23 models for men & women: Cycling rain jackets in the test

The cycling rain jackets from the test

Cycling rain jackets in the test - short and sweet

The best cycling rain jackets in the test achieve the triad of weather protection, comfort and low weight; however, the differences in function and quality across the test field are considerable. Gore Wear is at the top of the podium together with Le Col, followed by the three Italian brands Castelli, Alé and Santini. The prices vary considerably: for the price of the lightweight rain jacket from POC, you could equip a family of five with a jacket from Gobik.

• The lightest jacket: Sportful Auqua Light Women, 77 grams
• The most expensive jacket: Poc The Supreme, 500 Euro

Rain jackets have to perform well - and under conditions that pose a real challenge for the material and cut. They have to keep out wind and weather, remain vapour permeable, adapt to the sporty posture on the bike and weigh as little as possible. For our current comparison test, we compared men's and (ten) women's models from 13 manufacturers. The test was based on four practical criteria: Weather protection (Suter test and spray test), fit and comfort, weight and pack size as well as features and function.

The good news first: most of the jackets performed well, some even excellently. At the top of the winners' podium is the rain jacket from Gore Wear alongside the one from Le Col, which beat the competition from Alé, Castelli and Santini by a wafer-thin margin. In this top group, the TOUR scores are between 1.4 and 1.7 - just three tenths apart. The differences are correspondingly small, but the sum of the characteristics made the difference.

What these four models have in common is that they stay dry for a long time, even in constant rain and splashing water. They are well tailored to the racing bike position without stretching or flapping. They are lightweight and can be folded to a compact size - ideal for the jersey pocket. And they feature clever details such as reflective elements, comfortable collars, well-fitting cuffs and a sufficiently long back section that doesn't ride up when pedalling and leaves your bottom exposed.

Reliable companion

The models from Agu, Gobik and Sportful were not quite as convincing. These three overshoes showed weaknesses - each in different disciplines. The jacket from Agu is one of the lightest in the test and can be packed extremely small, but the fit and ease of movement of the zip are literally lacking. The Gobik jacket scores with an attractive price and well thought-out features, but falls significantly short in terms of weather protection - a shortcoming that is reflected in the overall score. With Sportful, on the other hand, we had to criticise the features: A rain jacket that is also worn in autumn and winter should have reflective material - a safety aspect that should be standard today.

Overall, the test shows that if you are prepared to invest a little more, you will get a rain jacket that not only keeps you dry, but also impresses in terms of comfort and function. The best models are well-designed, have a high-quality finish and are tailored to the needs of sporty cyclists, regardless of whether they are on a road bike or gravel bike. And they show: A good rain jacket is more than just an emergency item for bad weather - it is a reliable companion for ambitious tours in any weather.

Cycling rain jackets in detail

Cycling rain jackets test: How waterproof are they?

Not every cycling rain jacket that keeps water out is also "waterproof". In the cycling sector, "waterproof" is a technical term: the so-called water column indicates how much water pressure a material can withstand before moisture penetrates. A membrane with a water column of 10,000 mm can withstand the kind of pressure that occurs in heavy rain or splashing water. However, the water column alone says little about everyday use, as seams and zips are often the weak points. "Water-repellent", on the other hand, means that water rolls off the surface - usually thanks to a special impregnation. This is sufficient for light drizzle or short showers, but not for longer journeys in bad weather.

But why shouldn't a racing bike jacket be completely waterproof like a fisherman's oilskin? Quite simply: cycling is sweaty. A completely waterproof jacket would act like a plastic bag - no air circulation, no vapour permeability. Sweat remains on the body, the climate first becomes damp and warm, then clammy and uncomfortable. High-quality cycling rain jackets therefore use breathable membranes. These allow water vapour to escape but block rain from the outside. A good compromise between protection and comfort is crucial. A jacket that remains waterproof at 4000 mm water column and is vapour permeable at the same time protects the body effectively - without "cooking" it.

Manufacturer of cycling rain jackets with repair service

Rain gear is expensive - and a repair option is desirable to avoid having to buy a new one after damage. Our list shows which manufacturers (some of which are not represented in this test) offer a repair service or crash replacement. Some brands such as Patagonia and Vaude have set up particularly customer-friendly repair programmes - including DIY instructions and mobile workshops. Others, such as Sportful or Le Col, focus on replacement instead of repair, which can be helpful in the event of crash damage, but is less sustainable.

How TOUR tests cycling rain jackets

The overall score is made up of four different criteria, which were weighted differently depending on their relevance. We determined all measured values in-house, including the Suter and spray test. Before these tests, all jackets were washed in the washing machine according to instructions.

Weather protection (30 per cent)

Waterproofness was determined using the Suter test (see DIN-EN-ISO 20811). We put all the cycling rain jackets in the test under a pressure of 0.4 bar (4000 millimetres water column) in the area of a seam for two minutes. If water seeps through the material or the seam during the test, points are deducted. Similar to the spray test (DIN-EN-ISO 4920), the beading behaviour was determined. Depending on the quality of the impregnation of the outer fabric, the water droplets run off to varying degrees.

Fit / wearing comfort (30 per cent)

These criteria assess how the lining feels directly on the skin, for example, or how strongly or loudly the jacket flaps in the wind. For the fit, it is important that the jacket is tailored to the racing bike position. In this position, the jacket should be long enough at the back to protect the lower back from splashing water; the fabric should billow as little as possible on the chest and stomach and the collar should protect against draughts even when the head is stretched out. The cuffs should fit snugly and softly at the wrists.

Weight / pack size (20 per cent)

When not in use, a road bike rain jacket must fit into a jersey pocket. The lighter it is and the smaller it can be folded up, the better. Note: The back pockets of women's jerseys are often smaller than those of men's jerseys.

Equipment / function (20 per cent)

A rain jacket should be equipped with reflective material to improve visibility; the following are also rated positively: well-fitting waistband (e.g. thanks to gel print), easy-running zip, anatomically adapted collar cut, sleeve sections with elastic elements. Useful extras such as zip pockets or easy-to-use additional ventilation openings get bonus points.