The top 17 best women's road cycling jackets

Table of Contents

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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	link
Castelli Aria Shell W cycling jacket	140 USD	Windproof woven microfiber front	windproof	none	none	yes	link
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	link
Gore Wear C7 GORE-TEX Shakedry cycling jacket	280 USD	GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™	windproof, waterproof	1 lower back stow pocket	reflective logos	yes	link
Gore Wear Stream cycling jacket	200 USD	GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus	windproof, waterproof	1 zippered back pocket	reflective strips on arms and back	no	link
Gore Wear Ambient cycling jacket	170 USD	GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER®	windproof, water resistant	1 lower back zippered pocket	reflective logo	yes	link
Gore Wear Phantom cycling jacket	200 USD	GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER®	windproof, water resistant	3 rear pockets	reflective strips on arms	no	link
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	link
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	link
Endura Women’s FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II cycling jacket	110 USD	ExoShell20ST™ 20K fabric	windproof, waterproof	none	reflective logos w. striping	yes	link
Inbike Outdoor cycling jacket	65 USD	softshell	windproof, water resistant	2 zippered hand pockets	reflective logo and strips on back	no	link
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	link
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	link
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	link
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	link
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	link
Giro Chrono Expert Wind cycling jacket	65 USD	Nylon ripstop fabric w. DWR treatment	windproof, water resistant	none	reflective strip on back	yes	link