The latest functional materials work wonders. They are lightweight, keep the rain out, but at the same time allow perspiration and body heat to evaporate to the outside. "Waterproof" and "breathable" are the key terms, although "vapour permeable" is a more accurate description of the latter property, as a fabric cannot breathe. If you believe the many labels dangling from the jackets, then they provide the perfect sports climate - even during sweaty climbs in constant rain.
The Prima Climate promise is not new, but the number of different materials that are supposed to fulfil it is increasing all the time. What is relatively new, however, is that some of these materials are elasticated, which would make them much more comfortable to wear than jackets with classic, non-stretch membranes.
In addition to choosing the right fabric, the art of jacket tailoring lies in tailoring the functional material to the cyclist's body so that the high-tech pellet fits like a glove in a racing bike position, retains its shape, doesn't flap, doesn't create mountains of fabric in front of the chest and doesn't ride up the buttocks. Features such as functioning zips with small fabric garages at the ends for the latch or lockable and waterproof pockets for arm warmers, mini-tools and phones should be part of the standard shivering equipment. If the jacket is also lightweight and can be easily stowed in the jersey pocket during the next gap in the clouds or a sweaty climb, it will be the perfect touring companion and take the fear out of the next shower.
The candidates
Eleven manufacturers accepted our invitation, seven of which supplied a women's jacket in addition to the men's model. The brief was: waterproof road bike jackets. The prices of the 18 jackets ranged from 80 euros for the Stormshell from Bontrager to 240 euros for the jackets from Odlo, which after a brief absence from the market is once again increasingly offering cycling clothing.
The test results from the field and the laboratory of these jackets can be found below as a PDF download:
- LADIES:
CRAFT Performance Rain Jacket
GORE BIKE WEAR Oxygen GT AS
LÖFFLER Bike Jacket GTX Active
MAVIC Oxygen H20 Jacket
ODLO Zephyr
PEARL IZUMI Elite WxB Jacket
VAUDE We Realto
- MEN:
BONTRAGER Stormshell
CRAFT Performance Rain Jacket
GORE BIKE WEAR Oxygen GT AS Jacket
LÖFFLER Bike Jacket GTX AS
MAVIC HC H20 Jacket
ODLO Zephyr
PEARL IZUMI Select WxB Jacket
SANTINI Guard
SKINS C 400 Mens Rain Jacket
SPORTFUL Hot Pack No Rain Jacket
VAUDE Me Realto
Downloads:
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