Keeping warm on the bike is essential to keep you riding and keep you healthy. With a decent jacket, the cold weather needn't be a reason to stay at home. Here we look at the best winter cycling jackets for under £135
T’is the season to be jolly! We love riding, but when the temperature plummets during winter it’s hard to stay smiling on the bike. So to protect ourselves from the frost outside, we have looked for the best winter cycling jackets that are top value and offer top levels of warmth to match. We set a strict maximum budget based on what the market has to offer, so each jacket we tested costs £135 or less.
We found 10 winter jackets from brands based all over the world, from the stylish Italians and British legends, to some new brands we recently discovered. Each of our testers will be paying close attention to how the jackets handle the British winter. Between December and February weather boffins predict that the median temperature in the UK will be just three degrees, so we want to know the jackets can perform in these temperatures.
With October turning out to be one of the warmest on record, we had to be patient testing these products, and wait for the temperature to fall before heading out for some long winter rides. We were all interested in performance, but style, quality and price were also key factors when reviewing the jackets, so our testers will offer feedback based on these factors.
Here’s our pick of the 10 best winter cycling jackets for under £135
dhb Professional ASV Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey
November 13, 2014
Forming part of the new professional range from Wiggle’s dhb clothing collection is the new ASV Roubaix Long sleeve Jersey. …Continue reading »
Score 9
Polaris Tornado jacket
December 3, 2014
The Polaris Tornado provides both windproof protection and breathability, but doesn't do much to help you be seen on the …Continue reading »
Score 7
Giordana Donna Silverline Windtex
December 3, 2014
While we’ve found that most Giordana ladies’ garments are designed to offer a very tight, form-fitting cut, Giordana Donna Silverline Windtex …Continue reading »
Score 8
Briko GT Team Jacket
December 3, 2014
If nothing else the Briko GT Team jacket will bring a splash of colour to your cycling wardrobe. Orange, green, …Continue reading »
Score 7
Proviz Reflect 360 jacket
December 3, 2014
The Proviz Reflect 360 jacket offers exceptionally good visibility, which is unfortunately matched by its poor breathability …Continue reading »
Score 8
Prendas Ciclismo Winter Jacket
December 3, 2014
The Prendas Ciclismo Winter Jacket offers both warmth and comfort in a stylish no-fuss package …Continue reading »
Score 9
Lusso Windtex Aero+ jacket
December 3, 2014
The Lusso Windtex Aero+ jacket is an exceptionally warm jacket for the price, with little details that make all the …Continue reading »
Score 9
Madison Road Race Thermal Jacket
December 3, 2014
The Madison Road Race Thermal jacket provides pro looks, but could definitely offer more warmth …Continue reading »
Score 7
Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket
December 3, 2014
The Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket is a good value jacket with plenty of warmth, but struggles with breathability …Continue reading »
Score 7
Bontrager RXL Convertible Softshell Jacket
December 3, 2014
A comfortable jacket that would benefit from being slightly warmer, this is a good winter layer that can act as …Continue reading »
Score 8
Conclusions
With winter well on its way, now is the perfect time for cost-conscious cyclists to pay close attention to this jacket round-up.
Each jacket comes in at under our chosen £135 limit. Many offer an impressive array of features and performance at this relatively low price point. There are, of course, strengths and weaknesses throughout the jackets on test, and some will suit certain types of riders better than others.
For this reason we’re not going to single out any particular jacket as the best on test. What we will do, however, is recommend a few particular jackets, for standout features worthy of extra attention.
Prendas has always had an ethos of ‘quality kit for all at affordable prices’. Indeed, it is the only firm that offers sizes up to 6XL; ideal for larger riders looking for a great fit.
Choose the right winter cycling jacket and you can keep riding throughout the cold season
For safety and visibility, you won’t get better than Proviz’s Reflect360 jacket. It really has to be seen to be believed, and it’s easily the most practical jacket here for night-time riding.
If you require a jacket to use between bike and bar, the Funkier offers a casual fit, and a fairly subtle design that won’t single you out as a cyclist. Finally, the Bontrager RXL Convertible jacket is the only jacket here with removable sleeves, making it great for mixed conditions.
And there it is: 10 jackets for 10 different cyclists. So, take your pick and enjoy a winter of cycling without breaking the bank.