In this article I’m going to give you some of the best men’s bright cycling jackets.
Being seen as a road participant becomes more important when visibility is poor. Either because of low light conditions or because of the weather. I once was in an accident because sleet reduced while riding in the dark reduced visibility to near zero and I ran into a car.
Such a thing could quite possibly have been prevented if I was wearing something else than your standard black winter coat. That’s where bright cycling jackets come into play.
A combination of reflective elements or paneling and bright, sometimes neon colors ensure you shine bright like a diamond and light up like a christmas tree when hit by headlights.
If you can prevent anything while cycling it should be involved in an accident that could have been avoided. So this article is for those who understand the mantra of safety first.
With that out of the way, let’s see what entries made it on my list of the best men’s bright cycling jackets.
Castelli Alpha RoS 2 Light cycling jacket
The Castelli Alpha RoS 2 Light cycling jacket is up there with the most premium cycling jackets for roadies.
As always, I try to make clear what that hefty price sum get’s you, so you can actually make the decision whether the added benefits are truly worth the money.
As far as this jacket goes it packs some extra ventilation in the back in the form of a GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® front and Nano Flex Xtra Dry back panel. That’s nice if you tend to overheat and sweat a lot.
But the real difference resides in the fact that the jacket offers a separate inner layer, which, according to the manufacturer, should improve ventilation even more, while adding more insulation because of the barrier between layers.
The rest of the jacket is pretty stock, with 3 stow pockets in the rear and your usual reflective elements.
Apart from the fact that the thing looks nice, it certainly offers a lot of protection in a package that, admittedly, has a standard weight of about 400 grams. Is that extra layer worth the added cost, or could you layer up yourself? I’ll leave that up to you.
- Versatile, mid-temperature, highly breathable jacket you can use for deep winter rides with an extra layer
- Quality never comes keep, so doesn't this jacket
Castelli Transition 2 cycling jacket
The Castelli Transition 2 cycling jacket is a lightweight cycling jacket meant to extend your riding season.
It has a breathable and water-repellant GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® front with a fleece insulated back. This provides extra protection from wind chill, short rain showers and low temperatures.
It has 3 stow pockets in the rear, alongside a large reflective banner on the back as well as the front for optimal visibility.
There are many colors to choose from, which is a nice touch in a sea of black.
- One of the best season-extenders, with a GORE-TEX and insulated back
- Not waterproof
Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 cycling jacket
The Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 cycling jacket is a premium, high-quality cycling jacket to keep you warm no matter what.
Made from GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® fabric on its own, it can be used for cold weather riding. With the appropriate layer underneath you can move into sub zero territory with your rides, making it more versatile than a full-winter cycling jacket.
It still offers the added protection of taped shoulder seams and a fully covered front zipper.
With 3 rear pockets it’s a classically designed road cycling winter jacket.
- Comfortable, breathable, great-looking, waterproof road cycling jacket, made from GORE-TEX
- None
Gore Wear Endure cycling jacket
The Gore Wear Endure cycling jacket is a fairly lightweight, and packable waterproof jacket.
Made from GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus it features a durable outer shell, with a GORE-TEX membrane. In combination with water-resistant zippers and taped seams, it makes this cycling jacket waterproof.
The jacket packs into a tiny package, which makes it perfect to stow away in a pannier, bikepack, or backpack.
It’s hooded with enough space to cover an average-sized helmet.
It’s definitely not the cheapest but none of Gore’s products are. But its waterproof packability, makes this lightweight, breathable cycling jacket a serious contender for adventurous cyclists.
- Helmet-compatible, yet still stowable, waterproof jacket. Highly versatile jacket for any type of riding from trail riding, to touring, and bikepacking
- Pricey
Gore Wear GORE-TEX Paclite cycling jacket
The Gore Wear GORE-TEX Paclite cycling jacket is a lightweight cycling jacket with a relaxed fit.
Made from GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus it easily enables multi-layering for added insulation should the temperature drop significantly, turning this garment into a great winter cycling option.
Durable, water- and wind resistant with fully taped seams for the best protection against riding through heavy rain.
Large reflective elements on the back and arms, alongside brightly colored options ensure you’re clearly visible in low-light conditions.
Water resistant zippers and a single zippered back pocket underline its road riding pedigree.
But roadie or not, if you want a lightweight winter cycling jacket to get you through the worst of weather conditions, look no further.
- High quality, lightweight winter jacket, which loose-fit enables multi-layering
- Not waterproof
Endura Hummvee Waterproof cycling jacket
The Endura Hummvee Waterproof cycling jacket is a versatile, minimalistically designed, waterproof cycling jacket.
The garment has a 2-layer polyester ripstop with sealed seams and mesh liner. This means, it’s a non-insulated waterproof jacket for riding in cold weather temperatures.
A number of reflective elements, both front and back, aid in increasing your visibility while on the road.
The single zippered back pocket and easy-access zippered breast pocket, makes for an allround, great addition to your off-season cycling wardrobe.
- Versatile, and flexible allround cycling jacket with loose fit
- Not the most breathable
Endura Pakajak cycling jacket
The Endura Pakajak cycling jacket is a packable cycling jacket you can stuff into your jersey for quick use.
Without any pockets it’s a minimal cycling jacket especially made to provide protection from wind-chill and a possible light shower, so don’t expect to be using this in freezing temperatures. That’s not what it’s meant for.
With a mesh ventilation underneath the arms, and a water-repellant treatment it provides carry-with-you protection when the weather becomes fickle.
- Lightweight, packable cycling jacket
- Not a replacement for a more standard cycling jacket
Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket
The Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket is as minimal as they come.
With a translucent, lightweight design and made from ExoShell20ST 20K fabric, the jacket is meant to do only one thing, which is offering on-the-fly protection from the rain.
Meant for road cyclists who want to travel light with rain insurance that can be stuffed in a back stow pocket.
- The best insurance against sudden rain showers
- Very fragile. Not very breathable
Endura Urban Luminite II cycling jacket
If you value visibility you can’t go wrong with the Endura Urban Luminite II cycling jacket.
Wind- and waterproof, this jacket offers all the protection you’ll need, and large asymmetric panels let you be seen from all sides.
Made from durable polyester, the cycling jacket offers zippered ventilation slits under the arms for increased air flow.
With 1 breast pocket and 2 hand pockets, all zippered, the jacket has cinches at the waist for a more elegant look.
You can go for bright neon yellow if you really want to stand out from the crowd at night, or a more subdued pacific blue.
- Highly visible, durable, allround cycling jacket
- Asymmetric layout. Not the most breathable
Proviz Nightrider 2.0 cycling jacket
The Proviz Nightrider 2.0 jacket is the most affordable entry into this brand, which takes increased visibility more seriously than any other brand out there.
Fully water- and windproof, the cycling jacket is made from Oxford polyester w. REPREVE mesh and R360 reflective panels. It means it’s not only extremely durable and breathable, but also the most lightweight entry in Proviz’s lineup.
2 zippered pockets let you carry along things like keys and your phone.
Available in many bright colors, there’s no excuse of not being seen.
- Affordable, breathable, waterproof jacket with large reflective panels
- None
Proviz Reflect360 Outdoor cycling jacket
The Proviz REFLECT360 Outdoor jacket is your go-to option for the reflective waterproof hooded cycling jacket in the market.
The entire jacket is made from reflective R360 fabric with a highly breathable REPREVE mesh on the inside. It’s the perfect commuter jacket on busy roads, or traveling in places where there aren’t any street lights.
With 2 zippered hand pockets, and 2 zippered breast pockets there’s more than enough cargo capacity conveniently located on the front. All zippers are water-resistant.
When safety is a priority in a waterproof hooded jacket, there’s simply no better option.
- Breathable, waterproof jacket which is made entirely from reflective material. Many zippered pockets
- None
Inbike Softshell Warm Winter cycling jacket
The Inbike Softshell Warm Winter cycling jacket is a great-looking, yet extremely affordable softshell cycling jacket.
Made from a water-resistant knitted polyester shell with a fleece lining it doesn’t bring any complex tech to the table, but does keep you warm and reasonably dry in cold-weather conditions.
It has a relaxed fit, so roadies should look somewhere else for the best in off-season aerodynamics, but it makes for easy additional layering.
Furthermore the bright yellow and black combi makes you stand out, and the jacket features the standard reflective striping, alongside two zippered hand pockets.
Is it the best cycling softshell jacket from a technical standpoint: no. But that price is hard to beat for something that’ll perform all but the worst conditions.
- Affordable winter cycling jacket
- None for its price point
Inbike Reflective Windproof Breathable cycling jacket
The Inbike Reflective Windproof Breathable cycling jacket is one of the most affordable all-round water-resistant options you can find.
Apart from the fact they could improve upon their naming convention, there’s very little wrong with this jacket offering a water-resistant knitted polyester shell with fleece lining.
Loads of storage options come in the form of 2 zippered hand pockets and 2 zippered breast pockets.
So as far as windproof and water-resistant jackets go, this sub-100 dollar one is very good indeed.
- One of the most affordable, water-resistant cycling jacket on the market
- Not waterproof
Craft Essence Light Wind cycling jacket
The Craft Essence Light Wind cycling jacket is a portable windbreaker you can easily stow away.
This means it’s meant for roadies that need ad-hoc protection when facing strong and cold headwinds.
Made from a polyester ripstop with a DWR treatment, it’s a pocketless, water-repellant and windproof, non-insulated cycling jacket.
Cheaper than many of the garments that fall into the same category.
- Budget-friendly, portable pocketless, water-repellant and windproof, non-insulated windbreaker
- Not waterproof. It's a windbreaker
Pearl Izumi Quest AmFIB cycling jacket
The Pearl Izumi Quest AmFIB jacket is a premium soft shell cycling jacket with a loose fit.
Ample coverage in the rear drop tail and long sleeves make sure heat stays put, while the DWR treatment makes this jacket windproof and water-resistant.
You can close up the jacket even more with integrated waist adjusters, and a zippered pocket in the rear adds some storage capacity.
Small reflective logos add some degree of increased visibility.
I’m more a fan of hand pockets, but otherwise this 3-layer fleece brushed soft shell jacket in an assortment of colors is exceptionally well made.
- Premium soft shell jacket with loose relaxed fit.
- Not a fan of rear zippered pocket
Pearl Izumi Zephrr Barrier cycling jacket
The Pearl Izumi Zephrr Barrier jacket is more than a simple windbreaker.
As do many other brands, Pearl Izumi has upped the ante by making this cycling jacket windproof and water-resistant. Using a polyester ripstop fabric w. PI Dry®® technology, you’ll be protected from anything but sub zero temperatures and heavy rain.
A relaxed fit lets you put your preferred layers underneath, and reflective striping and a zippered back pocket finish the overall great design.
- Cycling jacket with relaxed fit with excellent water-repellant characteristics
- Not a fan of rear zippered pocket.
Pearl Izumi Monsoon WxB cycling jacket
The Pearl Izumi Monsoon WxB Hooded jacket is a reasonably priced waterproof cycling jacket.
A double-layered 10K waterproof shell with taped seams and DWR treatment is all the protection you’ll need to stay dry in any kind of rain.
Reflective strips both front and back aid in being seen at night, and sleeve adjusters keep them in place when wearing gloves.
2 convenient hand pockets with waterproof zippers, make this an excellent addition to your cycling wardrobe.
- Waterproof cycling jacket with zippered hand pockets for easy storage
- None
Specifications men's bright cycling jackets
Name | Price | Material | Weather protection | Pockets | Reflectiveness | Packable | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Castelli Alpha RoS 2 Light cycling jacket | 310 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® front w. Nano Flex Xtra Dry back | windproof, water resistant | 3 rear pockets | reflective laser-cut drain holes in rear pockets | no | |
Castelli Transition 2 cycling jacket | 210 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® front w. fleece back | windproof, water resistant | 3 rear pockets | rear vertical reflective strip | no | |
Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 cycling jacket | 280 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® | windproof, water resistant | 3 rear pockets | Reflective strip at bottom of pockets | no | |
Gore Wear Endure cycling jacket | 230 USD | GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus | windproof, waterproof | 2 zippered front pockets | reflective logos | yes | |
Gore Wear GORE-TEX Paclite cycling jacket | 200 USD | GORE-TEX PACLITE® | windproof, waterproof | 1 zippered back pocket w. 1 zippered breast pocket | reflective details | yes | |
Endura Hummvee Waterproof cycling jacket | 125 USD | 2-layer polyester ripstop w. sealed seams and mesh liner | windproof, waterproof | 1 zippered back pocket w. 1 zippered breast pocket | reflective stripes and logos on back, shoulders and front | no | |
Endura Pakajak cycling jacket | 75 USD | Nylon ripstop fabric w. DWR treatment | windproof, water resistant | none | reflective elements front and back | yes | |
Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket | 110 USD | ExoShell20ST™ 20K fabric | windproof, waterproof | none | reflective logos w. striping | yes | |
Endura Urban Luminite II cycling jacket | 160 USD | softshell fabric w. DWR treatment and sealed seams | windproof, waterproof | 1 zippered breast pocket w. 2 zippered hand pockets | large reflective panneling | no | |
Proviz Nightrider 2.0 cycling jacket | 100 euros | Oxford polyester w. REPREVE mesh | windproof, waterproof | 2 zippered hand pockets | R360 panneling | no | |
Proviz Reflect360 Outdoor cycling jacket | 120 euros | 5K R360 fabric w. REPREVE mesh | windproof, waterproof | 2 zippered breast pockets w. 2 zippered hand pockets | R360 | no | |
Inbike Softshell Warm Winter cycling jacket | 65 USD | Water-resistant knitted polyester shell w. fleece lining | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets | reflective front logo and elements on back | no | |
Inbike Reflective Windproof Breathable cycling jacket | 85 USD | Water-resistant knitted polyester shell w. fleece lining | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets w. 2 zippered breast pockets | reflective elements front and back | no | |
Craft Essence Light Wind cycling jacket | 90 euros | polyester ripstop w. DWR treatment | windproof, water resistant | none | reflective elements | yes | |
Pearl Izumi Quest AmFIB cycling jacket | 130 USD | 3-layer AmFIB softshell w. DWR treatment | windproof, water resistant | 1 zippered back pocket | BioViz® striping | no | |
Pearl Izumi Zephrr Barrier cycling jacket | 100 USD | Polyester ripstop fabric w. PI Dry®® technology | windproof, water resistant | 1 zippered back pocket | BioViz® striping | no | |
Pearl Izumi Monsoon WxB cycling jacket | 125 USD | Performance 2-layer 10K fabric w. DWR treatment | windproof, waterproof | 2 zippered hand pockets | BioViz® striping | no |
Johan van Seijen
FoundeR Restoration.bike
Johan van Seijen is the founder of restoration.bike. His passion for cycling in general, and restoring older bikes turned into a website to share his knowledge with a broader audience. Starting out on his father’s road bike and riding classics as the Amstel Gold Race and Liege Bastogne Liege he has shifted his attention to trail, XC, and gravel riding since. No matter how much he loves writing about everything related to cycling, nothing beats actually using his ever-expanding bicycle collection.
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