A good cycling rain jacket should meet a few important criteria. Of course it should be effective at keeping water out, meaning it needs to be completely waterproof. After all, that is pretty much the point of any rain jacket. At the same time though, it also needs to be light and ideally breathable to avoid sweat building up inside. It also needs to be light enough – even when wet – so as not to negatively impact your performance. And on top of all that, if we’re being picky, it would be great if it would slip into a pocket so that we could have it easily to hand without needing a backpack all the time. Why not throw in a few extra features too, while you’re at it?
It’s a tall order then for a cycling rain jacket to be considered ‘good’ – but there are a few strong contenders out there. Let’s take a look and find the best cycling rain jacket while we’re at it.
The Endura Adrenaline Race Cape
If this discussion were to be settled purely by which jacket had the best name, then the Endura Pro Adrenaline Race Cape would certainly be a strong contender. That is a great name.
But more importantly, the Race Cape is also very breathable while offering great protection against the rain. It folds down nice and small too and will fit in a pocket and is slightly translucent so you can wear it during an actual race and still have your number on show.
On the downside, this isn’t the sleekest looking thing. The lime green color is good for visibility but it’s a baggy fit and leaves you looking a bit like Kermit the Frog.
Extra features give it some bonus points though, including a comfortable collar and a good padded storm flap. Elasticated cuffs are also good at keep your arms dry without leaving angry red marks. All in all it’s a great performing jacket for real racers – it’s just a shame you wouldn’t want to be seen in it while off your bike.
Click here to see the best price on the race cape!
Polaris Hexon Waterproof
This is a somewhat nicer looking jacket that still doesn’t skimp on the material. It provides perfect protection against heavy rain, it’s light and breathable and it folds down nicely. It comes in three colors, including a cool red and black, and it has a layer of nylon fabric which is what gives it its seemingly magical properties. An elasticated hem rounds it off but unfortunately the Velcro cuffs are a bit old- school.
Click here to see the best price on the Polaris Hexon
Dhb Flashlight Compact-XT Waterproof Jacket
A less stylish name but still a very nice waterproof for cyclists. It’s not as breathable as the other two but it is very high vis and packable making it a practical choice for people who aren’t quite such serious roadsters. A lack of bum flap is a shame and it does add a little drag but it manages to look stylish while still ensuring you’ll be seen on the road.
So what is the best cycling rain jacket? That really depends on what you need. In case you hadn’t worked it out already, we’re fans of the Race Cape for real racers, the Flashlight for people more concerned with safety on the road and the Hexon for something practical and stylish if you’re in-between those two camps.
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