The best packable rain jackets can be stashed in a pocket when not needed but will protect you from the rain when required whilst still being breathable
It’s an unfortunate fact of life that it’s not always warm and sunny when we want to go riding. Therefore a packable rain jacket, that can be deployed when necessary and carried easily in a jersey pocket when it's not needed, is a is a staple part of any rider’s wardrobe. Even in the summer, the weather can be very changeable, especially if you are heading into the high mountains or riding all day.
Whilst you might opt for a heavier-weight waterproof jacket in deep winter or if you know it’s going to rain all ride long, most of us prefer something a little lighter and easier to carry. These packable jackets still have to fit well, offer excellent protection against the weather and breathe well so we don’t get damp from our sweat.
Waterproof, breathable and very well cut, the Castelli Squall Shell weighs less than 100g and yet is still fully taped. The material is stretchy so it can be close-fitting without feeling restrictive.
At just over £100 and just under 100g, the Castelli Squall Shell offers good value for money and excellent performance on the road. The fabric is gossamer-light and virtually translucent, yet it has a good element of stretch that provides a non-restrictive fit and is fully taped for total protection against the elements. There is a single, large, reflective stripe down the back and a reflective Castelli logo on the left arm.
As the name suggests, it's a garment designed to be carried and put on when necessary rather than worn all day long in torrential rain, but within that remit, it works very well. Or test thought that the breathability was perfectly good for a jacket of this price and style, providing great weatherproofing when called upon without getting instantly soaked from the inside out.
He had no complaints about its packability either, as it rolls down incredibly small for a taped, full-zip jacket. Unfortunately, there is no stuff bag or handy stow pocket, so you'll have to use a small plastic bag.
Rapha Core Rain jacket II
Our expert review:
Rapha’s Core Rain Jacket II offers plenty of features and delivers an impressive performance - and all at a price point that makes it truly great value. At 126 grams it's light and packable and we found that easily fitted into a jersey pocket when rolled up.
Being that it uses a 2.5 layer nylon fabric combined water-resistant zip it's more than able to stand up to sustained showers - we were impressed with the quality of the seams and their ability to keep water at bay. The close but not race cut makes it versatile for training, racing and more casual rides too - and the elastic drawstring at the bottom of the jacket allows you to dial in the fit even more.
Pas Normal Studios Mechanism rain jacket
Our expert review:
The Mechanism jacket from Pas Normal Studios is a minimal but high-performing jacket in the 'race cape' mode. This means a close fit, with a high front and long arms for use in the riding position, no pockets and simple elastic cuffs. In essence all you need to protect you against showers when racing or training and no more.
And protect it us it did. We experienced little ingress even during extended periods of rain. Impressively it allowed us to breath too - not something that all rain jackets do successfully. Vitally at just 105g it packs up to 'nothing' and can be stowed away with ease until required.
Castelli Emergency 2 rain jacket
Our expert review:
Like the Pearl Izumi Attack Barrier, this is a jacket created for those ‘just in case’ rides, where the weather forecast looks changeable. However, the Emergency 2 from Castelli is fully waterproof, using a 2.5 layer fabric that combines with a waterproof zipper and details that include a long tail and wrist closures designed to work with gloves. All told, we found it more versatile than many other packable jackets.
This versatility is extended by the cut - Castelli says it's designed to fit over its Gabba jersey and it’s also offered in both a men’s and women’s version. Added to the 360 degree reflectivity it makes it a good option for commuting, where you might need to wear it over a layer or two. As for its packability, it’s created to fit into an integrated stuff pocket. Castelli acknowledges that to keep the price point down, the Emergency 2 doesn’t excel in the breathability stakes - but as the name suggests, this isn’t a jacket to wear for the entirety of a ride anyway.
Van Rysel Ultralight jacket
Our expert review:
Making a weather-resistant cycling jacket that can easily be stowed in a pocket doesn’t have to mean a triple-digit price tag. The Ultralight from Van Rysel is a fraction of the cost of many of the other offerings featured here but might be all you need.
At a claimed 140g it’s competitive on the scales, and stuffs inside its own pocket, making for a neat and tidy package that should fit into most jersey pockets. The jacket uses a 2.5 layer PU-coated fabric with a waterproof rating that’s likely to make it water-resistant rather than waterproof in sustained downpours but should comfortably fend off light or brief showers. Design details that caught our eye include a close fit, a full-length zipper, shoulder and armpit vents and reflective accents.
Castelli Tempesta Lite
Our expert review:
The Tempesta Lite uses Gore Active Technology material, which harks back to their pre-Shakedry Active Shell fabric. It is very light for a 3-ply jacket, and as such is hard to beat in terms of outright protection compared with some of the thinner, lighter fabrics in this guide.
We found the breathability to be excellent, and the fabric copes well with sweaty conditions, although the cut is likely to mean that it is more of an endurance rider's garment rather than a racer's jacket. In part, this is because the cut is a little looser as the fabric doesn't have a lot of stretch in it. It is also less packable than some options, and although it will fit in a jersey pocket it takes up a fair bit of room.
The non-elasticated open-sleeve design is a little odd, and our tester wasn't too keen on the slit at the back for accessing jersey pockets - he felt that a double zip would have been a neater solution.
At its rather high price, it is likely to appeal only to those who ride regularly in the rain and are prepared to pay for its performance attributes.
Above all else, the material used in the construction of the jacket is what makes the biggest difference in performance. Ideally, you want a fully waterproof material that also has a high degree of breathability. Some techy modern fabrics manage to combine both aspects into a single layer of material, making them not only high-performance but also extremely lightweight.
The only issue with such fabrics is they usually come with a high ticket price and can be a little fragile. At the entry-level, you can still expect solid performance but don't expect fully waterproof materials to be anywhere near as breathable or pack down as small.
If you want the jacket to be fully waterproof, then make sure it has fully taped seams by turning it inside out and examining it.
Most packable rain jackets follow the same vein as the traditional race cape, i.e. will be tight to the body and offer an articulated cut to fit well in a riding position.
If you prefer a looser fit or plan on wearing more layers underneath then you might want to go up a size from your usual choice. A good packable jacket should have a long sleeve length and a dropped tail to protect your derriere and keep your lower back as dry as possible.
The alternative if you're not expecting to need to remove your jacket too often and are usually carrying luggage on your rides is one of the best commuter cycling jackets.
Of course, there is always going to be a compromise when choosing a rain jacket that packs down to the size of a tennis ball, and that packability normally comes at the cost of extra features.
Don't expect multiple pockets, additional drawstring closures or even zipped vents in most cases. The construction will also be a little less robust and fabrics and zips might not be as durable, so you will need to use a bit of extra care when using.
As well as our Cycling Weekly's general testing protocols, the waterproof jacket testing involved assessing each garment for packability, breathability and waterproofness. Furthermore, fit and features were considered as part of the assessment as even the best fabric in the world won't make a good cycling jacket unless it is well-cut and designed for riding.
