Not only is it necessary to wear a cycling jacket in the colder months but it can even protect you from an unexpected downpour or frigid winds in spring and summer. Plus, only with a great jacket can you complete your tour with the necessary vigour.
You may ask yourself: how do you choose a cycling jacket based on your different requirements? Which details, equipment and other features should you pay attention to before buying a cycling jacket? To help you out, we’d like to present to you a few models that are suitable for the most diverse conditions.
Cycling jackets for the warmer seasons
If you enjoy going on long bike tours, then you know that spending days on your saddle is a given. Plus, in both spring and summer, the adventures often start at sunrise and extend into the evening. And, during these times of day, it can get chilly even during the warmer months. So, having a cycling jacket to protect you against the cold is essential.
Not only should the jacket keep you warm but it should also have other features, so that your ride is as pleasant as possible. For example, many cycling jackets are windproof, which is important, of course, but some may block out so much wind that you’ll be sitting in your own sweat. And that’s probably not what you’re hoping for. So, your jacket should provide a limited amount of warmth to make sure that you’ll make it up the next hill without perspiring.
This means that your cycling jacket should have sufficient ventilation to allow the cool air to reach your body. This can be achieved by either unzipping a zipped vent or by removing the sleeves on certain models. As a result, your torso can remain warm, while the rest of your body enjoys the airy, lightweight properties of a jersey in mild temperatures.
Cycling jackets for the colder seasons
In comparison to warm-season jackets, the only purpose of jackets made for autumn and winter is to prevent you from cooling down too quickly. This can be achieved through the use of thermo/functional fabric. This fabric usually prevents cold air from reaching the body to keep the body temperature constant. Similar to a wetsuit, a thermal shield is created by one’s own body heat. Then, both excess heat and moisture is simply transported away to the outside.
In addition, a high collar is another important feature of a good cycling jacket because both the wind and low temperatures can put a strain on your sensitive neck area.
Special cycling jackets for various weather conditions
When it comes to cycling jackets, distinguishing between warm and cold months is not the only important factor. That’s because the weather can vary within the individual seasons, so a variety of garments is often required.
For example, waterproof jackets will keep you dry during your ride and should be combined with matching waterproof trousers. These are perfect for more athletic adventures. However, if you only plan a short journey through the city, then we’d recommend getting a poncho. Due to their shape, they’ll also protect your legs and can even be pulled over both the handlebars and the bike rack. As a result, both your hands and your bag will remain dry.
In addition, you should definitely consider getting a windproof jacket for stormy days. This will shield you from cold winds and although it may not be so obvious at first, it may even stop you from catching an annoying cold by preventing your body from cooling down too quickly.
Lastly, the advantage of thinner jackets is that they usually have a small packing size. Therefore, they’re the perfect additional jacket to take with you on any bike tour and will fit inside almost any bag.
The optimal properties of a cycling jacket
If you have a racing bike, then you know that air resistance can be irritating. In this case, your cycling jacket should have a snug fit. As a result, the fabric won’t trap any wind and slow you down, so it won’t negatively affect your ride.
In addition, it’s quite important to have a jacket with pockets on medium to long-rides. You can stow away your valuables in here and avoid dragging along a bulky backpack. Plus, you can even stow away some tools, energy bars, an air pump or even a replacement inner tube in some special back pockets, without them being too much of a hindrance.
Visibility in traffic
No matter what jacket you choose, one thing is an absolute must for all cycling jackets: it must make you visible in traffic. As a general rule of thumb: the brighter it is, the more visible you are. So you should probably avoid dark colours and instead opt for eye-catching colours to ensure visibility. Also, your bike clothes should be equipped with reflective elements, so that you’ll be noticed more quickly by approaching cars at night, thanks to the reflection of their headlights. Nevertheless, you should never ride your bike at night without adequate and functioning lights.
So, regardless of the season, you should always bring along a cycling jacket for your ride. If you don’t need to wear it straight away, then it should definitely be in your backpack. That’s why compressibility and low weight are just as important as functionality. When perfectly equipped, the elements won’t ruin your ride and your tour will be a guaranteed success.
