In this article I’m going to provide you with a list of the best men’s soft shell cycling jackets.
Softshell jackets are usually more comfortable than the average hardshell, and offer enhanced ventilation, which is a good thing for riding in moderate temperatures.
It’s probably the cycling jacket you choose after your long-sleeve cycling jersey proves to be a bit too ambitious to keep you warm and you need to step up your level of protection against colder temperatures.
On this list you’ll find options from brands catering to road cyclists as well as mountain bikers, and somewhere in between. So basically there’s something for everybody. From tight, aerodynamic options to casual-looking jackets you could wear on your next date.
So let’s see what made it on this list of the best men’s soft shell cycling jackets.
Endura Pro SL Waterproof Softshell cycling jacket
The Endura Pro SL Waterproof Softshell cycling jacket is one of the few waterproof softshell cycling jackets out there.
It’s made from the same softshell fabric with a water-resistant DWR treatment as their Luminite jacket, and also displays fully sealed seams.
Unlike that other jacket, the design is much more subdued, instead displaying small reflective elements front and back in favor of huge paneling.
Underarm vents can be opened using zippers, to aid in ventilation should your ride require it.
With 3 back stow pockets, 1 zippered back pocket and 1 zippered breast pocket it does provide ample storage capacity in a jacket that will protect any road cyclist in moderate to cold temperatures.
- Waterproof, soft shell jacket
- None
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
Fox Racing Ranger Fire cycling jacket
The Fox Racing Ranger Fire jacket is a premium soft shell jacket.
A brushed fleece interior lines a durable polyester shell providing protection from the elements in the form of being both windproof and water-repellant.
2 zippered hand pockets are located on the sides. Like many garments from MTB-oriented brands, reflective elements are lacking.
In combination with a minimal droptail, the jacket feels and looks more casual than your traditional cycling soft shell jacket.
- Versatile, windproof soft-shell with water-repellant finish for cold trail rides
- Not waterproof. Minimal droptail
Fox Racing Barricade Softshell Fleece hoodie
The Fox Racing Barricade Softshell Fleece hoodie is a well-put-together cycling jacket.
As a break from tradition it actually partially uses cotton in combination with polyester, which is your go-to fabric to create cycling jackets. This feels more comfortable while still maintaining high levels of protection against wet conditions in the form of a DWR treatment.
It has hoodie in its name, so there’s one, which differs from the ones found on jackets that are compatible with helmets. Making this garment more casual than strictly meant for hitting trails during your next autumn ride.
2 zippered hand pockets with a single zippered breast pocket provide the necessary cargo space. And as a lot of MTB-oriented jackets show us, there isn’t any reflective element to speak of.
- Comfortable, lightweight jacket partially made from cotton, with DWR treatment
- Hood not compatible with helmet. Not waterproof
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
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 PRO AmFIB Softshell cycling jacket
The Pearl Izumi PRO AmFIB Softshell cycling jacket has a sleeker fit and better protection than its non-PRO cousin.
The 3-layer AmFIB softshell fabric uses Pearl Izumi’s proprietary PI Dry®® technology. To provide a 360 water-repellant protection, the stuff from which the fabric is created is treated beforehand, instead of applying a finish afterwards.
Besides this excellent protection, the cycling jacket provides a sleek, aerodynamic fit with a single zippered back pocket in the prerequisite reflective elements for heightened visibility.
The quality of the added protection is undeniable, but you do pay a hefty sum for this technology.
- High-quality road cycling jacket with understated design, and excellent water-repellant treatment
- Pricey for a non-waterproof garment
Leatt MTB AllMtn 4.0 V22 cycling jacket
The Leatt MTB AllMtn 4.0 V22 cycling jacket is the more affordable option in Leatt’s lineup.
This is because it ditches the use of the 30K fabric in favor of 10K softshell. It means it’s lighter and cooler, but offers relatively less protection against rain, dirt and mud.
And I have to say relative, because this is still an immensely impressive jacket that features the innovative hood system, and offers more allround flexibility than the hardcore 5.0 jacket.
So if you like your trail riding a bit more laid-back, then definitely go for this more affordable, allround option.
- Best MTB jacket for trail riding in chilly temperatures
- None
Leatt MTB Trail 3.0 V22 cycling jacket
The Leatt MTB Trail 3.0 V22 cycling jacket is a very comfortable softshell cycling jacket with a flexible design.
Made from a 5K softshell with a fully insulated front panel and water-repellent DWR treatment, you get above-average weather protection, in an MTB-oriented cycling jacket.
Because this is one of the lighter cycling jackets in their lineup, they forgo the huge slanting, zippered ventilation slits and opted for standard dual zippered pockets instead. Which turns this cycling jacket into something that is more flexible and a bit less purpose built for hardcore trail gunning.
- Insulated, flexible soft shell jacket for trail riding
- Meant as a first layer of protection to extend your trail riding season
Specifications men's soft shell cycling jackets
Name | Price | Material | Weather protection | Pockets | Reflectiveness | Packable | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Endura Pro SL Waterproof Softshell cycling jacket | 230 USD | softshell fabric w. DWR treatment and sealed seams | windproof, waterproof | 3 back stow pockets w. 1 zippered back pocket and 1 zippered breast pocket | reflective logos front, back and arm | no | |
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 | |
Fox Racing Ranger Fire cycling jacket | 170 USD | 3-layer polyester softshell w. brushed fleece lining | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets | none | no | |
Fox Racing Barricade Softshell Fleece hoodie | 120 USD | 3-layer polyester and cotton fabric w. DWR treatment | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets w. 1 zippered breast pocket | none | 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 | |
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 PRO AmFIB Softshell cycling jacket | 225 USD | 3-layer AmFIB softshell w. PI Dry®® technology | windproof, water resistant | 1 zippered back pocket | BioViz® striping | no | |
Leatt MTB AllMtn 4.0 V22 cycling jacket | 160 USD | 10K softshell w. DWR treatment | windproof, water resistant | none | reflective elements | no | |
Leatt MTB Trail 3.0 V22 cycling jacket | 170 USD | 5K softshell w insulated front panel and DWR treatment | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets | reflective elements | 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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