The best packable rain jackets for cycling 2024

The best packable rain jackets will stash easily into a jersey pocket without taking up too much space and will keep you dry if the rain starts

the best packable rain jackets can fold down really tiny

The best packable rain jackets are an essential piece of your cycling toolkit. Regardless if it's summer or winter the weather can be a fickle beast and in many places, it can almost be expected that you are going to get rained on at some point — even during the warmer months. 

While you can go all out and wear a fully protective waterproof jacket, quite often they are pretty bulky. When the rain stops and the time comes to just peel off the layer to prevent overheating, it might prove to be nigh on impossible to pack away. This is where a lighter, packable jacket can pay dividends. And of course, even if it isn't raining, having an additional layer to take on and off can add comfort and windproofing on cooler rides in drier conditions.

As technology has advanced it's often no longer a compromise in weather protection when opting for a lightweight packable. Single-layer Gore-Tex Shakedry and other comparable technical materials pack in the weatherproofing of multi-layered fabrics sans bulk, without sacrificing waterproofing or breathability, avoiding the boil in the bag feel of thicker jackets.

We've compiled a selection of our favourite, best-performing packable jackets below, hopefully taking the guesswork out of which jacket to buy.

The best packable rain jackets reviewed

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.

Castelli Idro

(Image credit: Luca_Schenal)
Best premium option

Specifications

Weight: 152g
Colours: Black
Sizes: S-3XL

Reasons to buy

+
Highly packable
+
Shakedry fabric doesn't wet out
+
Plenty of length

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive
-
No extra features

Without doubt one of the best performing full waterproof rain jackets we have ever tested, let alone in the packable category. 

The Idro 3 uses Gore-Tex Shake Dry fabric to ensure complete weatherproofing, yet a quick shake and it is dry enough to comfortably put back in your pocket.  It is very expensive and lacks any additional features, but the performance of the fabric more than makes up for that.

On this latest iteration, we found that the cut on the forearms was too tight and, without much give in the fabric, this wasn't ideal. Providing that the fit suits you, this jacket is brilliant - just make sure to either try it on first or make sure you're ontop of the returns policy.

For more, read our full review of the Castelli Idro 3 jacket

rain jackets

2. Altura Firestorm Jacket

Best for low light rides

Specifications

Weight: Not specified
Colours: Not specified
Sizes: Not specified

Reasons to buy

+
Slightly heavier for extra warmth
+
Lots or reflectives

Reasons to avoid

-
Not quite as packable as other options
-
Good value

Altura's packable Firestorm jacket utilizes a proprietary waterproof and breathable fabric to deal with the worst the weather can dish out. It's a little bulkier than some of the other jackets here, but also provides a little more warmth for really cold days. Plenty of reflective features add another dimension to the Firestorm and make it a good choice for riders getting out in the early mornings or evenings.

Read our full review of the Altura Firestorm (women's) jacket

rain jackets

Best for three-layer waterproofing

Specifications

Weight: 152g
Colours: Red, orange, grey
Sizes: XS-XXL

Reasons to buy

+
Bright colour options
+
High neckline

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Tight fit

Having already established a range of jerseys and shorts, the Albion Rain Jacket sees the London brand break into new, water-resistant territory. It features fully taped seams and the jacket body has a three-layer waterproof and wind-resistant fabric. To touch, the jacket is lightweight and doesn’t feel bulky or heavy in your hands. In fact, one of its best features is its packability, and it easily fits into a rear pocket.

The fit is quite constrictive and we found it tight across the shoulders, although arm length is good.

Read our full review of the Albion Rain Jacket

rain jackets

Best for Shakedry tech on a budget

Specifications

Weight: 120g
Colours: Black, black with white arm stripe
Sizes: XS-XXL

Reasons to buy

+
Decent price for Shakedry tech
+
Highly breathable

Reasons to avoid

-
Rather tight across the chest
-
Shakedry is still very expensive

Rapha's entry into the Gore-Tex Shakedry jacket category actually proves to almost be a bargain compared to its rivals. Our tester lauded Gore's Shakedry fabric for its ability to keep the precipitation on the outside, while also preventing the boil in a bag feeling on the inside. In fact, this particular CW staffer, Rupert, who usually dislikes wearing waterproofs, happily wore the Pro Team Jacket for entire rides; something he would usually only do if it was completely unavoidable.

Read our full review of the Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Jacket (men's)

Read our full review of the Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Jacket review (women's)

ASSOS Equipe RS Jacket

(Image credit: Assos)
Best budget rain jacket from a premium Swiss clothing brand

Specifications

Weight: 185g
Colours: Black, orange
Sizes: XS-XLG

Reasons to buy

+
Very waterproof
+
Good breathability
+
Cheaper than the Rs.strumprinz

Reasons to avoid

-
A bit heavier and less packable than some options

As Assos puts it, the Equipe RS is the offspring if its legendary Rs.strumprinz jacket, which also has a legendary £350 / $499 price tag. Made from a softshell, Scholl Tex fabric, the Equip RS is completely waterproof, but also breathes quite a bit better than some its crunchy hardshell competitors. It's not quite as compact as some of the others on this list, but the Swiss jacket will easily stuff into a pocket.

Read our full review of the Assos Equipe RS rain jacket

Santini Scudo windbreaker jacket

Best for light weight

Specifications

Weight: 116g
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS-M

Reasons to buy

+
Very lightweight
+
Aero fit
+
Inexpensive

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as waterproof as others, but still windproof
-
Tight cuffs

The 365 Scudo is an ultra-lightweight jacket that has a little less waterproofing than some of the other rain jackets here but still offers 100% windproofing, making it ideal for those days when the weather just can't make its mind up and threatens showers. Packing down to less than the size of an apple, it will fit into a jersey pocket with space to spare.

Read our full review of the Santini Scudo rain jacket

rain jackets

7. Endura Pro SL Shell Jacket II

Best for Scottish conditions

Specifications

Weight: Not specified
Colours: Black, orange
Sizes: XS-XXL

Reasons to buy

+
Tough build
+
Great fit

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulkier than other options

Scottish brand Endura knows a thing or two about creating weather beating kit and the Pro SL Shell jacket is no exception, with a three-layer fabric that's thinner than the competition. 

It's on the bulkier side of the packable jacket spectrum but will still fit into a pocket. What it does have is an exceptional fit and a three-layer fabric that is as tough as it is weatherproof and a storm flap to stop water finding its way in through the zip.

Read our full review of the Endura Pro SL Shell jacket

Buyer's guide to the best packable rain jackets

What fabrics should I look for?

Above all else the material used in the construction of the jacket is what makes the biggest difference in performance. Ideally, you want a fully waterproof material that also has a high degree of breathability. 

Some techy modern fabrics such as Gore Shakedry manage to combine both aspects into a single layer of material, making them not only high performance but also extremely lightweight. 

The only issue with such fabrics is they usually come with a high ticket price and can be a little fragile. At the entry-level you can still expect solid performance but don't expect fully waterproof materials to be anywhere near as breathable or pack down as small.

How should a packable rain jacket fit?

Most packable rain jackets follow the same vein as the traditional race cape, i.e. will be tight to the body and offer an articulated cut to fit well in a riding position. 

If you prefer a looser fit or plan on wearing more layers underneath then you might want to go up a size from your usual choice. A good packable jacket should have a long sleeve length and a dropped tail to protect your derriere and lower back as dry as possible.

The alternative if you're not expecting to need to remove your jacket too often and are usually carrying luggage on your rides is one of the best commuter cycling jackets.

What other features should I look for?

Of course, there is always going to be a compromise when choosing a rain jacket that packs down to the size of a baseball, and that packability normally comes at the cost of extra features. 

Don't expect multiple pockets, additional drawstring closures or even zipped vents in most cases. The construction will also be a little less robust and fabrics and zips might not be as durable, so you will need to use a bit of extra care when using.

James Bracey

James Bracey's career has seen him move from geography teacher, to MBR writer, to Cycling Weekly's senior tech writer and video presenter. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of bicycle mechanics, as well as bike fit and coaching qualifications. Bracey enjoys all manner of cycling, from road to gravel and mountain biking.