the outer surface and oil residues from sweat on the inside, as well as loss of the outer DWR layer.
It's important to wash your waterproof jacket correctly to retain or restore breathability; take a look at our pieces on how to wash a waterproof jacket and the best products to use to learn how.
What do cyclists wear in the rain?
Clearly the most important thing you want to know about any waterproof cycling jacket is how waterproof it is. There are plenty of jackets out there that claim to be "water-resistant" (usually meaning that they have a Durable Water Resistant (DWR) coating applied to the fabric), but these will only keep you dry through showers and relatively light rain. If you want a proper waterproof cycling jacket for real wet weather riding, then you're going to want something with a little more protection.
The good news is you can get some idea of how waterproof a jacket is by doing a bit of research into any prospective purchase, with an increasing number of manufacturers stating the waterproof rating of their waterproof cycling jackets.
"But what's a waterproof rating!?" we hear you cry. Well, it's basically a number, and the higher the better. The number is calculated on the basis that if you put a 1cm x 1cm square tube over the fabric, how high could you fill the tube with water before it starts to leak through.
For the best waterproof cycling jacket, you're going to want something with a waterproof rating north of 10,000mm, although there are a number of jackets on the market that claim to offer more than this. However, "claim" is the keyword in this sentence, with no central body set up to test these figures, and manufacturers generally doing the testing of their own products.
It's also not all about the fabric when it comes to making a waterproof cycling jacket waterproof, with other features playing an important role. Most crucial of all is the seams. You can make a waterproof jacket out of the most waterproof material in the world, but if you then stitch a load of tiny holes in it, it's not going to do its job very well.
The solution to this is taping the seams, a process which covers the seams with a waterproof material, helping to keep the water out. All of the best waterproof cycling jackets will have this feature, although some will only have taped seams in crucial areas such as the shoulders and back, rather than across the whole jacket.
The other area where water is likely to get in is through the zip. This is particularly the case if you're riding in the wet in a group, where water is constantly being sprayed up onto your chest by the back wheel of the rider in front. Unsurprisingly the solution is a waterproof zip, which has tightly meshing teeth. It may have a storm flap either on the outside or on the inside too.
Take a look at our 11 tips for riding in the rain and our advice on how to dress for wet weather cycling to improve your wet weather riding experience.
Taped seams will help with waterproofing
How is breathability measured?
For all that, probably the major factor that distinguishes a good waterproof cycling jacket from a bad one (or at least a great one from a good one) is breathability. If you're working hard (as we hope you are!) then you're going to be building up quite a lot of heat inside the jacket, so a good degree of breathability will allow sweat to escape.
As with waterproofing, it's possible to put a number to breathability, and again it's a case of the higher the better. In this case the number refers to the weight (in grams) of water vapour that can pass through a 1m x 1m area of fabric over a 24 hour period. So if you have a jacket with a 20,000 breathability rating, 20,000g of water vapour can escape through the fabric in 24 hours.
Again, for the best waterproof cycling jacket, you're going to want that number to be more than 10,000 (g), but as with the waterproof rating you should always be a sceptic, with manufacturers carrying out all the testing rather than an independent body, and the testing for the fabric only.
What fit should I get?
As with any piece of cycling clothing, making sure your waterproof cycling jacket fits properly is a crucial part of the equation. However, it's not a case of one size fits all, with different cuts being better suited to different types of riding and riders.
If you're using a waterproof jacket for fast rides, such as heading out for the local chain gang regardless of the weather, then you're going to want a relatively slim-fitting jacket which won't flap too much in the wind or descending, holding you back with its poor aerodynamic performance. However, you don't want it to be too tight, just in case you want to add extra layers underneath in really cold weather.
For everyone else, a slightly looser fit might be more suitable, giving the possibility for bulkier layers underneath and possibly greater comfort too, especially if you're looking for the best commuter cycling jacket and need to fit non-bike wear underneath. If you're riding in cold conditions, then check out our guide to the best winter cycling jackets, which often incorporate some water resistance as well as insulation.
That said, watch for a loose-fitting collar and cuffs that could also undermine an otherwise very waterproof cycling jacket, acting like a bucket for rain beading off your helmet or sleeves.
Does a waterproof jacket need to be packable?
If you're riding in changeable conditions, then packability is an important thing to look for in a new waterproof cycling jacket. If the sun comes out after it's chucked it down for the first two hours of your ride, then you're going to want something that will stuff down small enough to fit in a rear pocket. Don't forget you'll also be packing spares and ride snacks - so make sure you have space for it if you are starting out your ride with it on.
However, in general, waterproof cycling jackets that offer good waterproof protection are fairly bulky, so the majority will not pack down that small. Although new technology is making smaller jackets ever more waterproof it should come as no surprise that if you want a jacket that will both keep you dry in heavy, persistent rain, and will pack down small enough to fit into a jersey pocket, you'll pay dearly for it. Gore's Shakedry technology is a great example: it's extremely lightweight, highly hydrophobic but usually only comes in the most expensive jackets.
Other fit details such as thumb loops are probably the most common extra feature found on many waterproof cycling jackets. These are designed to stop the sleeves from riding up, creating a gap between the cuffs of the jacket and your gloves, but are a love or hate feature, as some riders find this interferes with radial grip.
To keep your derriere dry from wheel spray it's also worth looking for a waterproof cycling jacket with a drop tail (or bumflap). However this isn't a case of manufacturers just adding an extra bit of material at the bottom of their jacket, and it'll need to have some silicone grippers or other devices to prevent it from riding up. It's also worth considering fitting mudguards for when the temperature drops, as rain in the cold is far worst than a summer shower. Fenders will keep the majority of spray off your backside, but consider fitting extra long ones to be courteous to riders behind.
If you're on a long ride, then you're also likely to need to access the rear pockets of your jersey in order to get at any energy bars or gels you might have stashed in there. With this in mind, many waterproof cycling jackets will have some sort of opening at the rear. If yours doesn't then it's easy enough just to lift up the tail of the jacket to access your pockets that way.
Finally, it's also worth looking for a waterproof cycling jacket that has some sort of soft fabric on the insides of the cuffs and collar. This will really help with comfort, feeling much nicer against the skin than the cold, crunchy material found on the inside of most waterproof cycling jackets.
How much should I pay?
With the advent of new fabric technologies and new manufacturing techniques, wet-weather bike gear has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years, making the best waterproof cycling jacket a must-have piece of kit for any rider.
The sky really is the limit when it comes to buying a waterproof cycling jacket, with some options from certain premium brands nudging north of £300 /$400. However, the good news is that you don't need to spend nearly that much to get a great jacket for you.
In general, however, you really do get what you pay for in rainwear, as ticking all the boxes of breathablity, fit, size and waterproofing means some serious technology.
If you're looking just to keep the worst of the weather out while not going flat out, then breathability isn't a massive issue (for example, if you're just using the jacket for commuting to and from work) and you are willing to do a bit of shopping around, then you can easily pick up a really good waterproof cycling jacket that will keep you nice and dry for less than £50/ $50.
For something that will offer better breathability, more features, and probably a closer fit, then you are going to have to spend a little more money. You don't need to get the market leader, but expect to spend somewhere between £100-£150 / $120-$200 price range, as this will offer a whole host of options without getting you in too much trouble with your bank manager.
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Hannah is Cycling Weekly’s longest-serving tech writer, having started with the magazine back in 2011. She has covered all things technical for both print and digital over multiple seasons representing CW at spring Classics, and Grand Tours and all races in between.
Hannah was a successful road and track racer herself, competing in UCI races all over Europe as well as in China, Pakistan and New Zealand.
For fun, she's ridden LEJOG unaided, a lap of Majorca in a day, won a 24-hour mountain bike race and tackled famous mountain passes in the French Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites and Himalayas.
She lives just outside the Peak District National Park near Manchester UK with her partner, daughter and a small but beautifully formed bike collection.
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