The Finest Mountain Bike Jackets of 2023

When the temperatures drop or the rain begins to fall, a superb mountain bike jacket can hold you comfy out on the path. Whether or not for wind, chilly, rain, or all the above, there are many nice choices available on the market to maintain you using fortunately by the autumn, winter, and spring.

For many mountain bikers, the altering seasons carry cooler temperatures and unsettled climate, together with among the finest using circumstances of the yr. Having the proper gear for the circumstances you’ll encounter might be the distinction between ending your trip moist and chilly or with an enormous smile in your face. Fortunately, there are mountain bike jackets purpose-built for using in climate starting from gentle to wild. From tremendous waterproof rain shells, packable wind layers, breathable water resistant jackets, and even a pair windblock jerseys, we’ve examined 13 nice fashions and have ideas to maintain you using by cool temperatures, wind, and rain.

After intensive testing in a variety of circumstances, we selected our favorites and those who excel for particular causes/circumstances, adopted by the very best of the remainder that are all stable choices to contemplate as properly. To see the specs of all of the fashions we examined aspect by aspect, check out our comparability chart. In case you need assistance deciding what to purchase, our shopping for recommendation particulars the essential issues to contemplate when selecting the best mountain bike jacket, and our FAQ part supplies solutions to widespread questions.

The Finest Mountain Bike Jackets of 2023

Better of the Relaxation

Mountain Bike Jackets Comparability Chart

Jacket Mannequin	MSRP	Measured Weight	Kind	Supplies	Pockets
Patagonia Dust Roamer	$249	219 grams (dimension S)	Hooded, water resistant, packable	100% recycled nylon	Zippered rear pocket, zippered inner pocket
Fox Ranger 2.5L Water Jacket	$140	335 grams (dimension S)	Hooded, waterproof	10K/3K 2.5-layer recycled	2 zippered hand pockets
Gorewear Lupra Jacket	$200	315 grams (dimension L)	Hooded, zoned windblock/water-resistant	100% polyester/polyamide, Gore-Tex Infinium entrance panel	2 zippered hand pockets
Gorewear Endure	$250	280 grams (dimension S)	Hooded, waterproof	Gore-Tex Paclite Plus	2 zippered hand pockets
Endura Singletrack Jacket II	$200	445 grams (dimension S)	Hooded, waterproof	ExoShell20 ECO 3-layer	2 zippered hand pockets, 1 zippered chest pocket
Endura MT500 Waterproof	$330	550 grams (dimension L)	Hooded, waterproof	ExoShell40DR 3-layer	2 zippered entrance, 1 inner, go pocket
Fox Ranger Wind Pullover	$105	323 grams (dimension S)	Hooded, wind block, anorak	Windblock long-sleeve jersey	Go-thru hand pockets, zippered entrance pocket
Rapha Path Windblock Jersey	$135	178 grams (dimension S)	Windblock long-sleeve jersey	Merino/nylon mix, wind block entrance	None
7Mesh Cache Anorak	$330	304 gram (dimension S)	Hooded, windproof, water resistant	3-layer Airmap physique, 2-layer Airmap again	Zippered kangaroo hand pockets, zippered abdomen pouch
Rapha Path Light-weight Jacket	$180	160 grams (dimension S)	Windblock long-sleeve jersey	100% nylon ripstop	1 zippered chest pocket
Pearl Izumi Summit 3L WxB	$185	356 grams (dimension S)	Hooded, waterproof	10K/10K 3-layer waterproof	2 zippered hand pockets
Rapha Path Gore-Tex Infinium	$375	280 grams (dimension S)	Hooded, windproof, water resistant	Nylon/polyester/elastane mix w/ Gore-Tex Infinium	1 zippered exterior chest, 1 zippered inner chest
Mons Royale Tarn Wind Jersey	$140	219 grams (dimension M)	Windblock lengthy sleeve jersey	Merino mix with Pertex entrance panel	None

Why Ought to You Belief Bikerumor?

The staff at Bikerumor consists of cycling-obsessed people who’re scattered round North America and Europe the place most of us encounter all 4 seasons. And, we don’t cease using as a result of the temperatures drop and the climate adjustments. As a substitute, we gear up and get on the market. Driving bikes is an enormous a part of the job, in any case, however protecting the wheels spinning by fall winter and spring requires the right gear to maintain it pleasurable, and we now have all discovered the significance of getting a superb mountain bike jacket to maintain the chilly, wind, and water from ruining our enjoyable. We’re additionally fortunate to get to check a number of the very best new gear, so we’ve bought an inside observe on the very best mountain bike jackets available on the market.

For our mountain bike jackets purchaser’s information, Bikerumor contributor, Paul Clauss examined the vast majority of the fashions on this evaluate. Paul lives in northern Vermont the place using within the fall and spring means coping with cool to frigid temperatures, frequent rain storms, and rain-soaked path circumstances, and having a top quality mountain bike jacket or two is essential to staying heat and/or dry. A mechanical engineer by commerce, Paul can be fairly adept at analyzing designs and constructions and placing merchandise by their paces to find out their efficiency variations. Paul has spent a number of time testing gear this yr, together with the finest mountain bike flat pedal sneakers and the flat pedals to go together with them. Along with Paul’s testing, we additionally drew from Bikerumor’s editorial employees and included a number of merchandise that have been examined by varied members of our staff. Relaxation assured, each product included right here has been totally examined for a minimum of a number of weeks, and in some circumstances many months or extra.

How We Examined Mountain Bike Jackets

We attempt to offer our readers with reliable critiques to assist inform your buy choices, so each product on this purchaser’s information has been examined in the true world to see the way it performs. To check these mountain bike jackets, we weighed them for consistency and comparability to the producer’s specs and packed them into their smallest packed dimension to see how transportable they have been. We intently examined the supplies, constructions, seams, and zippers to evaluate the standard of expertise and a spotlight to element. The match of every mannequin was examined each at dwelling and, most significantly, out on the path to get a way of how properly they cowl the physique, transfer with you whilst you trip, and performance on the bike. Options like hoods, pockets, and changes have been analyzed to evaluate their performance and usefulness. And, every mannequin was used for prolonged durations within the temperature and climate circumstances for which it was supposed, together with chilly, windy fall days, crisp, frosty mornings, rainstorms, rain showers, and even a number of hose assessments.

Shopping for Recommendation: The way to Select a Mountain Bike Jacket

There are quite a few components to contemplate when selecting the best jacket for mountain biking. One of the vital essential is the supposed use or the circumstances you’ll be encountering in your fall, winter, and spring rides. This may aid you slender down your search to a particular kind of jacket that will probably be finest suited to your wants whether or not that’s wind, water-resistance, or each. After that, different components like match, supplies, packability, breathability, pockets, options, and value are different issues relying in your particular wants and funds.

Supposed Use

The kind of temperature and climate circumstances you plan to be using in will probably be crucial think about deciding what kind of jacket you want. The jackets we examined vary from light-weight wind shells to burly waterproof rain jackets and fashions that intend to strike a stability between these extremes.

Wind

In case you typically attempt to keep away from using within the rain and easily want one thing to guard you from the chilling chew of the wind, a wind jacket, or presumably a wind jersey could also be the very best guess. Wind-resistant jackets are an amazing choice to have for chilly mornings or chilly spring or fall days when it’s typically dry. They’re usually light-weight and constructed from thinner breathable supplies, and they’re typically fairly packable. Whereas they typically function a sturdy water-repellant (DWR) coating and is usually a good possibility in very gentle precipitation and are efficient for dealing with splashes from puddles or mud, they’re normally not supposed to be totally waterproof.

Rain

In case you purposefully trip when it’s raining or typically end up getting caught out in rainstorms, then a water-resistant (or extremely water resistant) jacket might be the proper name. Waterproof jackets usually incorporate waterproof membranes into their constructions, which, together with taped seams, intend to utterly block all water from making its means inside. These supplies are nearly at all times handled with a DWR coating to the surface to advertise the water beading working off versus soaking into the outermost layer of the material. Whereas fashionable supplies permit really waterproof jackets to be pretty breathable, they’re typically a bit hotter and fewer breathable than thinner windbreaker choices. An excellent waterproof shell ought to hold you dry in probably the most excessive moist climate circumstances you might be more likely to encounter on a trip and is a necessity in some areas just like the damp Northeast and Pacific Northwest of the US, or the UK.

Wind and Mild Rain

For a lot of riders, a easy wind layer will not be fairly sufficient and a full-on rain jacket could also be overkill, so fortunately there are alternatives that fall into the center of the spectrum. These extremely versatile jackets present nice wind safety and a excessive stage of water resistance and are able to warding off gentle rains, intermittent showers, and tire spray from rain-soaked trails. With a DWR coating and water resistant supplies, these jackets will not be totally waterproof, however they are going to nonetheless usually hold you dry in most circumstances wanting heavy rain, which most of us attempt to keep away from anyway. Additionally they are likely to dry in a short time, making them an amazing possibility for using on these unsettled days when the climate simply can’t appear to make up its thoughts.

Chilly

In case you trip when it’s actually chilly, you then undoubtedly wish to block the wind and also you most likely additionally need some insulation. Each wind and waterproof jackets will add a layer of safety from the wind that takes the sting off the nippiness, and sensible layering beneath is likely one of the finest methods to gear up for a winter trip, just like going snowboarding. On the whole, the thicker supplies used on waterproof jackets will present a contact extra heat than gentle wind layers. When it’s actually, actually chilly, many individuals will go for insulated jackets or mid-layers to assist preserve physique warmth. Whereas we didn’t take a look at any insulated jackets, there are many nice choices available on the market.

Supplies

Mountain bike jackets are constructed from a wide range of supplies relying on the supposed use. These vary from superlight wind-blocking materials to heavy-duty totally waterproof supplies. Wind jackets have the best job and are typically constructed from light-weight, stretch nylon or polyester that solely goals to dam the wind and/or splashes from puddles. These supplies are sometimes handled with a DWR to assist shed gentle quantities of water. Examples of wind jackets we examined are the Rapha Path Light-weight and the Fox Ranger Wind Pullover.

Waterproof jackets are usually constructed from extra superior materials that embody waterproof membranes just like the Gore-Tex PACLITE used within the Gorewear Endure, or the ExoShell 40DR used within the Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II, as examples. Waterproof materials fluctuate in weight, thickness, breathability, and even water resistance, and whereas all of them get the job achieved, they aren’t created equal. Jackets constructed from waterproof supplies usually have a few numbers related to them, like 10K/10K, that present scores for waterproofness and breathability, respectively. These numbers are derived by lab assessments to find out the place they land on the score scale. The upper the numbers, the extra waterproof and breathable a cloth is, and vice versa. Moreover, these supplies are nearly at all times handled with a DWR to shed water on the floor.

In between the lighter wind supplies and the utterly waterproof choices are these which are wind-blocking and extremely water resistant. These are primarily a hybrid of the 2. Whereas not utterly waterproof, these jackets are usually a bit lighter, extra simply packable, and extra breathable than rain jackets whereas nonetheless offering sufficient water resistance for many conditions. Gore-Tex Infinium is a generally used membrane discovered within the Rapha Path Gore-Tex Infinium Jacket and components of the Gorewear Lupra Jacket that blocks wind and repels water properly in most conditions wanting correct downpours. Likewise, the Patagonia Dust Roamer Jacket works equally with an amazing DWR that sheds water very successfully, however solely up to some extent.

Sturdy Water-Repellant (DWR)

DWR remedies/coating/finishes have been round for a few years and they’re a remedy utilized to the surface of most jackets that causes water to bead up and run off of the fabric versus soaking in. These remedies work very successfully when clothes are new, nonetheless, they do break down over time, use, and publicity to the solar, water, mud, dust, and so forth. When this occurs, you’ll discover the outermost layer of the fabric might start to “moist out” or take up among the water on the floor. With a really waterproof membrane beneath, you’ll nonetheless keep dry, however this could have an hostile impact on the fabric’s breathability. Typically, merely washing your jacket may also help to revitalize the DWR, however finally, it can most likely should be reapplied. Nikwax makes quite a few wash-in DWR replenishment merchandise to be used at dwelling that work fairly properly and there are technical gear cleaners that might be able to do it for you. Earlier than doing any at-home DWR remedies, nonetheless, we suggest checking with the producer for particular suggestions.

When DWR remedies first got here out, they have been principally constructed from “without end chemical substances” that had poisonous by-products that persist within the setting and are “presumably carcinogenic” in keeping with the Worldwide Company for Analysis on Most cancers. These chemical substances, sometimes called PFAs and/or PFCs have been even banned in lots of nations. Manufacturers have been looking for options, and nowadays most corporations are claiming to make use of PFC-free or non-toxic DWR remedies on their clothes.

Match

Like all outerwear, a jacket ought to match properly and permit a full vary of movement on and off the bike. A lot of the jackets we examined have mountain bike particular matches optimized for using – a slim midsection, articulated arms, gusseted underarms, an prolonged rear waist hem to maintain your hindquarters dry, and a big hood to be used with helmets. The matches are tailor-made however relaxed – unfastened sufficient to be comfy on and off the bike and layer underneat, however streamlined sufficient to not flap round excessively, fall over your arms, or catch in your seat whereas using. 

For mountain biking, we’ve discovered that it’s essential to get the proper dimension, as a jacket that’s too small can limit motion or be uncomfortable and one that’s too giant may flap excessively within the wind, snag in your saddle, or have sleeves that stretch down too far over your arms. On the whole, going with the identical dimension you normally purchase for jerseys or informal put on will most likely work properly, however not at all times. When doubtful, examine your measurements and reference a model’s dimension chart. Some manufacturers present footage of fashions together with their dimensions and the dimensions they’re carrying for reference. And, if potential, making an attempt one thing on before you purchase is at all times the easiest way to make sure you get one thing that matches.

We’ve seen prior to now few years that many manufacturers’ sizing has been trending somewhat bigger than it used to. For instance, one in every of our testers is a 6-foot-tall male who has been a dimension Giant high for so long as he can keep in mind. Just lately, he has been simply and comfortably becoming into dimension Medium jerseys and jackets, although his physique dimension hasn’t modified. That mentioned, it’s value double-checking dimension charts before you purchase, or shopping for one thing that may simply be returned or exchanged if it doesn’t match fairly proper.

Options

Like the kind of jacket, the options you want or need might fluctuate relying on the supposed use. Most wind and rain jackets function hoods, a number of pockets, air flow, and a wide range of changes to dial them into your wants or the circumstances.

Hood

The entire jackets we examined have one factor in widespread, a hood. Not all hoods are created equal, in fact, and a few are executed much better than others. Issues we search for in a hood on a mountain bike jacket are the flexibility for it to suit over a helmet comfortably and securely, adjustability, and for it to maneuver together with your head with out constricting or moving into the peripheral imaginative and prescient. After all, it’s additionally good after they tuck away neatly and/or sit comfortably behind the top when not in use.

Pockets

Relying on what you want to hold with you if you trip, pockets might or will not be an enormous consideration. The jackets we examined fluctuate significantly within the quantity, placement, and storage capability of their pockets. In case you’re a minimalist otherwise you carry most of your necessities in shorts/pants pockets, cargo bib pockets, in-frame storage, or a pack of some variety, then a jacket with a single pocket could be simply advantageous in your wants. If you wish to carry a telephone, pockets, keys, snacks, and instruments in your jacket, you then’ll most likely wish to search for one thing with a number of pockets and ample cupboard space. The Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II has probably the most pockets and storage capability of all of the fashions we examined, plus they’re properly executed and designed to remain out of the best way of pack straps.

Wrist Cuffs

Wrist cuff designs fluctuate by model and supposed use of the jacket. Most mountain bike jackets have prolonged cuffs that hold somewhat farther than regular so that they don’t trip up if you’re leaning ahead and to cowl the again of the wrist/backside of gloves. Some have elastic to maintain them semi-tightened across the wrist whereas others are adjustable by velcro straps. What works finest for you’ll depend upon the circumstances you’re using in and the way you need them to interface together with your gloves (if you happen to put on them). If, for instance, you’re using in extraordinarily moist or chilly circumstances, you might have considered trying to have the ability to tighten the wrist cuff round your gloves to seal out the water or frigid air.

Drawcord Hem

Nearly all of mountain bike jackets have a drawcord hem that can be utilized to cinch the underside of the jacket tight across the physique. Whereas many riders might by no means really feel the necessity to use such an adjustment, it’s a good function to have on significantly chilly or moist days to stop chilly air or water/mud from getting into up by the underside of the jacket.

Air flow

Many jackets depend on the breathability of the supplies to permit warmth and moisture to flee. Typically, particularly within the case of rain-specific jackets, that isn’t sufficient, so some have armpit and/or pocket vents constructed into their designs. Vents is usually a nice function to evacuate body-generated warmth if/when the fabric can’t do it for you. After all, unzipping the entrance zipper can be a wonderful solution to get some air flowing contained in the jacket. Each the Endura Singletrack II and the MT500 Waterproof II function air flow. Including vents to a jacket does have the hostile impact of including weight and reducing packability.

Breathability

After we trip we generate physique warmth and perspire, even when it’s chilly and/or wet. That is very true when using with a jacket as most will not be practically as breathable as using with out one. And, when using within the chilly, being moist with sweat could make you are feeling even colder when you’re within the wind or begin using downhill. Regulating temperature is hard, and one thing that the person wants to remain on high of as a result of even probably the most breathable waterproof material nonetheless finally ends up trapping user-generated warmth and moisture. Some materials carry out a lot better on this regard, successfully permitting your warmth and moisture to flee whereas protecting chilling wind and water from getting in, whereas others are a bit stuffier and really feel moist on the within. The Patagonia Dust Roamer Jacket is impressively breathable and helps to take care of a constant consolation stage contained in the jacket, making it simpler to go away on on a regular basis with out overheating or getting drenched in sweat.

Packability

For these amongst us who wish to carry a jacket on a trip within the off likelihood it would rain or as a result of you understand you’ll be taking it off the climbs and placing it again on for the descents, packability, and weight, is a crucial consideration. Our cupboard space, whether or not it’s in a fanny pack, backpack, cargo bib pocket, or in-frame storage, is comparatively finite, so with the ability to pack your jacket right down to a compact dimension that matches in that house is crucial. For these carrying a jacket, weight can be a priority, and usually, the lighter the higher.

In the case of packability, the lighter wind jackets usually take the cake. For instance, the Rapha Path Light-weight jacket weighs simply 160 grams (dimension S) and packs into the chest pocket to a tiny dimension. Moreover, it comes with a strap that can be utilized to stash it in your body when not in use. Likewise, the Patagonia Dust Roamer Jacket weighs simply 219 grams (dimension S), stuffs into its personal pocket, and is roughly the dimensions of a 20-ounce water bottle.

In distinction, the thicker supplies utilized in most waterproof jackets make them a bit heavier they usually aren’t capable of pack down fairly as small. The exception to this rule is the Gorewear Endure which is made with Gore-Tex PACLITE, weighs simply 280 grams (dimension S), and is about as packable as totally waterproof jackets get. On the flip aspect of that coin is the Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II which weighs 550 grams (dimension M) and can be practically not possible to suit right into a fanny pack if you happen to needed to take it off.

Wind Jerseys

Together with the ten jackets we examined, we included two wind-blocking jerseys as options for cool-weather using. Whereas they’re clearly not jackets, a wind-blocking long-sleeve jersey might be the proper layer to put on on cool days when all you really want is to take the chew out of the wind to remain comfy. The 2 choices we examined, the Rapha Path Windblock Jersey and the Mons Royale Tarn Merino Shift Wind Jersey, each function merino wool mix materials that comprise the principle physique, lined by a wind-blocking nylon entrance panel to maintain the wind off your torso. We discovered each of those jerseys to be glorious for cool temperatures the place you generate some physique warmth on the climbs however may catch a chill on the decents. They proved to be exceptionally versatile items that get quite a lot of use within the fall and spring.

Worth

There’s a giant variation in value between the jacket fashions we examined, and like anything within the sport of mountain biking, they are often fairly costly. Spending extra on a jacket usually will get you increased high quality supplies, building, or one thing distinctive that excels in a particular means like waterproofness or packability (perhaps each). Different instances it will get you these issues plus a model identify. Whereas we actually love trying fancy in costly gear, we additionally admire a superb worth, and we all know quite a lot of different folks do too. So, certain, you’ll be able to spend $330 to get the bombproof Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II, or it can save you over 100 bucks and get the Endura Singletrack II which performs practically on par with its dearer sibling. Sure, the Singletrack II isn’t technically as waterproof because the MT500, however it’s bought to be so depressing outdoors to matter that you simply most likely shouldn’t be on the market anyway. Equally, the Fox Ranger 2.5L Water Jacket prices even much less and will get the job achieved whereas trying fairly snappy besides. And, if you happen to’re solely searching for a wind jacket, the Fox Ranger Wind Pullover is the least costly possibility we examined, but it performs properly whereas having an informal model that doesn’t pigeonhole it as strictly a using piece.

Incessantly Requested Questions About Mountain Bike Jackets