If you’re thinking about carrying on riding your bike throughout the cold, wet winter months ahead, it pays to invest in some layers that will take the sting out of the weather and will, hopefully, ensure your bike remains a pleasurable place to be regardless of the conditions.
As most of us know, layers are the key to keeping warm when it’s chilly and while they can be of great benefit on the bike, they can also leave you feeling trussed up like a turkey. At the same time, keeping warm air next to the skin is key to staying comfy so it’s best to avoid anything too spacious and loose, which means a striking a balance.
Seeing as not everyone runs at the same temperature, we’ve rounded up a wide range of options that should provide something suitable for all body thermostats, whether you’re wearing them layered over a jersey or worn in place of one.
Not every thermal jacket is made equal and that’s probably a good job as not every rider either wants to ride at the same effort level or even feels the same temperature when on the bike.
All the same, there are three things every rider wants to be just right:
Length: Body and arms both need to have a Goldilocks approach when it comes to a jacket. Too long and they’ll bunch up, too short and you’ll feel the chill air on your skin. Neither is a happy place to be.
Cut: Next to length, the proportional cut or fit of the garment is key. Sadly, cut is something manufactures struggle to nail consistently as it can alter from factory to factory and between fabrics so don’t be surprised if you need to go up or down a size.
Pockets: Unless you’re sure you’ll be running a jersey underneath, three pockets is a minimum in our opinion, providing somewhere to stash a rain jacket and some food. A zip-able valuables pockets is, er, invaluable too.
Madison RoadRace Apex soft shell jacket
What they say: Madison wants this to be the only jacket you reach for on those yucky winter days, pitching it as a ‘heavyweight thermal softshell jacket designed to keep you warm’.
Constructed around the riding position, it offers a comfortable, lean cyclist’s cut and six size options.
Front-facing panels offer windproofing and water resistance too, while the thermal Roubaix back panel allows warmth with a certain level of airflow.
What we say: Apex comes up smaller than most, so do take that into consideration, but as long as you find the right size for you, it’s a well-proportioned and excellently executed jacket.
It’s certainly warm but gives scope to add or remove layers depending on personal thermometer settings.
The high collar and four pockets, one zipped, and 355g weight plus sensible price tag make it a winner.
Verdict
Despite the low weight, the Roadrace Apex provides excellent warmth, and scores highly for value, too. 9/10
£114.99 | madison.cc
Rapha Core Winter Jacket
What they say: From the Core range the subtly styled chic of the Winter jacket gives function and purpose while aiming to respect your bank account.
‘Frontside windproofing and brushed interior provide comfortable weather cover’ and three main pockets at the back, plus a zipped valuables section gives plenty of function.
Simple colour-on-colour branding combined with a non-aggressive cut work with wrist and neck inner cuffs for a snug unencumbered fit.
What we say: True to its roots, Core Winter Jacket delivers the Rapha name without shouting it too loudly or trying too hard.
It’s a beautifully cut garment for an athletic shape, with the dual construction of wind-stopping front panels and a stretchy rear combining with the brushed interior to make a riding partner you’ll spend a lot of time with.
At 393g for a size large, it’s ticking all the right boxes.
Verdict: Beautifully cut and subtly styled, the Core is also a highly functional garment, as we’d expect from Rapha. 9/10
£130 | rapha.cc
Mavic Cosmic Elite Thermo jacket
What they say: A new addition to the range for this winter, the Elite Thermo is a low volume, thermal layer offering ‘enhanced motion comfort – stretch-knit fabric with soft inserts lets you move easily.’
The brushed fabric enhances this comfort, as does its highly stretchable nature, so the ‘pro fit’ won’t feel too snug.
A broad waist band with silicone grippers helps keep everything in place.
What we say: Fitting more in the category of a heavyweight jersey, the Elite Thermo is one for people who want to run multiple layers or find they are constantly hot.
Very stretchable and highly breathable, it offers a figure-hugging design with four pockets, one of which is zipped, and a well-proportioned cut with a slightly longer sleeve.
Available in five size options, it has a weight of 319g.
Verdict
A comfortable, snug, stretchy fit, warm thermo fabric and low weight make this a great layering option. 7/10
£100 | mavic.com
Pearl Izumi Elite Escape Softshell
What they say:‘Two-layer Softshell for warmth and protection’ using a fabric that offers windproofing with warmth, as well as a level of water-resistance that means the Escape should offer something for every rider.
Dual ‘draft’ pockets on the chest allow additional airflow while keeping the central zip up for temperature fine-tuning, and debossed details give interest to the main panels.
What we say: At 409g this is one of the weightier items here but with the extra weight comes a higher level of protection.
Size-wise it comes up larger than we’d expect so you might want to try one size smaller than normal. Doubling up the two front pockets as vents means you can pick how you use the Escape, although a single rear pocket limits carrying capacity.
The thermal fabric on the underarm, side and back allow breathability and stretch for fit a close fit.
Verdict
Heavyweight fabrics offer great protection while plentiful vents allow temperature regulation. 7/10
£119.99 | madison.co.uk
Endura Pro SL Primaloft
What they say: Endura has thought outside of the cycling shaped box with the Primaloft jacket, constructing the lightweight Pro SL with windproof panels of Primaloft Gold insulation.
The stretch windproof sleeves and side body panels work with the well thought-out cut to give a well-proportioned athletic fit for cold rides.
As you might expect, there is a DWR coating to help with water repellency.
What we say: Two smaller pockets and a large zipped one give good carrying options as does the fact that Pro SL can be packed down its own drawstring bag.
While the laser-cut perforations in the back give ventilation to this low bulk jacket, fit-wise it’s only those with broad shoulders/back who might find it snug.
We love that it looks a little urban yet is designed for serious, road bike action, and it weighs just 253g.
Verdict
Something a bit different from Endura – the use of Primaloft Gold makes it very warm yet extremely light. 8/10
£129.99 | endurasport.com
Sportful R&D Strato Top
What they say:‘Protection of a light jersey with the fit and feel of a thermal jersey.’
Sportful could well have played a master stroke with the R&D Strato thanks to its UK-based testers. By grafting the front portion of a gilet onto a long sleeve jersey, they’ve increased the weather resistance without adding any extra bulk, and two zipped front vents allow the rider to vary cooling depending on tempo.
What we say: In reality do-it-all doesn’t always work, yet Sportful has made wise choices and not got carried away.
Fit-wise, the top comes up snug – as is often the case with Sportful’s Italian approach to sizing – but it offers a good balance between arm length and body size; when combined with the seven sizes, this should mean most riders can benefit.
An elegant solution that might not replace a current jersey and gilet yet certainly deserves a place in your kit bag.
Verdict
The extra windproofing on the front of the Strato is a clever feature that adds protection without bulk. 8/10
£120 | sportful.com
Santini Wind Protection Jacket
What they say: Santini’s Italian offering is a close-fitting aero-cut windbreaker that’s big on protection but small enough to pop into a jersey pocket when it gets warm.
As such it offers protection from both wind and rain and keeps you warm in that way, rather than offering high thermal capacity.
‘It provides protection from the wind at the front and insulation on the back and sleeves’ thanks to the Breezewall fabric and AquaZero water-resisting treatment.'
What we say: With its limited thermal fabric, you’ll certainly want to use the Wind in combination with other garments to keep you comfy in single digit temperatures.
With seven sizes, most will be able to take advantage of the close, aero fit, especially with the two-way stretch of the front panels and full stretch of the thermal ones.
Three rear pockets give acceptable storage and a total weight of 260g.
Verdict
An excellent choice for variable weather days, being light and compact enough to stuff in a pocket. 8/10
£109.99 | zyrofisher.co.uk
Altura Podium Elite Thermo Shield
What they say: The Elite Thermo Shield pretty much does as its name suggests, offering top level performance and fit that keeps you warm and protected.
Or as Altura puts it ‘engineered to provide protection from wind and water while still offering high levels of breathability’.
What we say: We love a five-pocket winter jacket as it makes for a much more versatile garment on cold days, while the lean, athletic cut is on the money for the size with a reasonable level of flexibility thanks to the stretch panels.
Front-facing fabrics keep the worst of the elements at bay while those at the rear allow airflow.
There are reflectives on the arm and on the central pocket while the water-resistant fabric should stop you getting a cold lower back. It comes in five sizes and weighs 351g.
Verdict
An impressively versatile jacket with lots of pockets, plus decent protection from wind and rain. 8/10
£109.99 | zyrofisher.co.uk
dhb Aeron Hybrid Softshell
What they say: A new addition to the dhb high performance range is the Aeron Hybrid.
Its intention is to be a stock item for winter riding that can be dressed up or down according to the conditions, or as Dhb puts it: ‘Its versatility means weather is never an issue.’
Wind and water-resistant main panels, here in light blue, are made of a softshell material, while the dark blue is Roubaix fabric for warmth and stretch.
What we say: An excellent, innovative item at a category-smashing price. Three main pockets plus a zipped one for valuables keeps functionality high on a jacket that weighs 411g.
As befits Aeron’s mandate, the cut is best described as ‘racy’ with a fit suited to an aggressive position on the bike thanks to the long back.
With the use of brand-name Italian fabrics, Miti and Windtex, there’s much to recommend the Hybrid.
Verdict: As we’ve come to expect from Dhb, the Hybrid offers superb value without sacrificing performance. 9/10
£80 | wiggle.co.uk
