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The top 17 best women’s lightweight cycling jackets

In this article I’m going to give you some of the best women’s lightweight cycling jackets.

Quality lightweight cycling jackets need to have good weather protection characteristics while at the same time not making you look like you’re heading to the arctic circle.

That is not as easy as it sounds, because protection comes in the forms of various layers to keep out the wind and the rain, and still maintain proper breathability characteristics.

Those elements are commonly found in both packable cycling jackets and soft shell jackets. With the first being the most minimal and the latter offer casual looks and adding protection against chilly temperatures.

In this overview I offer a range of options to choose from, from very affordable to somewhat less so. Whatever you choose from these women’s lightweight cycling jackets, they will keep you comfortably riding in the saddle for many more days to come.

Castelli Aria Shell W cycling jacket

Castelli Aria Shell W cycling jacket
Castelli Aria Shell W cycling jacket
Castelli Aria Shell W cycling jacket
Castelli Aria Shell W cycling jacket
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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.

Troy Lee Designs Shuttle cycling jacket

Troy Lee Designs Shuttle cycling jacket
Troy Lee Designs Shuttle cycling jacket
Troy Lee Designs Shuttle cycling jacket
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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.

Leatt MTB AllMtn 2.0 V22 cycling jacket

Leatt MTB AllMtn 2.0 V22 cycling jacket
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.

Gore Wear C7 GORE-TEX Shakedry cycling jacket

Gore Wear C7 GORE-TEX Shakedry cycling jacket
Gore Wear C7 GORE-TEX Shakedry cycling jacket

The Gore Wear C7 GORE-TEX Shakedry jacket sits resolutely in the more tech-oriented premium range of packable jackets.

Shakedry refers to the garment having great water beading characteristics that enable you to shake off the rain droplets should you decide to stow the jacket into its rear pocket.

It’s the lightest waterproof packable cycling jacket on this list at 110 grams, but it’s one of the most expensive as well. Gore basically stripped the entire outer layer from their traditional fabric.

The combination of high breathability but still being waterproof justifies that price for the more ambitious female roadies.

The lacquered finish makes the jacket look stealthy and premium.

Gore Wear Ambient cycling jacket

Gore Wear Ambient cycling jacket
Gore Wear Ambient cycling jacket
Gore Wear Ambient cycling jacket
Gore Wear Ambient cycling jacket
Gore Wear Ambient cycling jacket
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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.

Endura Women's Windchill Jacket II cycling jacket

Endura Women's Windchill Jacket II cycling jacket
Endura Women's Windchill Jacket II cycling jacket
Endura Women's Windchill Jacket II cycling jacket
Endura Women's Windchill Jacket II cycling jacket
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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.

Endura Women's FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket

Endura Women's FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket
Endura Women's FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket
Endura Women's FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket
Endura Women's FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket
Endura Women's FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket
Endura Women's FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket

The Endura Women’s FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II jacket is a long name for the most affordable waterproof packable jacket on this list.

It uses 15K breathable fabric which is so thin, you can look through it. It’s an effective protection against rain, and is meant to take with you as an insurance, not to be used for the duration of an entire ride.

Since the jacket doesn’t have any pockets, you get a pack sack to carry it around.

Fox Racing Ranger Fire cycling jacket

Fox Racing Ranger Fire cycling jacket
Fox Racing Ranger Fire cycling jacket
Fox Racing Ranger Fire cycling jacket
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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.

Fox Racing Ridgeway cycling jacket

Fox Racing Ridgeway cycling jacket
Fox Racing Ridgeway cycling jacket

The Fox Racing Ridgeway jacket is a packable jacket which is actually insulated with Polartec Power Fill.

It looks the least like a cycling jacket, which some of you might appreciate. And 2 zippered hand pockets further add to its flexibility in terms of usage.

It’s water-resistant, not waterproof, so prolonged use in wet conditions will see water seeping through.

Fox Racing Pit Softshell cycling jacket

Fox Racing Pit Softshell cycling jacket
Fox Racing Pit Softshell cycling jacket

The Fox Racing Pit Softshell jacket is another great soft shell jacket option, especially for those riders seeking extra protection from the elements.

A waterproof zipper closes the 3-layer tightly woven polyester shell. Protection from spray is added in the form of a hood and waterproof back.

2 zippered hand pockets let you carry around your necessities in a well-designed soft shell jacket.

You don’t come across that many soft shell jackets with this level of weather protection.

Inbike Outdoor cycling jacket

Inbike Outdoor cycling jacket
Inbike Outdoor cycling jacket
Inbike Outdoor cycling jacket
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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.

Flylow Davis cycling jacket

Flylow Davis cycling jacket
Flylow Davis cycling jacket
Flylow Davis cycling jacket
Flylow Davis cycling jacket
Flylow Davis cycling jacket
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The Flylow Davis jacket is a very durable packable jacket made from Intuitive™ S/G Lite nylon ripstop fabric with a DWR-free PFC coating.

Made for both men and women it’s an affordable water-resistant jacket with a single, easy-to-reach zippered breast pocket.

Coming with a variety of outdoor-oriented color-schemes, it’s a solid choice for casual-looking insurance against cold and rain.

POC W's Signal All-Weather cycling jacket

POC W's Signal All-Weather cycling jacket
POC W's Signal All-Weather cycling jacket
POC W's Signal All-Weather cycling jacket
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The POC W’s 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.

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
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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.

Giro Stow cycling jacket

Giro Stow cycling jacket
Giro Stow cycling jacket
Giro Stow cycling jacket
Giro Stow cycling jacket
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The Giro Stow jacket is a windproof and water-resistant packable cycling jacket made from Nylon ripstop fabric with a DWR treatment.

Clean-looking and affordable, it offers 1 zippered breast pocket and reflective logos.

An all-round great companion on chilly trail rides.

Giro Stow H2O cycling jacket

Giro Stow H2O cycling jacket
Giro Stow H2O cycling jacket
Giro Stow H2O cycling jacket
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Should you want maximum protection in a lightweight package the Giro Stow H2O jacket is one of the best choices you can find.

With a 15K 2.5-layer polyester fabric with DWR treatment, this garment is waterproof, windproof and durable, and still somewhat affordable when compared to similar options.

It further adds to that flexibility in use, with 2 zippered hand pockets to stow away your stuff.

When not in use, pack it and stow it on your handlebars.

My personal pick for the best allround packable cycling jacket.

Giro Chrono Expert Wind cycling jacket

Giro Chrono Expert Wind cycling jacket
Giro Chrono Expert Wind cycling jacket
Giro Chrono Expert Wind cycling jacket
Giro Chrono Expert Wind cycling jacket
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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.

Specifications women's lightweight cycling 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 C7 GORE-TEX Shakedry cycling jacket
280 USD
GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™
windproof, waterproof
1 lower back stow pocket
reflective logos
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
Endura Women’s FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket
110 USD
ExoShell20ST™ 20K fabric
windproof, waterproof
none
reflective logos w. striping
yes
Fox Racing Ranger Fire cycling jacket
150 USD
softshell
windproof, water resistant
2 zippered hand pockets
none
no
Fox Racing Ridgeway cycling jacket
140 USD
Cordura® ripstop fabric w. DWR finish and Polartec fleece insulation
windproof, water resistant
2 zippered hand pockets
none
yes
Fox Racing Pit Softshell cycling jacket
140 USD
softshell
windproof, waterproof
2 zippered hand pockets
none
no
Inbike Outdoor cycling jacket
65 USD
softshell
windproof, water resistant
2 zippered hand pockets
reflective logo and strips on back
no
Flylow Davis cycling jacket
130 USD
Intuitive™ S/G Lite nylon ripstop fabric w. DWR-free PFC
windproof, waterproof
1 zippered breast pocket
none
yes
POC W’s Signal All-Weather cycling jacket
350 euros
20K ripstop fabric
windproof, waterproof
2 stow hand pockets and 1 zippered back pocket
none
yes
Pearl Izumi Quest AmFIB cycling jacket
130 USD
AmFIB softshell w. DWR treatment
windproof, water resistant
1 zippered back pocket
BioViz® striping
no
Giro Stow cycling jacket
90 USD
Nylon ripstop fabric w. DWR treatment
windproof, water resistant
1 zippered breast pocket
3M® reflective logos
yes
Giro Stow H2O cycling jacket
160 USD
15K 2.5-layer polyester w. DWR treatment
windproof, waterproof
2 zippered hand pockets
3M® reflective logos
yes
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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