In these budget-conscious times, a waterproof jacket is a serious investment. However, if you plan on riding through the UK winter (or even just spring and autumn), it’s an essential. Careful consideration of your individual riding needs can help you refine the process and ensure you get the most for your money.
Selecting an appropriate fabric for your riding is key. For example, if you’re a fair-weather rider at heart, who likes nothing better than a fast loop of a trail centre, then you may be best off going for something with a lower waterproof rating but higher breathability. If you favour exposed or elevated terrain, or multi-day rides, you should seek a higher waterproof rating, because staying dry will be more of a priority. However, you’ll need to pair this with a decent degree of breathability so you don’t overheat and find yourself covered in rapidly-cooling sweat when you stop. On the other hand, if your riding consists of short downhill sprints followed by time on the uplift, a heavier, warmer fabric will be more appealing, and breathability less important.
While it’s broadly true that fabrics with high breathability and excellent waterproof performance are more expensive, there are construction details that can allow for fast cooling and improve the comfort of jackets made from materials that don’t wick sweat away as effectively. Look for dual-opening main zips, which can undo upwards from the base, long mesh-lined pockets that double as vents when open, and (arm)pit zips, which dump heat fast.
Pockets are useful but they add weight, bulk and cost. We find one small zipped pocket, to keep keys and valuables to hand, works for most riding. However, if you’re looking for off-the-bike versatility, you’ll miss hand-warmer pockets if a jacket doesn’t have them.
