Road cycling jackets according to the weather
The road bike jackets gathered here cater to every weather condition: waterproof, thermal, lightweight, or reflective Elite Lab jackets, softshell Löffler Gran Fondo made in Austria, Gonso Save Essential and VAUDE Escape for rain, Northwave Reload for mid-season, Rab Cinder Borealis windproof, and children's jacket Endurance Kentar. Fitted cut, extended back, and breathability guide your choice.
A jacket for every weather.
Rain: membrane, water column and taped seams
A rain jacket for road cycling relies on a membrane that blocks water while allowing sweat vapor to escape. Its waterproofness is measured in water column: the Gonso Save Essential, with a two-layer laminate and mesh lining, and the VAUDE Escape, featuring a Ceplex membrane, both boast a rating of ten thousand millimeters, sufficient to withstand heavy rain. The taped seams using heat-sealed tape prevent water from seeping through the stitches.
The waterproof jackets Elite Lab, available in both men's and women's cuts, add a lightweight version that rolls up into a small volume, and a windproof version for dry but windy mornings.
The rest of the outfit
Road gear also includes:
All the gear is gathered on the road page.
Cold and mid-season: softshell and thermal jackets
Between zero and around fifteen degrees, the Northwave Reload combines a three-layer membrane at the front, sleeves, and center of the back, waterproof up to ten thousand millimeters, with stretchy side panels that disperse heat. The Löffler Gran Fondo, a three-layer softshell made in Austria by a brand founded in Ried in 1947, pairs a windproof and water-repellent front with a warm elastic back.
For cool and dry outings, the Rab Cinder Borealis, made from lightweight stretchy nylon, shields against wind without trapping sweat; its side pocket serves as a storage pouch. The thermal jackets Elite Lab take over in the heart of winter.
Visibility, fit and children’s jackets
On the road, being seen is just as important as staying dry. The reflective jackets Elite Lab, with or without sleeves, reflect light from headlights and signal the cyclist from a distance at dusk. The fit is assessed while in position on the bike: sleeves should be long enough with arms extended towards the handlebars, a longer back that covers the lower back, and a high collar to block cold air downhill.
For young cyclists, the Endurance Kentar waterproof jacket should be chosen with a bit of room to slip a warm layer underneath and accommodate growth from one season to the next. Bright colours further enhance visibility in traffic.
Good deals
Good bargains can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The annual highlights follow a steady order: the Black Friday at the end of autumn, year-end celebrations, winter sales, spring French Days, followed by summer sales and back-to-school season.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the size of a road bike jacket?
Refer to the chest measurement in the size guide, then check while in a bent position that the wrists remain covered and the back doesn't ride up. Some jackets fit small, like the Northwave Reload, for which cyclists recommend going one size up.
Waterproof jacket or windbreaker: which one to take?
The windbreaker, lightweight and highly breathable, protects against the cold when going downhill and light drizzle. The waterproof jacket is essential when rain is forecast: its membrane keeps the body dry longer, at the cost of less breathability when climbing.
How to wash a membrane bike jacket?
In the washing machine at thirty degrees, with zippers closed, using a liquid technical detergent and without fabric softener, which would clog the membrane. A tumble dry on a low temperature, if the label permits, then reactivates the surface water-repellent treatment.
Do female cyclists need a specific jacket?
Women’s jackets, like the Elite Lab, Gonso Save Essential or VAUDE Escape versions, are tailored closer to the waist, with narrower shoulders and a fitted bust. They avoid the parachute effect of a men's cut being too wide, which flaps in the wind.
How to avoid getting too hot under a cycling jacket?
Open the main zipper when climbing and close it before descending. A technical base layer that wicks moisture does the rest: under a jacket, cotton stays damp and cools down as soon as the effort decreases.
