In this article I’m going to give you an overview of the best women’s thermal cycling jackets.
The general definition of a thermal cycling jacket is that it’s a jacket with a fit designed when riding a bike, with some form of added insulation to reduce the amount of heat lost when cycling in cold weather conditions.
As an added bonus these jackets either feature water-repellant or waterproof fabrics and/or treatments. A jacket can be called waterproof if the seams are taped or seals to prevent rain from seeping through.
Various riding conditions require different thermal cycling jackets. Road cycling differs markedly from MTB trail riding. Naturally jackets can be used inter disciplinary, but different riders prefer different cycling jackets with different features.
That’s why this list features a wide variety of thermal cycling jackets to suit your needs. From lightweight wind jackets to heavily insulated rain jackets.
With that out of the way, let’s head over to my list of the best women’s thermal cycling jackets.
Castelli Commuter W Reflex cycling jacket
As the name suggests the Castelli Commuter W Reflex jacket is one of the few commuter oriented cycling jackets from the Italian brand.
It means a more relaxed fit, longer droptail, and all-over reflective patterning for maximum visibility in busy urban environments.
The jacket features a 3-layer 20K waterproof fabric with fully taped seams, and 2 zippered hand pockets. That’s about as waterproof as you can make a cycling jacket.
It’s not cheap by any stretch of the imagination but the jacket does feature the best the Italian brand has to offer for everyday commuting use.
- High-quality commuter offering from, with relaxed fit, and 20K waterproof all-over reflective material
- Fit isn't meant for road cycling
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 Lupra cycling jacket
The Gore Wear Lupra jacket is a high-quality, relaxed-fit option for a winter cycling jacket.
Made from a combination of GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® in the front and GORE® selected fabrics in the back it’s a hooded option compatible with helmets.
The loose fit allows easy layering for increased insulation in an already durable and waterproof setup, with taped seams in the hood and shoulders.
Draw strings let you tighten the hood and hem to further protect you from the elements.
Long sleeves with pre-shaped elbows create the perfect fit when cycling and sit generously over your gloves. 2 zippered hand pockets finish this excellent design.
One of the best allround winter cycling jackets, flexible, versatile, and great-looking on and of the bike.
- Great allround and versatile winter cycling jacket that's helmet compatible
- None
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 Tempest cycling jacket
The Gore Wear Tempest jacket is a great-looking winter cycling jacket to keep you riding while temperatures are dropping below zero.
The cycling jacket is made from GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® and has a fleece back for increased insulation. And the fleece-lined close-fitting collar prevents air from sapping away heat.
With a road cycling oriented fit, the garment sits close to the body and aids a posture riding in the drops.
3 rear pockets are reminiscent of this style of cycling jackets, as are reflective strips on both arms and the rear.
In terms of functionality for deep winter riding in a relatively affordable package, it ticks all the boxes.
- Insulated winter jacket for road cycling
- None
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
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.
- Lightweight, packable cycling jacket
- Not a replacement for a more standard cycling jacket
Showers Pass Syncline CC cycling jacket
The Showers Pass Syncline CC jacket is a high-quality yet very affordable option considering the amount of functionality this lightweight jacket provides.
2.4 layered waterproof fabric with taped seams, water-resistant zipper, 3M reflective tape, an adjustable hood compatible with a helmet, zippered ventilation vents on both sides, this jacket does it all and does it very well.
It’s probably the best all-round waterproof cycling jacket for the money.
- Excellent allround, waterproof cycling jacket for commuting and touring
- None
Fox Racing Ranger 3L Water cycling jacket
The Fox Racing Ranger 3L Water jacket is an endurance-oriented performance cycling jacket for hard-riding female cyclists.
Fully 10K waterproof multi-layered fabric with taped seams, waterproof zippers and a hood and hem with drawstrings, keeps the warmth in and the rain out as you ride anywhere, in any weather condition.
2 hand pockets, and a cinched design makes this both a gorgeous, functional, and high-quality cycling product from one of the best brands in the business.
- Great, fully waterproof, all-weather, all-season jacket
- None
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 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 Stow H2O cycling jacket
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.
- Premium, waterproof, stowable jacket
- None
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 thermal cycling jackets
Name | Price | Material | Weather protection | Pockets | Reflectiveness | Packable | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Castelli Commuter W Reflex cycling jacket | 240 USD | 3-layer allover reflex fabric | windproof, waterproof | 2 zippered hand pockets | reflex fabric | 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 Lupra cycling jacket | 180 USD | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® front w. GORE® selected fabrics back | windproof, water resistant | 2 zippered front pockets | reflective strips on arms | no | |
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 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 | |
Proviz REFLECT360 Plus cycling jacket | 150 euros | 5K R360 Plus fabric w. REPREVE mesh | windproof, waterproof | 2 zippered breast pockets | R360 Plus | no | |
Showers Pass Syncline CC cycling jacket | 149 euros | Artex™ 2.5-layer fabric | windproof, waterproof | 2 zippered hand pockets | 3M reflective strips on front and back | no | |
Fox Racing Ranger 3L Water cycling jacket | 200 USD | 10K 2.5-layer ripstop fabric | 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 | |
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 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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