No one wants to be the bozo who has to be plucked from the hillside by mountain rescue having gone out without the right gear. While this might not be such a risk on the daily commute, if the forecast is moody, setting off without a proper waterproof cycling jacket either on or somewhere about your person isn’t a wise move.
When choosing a waterproof cycling jacket for yourself, the first two things to consider are your budget and what you’ll be using it for.
A racing waterproof, for example, with an aero design and lightweight fabric, offers a different set of pros and cons to a jacket that’s designed for chilly everyday commutes.
Some jackets are packable (check out our specific guide to the best packable cycling jackets for more options), meaning they can be hidden in a jersey pocket until needed. Some are heavier shells, which will need to stay on for the whole ride, while commuter jackets can sometimes come with linings and bulkier features like pockets and Velcro cuffs.
It’s also worth considering what materials they’re made from. Cheap waterproofs may keep some rain out, but they’ll also keep sweat in as their fabrics are generally less breathable. Taped seams also help to keep water out.
Here are our favourites…
Reviews of the best waterproof cycling jackets
- Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket - read our full review
- Rapha Core Rain Jacket II - read our full review
- Sportful Hot Pack No Rain - read our full review
- Albion All Road Pertex Shield rain jacket - read our full review
- Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket - read our full review
- Assos Equipe RS Clima Capsule Alleycat - read our full review
- Velocio One Jacket - read our full review
- Rapha Gore-Tex Rain Jacket - read our full review
- Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket - read our full review
- Gorewear Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket - read our full review
- Le Col Arc Lightweight Rain Jacket - read our full review
- Poc Supreme Rain Jacket - read our full review
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
Why trust Cyclist's advice?
Cyclist's reviewers aren't fair weather cyclists. Our team, led by tech editor Sam Challis, are out riding all through the winter and the worst the weather has to throw at us.
That means that the team counts on quality protection from rain, wind and cold. We also look for jackets that we can take with us just in case, as well as those to wear all ride. We know what to look for in the best waterproof jackets.
The best waterproof cycling jackets 2025
Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket
£125 | View offer
- Pros: Plenty of reflectives, Warm collar
- Cons: Quite loose fit, Not very packable
- Great value for full waterproofing and extra-durable material to protect from rips
Altura's jackets include a lot of reflective details and the Icon is no exception, with a large area of reflective fabric on the single rear pocket and the arms completely made of the same reflective material. The pocket also serves as a pack for the jacket when not in use.
It's not the most packable jacket, but makes up for this with a durable fabric and a looser fit, allowing for layering beneath. A two-way zip helps with access to jersey pockets and a fleece-lined neck helps to keep out chills.
Rapha Core Rain Jacket II
£130 | View offer
- Pros: Great value, Very good weather-proofing
- Cons: Some windflap
- Superb performance for the price, with well-fitted cuffs to ensure no cold wrists
The Rapha Core range offers a more affordable alternative to the brand's premium ranges and the Rapha Core Rain Jacket II is good value for a lightweight waterproof. There's a decent range of colours, although they tend to the dark rather than adding visibility.
Rapha has thought through the details, such as the offset zip to help avoid discomfort at the neck and elasticated cuffs to stop rain heading up your sleeves, with a fabric that doesn't compromise breathability. Although the fit is fairly close, there's a little windflap at speed. The Rapha Core Rain Jacket II packs up small enough to fit in a jersey pocket when not needed.
- Read our full Rapha Core Rain Jacket II review
- Buy now from Rapha (£130)
Sportful Hot Pack No Rain
£160 | View offer
- Pros: Waterproof yet nicely breathable, Packs into its own pocket for easy storage
- Cons: Difficult to pack while riding
- A close fit with full water- and windproofing and limited excess material
The Sportful Hotpack Norain jacket is designed to be lightweight and packable, stowing into its own rear pocket, while still providing good waterproofing. Although the fit is close, it's not restrictive thanks to stretch side panels and the arms are a decent length for wet weather coverage. There's no windflap when riding, which Sportful says is thanks to increased use of rubberised fabric sections.
Sportful also offers the Hotpack Easylight, if windproofing and light rain resistance at a lower price are more important than full waterproofing.
- Read our full Sportful Hot Pack No Rain jacket review
Albion All Road Pertex Shield rain jacket
£195 | View offer
- Pros: Three zip design adds adjustability, Velcro cuffs keep out rain
- Cons: A little sweaty on mild days
- Versatile packable jacket which Albion commits to repair if damaged
Using three-layer Pertex Shield fabric that's PFC-free, the Albion All Road jacket has a high waterproof and breathability rating, with taped seams. Albion's triple zip is actually three zippers that sit next to each other; one full length, a second running halfway up from the bottom, offering extra airflow and a third handling top half ventilation and access to a pocket. Velcro cuffs help keep out wind and rain.
Despite the additional features and capable weatherproofing, it's a jacket that packs down well. We found the Albion jacket slightly sweaty on milder rides, but rated the quality and Albion's commitment to repair. There are orange and blue colours available.
- Read our full Albion All Road Pertex Shield rain jacket review
Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket
£240 | View offer
- Pros: Superb weather-proofing and breathable, Effective two-way zip
- Cons: Pricy, Short sleeves
- A lightweight jacket with great practical touches
At 112g for a size M, the Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket won't weigh you down, despite being fully weatherproof. It's also very breathable and packs down small when not needed.
Although there's some windflap and the shoulders and the sleeves and tail are a little short when riding, the two way zip does make getting to pockets very easy. The PNS jacket is expensive, but its performance helps justify the premium price.
- Read our full Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket review
- Buy now from Mr Porter (£144)
Assos Equipe RS Clima Capsule Alleycat
£210 | View offer
- Pros: Very breathable yet weatherproof, Packs very small
- Cons: Little arm protection, Expensive
- Optimised race fit with easy on/off arms, but more of a gilet with arms than a jacket
Assos's jacket is essentially a weatherproof gilet with non-resistant lower arms. It's made from an array of materials that contribute to a low weight and good packability. The fabric used for the chest, shoulders and upper arms keep those parts dry, as well as including silver to make it reflective.
The design makes it easy to take on and off when riding and Assos says that the sleeves make the jacket less flappy than an equivalent gilet. The fit is close, also contributing to low noise when riding. It's a good option for fast-paced outings.
- Read our full Assos Equipe RS Clima Capsule Alleycat jacket review
- Buy now from Assos (£225)
Velocio One Jacket
£276 | View offer
- Pros: Thoroughly versatile, Weatherproof, Two-way zipper
- Cons: Rain collects in pockets, Only one dark colour, Not hugely light or packable
- Immaculately well-made all-round jacket with slightly sub-par pocket design
The Velocio Mens One Jacket has an unfussy design and can comfortably function as a rain layer or a more all-around jacket. The fit is usefully slim without being tight, so it can be used in different riding scenarios.
The Polartec Power Shield Pro material provides good protection from the elements and is part of a fabric that feels delightfully soft and comfortable, especially compared to the rustly, crispy fabric frequently used in other rain jackets. The only real drawbacks are that it isn’t particularly light or packable, and the pocket design is slightly flawed.
- Read our full Velocio One Jacket review
- Buy now from Velocio (£276)
Rapha Gore-Tex Rain Jacket
£300 | View offer
- Pros: Very weatherproof, Breathable, Versatile fit
- Cons: Expensive, Only dark colours
- A well-designed and technically high-performing rain jacket for year-round use
Rapha’s Gore-Tex Rain Jacket is the brand’s most premium piece of foul-weather road kit and features a number of practical touches. Produced in partnership with Gore-Tex, the material offers market-leading waterproofing with good breathability performance, though it is not particularly light.
Rather than being a specialist design for a certain discipline, Rapha’s jacket does almost everything well and can function at a range of temperatures, which also gives it year-round versatility.
- Read our full Rapha Gore-Tex Rain Jacket review
- Buy now from Rapha (£300)
Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket
£304 | View offer
- Pros: Light, Excellent DWR beading, Intelligent elastication, Aero
- Cons: Pricy, Precarious rear venting, One-way zipper
- Svelte, performance-fit design that's thin and light but still offers good weather protection
The Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket is a very light, smartly tailored performance outer layer made of a highly effective proprietary waterproof membrane. Smart elastication of the cuffs, waist and neckline offers additional protection from the elements, while vents and a breathable membrane help to regulate temperature.
It's a shame there's no two-way zipper and the position of the vents could potentially let some rain in. Notwithstanding these points and the high price, as a stash-away rain layer, it’s one of the best.
- Read our full Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket review
- Buy now from Q36.5 (£304)
Gorewear Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket
£225 | View offer
- Pros: Waterpoof, Good range of visible colours, Breathable, Well-made
- Cons: Odd sizing, Minimal rear drop, Imperfect zip
- Versatile and technically high-performing rain jacket for year-round use
The Gorewear Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket is a well-made and weatherproof layer that has good reflective detailing and comes in an array of colours.
The fit and sizing don’t quite map to Gorewear’s second-skin claims, though a workable fit is certainly achievable. The lack of a double-zipper and more tail coverage is a shame, but the Spinshift is more affordable than some of the competition and remains a very serviceable rain jacket with improved environmental credentials versus older models.
- Read our full Gorewear Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket review
- Buy now from Gorewear (£225)
Le Col Arc Lightweight Rain Jacket
£280 | View offer
- Pros: Smart venting, Waterproof, Light, Handy hood
- Cons: Non-standard sizing, Zero insulation
- The looser gravel-leaning design won't be for all but it's weatherproof and versatile
The Le Col Arc Lightweight Rain Jacket is a fully waterproof and breathable outer layer that features the membrane-based Pertex Shield material. Designed with gravel riding in mind, it employs a looser, more casual fit for rides where aerodynamics are less important, making it more versatile overall.
While the thinness of the fabric doesn’t provide any insulation, it can still work well into single-digit temperatures when adequately layered. The inclusion of an adjustable hood, taped seams and smartly covered vents means it performs very well in foul weather and its light weight and packable size make it a very convenient ride companion
- Read our full Le Col Arc Lighweight Rain Jacket review
- Buy now from Le Col (£280)
Poc Supreme Rain Jacket
£450 | View offer
- Pros: Very light at a claimed 87g, 20,000mm rain protection
- Cons: Very pricy, Fiddly one-way zip
- Quality waterproof shell that's packable and well-fitted
Poc's Supreme jacket has a claimed 87g weight, but still provides full rain protection as well as 50,000g/square metre/24h breathability. There's even a lightweight zip which builds rainproofing into the teeth and a hidden pocket in the collar makes for a tiny packed size.
Elastic cuffs and tail and taped seams help to keep water out but the low rear drop invites wheel spray. At £450 it's also by far the most expensive jacket we've tested.
- Read our full Poc Supreme Rain Jacket review
- Buy now from Tredz (£450)
Needing coverage for your feet? Read our guide to the best overshoes
