Your buyer's guide to cycling jackets and gilets

A softshell jacket focuses on warmth. It is made from stretchy fabric that supplies a high level of insulation using a fleecy lining while a windproof membrane keeps out cold draughts. The softshell jacket is not waterproof like a hardshell: it is water repellent, which will keep you dry in light rain or drizzle and protect you from road spray.

An effective softshell like our Triban RC500 Winter Softshell can be worn with a baselayer underneath from around ten °C to the very lowest single-figure temperatures. Its fabric is highly breathable, and to regulate temperature further, it has zipped vents under the arms and a removable neck warmer. Meanwhile, the Van Rysel Cold Weather Jacket, developed with the Ag2r-La Mondiale U19 team, has a removable hood and breastplate.

Since the softshell is designed to be both outer and mid-layer (you don’t need to wear a jersey underneath), it has its own pockets.

For pacier workouts in not quite so frosty conditions, the Van Rysel Light Winter Racing Jacket supplies a light, close fit without sacrificing the wind and water repellency of the Triban RC500 Winter Jacket.

The women’s-specific Van Rysel Cold Weather jacket also packs the same winter tech and comes in a fluo yellow and black to keep you visible through the dark months.

Look out for: High collar, long cuffs, fleecy lining, durable water repellent coating (DWR), rear pockets, and reflective elements.

If the forecast is pointing towards rain, head out with a hardshell as your outer layer, layering up underneath according to air temperature.

A hardshell jacket has a waterproof (rather than water-repellent) single layer of fabric. The fabric is made waterproof by either a membrane – a very thin micro-perforated plastic film that is also breathable – or a durable water-repellent coating (DWR). Using a membrane makes waterproof jackets lighter, suppler and more durable than a DWR.

The construction of a waterproof jacket is just as important as the fabric: taped seams and a waterproof zip ensure minimal water ingress.

The Triban RC500 Cycling Rainproof jacket has membrane waterproofing, taped seams and a waterproof YKK Aquaguard zip. There’s also a retractable flap that, when down, protects against spray from the rear wheel and folds up invisibly into the jacket when not in use.

There is a waterproof jacket for every budget in our range. The RC100 and RC120 Rain Jackets offer great value for money and a high level of weather protection thanks to their simpler construction and DWR waterproofing.

Look out for: Fabric with a high waterproof rating, taped seams, long tail or retractable flap, breathability, and reflective elements.

If it’s not quite wall-to-wall sunshine, there’s a slightly chilly breeze, or you have a long descent on the agenda, it’s worth rolling up a lightweight, packable shell and sticking it in your jersey pocket.

Formerly known as a ‘race cape’ and once notorious for the boil-in-the-bag effect on its wearer, the packable shell has come a long way thanks to breathable fabrics and construction advances.

Our top lightweight shell, the Van Rysel RR900 Ultralight Cycling Rain Jacket tucks into its inside pocket for easy stashing. When deployed, it offers a waterproof rating of 2,000mm, equivalent to a two-hour rain shower. The fabric itself is not only breathable but also has underarm and rear-side vents to help channel out perspiration.

The latest lightweight shells have a degree of stretch, making them close-fitting and helping to reduce noisy wind flaps.

Meanwhile, although it’s a notch down in pricing and performance, the Van Rysel RR500 Ultralight Cycling Rain Jacket is a lighter alternative, at 91g for the large size, compared to 140g for the RR900.

Look for Packability, lightweight construction, wind and water repellency, breathability, and close fit to eliminate wind flap.

The gilet is one of the most useful and versatile garments in the cyclist’s wardrobe. Perfect for early starts, long descents or when midsummer isn’t quite here yet, the windproof, sleeveless zip-up outer layer keeps the torso snug and if it’s also water repellent, like the Van Rysel RC500 Ultralight Windproof Cycling Gilet, it’s indispensable if you’re caught out in showery weather.

Gilets can be a useful secret weapon in mid-winter, too: wear one over the top of a softshell jacket, and you’ll add a crucial layer of extra windproofing.

The top-of-the-range Van Rysel Team Windproof Road Cycling Gilet was developed with our sponsored race team and is designed to be close fitting, aerodynamic and almost invisible, making up a thin but essential barrier with its windproof/water repellent front and lightweight mesh back to let heat escape efficiently.

Look out for a Windproof and water-repellent front, mesh back and a close fit.

As the Scandinavian mantra goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather – just bad clothing. So get yourself properly kitted out to get the most out of your cycling all year round.

A fabric's waterproofing is determined by measuring its resistance to the pressure exerted by a water column, measured in millimetres (based on ISO 811 standard). The higher the pressure, the more waterproof the fabric. A 1,000mm rating is usually the lowest to be considered waterproof, only keeping out a light shower, while 10,000mm is typically a tent spec designed to keep out prolonged heavy rain.