In this blog I’m covering some of the best men’s winter cycling jackets money can buy.
You won’t find any non-premium products on this list. I didn’t want to cover budget options that would not keep you warm while braving the rigors of riding in sub-zero temperatures.
I know what it feels like to know there’s still a lot of road to cover before you’re home warm and dry, and feel your body heat being sapped away from you with each passing mile. And it’s against this experience that these cycling jackets will protect you.
That means that besides the required windproof, and waterproof fabric they offer added insulation, and layers of breathable membranes for moisture-wicking. They’re durable, built to last, made from premium fabrics, and look great within their respective cycling discipline.
They’re not cheap by any means, but I’ve bought articles from these brands that I’m still using to this day and have been part of my cycling apparel for more than a decade.
So with that being said, let’s head over to my list of the best men’s winter cycling jackets.
Troy Lee Designs Descent cycling jacket
The Troy Lee Designs Descent jacket is a great endurance jacket for both male and female cyclists who go out riding no matter what the weather looks like.
Like other premium waterproof cycling jackets, it features a 3-layer breathable 10K waterproof fabric. And the hood is compatible with most helmets out there.
A no-nonsense design offers a pretty tight fit. It ensures the jacket looks great, but if that’s not your thing make sure to size up.
- Waterproof cycling jacket with helmet compatible hood
- None
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 C3 GORE-TEX Thermo cycling jacket
The Gore Wear C3 GORE-TEX Thermo cycling jacket is a versatile, quality offering from this behemoth in cycling apparel.
With a rather loose fit, there’s more than enough room for multi-layering underneath the already great GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER®. If you’d do so you could very well ride down mount Everest in the depth of winter, because the cycling jacket itself is also already fleece lined.
It’s not the priciest and that’s a good thing. But be aware of the fact the jacket offers ample insulation and is truly meant for very cold temperatures. And it does so without being waterproof. Both features detract a bit from its flexibility.
Nonetheless, if you’re looking for one of the more affordable options when you don’t want to freeze on your bike, this one falls squarely in that category.
- Affordable protection against the cold
- Not waterproof
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
Showers Pass Elite 2.1 cycling jacket
When the going gets tough and you need the protection no matter the cost, the Showers Pass Elite 2.1 jacket is the way to go.
The jacket is made from Elite 3-Layer ripstop fabric with DWR water-resistant fabric. Fully taped seams in combination with this very durable fabric ensures no water goes through.
Waterproof zippers close up the jacket, breast pocket, and rear back pocket, while a long drop tail protects you from road spray while riding.
Large 3M reflective striping on both arms and on your back increase visibility significantly.
The only thing which keeps this jacket from just about perfect is that Showers Pass did not include your standard black color.
- Heavy-duty, allround, visibible waterproof cycling jacket with many pockets
- None
Fox Racing Defend 3-Layer Water cycling jacket
The Fox Racing Defend 3-Layer Water cycling jacket is the brand’s most durable, premium, waterproof cycling jacket.
Made from 3-layer polyester with tough Cordura panels and taped seams, they basically packed everything they could think of in a jacket made to withstand everything you can throw at it.
It has pockets with water-resistant zippers and a helmet-compatible hood, which can be tightened with drawstrings.
To cool down when you need to, two waterproof zippers under the arms allow for some much-needed ventilation.
For those who look for maximum protection any which way you can.
- Durable, waterproof jacket w. helmet-compatible hood
- None
POC Signal All-weather cycling jacket
The POC Signal All-Weather jacket has the honor of being the most expensive packable jacket on this list.
So what do you get for paying several hundred dollars for a minimal packable jacket? For one, the most waterproof jacket with protection against a 20K water column, which is double the protection when compared to the average other waterproof jacket. You can hang the packed jacket on your handlebars.
The jacket actually features a RECCO® Reflector and a twICEme® NFC Medical ID, something I normally see on jackets worn with skis or a snowboard. It’s an added protection for bikepackers.
The fact that such a jacket comes in a form, which can be easily stowed away indeed makes it the ultimate lightweight jackets for bikepackers.
- The most expensive minimal, waterproof cycling jacket you can pack and hang on your handlebars. Recco reflector and twICEme NFC medical ID
- Price, not well insulated
POC Thermal cycling jacket
The POC Thermal cycling jacket is a winter cycling jacket for die-hard road cyclists that appreciate high visibility.
Made from a durable waterproof shell in the front where it’s most needed, the cycling jacket features thermal lining to keep you warm in the dead of winter.
The back offers increased ventilation, besides 3 large stow pockets that are entirely made from reflective material for maximum visibility. A smaller zipped pocket is also located in the rear.
Extreme durability, extreme water, wind, and cold proof, this is a jacket to take into sub-zero temperatures.
- Well-insulated, waterproof winter cycling jacket with road cycling fit, with reflective stow pockets
- None
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
Leatt MTB AllMtn 5.0 V22 cycling jacket
The Leatt MTB AllMtn 5.0 V22 cycling jacket is the most no-nonsense cycling jacket I’ve come across.
With a 30K 3-layer Hydradri fabric and taped seams it’s a jacket with a singular purpose of keeping you dry in the most extreme trail riding conditions you can think of. There is no other jacket with a more capable fabric to withstand the rigors of mountain biking.
All that protection does mean you run the risk of overheating, and to prevent such a thing from happening two huge zippers gain access to adjustable ventilation. That’s a good thing, but it comes at the cost of normal zippered pockets found in other jackets.
Their ride-adaptive hood system is helmet-compatible and offers multiple intuitive options to protect your face.
So as far as cycling jackets go, this one is the most hardcore, but a bit less flexible than other options.
- Your trail could end up in the ocean and you'd still come out dry
- Meant for riders who want to ride their trails no matter the conditions
Specifications men's winter cycling jackets
Name | Price | Material | Weather protection | Pockets | Reflectiveness | Packable | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Troy Lee Designs Descent cycling jacket | 189 USD | 3-layer breathable 10K waterproof fabric | windproof, waterproof | 2 zippered hand pockets | none | 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 C3 GORE-TEX Thermo cycling jacket | 170 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® w. fleece lining | windproof, water resistant | 3 rear pockets | reflective details | 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 | |
Showers Pass Elite 2.1 cycling jacket | 298 euros | Elite™ 3-Layer ripstop fabric w. DWR-free PFC | windproof, waterproof | 1 breast pocket with audio port w. zippered back pocket | 3M reflective strips on arms and arms | no | |
Fox Racing Defend 3-Layer Water cycling jacket | 275 USD | 3-layer polyester w. Cordura panels and taped seams | windproof, waterproof | 2 zippered hand pockets | none | no | |
POC Signal All-weather cycling jacket | 350 euros | 20K ripstop fabric w. jersey liner | windproof, waterproof | 2 stow hand pockets and 1 zippered back pocket | reflective front and back logos | yes | |
POC Thermal cycling jacket | 220 euros | Waterproof and insulated front w. fleece lining | windproof, water resistant | 3 back stow pockets | reflective rear pockets | 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 | |
Leatt MTB AllMtn 5.0 V22 cycling jacket | 250 USD | 30K 3-layer Hydradri fabric w. taped seams | windproof, waterproof | none | 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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