In this article I’m going to provide a list of the best women’s road cycling jackets.
In general road cycling jackets have a tight fit and are basically insulated versions of the traditional long-sleeve jersey.
By adding extra layers you create a barrier against the cold and the rain, but still maintain an element of breathability depending on the fabric used.
To further protect you against bad weather, things like water-resistant zippers, taped or sealed seams, longer sleeves with double cuffs or straps, and reflective elements are all a factor of a high-quality road cycling jacket.
There are of course many types of weather that necessitate different garments to protect against. So on this list you’ll find ultra-lightweight, minimal, and packable road cycling jackets besides multi-layered, waterproof versions.
Since there are many options to choose from I’ve added a handy table overview at the end of the blog for your convenience.
It truly depends on what you see yourself doing now that those nice, hot summer rides are over. But whatever you choose to do, you’ll be able to find the perfect riding companion with one of these perfect women’s road cycling jackets.
Castelli Alpha RoS 2 W cycling jacket
One cycling jacket needs to have the dubious distinction of being the most expensive, and I believe it’s this one.
So what exactly do you get for paying double what the average cycling jacket cost you?
The jacket is made from GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® with a 3D insulation-layer fabric. That’s a mouthful to basically say the jacket is windproof and waterproof and sports a separate insulation for added warmth. E.g. you get two products for the steep price of one.
The design is nothing short of drop-dead gorgeous with a form-fitting cinched waist design and intricate paneling. A huge waist gripper with silicone lining keeps the hem in place.
The cuffs are double-layered to minimize the risk of cold or rain seeping through. And sealed seams do the same for the rest of the fabric. Reflective strips ensure increased nighttime visibility.
Besides the standard 3 rear pockets, the cycling jacket also has 2 hand pockets. So there’s more than enough cargo space to be found.
Is it worth this kind of money? Probably not, but it’s unmistakably one of the best winter jackets for road cyclists.
- Exudes quality in an allround, and versatile package. Made from GORE-TEX
- The most expensive road cycling jacket I could find
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
Castelli Dinamica cycling jacket
The Castelli Dinamica jacket is one of the most stylish premium cycling jackets worth your money.
Form-fitting and flattering, this performance-oriented cycling jacket will keep you warm and dry in sub-zero temperatures.
Made from GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® X-Fast fabric, the jacket offers extreme levels of wind protection and insulation, with more than adequate protection against the occasional rain shower.
3 rear pockets help you carry around the things you need, and large reflective panels on each arm the front and rear help you be seen in low-light conditions.
Available in more colors than your standard black, it’s one of the best-looking, high quality, premium cycling jackets on the market.
- Gorgeous, form-fitting, highly breathable road cycling jacket for winter riding. Made from GORE-TEX
- None
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.
- Stylish, fully waterproof, lightweight, stowable jacket. Maximum protection against the rain in a minimal package.
- Delicate and extremely expensive.
Gore Wear Stream cycling jacket
The Gore Wear Stream jacket is a lightweight cycling jacket with a relaxed fit.
Made from GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus it easily enables multi-layering for added insulation should the temperature drop significantly, turning this garment into a great winter cycling option.
Durable, water- and wind resistant with fully taped seams for the best protection against riding through heavy rain.
Large reflective elements on the back and arms, alongside brightly colored options ensure you’re clearly visible in low-light conditions.
Water resistant zippers and a single zippered back pocket underline its road riding pedigree.
But roadie or not, if you want a lightweight winter cycling jacket to get you through the worst of weather conditions, look no further.
- Great allround, waterproof cycling jacket, which enables multi-layering
- None
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
Gore Wear Phantom cycling jacket
The Gore Wear Phantom jacket is one of the best cycling jackets with detachable sleeves, if not the best.
For decades Gore has dominated the tech-fabric industry, and this jacket also features their most recent innovation. The jacket is made from GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® fabric, which is extremely breathable, water-resistant, and windproof.
The cycling jacket has 3 rear stow pockets, and reflective strips on the arms, which can be quickly removed, effectively turning this jacket into a warm cycling jersey, not a sleeveless vest.
The design of this jacket hasn’t changed in over 2 decades, and I can clearly see why. It’s a clear case of not fixing that’s never been broken in the first place.
- One of the very few jackets with detachable sleeves
- Not waterproof
Pearl Izumi BioViz Barrier cycling jacket
The Pearl Izumi BioViz Barrier jacket is one of the most unique reflective cycling jackets.
Made from polyester ripstop fabric w. PI Dry®® technology, the jacket is windproof with strong water-repellant characteristics.
The entire surface of the jacket has a diamond-shaped reflective pattern made from BioViz reflective material. It basically is your standard reflective material made into a pattern.
The pattern is hardly noticeable in daylight but works like a charm at night.
- Uniquely design, loose-fit cycling jacket, entirely made from reflective material
- Not waterproof
Pearl Izumi Elite Escape Convertible cycling jacket
The Pearl Izumi Elite Escape Convertible jacket is the brand’s performance cycling jacket with detachable sleeves.
Featuring their ELITE Barrier fabric, this jacket offers loads of ventilation options to keep you warm or cool depending on either your ride- or weather conditions. The jacket is windproof and offers light shower protection as well.
The cycling jackets offer a 2-way zipper, with 2 zippered hand pockets, and a zippered back pocket to easily stow away your sleeves.
The back features a mesh panel with a horizontal slit for increased ventilation.
The jacket has a cinched waist for a body-hugging look and has elastic cuffs and hems to prevent any fabric from flapping in the wind.
- Cycling jacket with detachable sleeves with lots of ventilation
- Not waterproof
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 road cycling jackets
Name | Price | Material | Weather protection | Pockets | Reflectiveness | Packable | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Castelli Alpha RoS 2 W cycling jacket | 370 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® w. 3D insulation-layer fabric | windproof, water resistant | 3 rear pockets | reflective laser-cut drain holes in rear pockets | no | |
Castelli Aria Shell W cycling jacket | 140 USD | Windproof woven microfiber front | windproof | none | none | yes | |
Castelli Dinamica cycling jacket | 230 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® X-Fast | windproof, water resistant | 3 rear pockets | Reflective panels on front with reflective labels on back | no | |
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 Stream cycling jacket | 200 USD | GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus | windproof, waterproof | 1 zippered back pocket | reflective strips on arms and back | no | |
Gore Wear Ambient cycling jacket | 170 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® | windproof, water resistant | 1 lower back zippered pocket | reflective logo | yes | |
Gore Wear Phantom cycling jacket | 200 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® | windproof, water resistant | 3 rear pockets | reflective strips on arms | no | |
Gore Wear Tempest cycling jacket | 170 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® w. fleece back | windproof, water resistant | 3 rear pockets | reflective strips on arms | no | |
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 | |
Inbike Outdoor cycling jacket | 65 USD | softshell | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets | reflective logo and strips on back | no | |
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 Barrier Convertible cycling jacket | 130 USD | Barrier ripstop fabric w. DWR treatment | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets and 1 zippered back pocket | BioViz® striping | 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 | |
Pearl Izumi BioViz Barrier cycling jacket | 130 USD | Polyester ripstop fabric w. PI Dry®® technology | windproof, water resistant | 1 zippered back pocket | BioViz® print | no | |
Pearl Izumi Elite Escape Convertible cycling jacket | 125 USD | ELITE Barrier fabric | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered hand pockets and 1 zippered back pocket | reflective logos | 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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