The 6 Best Cycling Jackets of 2025: Staff Picks

Convertible jackets like this one offer an alternative strategy for cool and potentially misty conditions. Fully put together, the Quest Barrier Convertible Jacket offers water- and wind-resistant coverage in sizes that run to XXXL. When the weather hits that tweener stage where core wind protection is precisely what you need—and nothing more—you can zip off the Quest Convertible's sleeves and stash them in the zippered back pocket. Now you have a wind vest rather than a full-blown wind jacket.

One Southern California customer recounts a ride that took full advantage of that adaptability: "The jacket provided protection against strong ocean headwinds and temps in the low 50's. When rolling in 70-degree temps, I simply unzipped the sleeves and enjoyed the cooling breeze against my arms."

One feature that makes this jacket stand out in both the men's and women's styles is the PEARL iZUMi BioViz^® technology. The brand has always been at the forefront of visibility research. In 1990, the brand developed its iconic screaming-yellow color (available in both the men's and women's styles of this jacket), which is up to 300% brighter than the brightest whites. BioViz delivers day and night visibility with a range of tactics, like the way this jacket pairs super-fluorescent colors with reflective trims that pop when headlights hit them.

The women's Quest Barrier Convertible Jacket differs from the men's in one small but important detail. The sleeves attach with snaps rather than zippers, which are easier to attach with cold fingers, according to Larisa Castille, a sales specialist at the REI Co-op store in Encinitas, California, who wore the previous version through years of bike commuting.

For both, customer reviewers offer a consistent fit tip: The sizing runs a bit small, so if you're between sizes, go bigger. Buy the women's and men's versions.

Biking, especially on dirt or gravel, requires a surprising amount of upper-body strength and dexterity. A good jacket for riding such trails needs to move accordingly, and the Outdoor Research Half-Zip Freewheel Hoodie excels at this with its movement-mirroring blend of spandex and recycled nylon.“The material is very comfortable, soft and stretchy and does not restrict your movement,” says Allison Williams, a bike accessories merchandising buyer for REI Co-op, who uses her jacket on chilly and windy rides when she needs an extra layer of warmth. “It has all the features to make it breathable and comfortable when I am working hard.”

Stretchiness isn’t the fabric’s only superpower. The Freewheel is durable enough to stand up to backpack straps (the lack of seams atop the shoulders helps prevent hot spots and blisters) and carries a UPF 50+ sun protection rating. The jacket also offers resistance against wind and water (though it’s not fully waterproof); multiple reviewers noted how easily it sheds raindrops. A three-panel hood designed to fit under a bike helmet tops off this trail-ready companion. Inside, a light fleece backing adds a dose of coziness. Plus, “it looks good on and off the bike, and the fit is dialed,” Williams adds.

PEARL iZUMi has riders covered in rainy weather with the Canyon 2.5L WxB Jacket. Sealed seams, an extended torso and a YKK front zipper featuring an external storm flap keep precip at bay, and it’s a good choice for those who pedal in the rain. “Perfect weight for late fall or warmer winter rides [with] great water protection and wind resistance,” says Jenny Dallas, the merchandising buyer for cycle clothing at REI.

Sometimes waterproof jackets effectively keep moisture out only to create a terrarium e womenffect that still leaves you feeling clammy. Not so here. To allow airflow, the Canyon 2.5L WxB uses a 2.5-layer construction consisting of the exterior polyester shell, a waterproof membrane and a thin, protective veneer (the half layer) to protect the waterproof membrane. These layers work together to let out vapor from your body while preventing raindrops from coming in. While jackets with a 2.5-layer construction aren’t the most breathable jackets on the market (no pit zips here), they are effective and tend to be lower in cost than other jackets on our list. Buy women's and men's.

GOREWEAR packed a lot of tech into a tiny package, so there’s no excuse to leave this jacket behind on your next gravel jaunt or road ride. The Spinshift’s packable design weighs just 5.2 ounces (men’s version) and squishes down to roughly the size of a pear.

This jacket is the priciest on our list, but you get top-notch windproof and waterproof protection from a three-layer GORE-TEX laminate. The jacket is made from fully recycled materials and uses a next-generation ePE (expanded polyethylene) membrane that is even lighter and made without per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). Taped seams further seal out the wet.

In addition to these weatherproofing benefits, however, the Spinshift also features a kinetic garment design built specifically for cyclists in motion. That’s thanks to strategically placed GORE-TEX fabric panels that minimize seams and reduce weight. The result is a second skin-esque fit purpose-built for comfort during long rides in the drop bars. Reflective details along the arms and back panel boost visibility, as do bright color options. Buy the women’s, men’s versions.

If winter weather conditions are dicey, it makes sense to take the safe route and get your pedal on indoors. But if cold temps are all that stand in the way of an outdoor ride, don the right mindset (here are tips for winter cycling) and the right gear and get out there. One of our top picks for winter riding: the Rapha Core Winter Jacket, which fends off the chill using a wind-blocking front body fabric with DWR coating. At the waist, a deep-cut, silicone-backed hem gripper prevents the jacket from riding up when you hunch into aero form, ensuring that the only draft you encounter is the one you tuck into on purpose. “People love the warmth this jacket brings,” says Dallas. “[It’s] hands down the warmest jacket we offer.”

Customers also love the Core Winter Jacket’s sleek, cycling-specific silhouette and the quality of its 91% polyester, 9% polyurethane materials, says Dallas. Three sizable pockets across the lower back provide the perfect stash station for snacks and spare tools, while a zippered pocket houses can’t-lose items like keys and cash. Since shorter winter days mean that part of your ride may happen in low-light conditions or even darkness, Rapha incorporates reflective details on the sleeves to provide visibility. (Read more tips for road riding and mountain biking in the dark.) Buy the women's and men's versions.

Designing a cycling jacket that will vent when you’re powering uphill yet keep you warm when you’re zipping downhill is no easy feat. “The balance between overheating from anaerobic activity and warding off the cold and moisture from external elements,” says PEARL iZUMi Canyon 2.5L WxB Jacket Product Line Manager Lani Benson, “is like walking a tightrope.”

Yet that’s what her team aimed to achieve with its body-mapped Attack Hybrid Jacket. (Read more about body mapping here.) Throughout the body and arms, the jacket uses a partially recycled three-layer polyester that blocks the wind and moves with your body. In higher-sweat-producing areas, such as under the arms and around the waist, the jacket features a lighter weight stretch-woven polyester (also partially recycled) to allow excess heat to escape.

How does it perform in action? “For its weight, it’s a lot warmer than I’d expect,” says our Colorado-based tester, who mentions that the microfleece liner around the collar is a nice touch. He also found the triple rear pockets handy and BioViz® reflective elements reassuring when using the jacket on his daily commute.

While the Attack Hybrid will suffice in misty conditions, thanks to the pairing of a three-layer protective membrane in the main body and a PFAS-free durable water repellent (DWR), this jacket isn’t fully waterproof. If conditions do call for a second waterproof layer, the elastic cuffs and hems will help reduce bulk beyond the athletic fit—and it is definitely an athletic fit, our tester adds. “It doesn’t blow around in the wind like a non-cycling-specific windproof layer might,” he says, “but it is a very slim fit.” Refer to the size chart and notes if ordering online (and possibly size up). Better yet, just try on the Attack Hybrid in-store. Buy the women’s, men’s versions.