*Insert swear word*, it’s March this weekend. Where does the time go?

While it’s depressing that it was 2019 seemingly just yesterday, that does mean that cycling is well and truly back, with Opening Weekend about to take over our televisions (or not, thanks TNT).

We’ve been cranking up our previews this week including guides on both Omloop and Kuurne, how to watch Omloop around the world, a rundown of the favourites for Omloop, and a look back at its greatest ever edition.

That’s just the a small portion of what we’ve been cranking out though, we’ve had a big interview with Tom Pidcock, plus reviews of the super-lightweight Scott Addict RC, which Pidders will be riding this season, and the aero BMC Teammachine R 01 One, plus we’ve looked at the cycling tech that has changed the game over the last decade.

It has also been a big news week, with updates from Rapha, Canyon, BMC and, what I think is the biggest story of the week, Boardman (check the pricing).

We’ve also started revealing the bikes that will be available to test ride at Cyclist Track Days this year, with the first three from Van Rysel, Scott and Factor.

Finally, Cyclist magazine issue 161 went on sale this week, so you should subscribe or buy it if you haven’t already.

Let’s get to it.

Repente Nomad FC saddle

One of the first proper bike upgrades I made after starting at Cyclist back in 2020 was swapping out the stock saddle I had for a lightweight Repente saddle. It was a game changer and my rear end has had a happy few years since then.

Now we’re taking things a step further with Repente’s new even-more-lightweight saddle, the Nomad FC.

Weighing a claimed 155g it’s a full carbon saddle made for both road and off-road riding and is topped with a super-lightweight EVA that is in turn topped with a non-slip material. 

Repente says the Nomad balances comfort and performance with an ergonomic shape and ‘the right amount of flexibility’, and that it ‘adapts well to the anatomical shape of female riders’.

• Buy now from Repente (£265)

Pop Permanent White socks

Yes that’s right, we’re still on the ‘white socks (and shoes) over everything else’ train, and thanks to Pop it just gets easier and easier.

Plain socks! White (they also come in black, ‘charcoal’ and navy, for some reason)! Currently on a 42% discount!

The socks are made from a polypropylene yarn called Prolen, which is produced in Slovakia and is apparently entirely recyclable, and Pop says they’re durable, compressive and thermoregulating for cycling through the summer.

• Buy now from Pop (£28 for a three-pack)

Huawei FreeArc earphones

Tech giant Huawei has entered the open-ear wireless headphones game – which allows users to listen to music, podcasts, phone calls, directions, etc while still being able to hear what’s going on around them – with these FreeArc earbuds.

They sit over the earholes, adapting to the user’s ears, and have earhooks to keep them comfortable and secure while on the move. Huawei says the hook design is based on analysis of over 10,000 ears.

They’re also IP57 certified, meaning they’re rated five for protection (with six being the max) against solids such as dust, dirt, sand etc, and rated seven for water-resistance (eight being the highest), which is said to mean it can be submerged in up to a metre of water for 30 minutes without being damaged.

Sound-wise, Huawei says it uses a ‘reverse sound waves system’ that transmits sounds directly into the ear canal for minimal leaking, while you can still hear the outside world. They also have built-in technology to enhance the sound of phone calls.

They can connect to two devices at a time, have a range up to 400m from the device and are controlled by tapping, swiping or pressing on the side. Battery life is up to seven hours, and that extends to up to 28 hours with the charging case, and they’re good value at £99.

• Buy now from Huawei (£99)

What we’re into this week: Biopics and playlist #26

I went to see the Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, the other week and it was fantastic, but what struck me around the discourse surrounding the film was a lot of people saying they don’t like biopics or that there are too many of them. That’s crazy to me. I think some of the best films you’ll ever see are biopics, including this one, so just thought I’d use this space to go to bat for them.

I don’t actually need to do much arguing here, just search ‘biopics’ into Google and, if you’re a doubter, retract your opinion. Thanks. (Note: this endorsement doesn’t include Rocketman (2019).

On the subject of A Complete Unknown, for this edition of my new music playlist I’ve actually included two of the covers recorded for the film, which are excellent. They sit alongside some big new releases from artists including Sam Fender (including one of the biggest tear-jerkers of the century), Black Country New Road (not including the comma for the sake of this list), Bon Iver, Djo, Shura, Courtney Barnett and more. It’s a good one.

• Listen to In the Drops #26 on Spotify
• Listen to all my In the Drops playlists

The post In the Drops: Lightweight Repente saddle, Plain white cycling socks, Huawei open-ear headphones and biopics appeared first on Cyclist.

The third generation of the Rapha Pro Team bib shorts has been redesigned from the ground up, with a new seat pad using denser foam, a new high strength Italian fabric and laser cut leg hems.

There are men’s sizes available from XS to XXL, with four colour choices, and women’s from XXS to XL, with three colours. Rapha has kept the price at £240, the same as the previous version.

New seat pad

The previous generation Rapha Pro Team bib shorts were launched in 2019, so Rapha has taken its time to refresh them. In the interim, it launched the even more spendy Pro Team Powerweave bib shorts.

Core to Rapha’s new design for the third generation Pro Team bib shorts is an updated proprietary seat pad. Rapha says that it has added extra high density padding that has a reticulated structure to help it stay in place and wick sweat away fast.

It’s held in place by a new Italian performance fabric used for the shorts themselves, which Rapha says has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is compressive and improves thermoregulation. 

Rapha has also reduced the number of panels it uses in the shorts, reducing seams. That’s combined with a mesh section at the waist, hemless bib straps and laser-cut leg hems.

Tested by the pros

Rapha says that the new seat pad has already been used for over 400,000km, with pre-launch users including the EF Education pro teams. 

That includes Lachlan Morton, who in January wore the Pro Team III shorts to garner a fastest known time between Auckland and Wellington on New Zealand’s North Island. He clocked 18 hours and 28 minutes for the 648km ride, bettering by 91 minutes a record set in 1984 by Brian Lambert, a New Zealand postman, who covered the distance in 19 hours and 59 minutes.

Sizes, colours and prices

As with the previous generation shorts, Rapha will sell the new Pro Team III bib shorts for men and women in a wide range of options, including standard and long leg lengths. 

There are four men’s colours available: Black/Black, Black/White, Green/White, and Dark Navy/White, while sizes range from XS to XXL.

For women riders, colours available are Black/White, Green/White, and Dark Navy/White and sizes are XXS to XL.

The Rapha Pro Team III bib shorts are priced at £240 in the UK.

The post Third generation Rapha Pro Team bib shorts get a new pad, new fabrics and fewer panels appeared first on Cyclist.

Just as the bike world is looking to rouse itself from its winter hibernation proper – the WorldTour season has properly kicked off, and my inbox is filling up with product launches happening in the near future – Geraint Thomas goes and drops the bombshell that he’s retiring this year.

OK, it’s no huge surprise, but it’s still sad to see one of Britain’s best ever riders leave the racing side of the sport. Ewan Wilson actually kicked off the week by posing the question of whether he was in fact the best rider we’ve produced, and he makes a compelling case for an answer in the affirmative.

The refresh of our Game Changer feature series is getting to the business end. We followed up last week’s ones with the Bell Biker helmet, Campagnolo’s Gran Sport derailleur, the Cervélo Soloist and Look’s clipless pedals. Look out for our article on the other tech that has got cycling to where it is today being published early next week.

Aside from important products we also brushed up some facts and figures, namely talking about a bike’s head angle, asking how geometry affects a bike and explaining how gear ratios work, before topping it off with our latest podcast with bike-fit guru, Phil Burt.

As ever with In the Drops, it’s a case of come for the content, stay for the kit, so without further ado, here is a selection of new stuff you should know about.

Gobik Lancer bib shorts

With the nights starting to get shorter and (hopefully) the worst of the cold weather behind us, our thoughts can start to turn to this year’s fancy summer kit. It doesn’t look to get fancier than Gobik’s new Lancer bib shorts, which the brand says has been developed in partnership with one of its sponsored pro teams, Ineos Grenadiers, who have been racing in versions of the design for most of last season.

Given a hefty price and pro input, Gobik promises the Lancers offer the best of all worlds: while they are pretty lightweight and breathable, Gobik says thanks to minimal seams and a compressive fabric that extends lower than regular shorts, they also offer aerodynamic properties.

The ‘K12’ chamois has been made for Gobik by specialists Elastic Interface and contains that enigmatic substance graphene, which Gobik says offers better thermoregulation and antibacterial attributes.

Lazer cut panels, thermosealed hems and canny silicone dot grippers at the ends of the shorts aiming to create second skin-like fit to finish things off.

• To find out more about the Gobik Lancer bibshorts, visit gobik.com (€190)

Trek RSL Aero bottles and cages

At £90 per bottle and cage, Trek’s new RSL Aero setup won’t be considered by most as top priority as far as cost-effective upgrades go. However, this might be a price worth paying for those looking for extra free speed, as Trek says they will make any bike faster.

‘We can’t give exact figures as it’s dependent on the individual bike, but the system was launched with the Madone Gen 8 and imparts a 1.8 watt advantage at 35kmh on that bike,’ says John Davis, the Madone’s lead aerodynamicist.

The bottles help fair the bike’s main triangle, smoothing airflow across that area to achieve the advantage. While these aero gains depend on the RSL bottles being in place to work, thankfully the cages fit regular bottles as well, so practicality hasn’t been totally sacrificed for performance.

• To find out more about the Trek RSL Aero bottles and cages, visit trekbikes.com (£89.99)

Gravel Rides South West England by Katherine Moore

Full disclosure: Katherine is a regular contributor to Cyclist and I live in the South West, so I’m never not going to be able to consider this book dispassionately. Even so, if you’re after a comprehensive guide to the myriad tracks and trails in the West Country and beyond, I think you’d be hard pressed to find a better resource.

Produced by Vertebrate Publishing, which offers cycling guidebooks for a number of other areas in the UK, Gravel Rides South West includes 24 routes, ranging from 16km pootles to 180km epics. Between them, they aim to show off the best the South West has to offer off-road.

As a local, it’s nice to see some popular routes given the exposure they deserve, but it’s equally great to learn more about rides basically on my doorstep that I had no idea about before rifling through Katherine’s book. It’s comprehensively written, beautifully shot and worth a read if you’re looking to explore the area on a gravel bike.

Hiplok Z-Lok Combo

Hiplok’s Z-Lok Combo is essentially what would result if you gave ChatGPT repeated prompts to design the humble zip-tie’s ultimate form: make it zippier, make it tie-ier, etc.

The Z-Lok is a reusable zip-tie in concept but made from plastic coated steel, using a built-in three-digit combination lock to secure it. It’s small enough to fit in a back pocket (though also comes with a mount so it can be fixed in place of a bottle cage), but it’s long enough to secure a frame tube to most poles/railings etc.

It won’t stand up to the concerted attack of a grinder, but equally, that isn’t what it’s designed for. What it is good at is dissuading opportunist thieves from simply walking off with a bike.

It should be an ideal product to bring along if you’re seeking extra peace of mind at a cafe stop, if you’re more like me, the pub.

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Slovenian Coast Escape (2nd-6th May)

• Ride along Slovenia’s stunning Adriatic coastline, where the sea breeze meets picturesque vineyards and charming medieval towns.

• Indulge in the finest local delicacies and wines, with routes that blend scenic beauty with cultural discovery.

• Ideal for riders who love rolling hills, coastal views and a mix of adventure and relaxation.

• Prices: £1,050 per person (shared accommodation) / £1,400 (single occupancy).

Julian Alps Escape (2nd-8th June)

• Conquer Slovenia’s legendary mountain passes and soak in breathtaking Alpine landscapes.

• Ride through serene meadows, alongside crystal-clear lakes, and over challenging climbs that reward you with awe-inspiring views.

• Experience Slovenia’s ‘Queen Stage’, featuring the iconic Vršič Pass (1,611m) and the spectacular Mangart Saddle Road (2,055m) – Slovenia’s highest road, offering an unforgettable test of endurance with unmatched panoramas.

• A true escape for those who crave adventure, endurance, and the thrill of high-altitude cycling.

• Prices: £1,400 per person (shared accommodation) / £1,750 (single occupancy).

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 Expertly guided routes tailored to challenge and inspire.

 Gourmet dining experiences prepared by private chef Robert Dežutelj.

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 Transport from airports: We’ll arrange convenient transfers from the airport to the start of the tour, ensuring a seamless journey from the moment you arrive.

These exclusive cycling getaways have limited availability, with only a handful of spots remaining. Secure your place now and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the spectacular surroundings of Slovenia.

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The post In the Drops: Ineos Grenadiers’ Gobik bib shorts, super-fast Trek bottles, a gravel rides handbook and Hiplok’s nifty zip tie  appeared first on Cyclist.

‘Almost anywhere you ride today – Bell owners are giving one-another the familiar “OK” sign, signifying their common interest in safety,’ read the Bell Biker’s original advert. 

‘It took the human species a million years of development before we could make thumb and forefinger meet naturally for the “OK” signal – it makes good sense to help protect the control centre that allows us to do this.’

While removing a hand from the controls to acknowledge another rider’s appreciation for safety could prove counter-productive, the reasoning behind the Biker helmet was sound.

‘Bell’s founder, Roy Richter, had a lot of friends who raced automobiles and a few of his friends died in crashes,’ says Bell’s director of helmet product creation, Hilgard Muller. ‘He knew that he wasn’t going to get them to stop racing, so he came up with his first [motorsport] helmet. Initially it was just a shell, but that evolved into a fibreglass shell with an expanded polystyrene [EPS] liner. That was 1957 and the helmet was called the 500-TX. He was the first person to use EPS in a helmet. So when cycling’s popularity grew, the Biker was a natural evolution from our motorsport DNA.’

When it debuted in 1975 the Biker cost $30 (approximately £140 in today’s money), weighed 468g and was revolutionary. Not only did Bell use the latest materials – an EPS liner inside a Lexan shell (a type of plastic used in US policemen’s body armour), but the company set the scene for today’s helmet safety regulations, developing its own crash tests to determine the level of safety the Biker could provide.

An independent Consumer Product report that came with the Biker’s packaging read: ‘Bell has devised an intricate testing system to simulate and record a crash situation. In tests we witnessed, the Bell Helmet at one metre and six foot drops recorded 90G and 150G respectively. Experts in the field agree it takes… 400Gs [to] cause serious head damage.’

In other words, the Biker offered unrivalled levels of protection compared with the leather ‘hairnets’ and plastic or fibreglass shelled helmets of the day. And its secret was the EPS.

‘Expanded polystyrene is amazing in its ability to absorb energy, and for how light it is,’ says Muller. ‘It’s made from little polystyrene beads that get injected into a cavity and are then subjected to pressure, steam and heat to expand and bond the beads. While the way we process EPS for today’s helmets has evolved, the material itself hasn’t changed much since the original Biker. It’s almost unbeatable, and that’s why helmet manufacturers still use it today.’

In Bell’s own words, the 1970s was the time to ‘Protect your thinker’, and the industry has followed suit ever since.

This article was originally published in Cyclist magazine in 2016.

The post Game changer: Bell Biker helmet appeared first on Cyclist.

Happy Valentine’s Day one and all. To celebrate the most romantic day of the year, we have another set of cycling goodies to get tucked into on this week’s In The Drops. Before we dig into this Friday’s selection, let’s take a look at what we’ve been getting up to this week at Cyclist.

In pro news, the cycling broadcast apocalypse continued this week. French newspaper Le Parisien unearthed that Netflix’s cycling docu-series Tour de France: Unchained will be axed after the final series airs in June. Don’t forget, cycling will soon move to TNT Sports after the channel absorbed Eurosport into its subscription package. If you’re looking to watch one last WorldTour race on Eurosport before it gets unplugged, then take a look at our preview of the men’s UAE Tour, which will take place next week.

Elsewhere, we’ve been gearing up for the season, which is well and truly underway with racing in Spain, Oman and France this week. Robyn delved into the sprinting class of 2025 and she’s weighed up the chances of Tadej Pogačar going to Paris-Roubaix after the Slovenian teased us with a video on the Trouée d’Arenberg earlier this week.

In tech, Cannondale released its latest lightweight gravel bike, the SuperX, and you can get a peek at Ineos Grenadiers’ kit on the factory floor as Laurence took a tour of Gobik’s HQ. Spoiler alert: one of Filippo Ganna’s skinsuits costs well over £1,000 to produce.

That’s enough preamble, let’s get the romantic candles and petrol station flowers out, it’s time to get in the drops.

HoverAir X1 Pro Drone

If you’re looking to capture your rides from a new angle, then a drone may be the way to elevate your cycling photography and video game. HoverAir has released a sports-specialised drone capable of following you on the bike as you trundle up hills, dive down gravel tracks or tackle leafy Sunday rides.

Designed for cyclists, skiers and hikers in mind, the X1 Pro drone is remarkably portable and lightweight, coming in at just 192g. The drone folds up into the size of an A5 sheet of paper (shown below) at around 10cm tall and 15cm wide. In other words, just the right size to fit into a jersey’s pockets.

Shooting in 4K at a frame rate between 30fps to 120fps, the drone is equipped with a video camera that pops out its cockpit when flying. The high frame-rate is also ideal if you’re looking to create slow-motion videos on the bike. The camera is equipped with video stabilisation technology and is steadied by a two-axis gimbal, meaning the video remains as smooth as possible.

There are ten flying modes available on X1 Pro as indicated on the screen found above the cockpit. It can fly for up to 16 minutes at a given time while shooting high-definition video or taking photos. In its auto-follow mode, the drone can reach a maximum speed of 42kph (26mph), but this can be overridden to reach speeds of 60kph (42mph) in its instantaneous flying setting. In terms of the elements, the X1 Pro can withstand winds of up to 24kph and can be used at altitudes up to 5,500m. In Europe, that’s plenty.

The drone links up to an app on your phone, allowing you to control it while riding (just as long as you’re within 250m). Videos can also be downloaded through the app, but they’re originally stored on the drone’s 64GB built-in memory card – that can be increased with an added SD Card. Exporting videos and photos from the drone is relatively simple and fast if you have a steady internet connection.

Following the rider, the drone can fly ahead or behind you, but it can’t shoot from the side (ie fly parallel to the bike), which is a bit of a disadvantage. Given it works off recognition, it can sometimes be a little slow to recognise who you are and it takes a while to warm up and get into position. That said, it’s in its element on climbs, helping to capture those two-wheel adventures from an all new angle. Well, perhaps not a new angle, birds have been flying for years.

• Buy from HoverAir (£459)

Paria CC Sherpa Fleece Cycling Commuter Jacket

Keeping me cosy this month has been Paria’s Sherpa Commuter Jacket. Designed for a casual look and with a relaxed fit, it can worn both on the bike and off the bike.

The teddy bear-like fluffy exterior is backed up with a mesh lining, keeping you warm while still having some breathability. There are four pockets are on offer, two in the front, one breast pocket and one pocket in the back, and they all have zips.

The fleece is also available in Pat Butcher-style leopard print, camouflage, burgundy and black.

• Buy from Paria (£99)

MyWhoosh Season Pass 2

Now the platform of choice for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, MyWhoosh is a relatively new player in the online cycling game. The virtual cycling app is free to access and underwent a big upgrade towards the end of 2024, with a remodelled UI and app, enhanced social features and better workout options. MyWhoosh also now offers live training sessions with three-time World Champion – and future contestant in the celebrity dancing competition Let’s Dance – Peter Sagan.

Although MyWhoosh is free, it’s now possible to step up your training with a season pass. Spanning 90 days, the pass grants you access to extra challenges, game modes, in-app rewards and new worlds, including a Japanese circuit. This latest season pass also allows you to further customise your avatar with new clothing, fresh wheels or even a vintage bike.

If you’re looking to achieve your fitness goals without paywalled roadblocks, the season pass will come in handy. If you’re feeling ambitious and have dreams of making it to the startline of the next Esports World Championships, then it will help you fly up MyWhoosh’s leaderboard. The top-ranked players receive a wildcard entry to the championships, so that’ll give you something to work towards.

• Buy from MyWhoosh (150 in-game gems, approx £8.00)

Bioracer Flandrien Series

We’re only two weeks away from the Classics. Yes, on 1st March, the one-day calendar kicks off with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

In celebration of the Classics, Belgian brand Bioracer offers its Flandrien line of kit inspired by characters within the peloton: the Pedaleur, Baroudeur, Puncheur and Rouleur. I’ve got the Pedaleur variant, a reference to the French term pédaleur de charme – used to refer to a rider with an elegant style and charming personality. Thanks Bioracer for the glowing compliment. Little do they know that I look like a panicked stick insect on climbs.

This swirling blue and black jersey has a comfortable but aero-like feel, particularly on the sleeves. The sleek look is complemented by a golden stripe down the back, which is not too dissimilar to the classic Team Sky jerseys.

• Buy from Bioracer (£57.91)

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The Mount Evo Solo is the easiest and most versatile bike rack on the market

The Mount Evo Solo is a single bike rack utilising industrial-grade vacuum cups. With the ability to mount any bike to any car without the need of roof bars or fitting kits. Solo is compatible with all bikes and includes every adaptor to get you on the road or trail.

Car finance/lease: Solo offers a cost-effective alternative to buying a rack for each new car.

Speed of use: Save fuel and eliminate wind noise by only mounting Solo when carrying your bike.

Storage: Solo is small, allowing it to be easily stored in your cars boot, under a seat or under the boot floor.

Share driving: Solo mounts to any car, allowing you to share driving with friends.

Travel friendly: Solo will fit in your carry-on. Travel with your bike and mount to your hire car with ease.

Multiple cars: There are no car specific attachments, allowing you to use any of your cars.

Buy it now

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What we’re into this week: The Eurovision build-up

Most people consider the Eurovision Song Contest to be a one-week affair in May. This is with good reason, that’s when some 40 entries from across Europe compete on the big stage in front of 200 million viewers at home, making it the world’s largest non-sporting entertainment show. However, for die-hard Eurofans, the Eurovision season is already in full swing.

Between Christmas and mid-March, Europe selects its contestants for the pop-fuelled contest, set to take place on Saturday 17th May in Basel, Switzerland. So far, the Eurovision playlist is taking shape after a string of announcements and national contests over the past few weeks. Some highlights include Malta, which will be ‘serving kant’ courtesy of their Sound of Music hommage titled Kant, Finland’s campy ode to climaxing and Latvia’s folk vocal group called Tautumeitas. Try saying that after a few beers.

There’s more fun to come over the next month. Sweden’s national selection Melodifesivalen – a show that reaches 80% of TV sets in the country during its six-week run – will see the return of 2015 Eurovision winner Måns Zelmerlöw. Estonian rapper and Charli XCX collaborator Tommy Cash will compete in Estonia’s national selection this weekend and French popstar Louane will perform her Eurovision entry for the first time during the Six Nations match between France and Scotland. Sorry, rugby fans.

For British readers, there are some rumours already circulating about who will represent the UK at Eurovision next year. Country group Remember Monday is the frontrunner, having been leaked by The Sun and accidentally revealed by radio DJs last week. However, we await official confirmation from the BBC. As for Ireland, they have chosen the song Laika Party, an early 2000s-inspired dance song about the Soviet dog Laika who died in outer space.

Nevertheless, here are some of my picks from the over 400 songs in contention for the Eurovision 2025 trophy.

The post In The Drops: HoverAir drone, Paria Sherpa fleece, MyWhoosh Season Pass, Bioracer’s Flandrien Collection and Eurovision preparations appeared first on Cyclist.

If the holy trinity for bicycles is stiff, light and comfortable, the equivalent for cycling clothing is waterproof, windproof and breathable. Today many garments claim such properties, but 30 years ago there was just one: the Gore-Tex Giro Cycling Jacket. 

‘At the time there was no existing jacket like the Giro,’ says Gore’s Gert Friedgen. ‘It was breathable, windproof and waterproof, with that special cut for cycling, a short front and long tail, and it was lightweight enough to be packable. But you could say it was down to a bit of luck it ever got made.’

The history boys

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) – the basis for Gore-Tex’s ePTFE (expanded PTFE) – was discovered quite by accident in 1938 by Roy Plunkett, a scientist at US chemical company DuPont. During his research into refrigerant gases, a once-charged canister of tetrafluoroethylene gas mysteriously lost its pressure, yet weighed the same as when it was filled. Intrigued, Plunkett cut open the canister to find a slippery, wax-like substance. Further investigation revealed that under high pressure, with the iron in the canister acting as a catalyst, the gas had polymerised to form a new substance: PTFE, latterly branded Teflon in 1945, and used in non-stick frying pans.

Fast forward to 1969 and WL Gore & Associates was using PTFE tape to make insulation for electronic cables. Bob Gore, son of founder Bill, was experimenting with cords of PTFE, seeing how far they could be extruded. On one occasion Bob gave a quick, hard yank to one of the heated cords. As if by magic, it stretched five-fold, yet remained the same diameter. Analysis of the cord showed it had become porous, to the tune of more than a million pores per square centimetre. ‘This porous nature is the key to Gore-Tex’s function,’ says Friedgen. ‘Each pore is roughly 1/20,000th the size of a droplet of water, which means water can’t permeate the material, but the water vapour from sweat can.’

It’s a neat trick, but initially the company didn’t see the application in the outdoors market. Instead, Gore-Tex was used in a variety of industrial applications, including in the cables in Neil Armstrong’s lunar module. 

‘A German named Heinrich Flik had come over to study in America and ended up working for Bill Gore,’ says Friedgen. ‘He liked to cycle, and realised there was a garment missing that would allow riders to cycle comfortably in different weather conditions. It was that and his knowledge of WL Gore’s new material that encouraged him to make the Giro Cycling Jacket.’

Gore-Tex as a material couldn’t do it alone, so Flik set about creating a more durable laminate fabric – a backing liner and outer layer of charmeuse that sandwiched a Gore-Tex membrane ‘that was 0.02mm thick, a third as fine as a human hair’, adds Friedgen. From that fabric a sporty-cut jacket was constructed, with taped seams, a rear pocket and even, in the early version, a crotch strap: ‘It was to wrap the extended tail of the Giro underneath the rider to shield them from the elements. However we soon realised it was a potential hazard as it could get caught up on the saddle and cause crashes, so it was dropped.’

Strap or no strap, the Giro Cycling Jacket was a hit in Flik’s native Germany, although it was initially a tough sell. ‘Everyone we showed it to loved it,’ Friedgen adds. ‘But there was the price. At the time the most expensive jackets were 70 German Marks [approx. £80], but ours was 200 [approx. £230]. So Flik offered them to retailers on a commission basis, and within a month we’d sold 300.’

As one ad for the jacket said, ‘I like it, I bike it.’ Turns out we certainly did.

This article was originally published in Cyclist magazine in 2015.

The post Game Changer: Gore-Tex Giro Jacket appeared first on Cyclist.

Stepping into arrivals at Alicante airport, it’s evident this is cycling territory. Elite athletes in team-branded casualwear pull executive-style luggage through the corridors. Towering bike boxes roll along in step, policed by support staff.

But Cyclist isn’t heading to the weaving climbs of the Costa Blanca or the sun loungers of Benidorm. Our destination is the town of Yecla, about an hour’s drive inland, which is home to the headquarters of Gobik, one of Spain’s fastest-growing cycling brands and kit supplier to WorldTour teams Ineos Grenadiers, Movistar and FDJ-Suez.

Established in 2010 out of the embers of the previous decade’s financial crisis, Gobik is the brainchild of an architect and a motorbike helmet designer, who between them have built a global company on the foundations of a custom kit business.

‘Getting to sponsor a WorldTour team is a bit like dating,’ Gobik’s co-founder and commercial director Jose Ramón Ortín tells Cyclist on the balmy day in December we visit. ‘We show them what we can do, how our different garments work in combination, and our experience. Finance is less important than performance to the high-budget teams.’

Gobik previously produced kit for UAE Team Emirates, which was worn by Tadej Pogačar for his Tour de France win in 2021. The Ineos relationship started in 2024.

‘Ineos was a good opportunity with one of the biggest teams in the world,’ says co-founder and former architect Alberto García, Gobik’s product manager. ‘They are the inventors of marginal gains and now know that they must adapt again to get back to where they were.’

Ingredients and the recipe

Showing Cyclist around the facility today is Gabriel Garcia Auñon, Gobik’s UK and international area manager. He explains that having outgrown its 2,000m² factory, the company’s new premises are ten times bigger, with 40,000 additional square metres of car park to expand into.

The factory itself is an imposing rectangular structure composed of gigantic open-doored warehouse spaces alongside more contained and intimate production areas. Everything around us is white or grey and a surprising atmosphere of serenity pervades each new space we enter. In one room is a machine that looks like a space age pestle and mortar.

‘We rub two fabrics together under pressure for ten hours at a time to replicate bibshort friction on long rides,’ says Auñon. ‘We also have a washing machine in here so that we can find out how customers might unknowingly damage their kit. If the kit performs well then we move forward with those fabrics, but it takes us a year to test each one sufficiently.’

Around a million metres of fabric are stored at any one time, whether that’s from Gobik’s supplier in Italy or its insulation and foul weather partner Polartec. Multi-layered piles of fabric roll underneath a sophisticated guillotine, emerging as perfectly stencilled panel shapes. There is also a laser for specialist garments, which explains the strange scent of roasted elastane in the air. A red beam smokes its way through a sheet of black Lycra – by next week it will be part of a TT suit.

In another temperature-controlled room, rows and rows of giant Epson printers, built specifically for Gobik, churn out reams of what looks like smartly printed paper kits on gargantuan rolls of paper. These machines run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for a ten-minute maintenance break on a Saturday.

Changing colour

‘Our kit is made from pieces. It’s easy to cut and then transfer in water-based ink,’ says Auñon. ‘Every garment we produce follows the same steps. Pro kit is slightly different because of the bespoke sizing, or “variants” as we call them.’

Pro kit is made to unique specifications and so has to be cut in far smaller batches, which slows down other production processes. On another conveyor belt a giant heated mangle-like device transfers ink onto the garment. This process of sublimation occurs at a molecular level, meaning the fabric and the dye become one entity. If vinyl logos need to be applied, this is done by hand. A machine operator, helped by projected images beamed down onto the blank fabric, operates a mechanised iron the size of a square bike wheel to seal the deal.

Considering that Gobik makes one million garments annually, it’s striking how handmade and hand-machined the process is. Auñon says 90% of the garments are finished off-site (in Spain) by contractors who work exclusively for the manufacturer.

Teamwork makes the dream work

Sponsoring a pro team is not as simple as printing up a bunch of jerseys in team colours and handing them out to the riders.

‘It’s complicated,’ says García. ‘This year we’ve had to do three different fitting sessions. Every year in November we think the team’s roster is complete and then two weeks later there is a new rider. Always.’

Angel Lencina, Gobik’s development manager, liaises closely with the teams: ‘Discussions can be endless,’ he says. ‘During the season we talk once a week to review the performance. Riders often ask for things that are not possible. Once some riders wanted to integrate special bib fabric into the jersey for comfort, but that was bad for performance and impossible for production.’

For Gobik, which currently looks after three teams, the process of producing jerseys is even more complex. Each team utilises different fabrics, layups and stitching patterns. Discussions and final designs are then proprietary to that team.

‘A team like Ineos spends a great deal of time and money in the wind-tunnel,’ says Auñon, ‘and we can’t ever share that information with Movistar or FDJ-Suez.’

But how different can each team’s kit really be? After all, everyone wants featherweight and aerodynamically high-performing kit.

‘It’s all about each team’s key riders,’ García explains. ‘Sprint teams will have very different discussions to GC teams. The fit is absolutely key, and a different fabric with different levels of elastane, for example, will change the fit entirely.’

And were there grumbles from Movistar and FDJ-Suez when Gobik brought in Ineos to replace UAE?

‘Not at all,’ says García. ‘Our other teams understood that it’s interesting for us to have another team with a very large budget who can provide lots of investment in performance. That said, a third men’s team would be too much.’

While Gobik won’t share how much it costs to sponsor Ineos Grenadiers, García says, ‘Commercially it’s worth it. At first it might not seem so because you have to invest so many resources. And then for something like Filippo Ganna’s Singularity TT suit, the product doesn’t even make it to the final customer. But indirectly it has a big overall impact; the teams pressure us to be better in everything we do.’

The trickle-down effect

Riding a pro-level bike may be out of reach for all but the wealthiest, but we can all wear the same kit as our WorldTour heroes. Can’t we?

‘It depends,’ says Auñon. ‘The teams’ racing kit uses different, higher-end fabrics. We have a one-year rolling agreement with each team, meaning we cannot sell the exact garment with just Gobik branding for one year. Afterwards the technology will trickle down into our collections.’

There are other considerations that separate the needs of pros and mortals: ‘UCI rules state that race kit cannot have any reflective detailing in case a camera flash obscures a sponsor’s logo,’ says Auñon. ‘And this year Ineos wanted to reverse the colour gradient of its jersey to make riders more visible to drivers when training on European roads.’

When it comes to the Singularity 2.0, the skinsuit Ganna wore to victory on a TT stage at last year’s Giro d’Italia, there are a few different processes. It needs to be cut by laser to keep stitching to a minimum, and it rattles through 36 different machines during construction, versus the 17 required for bib shorts and jerseys. Even still, the final fitting of the TT suit has a traditional edge to it.

‘We took a sample to the wind-tunnel in Pippo’s size, and once he started riding we then made adjustments by hand with needles and clips,’ says Auñon. ‘The material has been exclusively developed for us. It’s solid rather than sublimated so we apply vinyl decals on top.’

The final suit, in Italian national team colours, is a smooth fabric with a leathery feel. It’s deeply stretchy but looks far too small to cram 190cm of Ganna into.

‘It takes close to €1,000 to create each skinsuit,’ says Auñon. ‘The number each rider receives depends on how much of a TT specialist they are. Pippo has around five.’

Roll call

When Cyclist asks just how many items of kit each rider receives, Auñon disappears into a room full of laptops and comes back with an A3 sheet. In intricate detail, down to the number of shoe covers and base layers, the spreadsheet outlines how much kit each rider will receive, which races it will be needed for and where it will be sent. (There’s a yellow Post-it note reminding Gobik that Omar Fraile isn’t attending the winter training camp so the kit needs to be couriered to his home address.)

‘Just like school, each rider has names stitched into their kit. We used to print the nicknames under their sleeves, which was great as you could see it when riders celebrated on the finish line.’

The numbers are slightly different for each rider, but no one is going to go short. In total across three teams it works out to many hundreds of jerseys and bib shorts, thousands of socks and gloves. God knows the size of the box required to send it all.

Auñon shrugs with a smile: ‘Luckily, that’s not my job,’ he says.

What Pog wants, Pog gets

The tricky business of dealing with pro rider predilections

Despite being an industry led by science, data and innovation, there are times when certain voices just matter more.

‘One year we developed a new shoe cover for UAE and produced it in both white and black,’ says Gabriel Garcia Auñon, Gobik’s UK and international area manager. ‘Once Tadej had ridden them, he said that the white ones were faster. Straight away the team told us to only produce white ones. It just demonstrates how much teams sometimes trust in a rider’s feeling. For me it was a disaster because all the orders were submitted in black to the factory, so we had to rush to get it stopped.’

The trouble with winning

It might sound counterintuitive, but race victories aren’t always a good thing for jersey suppliers

All sponsors are happy to see one of their riders take the lead in a Grand Tour. But unfortunately it means that rider immediately stops wearing the sponsor’s jersey. Instead they have to pull on the coloured jersey made by whoever supplies the race leaders’ kit. The cameras may be on your sponsored rider, but devoid of your sponsor logos.

In addition to that inconvenience, Gobik also has to be prepared for a mind-boggling number of kit conundrums, thanks to the need to supply national champions’ jerseys in the event that one of its sponsored riders win.

‘If there are 30 different riders from 30 different nationalities, we have to prepare 30 different jerseys,’ says Gobik’s UK and international area manager, Gabriel Garcia Auñon.

‘And we have to do that even if there is zero chance of a rider becoming national champion. What’s more, the races happen a week before the Tour de France so, yes, it’s a quick turnaround.’

The post Clothes maketh the team: behind the scenes at WorldTour kit supplier Gobik appeared first on Cyclist.

No one wants to be the bozo who has to be plucked from the hillside by mountain rescue having gone out without the right gear. While this might not be such a risk on the daily commute, if the forecast is moody, setting off without a proper waterproof cycling jacket either on or somewhere about your person isn’t a wise move.

When choosing a waterproof cycling jacket for yourself, the first two things to consider are your budget and what you’ll be using it for.

A racing waterproof, for example, with an aero design and lightweight fabric, offers a different set of pros and cons to a jacket that’s designed for chilly everyday commutes.

Some jackets are packable (check out our specific guide to the best packable cycling jackets for more options), meaning they can be hidden in a jersey pocket until needed. Some are heavier shells, which will need to stay on for the whole ride, while commuter jackets can sometimes come with linings and bulkier features like pockets and Velcro cuffs.

It’s also worth considering what materials they’re made from. Cheap waterproofs may keep some rain out, but they’ll also keep sweat in as their fabrics are generally less breathable. Taped seams also help to keep water out.

Here are our favourites…

Reviews of the best waterproof cycling jackets

• Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket – read our full review
• Rapha Core Rain Jacket II – read our full review
• Sportful Hot Pack No Rain – read our full review
• Albion All Road Pertex Shield rain jacket – read our full review
• Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket – read our full review
• Assos Equipe RS Clima Capsule Alleycat – read our full review
• Velocio One Jacket – read our full review
• Rapha Gore-Tex Rain Jacket – read our full review
• Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket – read our full review
• Gorewear Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket – read our full review
• Le Col Arc Lightweight Rain Jacket – read our full review
• Poc Supreme Rain Jacket – read our full review

Why trust Cyclist’s advice?

Cyclist‘s reviewers aren’t fair weather cyclists. Our team, led by tech editor Sam Challis, are out riding all through the winter and the worst the weather has to throw at us.

That means that the team counts on quality protection from rain, wind and cold. We also look for jackets that we can take with us just in case, as well as those to wear all ride. We know what to look for in the best waterproof jackets.

The best waterproof cycling jackets 2025

Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket

£125 | View offer

• Pros: Plenty of reflectives, Warm collar
• Cons: Quite loose fit, Not very packable
• Great value for full waterproofing and extra-durable material to protect from rips

Altura’s jackets include a lot of reflective details and the Icon is no exception, with a large area of reflective fabric on the single rear pocket and the arms completely made of the same reflective material. The pocket also serves as a pack for the jacket when not in use.

It’s not the most packable jacket, but makes up for this with a durable fabric and a looser fit, allowing for layering beneath. A two-way zip helps with access to jersey pockets and a fleece-lined neck helps to keep out chills.

• Read our full Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket review

Rapha Core Rain Jacket II 

£130 | View offer 

• Pros: Great value, Very good weather-proofing
• Cons: Some windflap
• Superb performance for the price, with well-fitted cuffs to ensure no cold wrists

The Rapha Core range offers a more affordable alternative to the brand’s premium ranges and the Rapha Core Rain Jacket II is good value for a lightweight waterproof. There’s a decent range of colours, although they tend to the dark rather than adding visibility.

Rapha has thought through the details, such as the offset zip to help avoid discomfort at the neck and elasticated cuffs to stop rain heading up your sleeves, with a fabric that doesn’t compromise breathability. Although the fit is fairly close, there’s a little windflap at speed. The Rapha Core Rain Jacket II packs up small enough to fit in a jersey pocket when not needed.

• Read our full Rapha Core Rain Jacket II review
• Buy now from Rapha (£130)

Sportful Hot Pack No Rain

£160 | View offer

• Pros: Waterproof yet nicely breathable, Packs into its own pocket for easy storage
• Cons: Difficult to pack while riding
• A close fit with full water- and windproofing and limited excess material 

The Sportful Hotpack Norain jacket is designed to be lightweight and packable, stowing into its own rear pocket, while still providing good waterproofing. Although the fit is close, it’s not restrictive thanks to stretch side panels and the arms are a decent length for wet weather coverage. There’s no windflap when riding, which Sportful says is thanks to increased use of rubberised fabric sections.

Sportful also offers the Hotpack Easylight, if windproofing and light rain resistance at a lower price are more important than full waterproofing.

• Read our full Sportful Hot Pack No Rain jacket review

Albion All Road Pertex Shield rain jacket

£195 | View offer

• Pros: Three zip design adds adjustability, Velcro cuffs keep out rain
• Cons: A little sweaty on mild days
• Versatile packable jacket which Albion commits to repair if damaged

Using three-layer Pertex Shield fabric that’s PFC-free, the Albion All Road jacket has a high waterproof and breathability rating, with taped seams. Albion’s triple zip is actually three zippers that sit next to each other; one full length, a second running halfway up from the bottom, offering extra airflow and a third handling top half ventilation and access to a pocket. Velcro cuffs help keep out wind and rain.

Despite the additional features and capable weatherproofing, it’s a jacket that packs down well. We found the Albion jacket slightly sweaty on milder rides, but rated the quality and Albion’s commitment to repair. There are orange and blue colours available.

• Read our full Albion All Road Pertex Shield rain jacket review

Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket 

£240 | View offer

• Pros: Superb weather-proofing and breathable, Effective two-way zip
• Cons: Pricy, Short sleeves
• A lightweight jacket with great practical touches

At 112g for a size M, the Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket won’t weigh you down, despite being fully weatherproof. It’s also very breathable and packs down small when not needed.

Although there’s some windflap and the shoulders and the sleeves and tail are a little short when riding, the two way zip does make getting to pockets very easy. The PNS jacket is expensive, but its performance helps justify the premium price.

• Read our full Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket review
• Buy now from Mr Porter (£144)

Assos Equipe RS Clima Capsule Alleycat

£210 | View offer

• Pros: Very breathable yet weatherproof, Packs very small
• Cons: Little arm protection, Expensive
• Optimised race fit with easy on/off arms, but more of a gilet with arms than a jacket

Assos’s jacket is essentially a weatherproof gilet with non-resistant lower arms. It’s made from an array of materials that contribute to a low weight and good packability. The fabric used for the chest, shoulders and upper arms keep those parts dry, as well as including silver to make it reflective.

The design makes it easy to take on and off when riding and Assos says that the sleeves make the jacket less flappy than an equivalent gilet. The fit is close, also contributing to low noise when riding. It’s a good option for fast-paced outings.

• Read our full Assos Equipe RS Clima Capsule Alleycat jacket review
• Buy now from Assos (£225)

Velocio One Jacket

£276 | View offer

• Pros: Thoroughly versatile, Weatherproof, Two-way zipper
• Cons: Rain collects in pockets, Only one dark colour, Not hugely light or packable
• Immaculately well-made all-round jacket with slightly sub-par pocket design

The Velocio Mens One Jacket has an unfussy design and can comfortably function as a rain layer or a more all-around jacket. The fit is usefully slim without being tight, so it can be used in different riding scenarios.

The Polartec Power Shield Pro material provides good protection from the elements and is part of a fabric that feels delightfully soft and comfortable, especially compared to the rustly, crispy fabric frequently used in other rain jackets. The only real drawbacks are that it isn’t particularly light or packable, and the pocket design is slightly flawed.

• Read our full Velocio One Jacket review
• Buy now from Velocio (£276)

Rapha Gore-Tex Rain Jacket

£300 | View offer

• Pros: Very weatherproof, Breathable, Versatile fit
• Cons: Expensive, Only dark colours
• A well-designed and technically high-performing rain jacket for year-round use

Rapha’s Gore-Tex Rain Jacket is the brand’s most premium piece of foul-weather road kit and features a number of practical touches. Produced in partnership with Gore-Tex, the material offers market-leading waterproofing with good breathability performance, though it is not particularly light.

Rather than being a specialist design for a certain discipline, Rapha’s jacket does almost everything well and can function at a range of temperatures, which also gives it year-round versatility.

• Read our full Rapha Gore-Tex Rain Jacket review
• Buy now from Rapha (£300)

Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket

£304 | View offer

• Pros: Light, Excellent DWR beading, Intelligent elastication, Aero
• Cons: Pricy, Precarious rear venting, One-way zipper
• Svelte, performance-fit design that’s thin and light but still offers good weather protection

The Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket is a very light, smartly tailored performance outer layer made of a highly effective proprietary waterproof membrane. Smart elastication of the cuffs, waist and neckline offers additional protection from the elements, while vents and a breathable membrane help to regulate temperature.

It’s a shame there’s no two-way zipper and the position of the vents could potentially let some rain in. Notwithstanding these points and the high price, as a stash-away rain layer, it’s one of the best.

• Read our full Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket review
• Buy now from Q36.5 (£304)

Gorewear Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket

£225 | View offer

• Pros: Waterpoof, Good range of visible colours, Breathable, Well-made
• Cons: Odd sizing, Minimal rear drop, Imperfect zip
• Versatile and technically high-performing rain jacket for year-round use

The Gorewear Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket is a well-made and weatherproof layer that has good reflective detailing and comes in an array of colours.

The fit and sizing don’t quite map to Gorewear’s second-skin claims, though a workable fit is certainly achievable. The lack of a double-zipper and more tail coverage is a shame, but the Spinshift is more affordable than some of the competition and remains a very serviceable rain jacket with improved environmental credentials versus older models.

• Read our full Gorewear Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket review
• Buy now from Gorewear (£225)

Le Col Arc Lightweight Rain Jacket

£280 | View offer

• Pros: Smart venting, Waterproof, Light, Handy hood
• Cons: Non-standard sizing, Zero insulation
• The looser gravel-leaning design won’t be for all but it’s weatherproof and versatile

The Le Col Arc Lightweight Rain Jacket is a fully waterproof and breathable outer layer that features the membrane-based Pertex Shield material. Designed with gravel riding in mind, it employs a looser, more casual fit for rides where aerodynamics are less important, making it more versatile overall.

While the thinness of the fabric doesn’t provide any insulation, it can still work well into single-digit temperatures when adequately layered. The inclusion of an adjustable hood, taped seams and smartly covered vents means it performs very well in foul weather and its light weight and packable size make it a very convenient ride companion

• Read our full Le Col Arc Lighweight Rain Jacket review
• Buy now from Le Col (£280)

Poc Supreme Rain Jacket

£450 | View offer

• Pros: Very light at a claimed 87g, 20,000mm rain protection
• Cons: Very pricy, Fiddly one-way zip
• Quality waterproof shell that’s packable and well-fitted

Poc’s Supreme jacket has a claimed 87g weight, but still provides full rain protection as well as 50,000g/square metre/24h breathability. There’s even a lightweight zip which builds rainproofing into the teeth and a hidden pocket in the collar makes for a tiny packed size.

Elastic cuffs and tail and taped seams help to keep water out but the low rear drop invites wheel spray. At £450 it’s also by far the most expensive jacket we’ve tested.

• Read our full Poc Supreme Rain Jacket review
• Buy now from Tredz (£450)

Needing coverage for your feet? Read our guide to the best overshoes

The post Best waterproof cycling jackets 2025 reviewed appeared first on Cyclist.

Winter cycling jackets are an important kit item in any cyclist’s wardrobe. When the temperatures drop, the rain starts falling and the weather gets all the more wintery, they can really make the difference between a cold and miserable ride, and a far more enjoyable one.

Generally used once the temperature drops below 10˚C, they often consist of a structure very similar to a long sleeve jersey with pockets at the rear. The main differences are that winter jackets often include thicker insulating material in the fabric, and also use weatherproofing technologies such as durable water repellent (DWR) treatments. Some take this further with full waterproofing and internally taped seams.

Key factors to look out for in the best winter cycling jackets are the aforementioned DWR treatments, as well as long elastic cuffs and necks for added insulation. It’s also good to have more breathable rear fabric panels to prevent excessive heat buildup, while two-way zips can help with breathability as well.

Read on for our pick of the best winter cycling jackets that we’ve ridden and rated or head further down for advice on how to choose.

Reviews of the best winter cycling jackets

• Rapha Core Winter Jacket — read our full review
• Santini Adapt Multi Jacket — read our full review
• Endura Pro SL 3-Season Jacket — Read our full review
• Castelli Espresso Air Jacket — read our full review
• Sportful Fiandre Pro II Jacket — read our full review
• Le Col Pro Insulated Jacket — read our full review
• Assos Mille GT Hashoogi Winter Jacket S11 — Read our full review
• Gore Wear Spinshift Thermo Jacket — read our full review
• Q36.5 Gregarius Winter Jacket — read our full review
• Pas Normal Studios Essential Thermal Jacket — Read our full review
• Velocio Alpha Zero Jacket — Read our full review

How do we test and why trust our advice?

Our reviewers are all massively experienced cyclists and they don’t stop riding when the weather turns cold, wet and miserable. In fact, we actively seek it out to make sure we’re testing these products across any and all weather conditions.

All of these jackets were tested in milder 10-16˚C, and far more wintery -6-5˚C to make sure that all bases were covered. Testing was also conducted rain or shine, with even the odd snowstorm thrown in for good measure. Our testing is comprehensive to make sure we bring you the best buying advice we can. 

Best winter cycling jackets 2025 reviewed

Rapha Core Winter Jacket

RRP £150 | View offer

• Brilliant value
• Great performance in cold weather
• Nicely breathable
• Storm cuffs are superb

The Rapha Core Winter Jacket is an impressively good winter jacket that is excellent value for money. Front-facing panels on the body and arms are more weather-resistant and insulated with DWR coating, while the rear facing panels are more breathable without impacting the weatherproofing. This combination results in a jacket that is warm even in freezing conditions, but breathable enough for milder temperatures and higher-intensity sessions. 

Storm cuffs are used to brilliant effect to give a really secure fit around the cuffs and prevent cold air travelling up the sleeves. Thick zipper pulls are another great practical feature as they can be operated while wearing thick gloves. A two-way zip is lacking, but the fit of the jacket is close yet allows for good airflow with a small amount of unzipping, meaning I didn’t miss said two-way zip. 

Add to this deep pockets that are easily accessible, and the Rapha Core Winter jacket performs exceptionally across the board, all while being nicely practical and incredibly good value. A broad range of colour options is appreciated as well.

• Read our full Rapha Core Winter Jacket review
• Buy now from Sigma Sports (£140)

Santini Adapt Multi Jacket

RRP £240 | View offer

• Genuinely waterproof
• Thin material doesn’t impair insulation
• Highly practical features
• Great size range

Using Polartec’s Power Shield Pro, the Santini Adapt Multi jacket has been able to achieve hardshell levels of waterproofing, while still being as flexible and comfortable as a softshell jacket. The addition of internally taped seams means that there is virtually no water ingress to the jacket through the material even in heavier rain, which helps maintain a good temperature across most conditions. 

Thermosealing appears to have worked well to boost insulation levels in colder temperatures, even with the relatively thin fabric material and lack of fleece lining. This thin fabric does however lend itself to a very jersey-like fit and feel, making this jacket very comfortable even with a lighter base layer worn underneath.

Additional practical features such as the two-way zip, large well-placed pockets and the zipped valuables pocket make the Santini Adapt Multi a truly superb jacket. The neck could be a little looser, but this is nitpicking for my personal fit. For a winter cycling jacket, it is near enough faultless for me, making that £240 both justifiable, and reasonably good value.

• Read our full Santini Adapt Multi Jacket review

Endura Pro SL 3-Season Jacket

RRP £199.99 | View offer

• Highly versatile
• Heaps of additional features
• Dual-layered system is clever
• Can be awkward to put on

The Endura Pro SL 3-Season Jacket certainly does what it says on the tin when it comes to three-season performance. For milder conditions in autumn and spring, the main body of the jacket does a great job. The windproof material with DWR treatment keeps the elements at bay well, while copious zip vents and rear exhaust do a great job as dispersing excess heat during higher-intensity sessions.

For colder winter weather, the detachable PrimaLoft fleece makes the insulation levels incredible. Even in snowy weather and -6˚C the jacket kept me nicely toasty. Add to that long sleeve cuffs, high neck and a fit that allows additional layers underneath without being too loose, and it’s a mightily impressive jacket across autumn through to winter into spring. 

Add to this large pockets at the rear, plus side pockets for stashing rubbish and the Endura is a very practical jacket to use both on and off-road. The use of large reflective features all across the jacket makes for great visibility when riding in poor conditions as well. All this for sub-£200 makes this jacket pretty good value to boot.

• Read our full Endura Pro SL 3-Season Jacket review

Castelli Espresso Air Jacket

RRP £225 | View offer

• Great breathability
• Well insulated in low temperatures
• Great colour range
• Not the best in heavier rain

The Castelli Espresso Air Jacket does what it is designed to do very well thanks in part to the new Ristretto fabric. Castelli has intentionally forgone waterproofing and instead focussed on insulation and breathability with this new material. To the breathability end, this jacket is a great performer in milder conditions and while doing higher intensity rides. Moisture wicking and temperature management are impressive. 

There is still a DWR treatment for shower protection, which works well, but not to the detriment of the main targets. This jacket is both impressively insulated and highly breathable, making it comfortable across a good range of temperatures, from freezing up to mid-teens, and varying riding intensities. 

It also features a close yet comfortable fit, great colour options and good sized pockets that are easy to access even with thicker gloves. This really is a fantastic winter jacket, and while a valuables pocket and dual zip are things I like, they are not necessary for performance. £225 is not cheap, but it’s worth the price from my perspective. 

• Read our full Castelli Espresso Air Jacket review

Sportful Fiandre Pro II Jacket

RRP £230 | View offer

• Close race fit
• Solid weatherproofing
• Reasonable insulation for thin fabric
• Sleeves a touch short

The Sportful Fiandre Pro 2 jacket uses a Polartec membrane to great effect to create a jacket that is impressively insulated and weather resistant, while being a relatively lightweight and race fit garment. Being designed for racing in the spring classics has clearly paid off, as in low single figure temperatures paired with a decent base layer, the Fiandre Pro 2 is well insulated while maintaining a good level of breathability. 

The race fit is close but not uncomfortable and maintains a good fit in both a more relaxed riding position and a hunched over aggressive one. Slightly shorter sleeves are the only slight downside to the jacket, which can lead to cold wrists if gloves do not cover that area of exposed skin. 

Aside from that issue though, this jacket packs a huge amount of performance for the £230 pricetag, and might just be the perfect option for those looking to do more fast-paced winter rides, or even racing in wintery conditions.

• Read our full Sportful Fiandre Pro 2 Jacket review

Le Col Pro Insulated Jacket

RRP £180 | View offer

• Incredibly lightweight and packable
• Good water resistance
• No pockets
• Lower core can get chilly

The Le Col Pro Insulated Jacket is a very different offering to most winter jackets. The Pertex Quantum Air fabric’s windproofing and water resistance work really well in showery conditions and against road spray, while the Polartec Alpha insulation makes it nicely warm even in low single-figure temperatures. However, the insulation material covers only the top two thirds at the front and top third at the rear. This results in reasonable breathability, but a potentially chilly lower core.

Where this jacket differs is that it’s fully packable into a pocket, super lightweight, and features no pockets. It’s instead a packable layer of insulation or weatherproofing. This makes it far more versatile than most winter jackets, but does reduce protection. It’s also questionable how often you will get a ride where the temperature change will require removing or adding this layer.

As a winter jacket, it performs very well. The fit is maybe not as race fit as other Pro line offerings from Le Col, but it aids insulation and usability more. The price also makes it better value than a lot of other full winter jacket offerings. There are pros and cons to the more packable and lightweight approach, but individual use and requirements will dictate if that’s a net positive or not. Personally, I see a place for this jacket, as it’s well insulated and weatherproof for a decent price. 

• Read our full Le Col Pro Insulated Jacket review

Assos Mille GT Hashoogi Winter Jacket S11

RRP £265 | View offer

• Clever use of different materials
• Fit works well when riding
• Slightly muted colour options
• Dual zip would be appreciated

The Assos Mille GT Hashoogi S11 jacket follows Assos’s trend of featuring many different proprietary fabrics with intriguing names. The main Airblock-Evo.916 provides a great level of weatherproofing and breathability, while the NEOS softshell material provides additional protection on the arms. Insulation comes from the RX thermal inner while breathability at the rear is impressive with the RX Evo Plus panel on the back. All these different fabrics and technologies marry together to create a jacket that does feature an impressive level of insulation and breathability.

Even the fit has a special name: bodySleeve AEPD. This results in a fit that is a bit uncomfortable and restrictive when standing, but once you move your arms forward and lean over more is impressively comfortable. For more upright positions it’s not the best, but for a more racy road position it works very well. 

Pockets-wise the three rear ones are large and allow for a good level of packing, plus they’re easy to access. A valuables pocket is missing, as is a two-way zip, which would aid insulation further in milder conditions. I’m personally not a fan of the muted colour offerings either, as it’s not ideal for riding in darker conditions. The price is also on the high side at £265, but for a more race or high intensity focussed jacket for foul weather, this is an impressive offering. 

• Read our full Assos Mille GT Hashoogi S11 Jacket review

Gore Wear Spinshift Thermo Jacket

RRP £179.99 | View offer

• Great cold weather performance
• Very good value
• 360˚ reflectivity is superb
• Lacks breathability

The Gore Wear Spinshift Thermo Jacket builds upon the new Spinshift line from Gore Wear as its deep winter jacket offering. The single-layer thermo-stretch fabric with fleece backing is used front and rear and provides brilliant levels of insulation in temperatures around and below freezing. Add to that a DWR treatment for water resistance in showers and the jacket performs brilliantly in wintery conditions.

It does lack a bit when it comes to breathability, mainly due to the thermal material across the rear panels not letting excess heat escape. The lack of a two-way zip also limits the breathability potential. However the cold weather performance does make it ideal for foul wintery weather, if not as versatile as other offerings. The 360˚ visibility is another great feature that I really appreciate. 

The fit is another element that is good, but not perfect. It’s close and comfortable, more like a jersey than a jacket, but the front is just a little too long resulting in some fabric bunching. Personally I found it better as a gravel jacket than a road one. It can’t be ignored though that at £179.99, this jacket offers pretty great value for money when it comes to thermal and weatherproofing capabilities. 

• Read our full Gore Wear Spinshift Thermo Jacket review

Q36.5 Gregarius Winter Jacket

RRP £285.30 | View offer

• Great insulation
• Very comfortable to wear
• Reasonably breathable
• Quite expensive

The Q36.5 Gregarius Winter Jacket features a host of proprietary features and materials aimed to keep body temperature at 36.5˚C. Taking pride of place on this jacket is the UF 2L lightweight, laminated and weatherproof fabric. It has impressive levels of water repellency given how light and supple it feels, more a jersey than a jacket, but it’s great in wetter conditions. 

Internally, the brand’s UF 3D Air insulation material lines the jacket rather than being bonded. This has the benefit of more movement of air internally, which boosts insulation further while also allowing for pretty decent levels of breathability. It’s a difficult mix to achieve but the Gregarius jacket has done it very well. A two-way zip could enhance this in warmer conditions, but for the most part isn’t really required or missed.

Large pockets and long zip tabs are also much appreciated and make this jacket really user friendly and easy to live with. The fit is a touch on the looser side, but Q36.5 recommends sizing down with this jacket. Fit-wise the jacket is long enough on the sleeves, neck and rear to provide ample protection. It is veering perilously close to the £300 mark, but great levels of performance go a good way to justifying this. 

• Read our full Q36.5 Gregarius Winter Jacket review

Pas Normal Studios Essential Thermal Jacket

RRP £340 | View offer

• Brilliantly insulated
• Useful front pocket
• Cuffs a bit loose
• Very expensive

The Pas Normal Studios Essential Thermal Jacket is certainly a very warm jacket and great in colder conditions. Polartec Power Shield Pro works fantastically to give low-bulk yet highly effective insulation with its internal grid structure. This also allows for pretty decent levels of breathability while the DWR coating externally keeps showers and road spray at bay.

There are some fit elements that let the jacket down, mainly the loose storm cuffs, which don’t work as well as other jackets. The fit can also lead to a bit of fabric bunching up front, but does actually aid overall comfort and temperature management. The presence of a zip pocket at the front is a useful feature, while the rear pockets are spacious and easy to access. Both these features are easy to use while wearing thick gloves as well.

One feature I would like to see added is a two-way zip, just to enhance breathability a bit more in milder conditions. Large reflective details are a very nice addition though, while the colour options are very classy. I think the given usable temperature range is also a bit conservative, as it was effective across a wider range than stated. That £340 price tag is huge though, and makes this not the best value. 

• Read our full Pas Normal Studios Essential Thermal Jacket review
• Buy now from Pas Normal Studios (£340)

Velocio Alpha Zero Jacket

RRP £256 | View offer

• Incredibly warm
• Good environmental credentials
• Windproof
• Not hugely versatile

The Velocio Alpha Zero is designed with seriously cold temperatures in mind and claims to protect riders down to -17°C. Fortunately, I didn’t have to expose myself to those kinds of extremes, but the Alpha did provide ample insulation for rides around the 0° mark. The Polartec material is warm, pretty breathable, and provides decent waterproofing – and Velocio has tailored the jacket to a sensibly slim cut.

The Alpha’s main selling point – its non-bulky insulation – is also its drawback, as the jacket is actually too warm to be thoroughly versatile. But for those riders who are often out in frigid temperatures, with less risk of persistently rainy conditions, it’s a great option. For something so wintry, it would be handy to have a few brighter colour options, though there is a reflective logo at the rear. Handily there’s a double zipper and three rear pockets, though none of them are zipped for valuables.

• Read our full Velocio Alpha Zero Jacket review
• Buy now from Velocio (£256)

Winter cycling jacket buying advice

Why do I need a winter jacket?

Winter cycling jackets tend to offer far better protection and insulation than long sleeve jerseys. Front facing panels of fabric will usually include a windproof membrane as well as DWR treatment which is effective against road spray and light showers. Internally the fabrics will often use a fleeced material or a grid mesh structure to help trap an insulating layer of air. 

You can get a similar level of insulation from combining a long sleeve jersey and a winter base layer, but it will be limited in warmth and require further layers once temperatures dip below 5˚C. Additionally a waterproof jacket will be needed in wetter conditions, so a winter jacket can cover several layers and kit options all in one go. 

What should I look out for in a winter jacket?

The key elements to look out for are a DWR treatment, fleece material or other insulation internally, long enough cuffs, high enough neck, and reasonable levels of breathability. That final point may seem an odd one for winter kit, but if you are kept warm enough, you will still sweat and this moisture can result in you getting either very damp or cold when you stop due to evaporation. More breathable rear panels make a big difference to overall comfort. 

Other useful features are storm cuffs, or elastic cuffs so winter cycling gloves will cover the skin on your wrists. Two-way zippers are also very handy for temperature regulation while also allowing for easy access to jersey pockets underneath the jacket. 

When should I be wearing a winter jacket for cycling?

A general rule of thumb is under 10˚C a winter jacket will be most effective. Between 10˚C and 15˚C, maybe higher depending on the person or humidity, a long sleeve jersey will work well with different base layer options. Some winter jackets are also good for below 0˚C when paired with a thicker base layer. Plus the additional weatherproofing means that in all but heavy rain, they should keep you at a more comfortable temperature.

Do you wear a winter cycling jacket over a jersey?

This will often come down to personal preference and weather conditions. In very cold temperatures, a long sleeve jersey and a winter jacket make for a very warm combination. However, winter jackets are designed to be able to be worn with just a base layer underneath too, given they often have pockets for storage. In milder conditions, a winter jacket with a mesh base layer can be very effective, switching out for a heavier duty layer when the temperature drops.

The post Best winter cycling jackets 2025 reviewed for road and gravel riding appeared first on Cyclist.

Riding in the UK is often a lottery when it comes to the weather, be it summer or winter. The risk of rain is often not far away and being ill-prepared can really put a dampener on your ride. So to combat that, an ideal piece of kit for just about every single ride is a packable waterproof jacket. However, when choosing the right packable jacket for you, there are lots of elements to consider. 

Some jackets are fully waterproof, while others offer water resistance using repellent treatments that will not be fully waterproof in heavier rain. There is also the weight and bulk of the jacket, which affects how easy it is to pack away into a pocket. Also look out for features such as two-way zips for easy access to jersey pockets, as well as storage on the jackets themselves. Fit and breathability are other hugely important aspects, as flapping fabric or feeling like you’re wearing a bin bag is never fun.

One thing not present in this list are any entries that use Shakedry technology. Although this has been the benchmark material for packable waterproof jackets, due to new manufacturing regulations, the processes that allow for the creation of Shakedry material are now being phased out in an effort to be more environmentally conscious. This has led to most manufacturers having to develop new materials that offer waterproofing, light weight, great packability and breathability.

Reviews of the best packable cycling jackets

1. Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket: RRP £125 – Read our full review
2. Café Du Cycliste Gaella: RRP £157 – Read our full review
3. Castelli Aria Shell Jacket: RRP £120 – Read our full review
4. Rapha Core Rain Jacket II: RRP £140 – Read our full review
5. Sportful Hot Pack No Rain: RRP £70 – Read our full review
6. Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket: RRP £240 – Read our full review
7. Assos Equipe RS Clima Capsule Alleycat: RRP £228.99 – Read our full review
8. Poc Supreme Rain Jacket: RRP £450 – Read our full review
9. Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket: RRP £304 – Read our full review

How do we test and why trust our advice?

All of our product review team, led by tech editor Sam Challis, are avid cyclists who have been riding for many years. They have all built up a huge array of experience from riding in various conditions and testing what kit works and doesn’t work in these situations. 

We’ve ridden on warm summer days where light showers can put a dampener on things before they brighten up and become toasty again. We’ve also ridden in persistent rain storms with hail and gales. We know that the best packable cycling jackets are lightweight, easy to take on and off, offer enough protection across a range of weather conditions without overheating you, and won’t break the bank while doing so. We only ever recommend something that we would be willing to spend our own money on.

Best packable cycling jackets 2025

Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket

£93.75 (RRP: £125) | View offer

• Pros: Plenty of reflectives, Warm collar
• Cons: Quite loose fit, Not very packable
• Great value for full waterproofing and extra-durable material to protect from rips

The Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket is a fully wind- and waterproof packable jacket. It has a few nice features such as a rear pocket that can be used to keep tools or to pack the jacket into itself. There is also a fleece neck to keep you warm and a two-way zip for easy access to jersey pockets.

The jacket isn’t the most packable and has a loose rather than slim fit, but it is meant to be a more durable material and is also good value.

• Read our full Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket review

Café du Cycliste Gaella

£157 | View offer

• Pros: Incredibly lightweight and packable, Very breathable
• Cons: Mesh back lets in water
• Close fit with a slot for access to rear pockets

The Café du Cycliste Gaella jacket is a special edition colourway of the brand’s Petra jacket, a super-lightweight packable jacket that features a windproof and water-repellent front with a very breathable rear. Coming in at 87g for a medium, it is the lightest packable jacket in our group test by a margin, and is easily packable into any jersey pocket even if it is already occupied by other items.

The fit is great, being comfortably long enough at the rear to offer splash protection, with a high neck and long sleeves, and does not flap much at higher speeds. The front does a great job at keeping the wind and showers at bay, while the back offers superb breathability. In heavier rain, the mesh back does get wet and cold, however, especially at lower speeds.

• Read our full Café du Cycliste Gaella jacket review

Castelli Aria Shell Jacket 

£108 (RRP: £135) | View offer

• Pros: Very lightweight, Packs very small into its own pocket
• Cons: Not fully weatherproof
• A close fit to minimise material flapping and easily packable when not worn

The Castelli Aria Shell Jacket is an incredibly lightweight and packable jacket, which offers good weather-proofing in light rain. However the mesh panels do reduce its weather-proofing in heavier rain but aid the fit and breathability significantly.

It comes in at a good price for the practicality of the jacket and is ideal for changeable conditions, however lack of full weather-proofing means it isn’t the best for days with heavy rain.  

• Read our full Castelli Aria Shell Jacket review

Rapha Core Rain Jacket II 

£140 | View offer 

• Pros: Great value, Very good weather-proofing
• Cons: Some windflap
• Superb performance for the price, with well-fitted cuffs to ensure no cold wrists

The Rapha Core Rain Jacket II is nicely packable into a jersey pocket and well-fitting while being water- and windproof. There is still some flapping at higher speed and in the wind, but overall the fit is fairly good.

The cuffs are elasticated so keep the wind and rain out from your arms but remain breathable. It also comes in at pretty decent value given its full waterproofing.

• Read our full Rapha Core Rain Jacket II review

Sportful Hot Pack No Rain

£37.50 (RRP: £70) | View offer

• Pros: Waterproof yet nicely breathable, Packs into its own pocket for easy storage
• Cons: Difficult to pack while riding
• A close fit with full water- and windproofing and limited excess material 

The Sportful Hot Pack No Rain jacket offers full waterproofing and windproofing while being able to pack into its own pocket, which then fits nicely into a jersey pocket. At speeds there is very little flapping and it fits nicely without being too close.

The sleeves are long enough with gloves to offer full protection while breathability is decent. It’s very easy to take off while riding but difficult to pack into its own pocket while on the move. Overall a very complete package.

• Read our full Sportful Hot Pack No Rain jacket review

Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket 

£240) | View offer

• Pros: Superb weather-proofing and breathable, Effective two-way zip
• Cons: Pricy, Short sleeves
• A lightweight jacket with great practical touches

The Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket is incredibly lightweight for a fully water- and windproof jacket and very easily stowable in a pocket. The two-way zip is brilliantly practical for getting access to your pockets easily while wearing the jacket, and it’s very breathable while being easy to take on and off.

One gripe is that the sleeves are not quite long enough and there was some flapping the shoulders. It is also on the high end of pricing but performs fantastically.

• Read our full Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pertex Rain Jacket review

Assos Equipe RS Clima Capsule Alleycat

£225 | View offer

• Pros: Very breathable yet weatherproof, Packs very small
• Cons: Little arm protection, Expensive
• Optimised race fit with easy on/off arms, but more of a gilet with arms than a jacket

The Assos Equipe RS Clima Capsule Alleycat is a very interesting weather-proof jacket. It’s incredibly thin, see-through even, and the forearms offer virtually no protection at all. However it is the easiest jacket to take on and off while riding, it packs up incredibly small, and it offers superb wind- and waterproofing on the main body of the jacket while being nicely reflective and visible.

It does not come cheap, but for when you’re doing hard efforts or races, and have layered up appropriate thermal layers beneath, the Alleycat is the ideal packable jacket to keep the weather off your core.

• Read our full Assos Equipe RS Clima Capsule Alleycat jacket review

Poc Supreme Rain Jacket

£450 | View offer

• Pros: Incredibly light, Packs very small, Good weatherproofing
• Cons: Hugely expensive, Fiddly zip, Short at the rear
• Market-leading weight and packability offset by imperfect fit and colossal pricetag

The Poc Supreme Rain Jacket is a specialist piece of rain kit that nails a few key performance points. There’s no arguing with its barely-there weight, thanks to the gossamer-thin material that packs down into a special pouch in the neckline. It breathes well and the waterproofing is effective, albeit unconventional, as the DWR treatment doesn’t bead as expected.

Few will be able to stomach the pricetag, especially for a jacket that isn’t quite perfect, but those that do will have a very effective rain layer.

• Read our full Poc Supreme Rain Jacket review

Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket

£304 | View offer

• Pros: Light, Packable, Beads well, Intelligent cut
• Cons: One-way zipper, Potentially leaky rear vents
• A smartly tailored rain shell with a particularly effective DWR treatment, but the rear vents can leak

In spite of the name, the Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket is more recognisable as a thin shell to shrug off bad weather than a jacket. The proprietary membrane is lightweight, impressively waterproof and has built in rear vents to aid breathability. Plus, the elasticated cuffs, hems and neckline are all well thought out.

It’s a shame there’s no two-way zipper and said vents open the door to some water ingress, but all-in-all it’s a great jacket to stow away.

• Read our full Q36.5 Rain Shell Jacket review

Willing to sacrifice packability for added rain resistance? Read our buyer’s guide to the best waterproof cycling jackets.

The post Best packable cycling rain jackets 2025: Emergency layers for your pocket or bag appeared first on Cyclist.