Best waterproof mountain bike jackets 2020 | 10 tried and tested by our experts

Possibly the most important item in your winter wardrobe, a good waterproof jacket will keep you riding through all weathers. You can spend a lot of money on one, but do you have to?

Generally, the more you pay, the more you get, in terms of performance – by which we mean breathability, durability, features or a combination of all three. This isn’t always the case, though.

Working out exactly what you need your jacket for can help you narrow down your options and avoid spending money on features you don’t need.

Our expert testers have spent days and weeks out on the trails, putting waterproof jackets to the test in the most horrid conditions, to bring you the best performing options for every type of rider.

7Mesh Guardian jacket

• £352 / $400 / €350
• Lots of great details
• Exceptional breathability

7Mesh’s Guardian jacket has a great reputation, but at £352 / $400 / €350 it doesn’t come cheap. Fortunately, though, its performance doesn’t disappoint.

It’s impeccably cut, with brilliant details all over and its breathability is fantastic for a totally waterproof jacket.

• Read our full review of the 7Mesh Guardian jacket

Endura MTR Shell jacket

• £140 / $199.99 / €164.99
• Can fit in a jersey pocket
• No pockets

Endura’s MTR shell jacket is a packable waterproof jacket primarily designed for off-road use. It packs up small enough to fit in a jersey pocket, but doesn’t compromise on performance or durability.

Our tester also found the fit to be spot on, with plenty of length and strategically placed stretch panels that enable a full range of movement.

• Read our full review of the Endura MTR Shell jacket

Altura Mayhem 2

• £120
• Good cut
• Well featured for the price
• Weighs 369g

The Altura Mayhem 2 is a practical waterproof jacket that delivers great performance at a good price.

It’s not the lightest, nor does it use the best technical fabrics, but it delivers on value. Its cut is as good as many high-priced jackets, and it delivers on waterproofness.

Breathability is helped by vents under the arms, but in an ideal world these would be slightly larger to promote even better airflow. This is only a minor quibble though, because in reality this jacket offers excellent value for money.

• Read our full review of the Altura Mayhem 2

Berghaus Changtse jacket

• £290 / €350
• Technical construction with tons of vents and pockets
• Do-everything credentials

The Changtse is absolutely jammed packed with features. It uses a number of different Gore-Tex waterproof fabrics across the jacket for optimal performance in each area.

There’s Paclite Plus on areas such as the chest and arms, which are more prone to wear, while the core is made from Active Shell for greater breathability.

It’s not a bike specific jacket, but the cut and flexibility are good enough that it never feels like a compromise.

• Read our full review of the Berghaus Changtse jacket

Mission Workshop The Sans jacket

• £400 / $475 / €475
• Fantastically light and waterproof
• Great fit both on and off the bike
• Weighs 169g (medium)

Mission Workshop’s The Sans isn’t a cycling specific jacket, but it has the specification and performance to make it a great choice both on and off the bike.

The Toray fabric is impressively waterproof, breathable and lightweight (our tester’s size medium weighed just 169g), making it a great packable option for stuffing into a jersey pocket.

If we’re nitpicking, it’s a shame the hood doesn’t fit over a helmet, but otherwise it’s really only the price that might put you off.

• Mission Workshop The Sans jacket

Nukeproof Nirvana jacket

• £150 / $184.95 / €175.99
• Packable but with plenty of pockets
• Great price relative to the competition

Built from a 2.5-layer waterproof fabric, Nukeproof’s Nirvana isn’t the most breathable jacket we’ve ever tested, but it’s very good for the price and the gills under the arms also help dissipate excess heat and sweat.

The fit is relaxed, so there’s room to layer up underneath when it gets cold and the hood also fits comfortably over a helmet.

All things considered, it’s built like a jacket that costs a lot more than it actually does.

• Read our full review of the Nukeproof Nirvana jacket

On Waterproof Anorak

• £320 / $359.99 / €359.95
• Light and athletic fit
• Hydrophobic inner helps wick perspiration away

On’s Waterproof Anorak isn’t a cycling-specific jacket, but its performance impresses nevertheless. The half-length zip isn’t perhaps the most practical option for getting On’s Waterproof Anorak on and off while on the bike, but it does reduce bulk a bit and fashionistas will likely welcome the alternative look.

We didn’t notice any compromise in breathability either, possibly thanks to the hydrophilic elements on the innermost layer of the jacket’s three-ply fabric.

It’s an especially good jacket for those who do a bit of running as well as cycling because it can happily share duties across the two sports.

• Read our full review of the On Waterproof Anorak

POC AVIP rain jacket

• £295 / $300  / €350
• Comfortable even against bare skin
• Tear resistant fabric

The style, colour and cut are reminiscent of a road jacket, but in reality POC’s AVIP is more of a multi-purpose cycling waterproof.

Its tear-resistant Vectran fabric, for example, means it can stand up to the rigours of XC and gravel when a true road jacket might be too delicate.

The three-layer waterproof fabric does its job well too, though the lack of a hood might be a deal breaker for some off-road cyclists. If that’s not a problem for you, though, there’s a lot to like here, with great on-bike performance and fit.

• Read our full review of the POC AVIP rain jacket

RAB Arc

• £200 / $ 260
• Multifunction styling that works on the bike
• Sturdiness means good warmth and durability
• Weighs 466g

The RAB Arc jacket isn’t made specifically for cycling, but this compromise means it brings more versatility to the table.

In particular, the cut feels a little boxy on the bike, but it’s great when you’re not riding – unlike cycling specific jackets, which are often poorly shaped for off-bike use.

Generously sized front pockets and a hood that fits comfortably over a helmet only further its credentials.

The fabric is three-layer rip-stop with a high-quality and durable feel. This adds a bit of weight and a fair bit of warmth, but it also means it’s more likely to stand the test of time.

• Read our full review of the RAB Arc

Scott Trail MTN Dryo 20

• £220
• Gear functionality
• Lots of great bike-specific details
• Weighs 407g

Scott consistently makes high performing waterproof jackets, with the kind of small, bike-specific details that make a big difference in use.

The chest pockets, for example, are large enough for easy access with gloves or freezing hands at the end of a long ride. Extra-long vents complement an already breathable fabric for excellent airflow. They can also be quickly closed off for long descents.

The triple layer waterproof fabric is durable, and the lining bonded to the inner layer makes for a much more comfortable feel than single layer jackets.

• Read our full review of the Scott Trail MTN Dryo 20

What to look for in a waterproof jacket for mountain biking

Water resistant zips