The Best Mountain Bike Jackets of 2025-2026

When the temperatures drop or the rain begins to fall, a very good mountain bike jacket can hold you comfy out on the path. Whether or not for wind, chilly, rain, or all the above, there are many nice choices available on the market to maintain you driving fortunately by means of the autumn, winter, and spring.

Relying on the place you reside and trip, a jacket could also be a year-round necessity or a shoulder season accent. For many mountain bikers, the altering seasons deliver cooler temperatures and unsettled climate, together with among the greatest driving circumstances of the 12 months. Having the proper gear for the circumstances you’ll encounter could be the distinction between ending your trip moist and chilly or with an enormous smile in your face.

Fortunately, there are mountain bike jackets purpose-built for driving in climate starting from gentle to wild. From super-waterproof rain shells, packable wind layers, breathable waterproof jackets, and even a few wind-blocking jerseys, we’ve examined 15 nice fashions and have ideas to maintain you driving by means of cool temperatures, wind, and rain. After in depth testing in a variety of circumstances, we selected our favorites and people who excel for particular causes/circumstances.

Editor’s word: We up to date our mountain bike jackets information on December 12, 2025, with the addition of a brand new Finest Total award winner, the Patagonia Path Craft Jacket.

Different Nice Mountain Bike Jackets to Think about

Mountain Bike Jackets Comparability Chart

Why Ought to You Belief Bikerumor?

The staff at Bikerumor consists of cycling-obsessed people scattered throughout North America and Europe, the place most of us expertise all 4 seasons. And, we don’t cease driving as a result of the temperatures drop and the climate modifications. As a substitute, we gear up and get on the market. Using bikes is a giant a part of the job, in any case, however holding the wheels spinning by means of fall, winter, and spring requires the right gear to maintain it pleasurable, and now we have all discovered the significance of getting a very good mountain bike jacket to maintain the chilly, wind, and water from ruining our enjoyable. We’re additionally fortunate to get to check a number of the very best new gear, so we’ve acquired an inside monitor on the very best mountain bike jackets available on the market.

For our mountain bike jackets purchaser’s information, Bikerumor contributor Paul Clauss examined nearly all of the fashions on this assessment. Paul lives in northern Vermont, the place driving within the fall and spring means coping with cool to frigid temperatures, frequent rainstorms, and rain-soaked path circumstances, and having a high quality mountain bike jacket or two is vital to staying heat and/or dry. A mechanical engineer by commerce, Paul can be fairly adept at analyzing designs and constructions and placing merchandise by means of their paces to find out their efficiency variations. Paul has examined fairly a bit of substances through the years and contributed to our greatest dropper posts, mountain bike gloves, and bike locks purchaser’s guides.

Along with Paul’s testing, Bikerumor Editor Jeremy Benson examined a number of of the fashions included herein, and we additionally drew from Bikerumor’s editorial employees. Relaxation assured, each product included right here has been totally examined for at the least a number of weeks, and in some circumstances, many months or extra.

How We Examined Mountain Bike Jackets

We attempt to supply our readers with reliable critiques to assist inform their buy choices, so each product on this purchaser’s information has been examined in the actual world to see the way it performs. To check these mountain bike jackets, we weighed them for consistency and comparability to the producer’s specs and packed them into their smallest packed dimension to see how moveable they have been. We carefully examined the supplies, constructions, seams, and zippers to evaluate the standard of workmanship and a spotlight to element. The match of every mannequin was examined each at house and, most significantly, out on the path to get a way of how nicely they cowl the physique, transfer with you whilst you trip, and performance on the bike. Options like hoods, pockets, and changes have been analyzed to evaluate their performance and usefulness. And, every mannequin was used for prolonged intervals within the temperature and climate circumstances for which it was supposed, together with chilly, windy fall days, crisp, frosty mornings, rainstorms, rain showers, and even a number of hose checks.

Shopping for Recommendation: How you can Select a Mountain Bike Jacket

There are quite a few components to think about when selecting the best jacket for mountain biking. One of the essential is the supposed use or the circumstances you’ll be encountering in your fall, winter, and spring rides. This may enable you to slender down your search to a selected sort of jacket that can be greatest suited to your wants, whether or not that’s wind, water-resistance, or each. After that, different components like match, supplies, packability, breathability, pockets, options, and worth are different concerns relying in your particular wants and price range.

Supposed Use

The kind of temperature and climate circumstances you propose to be driving in can be an important think about deciding what sort of jacket you want. The jackets we examined vary from light-weight wind shells to burly waterproof rain jackets and fashions that intend to strike a stability between these extremes.

Wind

When you typically attempt to keep away from driving within the rain and easily want one thing to guard you from the chilling chunk of the wind, a wind jacket, or presumably a wind jersey could also be the very best wager. Wind-resistant jackets are an important choice to have for chilly mornings or chilly spring or fall days when it’s typically dry. They’re usually light-weight and created from thinner breathable supplies, and they’re usually fairly packable. Whereas they usually function a sturdy water-repellent (DWR) coating and is usually a good possibility in very mild precipitation, and are efficient for dealing with splashes from puddles or mud, they’re often not supposed to be absolutely waterproof. The Flylow Davis Jacket and the Rapha Path Light-weight Jacket are each nice examples of sunshine, packable wind shells.

Rain

When you purposefully trip when it’s raining or usually end up getting caught out in rainstorms, then a water-resistant (or extremely waterproof) jacket might be the proper name. Waterproof jackets usually incorporate waterproof membranes into their constructions, which, together with taped seams, intend to utterly block all water from making its manner inside. These supplies are nearly at all times handled with a DWR coating on the surface to advertise the water beading working off versus soaking into the outermost layer of the material. Whereas fashionable supplies enable actually waterproof jackets to be pretty breathable, they’re typically a bit hotter and fewer breathable than thinner windbreaker choices. waterproof shell ought to hold you dry in essentially the most excessive moist climate circumstances you’re more likely to encounter on a trip, and is a necessity in some areas just like the damp Northeast and Pacific Northwest of the US, or the UK.

Wind and Mild Rain

For a lot of riders, a easy wind layer might not be fairly sufficient, and a full-on rain jacket could also be overkill, so fortunately, there are alternatives that fall into the center of the spectrum. These extremely versatile jackets present nice wind safety and a excessive stage of water resistance and are able to heading off mild rains, intermittent showers, and tire spray from rain-soaked trails. With a DWR coating and waterproof supplies, these jackets will not be absolutely waterproof, however they’ll nonetheless usually hold you dry in most circumstances wanting heavy rain, which most of us attempt to keep away from anyway. Additionally they are inclined to dry in a short time, making them an important possibility for driving on these unsettled days when the climate simply can’t appear to make up its thoughts.

Chilly

When you trip when it’s actually chilly, you then positively wish to block the wind, and also you in all probability additionally need some insulation. Each wind and waterproof jackets will add a layer of safety from the wind that takes the sting off the chilliness, and sensible layering beneath is among the greatest methods to gear up for a winter trip, just like going snowboarding. Typically, the thicker supplies used on waterproof jackets will present a contact extra heat than mild wind layers. When it’s actually, actually chilly, many individuals will go for insulated jackets or mid-layers to assist keep physique warmth. Whereas we didn’t check any insulated jackets, there are many nice choices available on the market.

Supplies

Mountain bike jackets are created from quite a lot of supplies relying on the supposed use. These vary from superlight wind-blocking materials to heavy-duty, absolutely waterproof supplies. Wind jackets have the best job and are typically created from light-weight, stretch nylon or polyester that solely purpose to dam the wind and/or splashes from puddles. These supplies are sometimes handled with a DWR to assist shed mild quantities of water. Examples of wind jackets we examined are the Rapha Path Light-weight, Flylow Davis, and the Fox Ranger Wind Pullover.

Waterproof jackets are usually created from extra superior materials that embody waterproof membranes just like the GORE-TEX PACLITE used within the Gorewear Endure, or the ExoShell 40DR used within the Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II, as examples. Waterproof materials differ in weight, thickness, breathability, and even water resistance, and whereas all of them get the job completed, they don’t seem to be created equal. Jackets created from waterproof supplies usually have a few numbers related to them, like 10K/10K, that present rankings for waterproofness and breathability, respectively. These numbers are derived from lab checks to find out the place they land on the ranking scale. The upper the numbers, the extra waterproof and breathable a fabric is, and vice versa. Moreover, these supplies are nearly at all times handled with a DWR to shed water on the floor.

In between the lighter wind supplies and the utterly waterproof choices are these which might be wind-blocking and extremely waterproof. These are primarily a hybrid of the 2. Whereas not utterly waterproof, these jackets are usually a bit lighter, extra simply packable, and extra breathable than rain jackets whereas nonetheless offering sufficient water resistance for many conditions. GORE-TEX Infinium is a generally used membrane discovered within the Rapha Path Gore-Tex Infinium Jacket and components of the Gorewear Lupra Jacket that blocks wind and repels water nicely in most conditions, wanting correct downpours. Likewise, the Patagonia Path Craft Jacket works equally with an important DWR that sheds water very successfully, however solely up to some extent.

Sturdy Water-Repellant (DWR)

DWR remedies/coating/finishes have been round for a few years, and they’re a therapy utilized to the surface of most jackets that causes water to bead up and run off of the fabric versus soaking in. These remedies work very successfully when clothes are new, nonetheless, they do break down over time, use, and publicity to the solar, water, mud, filth, and many others. When this occurs, you’ll discover the outermost layer of the fabric could start to “moist out” or soak up among the water on the floor. With a really waterproof membrane beneath, you’ll nonetheless keep dry, however this will have an opposed impact on the fabric’s breathability. Usually, merely washing your jacket can assist to revitalize the DWR, however finally, it would in all probability should be reapplied. Nikwax makes various wash-in DWR replenishment merchandise to be used at house that work fairly nicely and there are technical tools cleaners that could possibly do it for you. Earlier than doing any at-home DWR remedies, nonetheless, we advocate checking with the producer for particular suggestions.

When DWR remedies first got here out, they have been largely created from “eternally chemical substances” that had poisonous by-products that persist within the setting and are “presumably carcinogenic” in accordance with the Worldwide Company for Analysis on Most cancers. These chemical substances, also known as PFAs and/or PFCs, have been even banned in lots of international locations. Manufacturers have been searching for alternate options, and nowadays, most corporations are claiming to make use of PFC-free or non-toxic DWR remedies on their clothes.

Match

Like all outerwear, a jacket ought to match nicely and permit a full vary of movement on and off the bike. A lot of the jackets we examined have mountain bike-specific matches optimized for driving – a slim midsection, articulated arms, gusseted underarms, an prolonged rear waist hem to maintain your hindquarters dry, and a big hood to be used with helmets. The matches are tailor-made however relaxed – free sufficient to be comfy on and off the bike and layer beneath, however streamlined sufficient to not flap round excessively, fall over your arms, or catch in your seat whereas driving. 

For mountain biking, we’ve discovered that it’s essential to get the proper dimension, as a jacket that’s too small can limit motion or be uncomfortable and one that’s too massive would possibly flap excessively within the wind, snag in your saddle, or have sleeves that stretch down too far over your arms. Typically, going with the identical dimension you often purchase for jerseys or informal put on will in all probability work nicely, however not at all times. When doubtful, test your measurements and reference a model’s dimension chart. Some manufacturers present footage of fashions together with their dimensions and the scale they’re sporting for reference. And, if potential, making an attempt one thing on before you purchase is at all times one of the best ways to make sure you get one thing that matches.

We have now observed prior to now few years that many manufacturers’ sizing has been trending a bit of bigger than it used to. For instance, certainly one of our testers is a 6-foot-tall male who has been a dimension Massive prime for so long as he can bear in mind. Lately, he has been simply and comfortably becoming into dimension Medium jerseys and jackets, even if his physique dimension hasn’t modified. That stated, it’s value double-checking dimension charts before you purchase, or shopping for one thing that may simply be returned or exchanged if it doesn’t match fairly proper.

Options

Like the kind of jacket, the options you want or need could differ relying on the supposed use. Most wind and rain jackets function hoods, a number of pockets, air flow, and quite a lot of changes to dial them into your wants or the circumstances.

Hood

The entire jackets we examined have one factor in widespread: a hood. Not all hoods are created equal, in fact, and a few are executed much better than others. Issues we search for in a hood on a mountain bike jacket are the power to suit over a helmet comfortably and securely, adjustability, and for it to maneuver along with your head with out constricting or getting in the way in which of your peripheral imaginative and prescient. After all, it’s additionally good after they tuck away neatly and/or sit comfortably behind the pinnacle when not in use.

Pockets

Relying on what you want to hold with you if you trip, pockets could or might not be a giant consideration. The jackets we examined differ significantly within the quantity, placement, and storage capability of their pockets. When you’re a minimalist otherwise you carry most of your necessities in shorts/pants pockets, cargo bib pockets, in-frame storage, or a pack of some sort, then a jacket with a single pocket is likely to be simply high quality to your wants. If you wish to carry a telephone, pockets, keys, snacks, and instruments in your jacket, you then’ll in all probability wish to search for one thing with a number of pockets and ample cupboard space. The Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II has essentially the most pockets and storage capability of all of the fashions we examined, plus they’re nicely executed and designed to remain out of the way in which of pack straps.

Wrist Cuffs

Wrist cuff designs differ by model and supposed use of the jacket. Most mountain bike jackets have prolonged cuffs that hold a bit of farther than regular, in order that they don’t trip up if you’re leaning ahead, and to cowl the again of the wrist/backside of gloves. Some have elastic to maintain them semi-tightened across the wrist, whereas others are adjustable by means of velcro straps. What works greatest for you’ll depend upon the circumstances you’re driving in and the way you need them to interface along with your gloves (in the event you put on them). If, for instance, you’re driving in extraordinarily moist or chilly circumstances, it’s your decision to have the ability to tighten the wrist cuff round your mountain bike gloves to seal out the water or frigid air.

Drawcord Hem

Nearly all of mountain bike jackets have a drawcord hem that can be utilized to cinch the underside of the jacket tight across the physique. Whereas many riders could by no means really feel the necessity to use such an adjustment, it’s a good function to have on notably chilly or moist days to forestall chilly air or water/mud from getting into up by means of the underside of the jacket.

Air flow

Many jackets depend on the breathability of the supplies to permit warmth and moisture to flee. Usually, particularly within the case of rain-specific jackets, that isn’t sufficient, so some have armpit and/or pocket vents constructed into their designs. Vents is usually a nice function to evacuate body-generated warmth if/when the fabric can’t do it for you. After all, unzipping the entrance zipper can be a superb solution to get some air flowing contained in the jacket. Each the Endura Singletrack II and the MT500 Waterproof II function air flow. Including vents to a jacket does have the opposed impact of including weight and lowering packability.

Breathability

After we trip, we generate physique warmth and perspire, even when it’s chilly and/or wet. That is very true when driving with a jacket, as most will not be practically as breathable as driving with out one. And, when driving within the chilly, being moist with sweat could make you’re feeling even colder when you’re within the wind or begin driving downhill. Regulating temperature is difficult, and one thing that the consumer wants to remain on prime of as a result of even essentially the most breathable waterproof material nonetheless finally ends up trapping user-generated warmth and moisture. Some materials carry out significantly better on this regard, successfully permitting your warmth and moisture to flee whereas holding chilling wind and water from getting in, whereas others are a bit stuffier and really feel moist on the within. The Patagonia Path Craft Jacket is impressively breathable and helps to keep up a constant consolation stage contained in the jacket, making it simpler to go away on on a regular basis with out overheating or getting drenched in sweat.

Packability

For these amongst us who prefer to deliver a jacket on a trip within the off probability it would rain or as a result of you recognize you’ll be taking it off the climbs and placing it again on for the descents, packability and weight are essential concerns. Our cupboard space, whether or not it’s in a mountain bike hip pack, backpack, cargo bib pocket, or in-frame storage, is comparatively finite, so with the ability to pack your jacket right down to a compact dimension that matches in that house is crucial. For these carrying a jacket, weight can be a priority, and usually, the lighter the higher.

In the case of packability, the lighter wind jackets usually take the cake. For instance, the Rapha Path Light-weight jacket weighs simply 160 grams (dimension S) and packs into the chest pocket to a tiny dimension. Moreover, it comes with a strap that can be utilized to stash it in your body when not in use. Likewise, the Patagonia Path Craft Jacket weighs simply 240 grams (dimension L), stuffs into its personal pocket, and compresses down fairly small to suit into your pack.

In distinction, the thicker supplies utilized in most waterproof jackets make them a bit heavier, and so they aren’t capable of pack down fairly as small. The exception to this rule is the Gorewear Endure, which is made with GORE-TEX PACLITE, weighs simply 280 grams (dimension S), and is about as packable as absolutely waterproof jackets get. On the flip facet of that coin is the Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II, which weighs 550 grams (dimension M) and can be practically inconceivable to suit right into a fanny pack in the event you needed to take it off.

Wind Jerseys

Together with the ten jackets we examined, we included two wind-blocking jerseys as alternate options for cool-weather driving. Whereas they’re clearly not jackets, a wind-blocking long-sleeve jersey could be the right layer to put on on cool days when all you actually need is to take the chunk out of the wind to remain comfy. The 2 choices we examined, the Rapha Path Windblock Jersey and the Mons Royale Tarn Merino Shift Wind Jersey, each function merino wool mix materials that comprise the principle physique, coated by a wind-blocking nylon entrance panel to maintain the wind off your torso. We discovered each of those jerseys to be glorious for cool temperatures the place you generate some physique warmth on the climbs however would possibly catch a chill on the decents. They proved to be exceptionally versatile items that get numerous use within the fall and spring.

Value & Worth

There’s a massive variation in worth between the jacket fashions we examined, and like anything within the sport of mountain biking, they are often fairly costly. Spending extra on a jacket usually yields higher-quality supplies, building, or options that excel in a selected manner, reminiscent of waterproofness or packability (or each). Different instances, it will get you these issues plus a model identify.

Whereas we definitely love trying fancy in costly gear, we additionally respect a very good worth, and we all know numerous different individuals do too. So, certain, you’ll be able to spend $330 to get the bombproof Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II, or it can save you over 100 bucks and get the Endura Singletrack II, which performs practically on par with its costlier sibling. Sure, the Singletrack II isn’t technically as waterproof because the MT500, but it surely’s acquired to be so depressing exterior to matter that you simply in all probability shouldn’t be on the market anyway.

Equally, the Fox Ranger 2.5L Water Jacket ($150) prices even much less and will get the job completed whereas trying fairly snappy besides. And, in the event you’re solely in search of a wind jacket, the Fox Ranger Wind Pullover ($125) is the least costly possibility we examined, but it performs nicely whereas having an informal type that doesn’t pigeonhole it as strictly a driving piece.

That stated, the $249 Patagonia Path Craft Jacket is our prime advice for its spectacular versatility, glorious match, wind and water resistance, light-weight, and packability. This jacket is the entire package deal, and that’s mirrored within the worth. That worth additionally displays the standard and sturdiness for which Patagonia merchandise are identified. It’ll truly final a lifetime in order for you it to.

Incessantly Requested Questions About Mountain Bike Jackets