Leaderboard rain jackets

This list was published over seven years ago. Accordingly, not all products may be available in stores anymore.

Rain jackets belong in every household – at least in this country. Both in summer and in winter, they are indispensable for everyone who likes to be active outside and doesn't want to be deterred by a few drops. Of course, this also applies to cyclists - but once again it is evident here: Not all cyclists are the same. Mountain bikers have different requirements than racing cyclists or commuters and for many, the bike rain jacket has to be used in everyday life.

Nevertheless, we decided to throw all the different rain jackets "into one pot" in our test. Many models lie exactly between these drawers and cut a fine figure in different areas of application. However, so that you can see at first glance which jacket is intended for which area, we have included this directly in our list. Athletic in this case stands for a performance-oriented riding style or seating position and is aimed more at racing cyclists or cross and gravel fans than at mountain bikers or commuters.

Cycling rain jackets tested: what makes a good rain jacket?

Before our tests, we naturally asked ourselves the question: what distinguishes a good rain jacket from a bad one? What criteria does it have to meet, what is nice to have, what is unimportant? Of course, it should be waterproof - this not only applies to the material itself, but also to the seams, the zips and notorious problem areas such as the collar and cuffs. Likewise, the fit should be designed at least rudimentarily for use on the bike; are the sleeves long enough? Does the back cover the butt? If there is a hood, does it fit over a helmet? Good visibility in the rain and at night was also important to us. Unfortunately, there are more and more traffic accidents involving cyclists and it is therefore important that you are as visible as possible even in heavy rain. The color of the jacket can help here, as can reflective elements or even an integrated rear light.

In the previous list, some might miss the breathability. It is clear to us: This is a hotly debated topic and many manufacturers also attach great importance to the fact that the membranes used let more water vapor through than others. The big problem with this is that while this can be measured on the one hand, it is also a highly subjective perception and depends on a multitude of factors. In addition, many years of experience on the bike have taught us: A rain jacket is still a rain jacket and, in case of doubt, it will always be warm in it during sporting activity. We therefore looked in particular at the ventilation options of the respective jackets: Especially when the weather is changeable, it is practical if you can provide fresh air supply during short dry periods without taking the jacket off completely.

Cycling rain jackets in the test: That was noticeable

What was particularly noticeable in our test field with around 20 rain jackets was that the classic hard shell rain jacket is almost exotic. More than half of the models we tested are made of rather soft, stretchy softshell material that, thanks to good waterproofing, is at least initially just as waterproof as classic hardshells. The soft material is much more comfortable on the skin and the fit of these jackets is often much better. However, our test also showed that many of these softshell membranes quickly reach their impermeability limits, especially in heavy rain and in connection with bags or backpacks.

It was also noticeable that almost all jackets in all price ranges can cope with shorter rain showers without any problems. It was different a few years ago. Unfortunately, the fact that the sizes are very different has not changed. The rule still applies here: If you want to be sure that a jacket really fits, you simply cannot avoid trying it on. This is also particularly important for rain jackets, since a collar that is too wide, for example, opens the door to water.

The trend that almost all manufacturers attach great importance to good visibility is also extremely welcome. Only in exceptional cases do jackets have to do without additional reflective applications.

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