Disclosure: Please support this website where content is created by humans not AI, and consider buying through our affiliate links. AI can’t ride bikes

The top 10 best men’s winter cycling jackets

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

Troy Lee Designs Descent cycling jacket
Troy Lee Designs Descent cycling jacket
Troy Lee Designs Descent cycling jacket
fallback
fallback
fallback

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.

Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 cycling jacket

Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 cycling jacket
Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 cycling jacket
Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 cycling jacket
Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 cycling jacket
Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 cycling jacket
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.

Gore Wear C3 GORE-TEX Thermo cycling jacket

Gore Wear C3 GORE-TEX Thermo cycling jacket
Gore Wear C3 GORE-TEX Thermo cycling jacket
Gore Wear C3 GORE-TEX Thermo cycling jacket
Gore Wear C3 GORE-TEX Thermo cycling jacket
Gore Wear C3 GORE-TEX Thermo cycling jacket
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.

Proviz Reflect360 Outdoor cycling jacket

Proviz Reflect360 Outdoor cycling jacket
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.

Showers Pass Elite 2.1 cycling jacket

Showers Pass Elite 2.1 cycling jacket
Showers Pass Elite 2.1 cycling jacket
Showers Pass Elite 2.1 cycling jacket
Showers Pass Elite 2.1 cycling jacket
Showers Pass Elite 2.1 cycling jacket
fallback

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.

Fox Racing Defend 3-Layer Water cycling jacket

Fox Racing Defend 3-Layer Water cycling jacket
Fox Racing Defend 3-Layer Water cycling jacket
Fox Racing Defend 3-Layer Water cycling jacket
Fox Racing Defend 3-Layer Water cycling jacket
fallback
fallback

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.

POC Signal All-weather cycling jacket

POC Signal All-weather cycling jacket
POC Signal All-weather cycling jacket
POC Signal All-weather cycling jacket
fallback
fallback
fallback

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.

POC Thermal cycling jacket

POC Thermal cycling jacket
POC Thermal cycling jacket
POC Thermal cycling jacket
fallback
fallback
fallback

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.

Pearl Izumi Quest AmFIB cycling jacket

Pearl Izumi Quest AmFIB cycling jacket
Pearl Izumi Quest AmFIB cycling jacket
Pearl Izumi Quest AmFIB cycling jacket
Pearl Izumi Quest AmFIB cycling jacket
Pearl Izumi Quest AmFIB cycling jacket
fallback

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.

Leatt MTB AllMtn 5.0 V22 cycling jacket

Leatt MTB AllMtn 5.0 V22 cycling jacket
Leatt MTB AllMtn 5.0 V22 cycling jacket
Leatt MTB AllMtn 5.0 V22 cycling jacket
Leatt MTB AllMtn 5.0 V22 cycling jacket
fallback
fallback

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.

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
bio vanseijen

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.

You might also like