Here, every article is written by those who believe that the cycling jacket can be reinvented: welcome to VEST PARIS , where elegance, safety and innovation meet discreetly.
It's fairly easy to find a jacket with these features on the market. We'll explain how brands do it. However, the real challenge will be finding a cycling rain jacket that offers these features and whose elegance matches your aesthetic. We'll see at the end of the article that few brands achieve this feat. VEST PARIS has made it their business.
Why wear rain gear for cycling?
When you ride your bike to work or simply to get around, rain is one of the hazards of everyday life. Staying dry becomes a challenge, making it essential for cyclists to have the right jacket.
Another parameter also comes into play when it comes to the "cycling rain jacket" combo: once off your bike, it's essential to be presentable with a look appropriate to your dress codes or those of your profession. This is where the "elegance" parameter of the jacket comes into play. Combining style, functionality, and rain protection is a challenge for brands that target urban cyclists.
What rain gear should you choose?
A men's or women's rain jacket must incorporate laminated fabrics, meaning it must be equipped with a breathable and waterproof membrane whose function is to stop the rain and also to wick away perspiration. These waterproof jackets also benefit from thermally glued or welded seams to prevent water infiltration through vulnerable points.
Very often, fabric manufacturers also apply water-repellent treatments to reinforce the waterproofing by allowing rain to escape more quickly from the material. Men's and women's rainwear (except for the rain poncho, which is more practical than aesthetic) also comes with waterproof zippers, otherwise water can also seep in 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 the water pressure that the fabric of the men's or women's cycling jacket (or poncho) can withstand before allowing moisture to penetrate.
A quality waterproof jacket can have a water column ranging from 5,000 mm to over 20,000 mm, providing increased protection against rain and moisture. This rating is crucial to ensure the garment effectively resists bad weather. The jackets offered by VEST PARIS incorporate these technologies, capable of withstanding hundreds of rainy days, to ensure maximum protection for urban cyclists.
Features required in these clothes
Staying dry on a bike also means having the right features. It starts with the pockets. They must be numerous, waterproof, secure, and easy to access in rain gear. Especially for storing your phone. You can find this in a cycling jacket or a poncho. Some waterproof jackets are equipped with pockets for storing personal items, 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.
Waterproof and windproof cycling jacket
Rain and cycling jackets are much more than just rain gear. They also provide effective wind protection, as the membranes used act as a barrier against both water and wind. These membranes prevent wind from penetrating, thus providing protection against changing and unpredictable weather.
The combination of waterproof and windproof properties makes the jacket waterproof and suitable for a variety of outdoor activities, allowing you to face pouring rain and very strong winds with confidence. The cyclist is thus 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 the jacket is made from. It's difficult to arrive at work or an appointment with sweat marks under your cycling rainwear. That's why membrane manufacturers are the only ones to offer technology that allows your clothing to wick away the perspiration resulting from your efforts while protecting you from the falling rain.
Design, Waterproofness and Safety
Waterproofing means rain, and rain means visibility issues. That's why a cycling rain jacket usually includes reflective elements, which aren't just accessories; they're designed to improve visibility at night. This is often unsightly in a 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.
Find our selection of cycling rainwear
Since its creation in 2012, VEST PARIS (formerly Inventive Citi) has focused all its jacket creations on ensuring they are 100% waterproof, keeping you protected in the event of heavy rain. This is why our choice of membranes, our additional treatments, and the reinforcement of the seams of our rain trench coats and parkas are impeccable and, above all, durable.