If you use your bike to get around urban and suburban areas, especially to get to work, nothing should stop you from getting on the bike, not even the rain. While commuting in the rain can sometimes be refreshing, it's still more comfortable to stay dry, so it's essential to have the right clothing. Another factor also comes into play: once I get off my bike, how will I look and what image will I project? This is where the stylish cycling jacket comes in, offering an aesthetic and functional solution for urban and passionate cyclists who don't want to sacrifice their style, even in wet weather. But does this rare bird really exist?
Clothes that symbolize the fusion between fashion and performance
On paper, a designer waterproof cycling jacket is much more than just a piece of rainwear. It should be a high-tech piece that embodies the marriage of fashion and performance. By integrating advanced technical features into a stylish design, these waterproof garments should be designed to allow you to ride protected from wind and rain while staying dry, to ride safely against the risk of falls or impacts, and of course, to remain stylish once you've finished your ride.
Because riding a bike while looking stylish is pointless. What we're looking for is to ride protected, to be safe, and then to be stylish in the same garment as soon as we leave our bikes in our social and professional lives. This is our commitment and our philosophy at VEST PARIS. Our jackets are the only ones to cover all of these prerequisites, but we're nevertheless going to look together at what the market offers us and, in detail, what a designer waterproof cycling jacket is.
Features of Stylish Rainwear
A stylish rain jacket for cycling must withstand the most intense downpours. This stylish raincoat, to be 100% waterproof, must be made from high-quality materials and feature taped seams to prevent water infiltration. These technological materials are membranes, often composed of polyurethane, designed to stop rain and promote the wicking away of your sweat. No other technology integrated into a garment offers this dual performance essential when exercising in the rain.
Breathability is therefore essential in a men's or women's cycling jacket to wick away perspiration and keep you dry from the inside out. It's difficult to arrive at work or an appointment with sweat marks on your clothing.
The cut of cycling clothing for men or women must be adapted to cycling. These raincoats for men or women are designed with a design adapted to the riding position. They are long enough to cover the lower back when reclined on the bike. We often think of the poncho, considered by many to be the raincoat for cycling, but it's true that it's quite complicated to wear this cycling jacket to go to a meeting. When a man or woman takes their bike for business trips, the image they project is essential.
Design, Waterproofness and Safety
A cycling rain jacket typically includes reflective elements to improve visibility at night. This is often unsightly in a men's or women's cycling jacket, and it's quite rare to find a reflective jacket that's discreet and doesn't detract from your look. A cycling rain jacket must be able to adapt to your demands for elegance. This is very rare. At VEST PARIS, this is our business. This clever blend, designed for those who cycle to work, took us years to develop. A poncho won't fully satisfy you because it doesn't incorporate the "safety" dimension.
Because in safety, comes another fundamental element that has been completely neglected by brands: protection against the risk of falling on the road. Accidents and injuries to the elbows and shoulders are on the rise, a very worrying trend among urban cyclists. That's why at VEST PARIS, we've been integrating protection into our rainwear for years. A cycling jacket for everyday travel must also protect you from road accidents and impacts. We do this with certified, highly discreet technology that's impossible to integrate into a poncho, for example.
Features required in these clothes
It starts with the pockets. Rainwear should have plenty of pockets, secure pockets, and easy access. This is especially important for storing your phone. You can find these in stylish cycling jackets and even ponchos. Some waterproof jackets are equipped with pockets for storing personal belongings, providing additional comfort.
Another feature in rainwear, also designed for cycling, is the zippers. They must first be waterproof and, above all, make it easier to sit, so they must be equipped with a double head so that the bottom can be raised to facilitate pedaling. This is a problem you won't have if you're equipped with a rain poncho.
The advantages of choosing a designer cycling raincoat
Let's be clear, the problem with design isn't when you're on the bike, but when you get off it. On the bike, we only talk about protection, safety, and functionality. We don't care about design. However, once you get off, the image you project will be essential, and if you made the wrong choice of clothing when you leave home in the morning, it will follow you all day.
Conclusion
You can find a variety of designer cycling raincoat options in specialty bike shops, sports stores, and online. Unfortunately, they're often too "sporty" or "bike-centric," or don't take your safety into consideration. Make sure you choose a jacket that matches your style and provides full protection while cycling.