Best Mountain Bike Waterproof Jacket

Mountain bike clothing manufacturers have some excellent designs to improve their jackets’ performance. You can expect lightweight, high-performing, durable jackets with ventilation and clever zips.

These details mean you can adjust your jacket to suit the weather conditions and your ride. You can also enhance this by carefully choosing your layers. Wearing a good baselayer wicks moisture away from your skin and allows it to escape through your jacket. The result is a drier and more comfortable ride.

Here is a rundown of what to look out for:

Two-Way Zips

These are double zips that allow you to open your jacket from the top and bottom. They allow you to cool down faster after you’ve got hot and bothered after a big uphill pedal.

Drop Tails

Jackets with a longer back keep your lower back covered and protected from mud and water spraying up from your back wheel. Sometimes, drop tails are adjustable with elastic or drawstrings to create a seal.

Dropped Cuffs

Dropped cuffs extend to create a seal around your wrists to stop water seeping into your gloves. These cuffs make the jacket more comfortable and are shaped to not crease, which usually lets moisture collect inside.

Lined Collar

Some jackets have a fleecy collar. This feels nice and soft against your skin, but it absorbs water before running down your neck.

Helmet-Compatible Hood

It is good if your hood slips over your helmet properly. It is practical and comfortable, but make sure you can cinch it with drawstrings, as your hood can reduce peripheral vision.

Ventilation

Ventilation is a great way to reduce your body temperature and allow sweat to escape. Mountain bike jackets usually have vents in the armpits or at the front. If you ride with a backpack, make sure the straps don’t get in the way of the vents. Also, vents with double zips give you more ventilation options.

Insulation

There are various types of insulation on offer. For example, your mountain bike jacket could be insulated with fleece and have a baffled construction to trap warm air inside.

You will find that insulated jackets don’t have as much waterproofing as others. This is because they require more breathability to stop the chilliness from sweat building up inside.

The amount of insulation a jacket has is often indicated by its “fill.” A jacket with a high fill level traps more air, but you can adjust your layering to have the same effect with less insulated jackets.

Three-layer fabric

Three-layer jackets are made from a fabric that comprises an outer shell on top of a waterproof membrane and an inner backing. The inner lining makes the jacket more comfortable and durable while enhancing breathability.

2.5-layer fabric

On a 2.5-layer jacket, the waterproof membrane is a thin coating inside rather than an additional lining. It has a more rubber-like feel but makes the jacket lighter and easier to pack into your backpack.

Here, the waterproof membrane has a thin coating applied to the inside rather than a proper lining. This type of jacket is often typified by a rubbery feel, but the ‘half’ layer makes the material lighter and more packable.

DWR

DWR stands for Durable Water Repellent treatment, which is often applied to the outside of garments to stop water from penetrating the material. This treatment is commonly seen on waterproof jackets, trousers, and baggy shorts. DWR can wear out or wash off over time but can be reapplied.

PFCs

Perfluorinated and poly-fluorinated chemicals are often used in producing DWR finishes. These break down very slowly once released into the environment. Many clothing brands now use PFC-free materials, so check out the description to be a little more environmentally friendly.

Articulated Jackets

Articulated mountain bike jackets have fabric cut along the lines that move the most. Therefore, the jacket follows the shape of your arms or the curve of your back when riding. The result of this is freedom of movement without having a baggy fit.