By Simon von Bromley

Published: Monday, 29 November 2021 at 12:00 am


Cycling in the rain isn’t generally a pleasant activity but, unless you live in a desert, it’s an unavoidable fact of life for most riders.

That’s particularly the case when it comes to winter cycling, when cold and wet conditions can combine to make riding an unpleasant experience without the right kit.

Luckily for you, we’re happy to put in the hard miles to find the best waterproof jackets for road cycling and commuting.

Old advice might have been to toughen up – a baggy, ‘boil in the bag’ rain cape would soak you through with sweat anyway – but waterproof fabrics have evolved massively over the past few years, and the holy grail of effective waterproofing and breathability isn’t the impossible combination it once was.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best waterproof jackets for cycling, as tested by the BikeRadar team.

Our expert testers have ridden in all conditions to bring you great options for both road cycling and commuting. If you ride off-road, we’ve got a separate article on the best mountain biking jackets.

Otherwise, you’ll find BikeRadar’s top-rated jackets below – or skip to the end for our buyer’s guide on choosing the right jacket for your needs.

For more advice on kitting yourself out for bad weather, we’ve got guides to the best winter cycling shoes and best overshoes to keep your feet warm and dry, plus a round-up of the best winter cycling gloves.

Best waterproof cycling jackets in 2021

  • Castelli Idro Pro 2: £340 / $400 / €350
  • Endura Pro SL Shell Jacket II: £165 / $225 / €200
  • Gore C5 Shakedry 1985 Viz: £250 / $300 / AU$360
  • Assos Equipe RS Schlosshund: £290 / $369 / €209
  • Castelli Idro 2: £300 / $300 / €270
  • Gore-Tex Paclite: £170
  • Lusso Aqua Pro Extreme: £165 / $215 / €197 / AU$325
  • Madison Apex Waterproof Storm Jacket: £135
  • Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Gore-Tex Shakedry: £220 / $295 / €260
  • Santini Guard Nimbus: £149
  • Van Rysel RCR Ultralight Packable Showerproof: £45 / €25
  • Albion Rain Jacket 2.0: £175
  • Altura Firestorm Waterproof: £80 / €100
  • Ashmei Waterproof Jacket: £238 / $200 / AU$258 / €172
  • Decathlon Triban RC500 Rainproof: £40 / €50
  • dhb Aeron Rain Defence Polartec: £130 / $180 / €160
  • Madison Peloton: £90
  • Métier Beacon: £250
  • Q36.5 R.Shell: £300 / €249
  • Rapha Commuter: £100 / $135 / AU$175
  • Santini Vega Multi Jacket: £220 / $322 / €240

All RRPs refer to the price when the jacket was originally tested by BikeRadar.

Castelli Idro Pro 2

5.0 out of 5 star rating
"Best
Cut from Gore’s Shakedry material, the Idro Pro 2 is windproof, waterproof and highly breathable.
David Caudery / Immediate Media
  • £340 / $400 / €350 as tested
  • Rear pockets
  • Mix of Gore fabrics for skin-tight fit
  • Weighs 185g

Hitting five stars in a face-off of 10 waterproof shell jackets, the Idro Pro 2 has a racer’s cut and is made of Gore Shakedry fabric tempered by panels of equally waterproof Gore Topo to add stretch at the sides, shoulders, elbows and wrists, for a skin-tight fit. 

Unlike many waterproof jackets, the Idro Pro has a decent run of pockets, complete with drainage holes. Along with its fit, great waterproofing and other quality features this all made it the winner in our recent group test.

albionCastelli now sells the Idro 3 Pro, with updates to fit and cuffs and added reflective elements.