Like cycling shorts, for example, a cycling jacket is an essential piece of cycling gear. Follow our advice to make sure you choose the right one. Whatever the time of year, a cycling or mountain biking jacket has to meet a number of requirements.
Like cycling shorts, for example, a cycling jacket is an essential piece of cycling gear. Follow our advice to make sure you choose the right one. Whatever the time of year, a cycling or mountain biking jacket has to meet a number of requirements.
Breathability, protection against the cold and rain, practicality, comfort, safety: cycling jackets and mountain bike jackets have to do it all. There is a jacket for every activity and every situation. Before making your choice, it is therefore essential to identify the constraints and existing solutions.|>
Waterproofing: rain cycling jacket
A cycling jacket or mountain bike jacket will protect you from any rain showers. Waterproof, it is nevertheless breathable to wick away body heat and moisture generated by perspiration.
It can therefore be micro-perforated or use breathable materials.
Cycling jackets can also feature air vents on the sides or under the arms.
In addition, the sleeves should be adjusted at the wrists with Velcro or silicone strips to prevent moisture from rising when the bike is in motion. Heat-sealed seams will also help reduce the risk of water infiltration.
Waterproofing is expressed in Schmerber and is measured by placing the material that makes up the cycling garment in a "water column". In practice, water is applied to the fabric at increasing pressure. The Schmerber then determines the pressure, measured in millimetres, at which the material begins to let water through. 1 Schmerber = 1 mm of water. So, a cycling jacket that can withstand a water column of 2,000 mm will protect you from light rain. Another jacket that can withstand a water column of 10,000 mm will protect you in all conditions.|>
Windproof cycling jacket
A cycling windbreaker will be enough to protect you from the cold if temperatures remain between 10° and 15°C.
Choose a fitted style to avoid the "parachute" effect. Sleeveless cycling vests are therefore preferable. A cycling windbreaker that is too loose will catch the wind and slow you down, or even blow you off course in strong gusts. In addition, the large number of folds can generate a lot of noise, which will become a real nuisance over long distances.A cycling windbreaker can also be waterproof, to a certain extent. It can be simply water-repellent, meaning that a surface treatment is applied to a permeable fabric. This allows water droplets to "slide" off the fabric and not penetrate it. This solution will not allow the cycling jacket to withstand prolonged exposure to rain. By using more technical fabrics, a cycling windbreaker can offer excellent waterproofing.Like a cycling rain jacket, a cycling windbreaker or MTB windbreaker must be breathable, a feature made possible by ventilation vents and technical fabrics.|>
Warmth and breathability: the challenges of a winter cycling jacket
When it comes to cycling clothing, addressing the issue of cold means considering the constraints of bulk, weight and breathability. To cope with temperatures of 5°C or below, the use of relatively thick technical fabrics is inevitable.
Unlike lightweight cycling rain jackets or windbreakers, it will no longer be possible to fold up your cycling garment and store it in a bike bag or pocket.
While keeping the cyclist warm, the cycling jacket should be unnoticeable and ensure optimal evaporation of perspiration. Many manufacturers have solved this conundrum by turning to tried-and-tested solutions such as Windstopper and Gore-Tex.|>
Gore Tex and Windstopper: key technologies for a comfortable cycling jacket
Winstopper and Gore Tex are two labels that are often found on cycling jacket labels. Owned by the American company Gore, they refer to two types of technical fabrics with different applications.
Windstopper is used in the design of windproof and breathable cycling jackets: Etxeondo cycling jackets and Castelli cycling jackets often use this technology. Cycling clothing that uses this technology is not waterproof, although it can offer some light protection. Gore-Tex cycling jackets are also breathable and windproof, but are also waterproof.
Winstopper and Gore Tex are based on the same technology, which makes it possible to offer warm, lightweight, breathable and waterproof cycling jackets.
This is a membrane between the outer fabric and the lining of the cycling jacket. This membrane is covered with pores that allow moisture to escape from inside the jacket. In addition, unlike a coating on the outer fabric of a cycling jacket, it retains its waterproof properties over time.|>
The details that make all the difference: our tips for choosing a cycling jacket
Certain design details on a cycling jacket illustrate the care that has gone into its design and can make all the difference when it comes to making a purchase.
Pay attention to practical features, such as pockets at the bottom of the back of the cycling jacket. Whether zipped or not, they will be useful for carrying energy bars or a CO2 cartridge.
A tail on the cycling jacket will ensure optimal protection from the elements when the cyclist is leaning forward. Some manufacturers incorporate fabric panels designed to wick away moisture in strategic areas, a design feature found on X-Bionic cycling jackets and Assos cycling jackets.lt;br />A high, fitted collar on a cycling jacket will provide good protection for the throat.
Pay attention to the seams of cycling jackets at pressure points: they can cause irritation and chafing. Mavic has developed the Ergo Zip, an asymmetrical zip strategically placed to limit irritation in sensitive areas.
Choose a fitted cut to limit wind resistance and enjoy optimal freedom of movement.
Make sure that the sleeves of your cycling jacket don't ride up your arms when you're leaning over your handlebars, leaving your wrists exposed. Please refer to the cycling jacket size guide. The cuffs of the cycling jacket should fit snugly around your wrists to prevent moisture from rising. Ergonomic inserts, such as the Ergo Cuff system on Mavic cycling jackets, can be extended over the cuffs.
A high-visibility cycling vest with reflective strips is essential if you ride at night, even in urban conditions.
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