Group test: Softshell cycling jackets

Softshell jackets are stretchy windcheaters for athletic riding in colder conditions. Unlike a hardshell waterproof jacket, which can usually be worn over normal clothing, softshells are bike-specific kit designed to be layered over nothing much bulkier than a long-sleeved vest.

Softshells work well for gravel riding and mountain biking but are primarily aimed at year-round roadies such as club riders, training cyclists and mile-eating audaxers – cyclists who would find a hardshell waterproof too hot and too flappy.

As such they have a jersey-style tailored fit, along with a high neck, long sleeves that won’t expose skin in a drop-bar crouch, and a longer back (ditto). Standard features include elasticated pockets and reflective details to catch car headlights.

Softshells are made from thermal fabrics rather than swishy, sibilant nylon. Most suit conditions from around 0-10ºC, although the functional range will depend on the warmth of your base layer, what your temperature tolerances are like and so on. All softshells are breathable and windproof.

Rain resistance varies from vaguely showerproof – typically from a DWR (durable, water-repellent) coating – to genuinely waterproof, with a hydrostatic head rating of 10,000mm or more.

Moisture can still get through nominally waterproof fabrics as they’re not impermeable and may have untaped seams. This isn’t a big problem, however. These jackets are intended to keep you comfortable, not completely dry.

Van Rysel Women’s Winter Road Cycling Jacket Endurance

Price: £69.99
Sizes: women’s XS-XL (M tested); men’s S-XXL
Colours: burgundy (women’s);black/caramel, black, sage green, red/black (men’s)
Available from: Decathlon

For me, this was the best-fitting jersey: a snug, road-specific cut with a spot-on body and sleeve length. The jacket has handled cold temperatures and chilly winds well. The DWR is on a par with the other two jackets; it won’t handle a prolonged shower. The snug fit makes getting a waterproof on easy.

It offers lots of storage, though two of the side pockets are very narrow. The mesh pockets are great for a waterproof. There are two zipped pockets, too.

There is an extendable rear drop. It’s not waterproof, so it only protects you from mud if you don’t have mudguards. It can be buttoned up out of the way, but doing so just led to a sweaty lower back.

Verdict: The best fit for me. The storage capacity is impressive, if a little restrictive. I love the subtle design but would like a brighter option

Endura Women’s Windchill Jacket II

Price: £99.99
Sizes: women’s XS-XXL (M tested); men’s S-XXXL
Colours: black, aubergine, bramble, bright yellow, deep teal, pacific blue (women’s); black, yellow, pomegranate, rust red (men’s)
Available from: Endura

While the sleeve and body length are good, this jacket is baggy at the waist and upper arms for my body shape – not something I like for road riding. On the other hand, this helps ventilation when the temperature builds up, and extra layers will fit under it more easily.

Since it wasn’t a great road cut for me, I used it for touring, commuting and off-road riding. This is where it has shone. Underarm zips add extra ventilation, and I really liked the practical, zipped front pocket.

I’ve enjoyed using it in temperatures from 2°C to 8°C. It fends off cold winds and road splash, but anything more than a squally shower penetrates the fabric on the arms and shortly afterwards the rear.

Verdict: Worth considering if you like looser-fitting jackets and want something that works well across a range of disciplines

Gorewear Tempest Windstopper Jacket Womens

Price: £144.99
Sizes: women’s XXS-XL (M tested); men’s S-XXXL (C3 Windstopper Thermo)
Colours: neon yellow, lab red, black, fireball, lab grey (women’s); black, yellow/black, fireball/black (men’s)
Available from: Gore Wear

This is by far the most striking jacket; it drew comments on group rides for this reason. The fit was good, although I’d have liked a couple more centimetres at the sleeves.

The rear drop could be longer and closer fitting, too. Despite the three rear pockets being spacious, access on the go is not easy as they are quite high up. The fourth (zipped) pocket is handier.

This jacket was the cosiest in the coldest weather. The high collar shares the same fleece lining as the main body of the jacket. Protection from wind and cold air is excellent. When the mercury rose, I needed to unzip it.

The shell resists road spray and very light rain, but nothing more.

Verdict: A good choice for riders with shorter bodies and limbs. It offers excellent protection in very cold weather, plus outstanding visibility

Lusso Perform Winter Jacket 2.0

Price: £170 (reduced to £119.99 at the time of writing)
Sizes: men’s S-XXXL (M tested); women’s (2023 version only) XS-XL
Colour: orange
Available from: Lusso

This 2.0 version is an update of what is still sold as the Perform Winter Jacket 2023. The stretch fabric is waterproof as well as breathable, with ratings of 10k and 15k respectively. While the seams aren’t sealed, I never got properly wet.

Size M fitted me well, aside from being very slightly short at the front. At the rear, the dropped tail is long enough to cover your bum. The neck is high and fleece lined – lovely. There are three elasticated rear pockets, plus one zipped.

Verdict: For me, this was the best-fitting jacket, and it offered the best balance between warmth, rain resistance and breathability

Altura Endurance Men’s Softshell Waterproof Jacket

Price: £145
Sizes: men’s S-XXXL (S tested); no women’s version
Colour: black
Available from: Altura

Altura’s jacket is described as semifitted. There’s less stretch in the fabric and it has a looser cut – too loose for me. Size S was so baggy I could’ve worn a CamelBak underneath.

However, it keeps out cold wind and rain exceptionally well; it has taped seams and is rated 15k/10k for waterproofness and breathability. I wore this over just a base layer in a blizzard.

I’m not a fan of ninja-black for road use but this jacket is highly reflective at night. There are two elasticated pockets and one zipped.

Verdict: Baggy cut is out of place on a road bike but it works well as a deep-winter jacket for mountain biking. Sometimes it was too warm

Rapha Men’s Core Winter Jacket

Price: £150
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL (M tested); women’s XS-XXL
Colours: paprika, forest green, navy, black, orange, dark khaki
Available from: Rapha

Reduced to £105 in navy and earth tones at time of writing, it remained £150 in black. It’s a thermal jacket that keeps you warm but not necessarily dry. While its front uses wind-blocking fabric with a DWR coating, that won’t deal with much more than road spray.

The fit is tailored. Size M fitted me well – apart from the sleeves, which were too long. The Rapha armband is reflective and there are small reflective details. It has three rear pockets and a small zipped pocket.

Verdict: An effective windproof that’s durably made but that, given the lack of rain resistance, feels pricy

Overall verdicts

Emma says

Performance is similar across all three jackets, with Gorewear’s Tempest edging out the other two in the coldest conditions. My advice would be to consider exactly what kind of fit you want and what the primary use of the jacket will be.

Both the Gorewear and Van Rysel work brilliantly for traditional road riding, while Endura’s might appeal to those looking for a relaxed-fitting jacket to wear for a variety of rides.

Dan says

The three men’s jackets are quite different. Rapha’s is a traditional jersey-style windproof that does a good job on cold, dry days. Just remember to put a rain jacket in your pocket.

The Altura Endurance has a weirdly baggy cut for road use but works well off road, especially in atrocious conditions. Lusso’s jacket, meanwhile, ticks all the boxes for off-season riding, offering good rain and wind resistance, warmth, decent visibility and a snug but non-restrictive fit. If you can get it for £120, it’s the obvious winner.