In this article I’m going to give you a number of the very best women’s cycling windbreaker jackets.
Traditionally, windbreakers are used to provide an extra layer of insulation against wind chill, but the rigors of day-to-day riding have made these garments much more than what they used to be.
On average, you get water-resistance thrown in the mix, with a DWR treatment or tech-fabric to keep out a light drizzle or road spray.
Usually a windbreaker cycling jacket offers at least one back pocket to stow away keys or a phone.
With minimal layers, and lightweight fabrics, and because they don’t have to pull you through an entire winter of riding, the prices are much more reasonable than your full-on tech-heavy waterproof options. That’s good for your wallet, and make them the perfect garment to head into autumn’s chillier temperatures or early spring rides.
So without further ado, here’s my list of the best women’s cycling windbreaker jackets.
Castelli Aria Shell W cycling jacket
The Castelli Aria Shell W jacket is an extremely lightweight packable cycling jacket, which can be folded and packed into itself.
With minimal protection against the rain and very lightly insulated it’s meant as the first protective layer when temperatures begin to drop. Temperatures can vary with the time of the day or with the altitude. Being able to take this with you means you stay warm, but enjoy the flexibility of not having to ride with a jacket.
Weighing just over 100 grams, this jacket is as minimal as they come.
- One of the lightest stowable jackets there is
- Delicate. Meant for instant minimal protection
Troy Lee Designs Shuttle cycling jacket
The Troy Lee Designs Shuttle jacket is a high-quality yet affordable packable cycling jacket.
As a casual fitting jacket for both men and women, it provides the first layer of protection against colder temperatures, but is not water-resistant, let alone waterproof, which is reflected in the price.
The jacket has a single pocket located at the lower back. Ventilation openings at the underarms and back.
- Affordable packable cycling jacket
- Single pocket. Not even water-resistant
Leatt MTB AllMtn 2.0 V22 cycling jacket
The Leatt MTB AllMtn 2.0 V22 jacket is an affordable entry into a packable jacket with a decent amount of water resistance.
The 5K water-resistant fabric will keep you dry through light and short showers, and has a hood you can pull over your helmet. The hood actually stays in place using a magnet.
2 zippered pockets let you take necessary items with you, like your phone and keys.
Offered in a single black version, it’s a clean-looking water-resistant and windproof jacket, which can fold into its own chest pocket.
- High-quality, yet affordable, entry-level MTB jacket
- Not waterproof
Gore Wear Ambient cycling jacket
The Gore Wear Ambient jacket is made from the GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® fabric, making it both windproof and water-repellant.
At just over 100 grams, that protection against sudden showers and the cold doesn’t weigh much.
For a waterproof jacket you need to look for Gore’s Shakedry version, but if you’re not the ride-any-condition type, but still want the protection against short rain showers, this is a perfect jacket.
- Extremely lightweight, windproof, and water-resistant jacket
- Delicate and not waterproof
Endura Women's Windchill Jacket II cycling jacket
The Endura Women’s Windchill Jacket II jacket is a high-quality, well-made, well-designed cycling soft shell jacket.
It’s warm enough for cold winter riding, but still provides a certain degree of protection from the rain with a DWR treatment.
3 stow pockets in the rear and a zippered one up front provide the carrying capacity you need for essentials like keys and your phone.
If the heat builds up, increased ventilation under the arms can be zipped open. And with reflective trimming on both sides and the rear logo, safety is increased in low light conditions.
It’s not the cheapest soft shell out there, but you sure get a quality garment for the money.
- Well-made soft shell jacket with ample options for ventilation
- Not waterproof. Not a winter jacket
Fox Racing Ranger Wind cycling jacket
The Fox Racing Ranger Wind jacket is an effective and stylish option to protect yourself against wind chill.
One of the more affordable options to obtain a cycling jacket, which is both windproof and protects you against light showers in the form of a DWR treated fabric.
2 zippered pockets ensure you’ve got the right amount of cargo space. And it’s lightweight and minimal enough to be stored in a jersey. You can take this jacket with you as an insurance should the weather take a turn for the worse.
Budget-friendly, but still more than adequate enough to be a great all-round option for cold-weather riding.
- Affordable windbreaker for chilly trail rides
- Not waterproof
Inbike Outdoor cycling jacket
The Inbike Outdoor jacket is an affordable yet well-made allround soft shell cycling jacket.
Featuring reflective elements, and 2 zippered hand pockets, this jacket will protect you from the cold and light rain.
A large droptail design makes it perfect for cycling in general and road cycling in particular.
You either hate or love the bright color scheme, but you can be sure that you increase your visibility when the sun goes down.
- Budget-friendly soft shell jacket
- Not waterproof
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.
Giro Chrono Expert Wind cycling jacket
The Giro Chrono Expert Wind jacket is a solid choice if you’re looking for minimal protection you can quickly put away at any time.
Basically a packable water-repellent windbreaker, the jacket features Nylon ripstop fabric with a DWR treatment.
The jacket doesn’t feature any pockets and needs to be stowed away into a separate bag.
The entire back is perforated, which is great for ventilation, but not so much to keep out the rain.
The most affordable packable cycling jacket to keep you warm and offer some protection against the rain and wheel spray.
- If you're looking for a packable, water-repellent windbreaker
- Meant as first layer of protection against the elements, and not much more
Specifications women's cycling windbreaker jackets
Name | Price | Material | Weather protection | Pockets | Reflectiveness | Packable | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Castelli Aria Shell W cycling jacket | 140 USD | Windproof woven microfiber front | windproof | none | none | yes | |
Troy Lee Designs Shuttle cycling jacket | 89 USD | TLD Wind Resistant Ripstop Fabric | windproof | 1 lower back zippered pocket | none | yes | |
Leatt MTB AllMtn 2.0 V22 cycling jacket | 90 USD | 5K water-resistant fabric | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets | none | yes | |
Gore Wear Ambient cycling jacket | 170 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® | windproof, water resistant | 1 lower back zippered pocket | reflective logo | yes | |
Endura Women’s Windchill Jacket II cycling jacket | 160 USD | softshell w. DWR treatment | windproof, water resistant | 1 front zippered pocket w. 3 rear pockets | reflective logos | no | |
Fox Racing Ranger Wind cycling jacket | 85 USD | Cordura® ripstop fabric w. DWR finish | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets | reflective logo | yes | |
Inbike Outdoor cycling jacket | 65 USD | softshell | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets | reflective logo and strips on back | 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 | |
Giro Chrono Expert Wind cycling jacket | 65 USD | Nylon ripstop fabric w. DWR treatment | windproof, water resistant | none | reflective strip on back | yes |
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