Leaderboard rain jackets
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.
Clothing: Review: Gore ONE Pro
For years, GoreTex has stood for first-class membranes for outdoor use, whether on hard or soft shell jackets. However, not only the material is manufactured, but for some time now, under the Gore Apparel label, the company has also had its own clothing in its range, which has an excellent reputation among athletes and outdoor fans in particular. All the more excited […]
Clothing: Test: POC AVIP Rain Jacket
The AVIP concept of the Swedes from POC is now a few years old, but unfortunately has lost none of its topicality and necessity: AVIP stands for Attention Visibility Interaction Protection and is intended – in short – to improve the safety of cyclists. Above all, the "visibility part" of the AVIP Rain Jacket is immediately apparent [...]
Clothing: Test: Sportful Hotpack Hi-Viz Norain rain jacket
With the Stelvio, the Italian manufacturer Sportful has made a name for itself in the absolute performance area of rain jackets in recent years. However, our test of the Sportful Hotpack Norain jacket shows that it does not necessarily have to be the top model: With a weight of less than 160g, it is one of the lightest representatives in the test and thanks to the […]
Clothing: Review: Specialized Deflect H2O Comp
The Specialized Deflect H20 Comp rain jacket catches the eye at first glance, of course, thanks to its eye-catching color. The bright orange improves visibility during the day and especially at night, but isn't as uncomfortably bright as some of the competition's jackets. The cut is rather sporty, with a significantly longer back and a […]
Clothing: Review: Scott Trail MTN Dryo 20
The Scott Trail MTN Dryo 20 rain jacket is one of the few real hard shell jackets in our test. The firm material is not as comfortable and stretchy as that of some competitors, but it makes a much more robust impression. This should be a feature that many appreciate, especially in the intended area of application on the (hiking) trail. [...]
Clothing: Test: Löffler Prime GTX Active
We tested an extremely puristic representative of the rain jacket guild with the Löffler Prime GTX Active. The jacket is available in a total of four colors (red, blue, black and yellow), we received the bright yellow variant for our test - certainly a good choice in terms of visibility in traffic, also because Löffler [...]
Clothing: Test: Assos rS.sturmPrinz Evo
Assos is not without reason one of the absolute cult brands in the high-class road bike sector and now also has a loyal fan base. Opinions are often divided when it comes to the look of the products - this is also the case with the rS.sturmPrinz Evo rain jacket, where the two shiny black inserts at shoulder height are particularly eye-catching. But in addition to the idiosyncratic look [...]
Clothing: Review: Rapha Rain Jacket
You don't really have to say too many words about Rapha anymore. It is not for nothing that the British manufacturer has enjoyed an excellent reputation in the bicycle community for a long time and is well on the way to becoming a cult brand. With the pragmatic Rapha Rain Jacket, we had a very puristic jacket in our test that bridges the gap between classic rain jackets and […]
Clothing: Test: Sugoi RSX NeoShell rain jacket
The all-round rain jacket Sugoi RSX NeoShell relies – as the name suggests – on Polartec's top membrane NeoShell, which promises the best breathability with the best weather protection at the same time. The jacket itself is not explicitly aimed at cyclists, but is intended to protect against wind and weather during a wide variety of sporting activities. Accordingly, you have a healthy […]
Clothing: Test: Pearl Izumi MTB WRX JACKET
The Pearl Izumi MTB WRX Jacket was one of the lightest and thinnest jackets in our test: The material developed in-house offers a comfortable stretch, is said to be highly breathable and waterproof at the same time. In any case, it is extremely comfortable to wear on the skin – anyway, the jacket is one of the most comfortable that we had in the test. The […]
Clothing: Test: Vaude Me Yaras
With the Me Yaras, Vaude is primarily targeting recreational athletes who are looking for a rain jacket for everyday use and short laps on the bike. With an overall rather relaxed cut and hood, but also a longer back section, it is exactly the right choice for all those who are looking for an all-rounder for bad weather. Depending on your taste, the […]
Clothing: Test: ROSE RR04 Rain Jacket
The Rose RR04 is a rain jacket in the classic sense: With a rather wide cut and the stiff hardshell material, it appeals more to trekkers, weekend trippers and commuters than sporty cyclists. However, this should in no way be understood as a criticism; many are likely to be looking for just such a jacket, especially because they are on and off the bike […]
Clothing: Test: Giant Proshield Anorak
The Giant Proshield Anorak is a little out of line in our test - the reason for this is already in the name: The Giant rain jacket is a classic anorak and does not have a full-length front zip. This means that the jacket must always be pulled over the head when dressing and undressing […]
Clothing: Test: Bontrager Town Stormshell Jacket
With the Town Stormshell Jacket, US manufacturer Bontrager is clearly targeting the sporty commuter who is looking for a loyal companion for the daily commute to the office or to university, who not only keeps the unpleasant wet outside in bad weather, but also keeps the very good one at the same time Visibility ensures more safety on the road. With a quite […]
General: Review: Sugoi Zap Bike Jacket
The Sugoi Zap Bike Jacket lives up to its name: ZAP! best describes the unique look of the jacket, especially at night. There are countless small, reflective dots on the outer material, which make the entire jacket light up when the light hits it at night. It is also these small, silver dots that make the Sugoi jacket […]
Clothing: Test: Odlo Tyfoon rain jacket
We know that sporty rain jackets like the Odlo Tyfoon are tight and can appear a bit bulky at first glance. But even under these premises, we were surprised by the resolutely sporty, narrow cut of the Odlo jacket. The sleeves and the back are extremely long, while the front is very short and […]
Clothing: Test: Race Face Agent Softshell
Don't be fooled by the name of the Race Face Agent Softshell - although the material is actually rather soft and not a classic hardshell, the Agent is undoubtedly a rain jacket. The Canadian manufacturer specifies a water column of 10.000mm for the membrane - not too generous, for the […]
Clothing: Review: Mavic Ksyrium Pro H2O
Anyone who says that rain jackets are basically boring hasn't seen the Mavic Ksyrium Pro H2O: Cleverly placed color accents, the asymmetrical front zip and the sporty cut make the jacket a real eye-catcher. Speaking of cut: The jacket is clearly designed for sporty use in races and training - short front, […]
Clothing: Test: Craft Escape Rain rain jacket
The Craft Escape Rain rain jacket, with its discreetly sporty cut and no hood, is aimed at cyclists who don't want to let a few raindrops stop them from their favorite hobby. At the same time, you don't want to be too sporty and still want to design a jacket that is discreetly suitable for everyday use - a difficult balancing act, especially in terms of cut and […]
Clothing: Review: BBB PocketShield
The BBB Pocketshield rain jacket is a real lightweight. The extremely thin material and the reduced design enable a weight of just under 100g - but how well does such a lightweight prove itself in everyday (training) life? It is clear that BBB's jacket, which is available in neon green and a somewhat more subtle black, is aimed primarily at racing cyclists [...]