Jackets

Jackets

Shop cycling jackets built to block wind and rain on the road or trail. Choose a packable shell for changeable weather or an insulated jacket for winter.
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Lighter option for milder days

  • Castelli Men's Aria Vest, 2021 - Cycle Closet
    Sale
    Castelli

    Castelli Men's Aria Vest

    $118.97 AUD
    $169.95 AUD $118.97 AUD
    Sale
  • Castelli Espresso Vest
    Sale
    Castelli

    Castelli Espresso Vest

    $183.96 AUD
    $229.95 AUD $183.96 AUD
    Sale
  • Castelli Men's Squadra Stretch Vest, 2021 - Cycle Closet
    Castelli

    Castelli Men's Squadra Stretch Vest

    $119.95 AUD
    $119.95 AUD $119.95 AUD
  • Castelli Men's Perfetto RoS 2 Vest
    Castelli

    Castelli Men's Perfetto RoS 2 Vest

    $254.95 AUD
    $254.95 AUD $254.95 AUD
View all Vests-Gilets

Cycling jackets: wind, water and the breathability trade

On a bike you produce a lot of heat and you sit in a lot of apparent wind, which puts every jacket in a bind. A fabric that keeps all the rain out also slows the sweat vapour trying to get from you to the air. Choosing a jacket is choosing which of those two you would rather live with on the rides you actually do.

Windproof shells

A windproof shell with a treated front panel and a breathable back covers roughly 8 to 16 degrees and handles the majority of Australian riding. Wind chill is what makes you cold on a bike, so blocking wind at the chest does most of the work of a much heavier garment. These pack into a jersey pocket, which is the whole point.

Thermal winter jackets

A thermal jacket adds a brushed or fleece-backed lining and covers roughly 0 to 10 degrees. It is the right answer for Adelaide hills dawn starts through June to August, worn over a base layer and a long sleeve jersey.

Waterproof shells

A fully waterproof shell earns its place when you commit to riding in sustained rain. It trades breathability for that protection, so you get wet from the inside on a hard effort. Owning one and reaching for it deliberately works better than trying to make it your everyday jacket.

For most riders here the honest split is a windproof shell for nine months of the year, a thermal jacket for winter mornings, and a waterproof kept for the days the forecast is unambiguous. A gilet covers the gap when only your chest needs protecting.

Fit

Cycling jackets are cut for the riding position, which is why they look short at the front and long at the back on a hanger. Sleeves run long so your wrists stay covered when you reach the bars. Check the fit with a jersey underneath, since a jacket that fits over a t-shirt will be tight over a loaded jersey.

Keeping the water repellency working

The DWR finish on a jacket wears off with dirt and detergent. Wash with a technical wash, then reactivate the finish with 20 minutes in a warm dryer or a low iron through a cloth. A jacket that has stopped beading water is usually just dirty.

We stock Castelli, Santini, MAAP, Pearl Izumi and Isadore. See the full winter cycling range, or visit our Adelaide showroom for a fitting.

Cycling jacket questions

Should I buy a windproof or a waterproof cycling jacket?

Windproof for most Australian riding. Wind chill is what makes you cold on a bike, so a treated front panel with a breathable back handles the majority of days and packs into a jersey pocket. A fully waterproof shell earns its place when you commit to riding in sustained rain, and it breathes less, so it works best as a second jacket you reach for deliberately.

What temperature is a winter cycling jacket for?

A windproof shell covers roughly 8 to 16 degrees. A thermal jacket with a brushed or fleece-backed lining covers roughly 0 to 10 degrees over a base layer and a long sleeve jersey. Between 16 and 20 degrees most riders are better served by a gilet, which protects the chest and lets heat out through the arms.

Why has my jacket stopped beading water?

Usually because the durable water repellent finish is dirty, not because it is worn out. Dirt and ordinary detergent residue both stop it working. Wash the jacket with a technical wash, then reactivate the finish with about 20 minutes in a warm dryer or a low iron through a cloth. Most jackets bead again after that.

What size should I order?

Italian brands including Castelli and Santini run smaller than Australian sizing, typically by one size. Pearl Izumi and MAAP run closer to true. Each product page links the brand's own size chart. If you are between sizes and want a race fit, size down. For a layered fit, size up. Our Adelaide showroom carries most of our range if you want to try before you buy.

How long does delivery take?

Orders start processing within one working day of your payment clearing. Australian orders of $100 or more ship free, and worldwide orders of $190 or more ship free. Express Post within Australia is $19.95, and orders placed before 4pm ACST go out the same day and typically arrive in 1 to 3 days. Helmets and shoes carry a shipping surcharge and are excluded from free shipping.

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