It's pretty easy to find such a jacket on the market with such features. We'll explain in a moment how the brands do it. The real problem, however, will be to find a cycling rain jacket with these features, whose elegance matches your aesthetic codes. As we'll see at the end of this article, very few brands are able to do this. VEST PARIS has made it its business.
Why buy cycling rainwear?
When you use your bike to go to work or simply to get around, rain is one of the hazards of everyday life. Staying dry becomes an issue, so it's essential for cyclists to have a suitable jacket.
When it comes to the "bike rain jacket" combo, there's another parameter to consider: once off the bike, it's essential to be presentable, with a look appropriate to your dress code or those of your profession. This is where the jacket's "elegance" parameter comes into play. Combining style, functionality and rain protection is a challenge for brands targeting urban cyclists.
Which rain gear to choose?
A man's or woman's rain jacket must incorporate laminated fabrics, i.e. be equipped with a breathable, waterproof membrane whose function is to stop the rain and evacuate perspiration. These waterproof jackets also benefit from termo-bonded or welded seams to prevent water infiltration through vulnerable points.
Very often, fabric manufacturers also apply water-repellent treatments to reinforce waterproofing by allowing rain to evacuate more quickly from the material. Men's and women's rainwear (except rain ponchos, which are more practical than aesthetic) are also equipped with waterproof zips, otherwise water can seep through these openings.
How to measure the waterproofness of a cycling jacket
The unit of measurement used is the water column expressed in millimeters (mm). This measurement determines how much water pressure the fabric of a man's or woman's cycling jacket (or poncho) can withstand before allowing moisture to penetrate through.
A quality waterproof jacket can have a water column ranging from 5000 mm to over 20000 mm, offering enhanced protection against rain and moisture. This assessment is crucial to ensure that the garment effectively withstands the elements. The jackets offered by VEST PARIS incorporate these technologies capable of withstanding hundreds of days of rain to ensure maximum protection for the urban cyclist.
Features required in these garments
Staying dry on your bike also means having the right features. It starts with pockets. They must be numerous, waterproof, secure and easy to access in rainwear. In particular, you need a pocket for your phone. This can be found in a cycling jacket or a poncho. Some waterproof jackets are equipped with pockets for personal belongings, offering extra comfort.
Another feature of rainwear, and one that's also designed for cycling, are the zips. They have to be waterproof and, above all, they have to make it easier for you to sit down, i.e. they have to be equipped with a double head so that you can raise the bottom to make pedaling easier. A problem you won't have if you're equipped with a rain poncho.
Waterproof and windproof cycling jacket
Rain jackets and cycling jackets are much more than just accessories against the rain. They also offer effective protection against the wind, as the membranes used act as a barrier against both water and wind. These membranes keep the wind out, offering protection against unpredictable and changeable weather.
The combination of waterproofing and windproof properties makes the jacket waterproof and suitable for a variety of outdoor activities, allowing you to face down pouring rain and strong winds with complete peace of mind. Cyclists are protected from head to toe.
Waterproof vs. breathable jacket
When a man or woman rides a bike, staying dry also depends on the breathability of the materials with which the jacket is made. It's hard to arrive at work or an appointment with sweat marks under your cycling rain jacket. That's why membrane manufacturers are the only ones to offer a technology that allows your garment to evacuate perspiration resulting from your efforts, while protecting you from falling rain.
Design, Waterproofing and Safety
Waterproofing means rain, and rain means visibility problems. That's why a bicycle rain jacket usually includes reflective elements, which are not just accessories but are designed to improve visibility at night. This is often unsightly in a bike jacket, and it's quite rare to find a reflective jacket that's discreet and doesn't detract from your look. A bike rain jacket has to fit in with your demand for elegance. And that's very rare.
At VEST PARIS, this is our business. We've spent years developing this clever mix for people who cycle to work. A poncho won't fully satisfy you because it doesn't incorporate the "safety" dimension.
See our selection of cycling rainwear
Since its creation in 2012, VEST PARIS (formerly Inventive Citi) has oriented all its jacket designs to be 100% waterproof so you stay sheltered in heavy rain. That's why our choice of membranes, additional treatments and seam reinforcements for our trench coats and rain parka jackets are irreproachable and, above all, last the test of time.