Windproof, waterproof or insulated gravel jacket

Which jacket to choose for gravel biking?

For gravel biking, the jacket should be chosen for the entire day rather than just the starting weather. A ride on the trails often lasts several hours, alternating between slow climbs where you sweat and descents where the wind chills you, taking you far from shelters. The right jacket is worn when needed and stored when it's not: lightweight, compressible, breathable, with a fit that follows your position on the bike without flapping. Depending on the season, you'll choose a windproof jacket, a waterproof one, or a warm one, often two of these pieces at the same time.

Windproof, waterproof, softshell or insulated

• The windproof jacket: a very thin fabric that blocks the air and repels a few droplets. It rolls up into a pocket and is pulled out at the top of a hill, before the descent.
• The waterproof jacket: a membrane or coating stops the rain while allowing some steam to escape. It’s the piece for really wet days and trips where you can’t take shelter.
• The softshell: an elastic, windproof, and water-repellent fabric, often brushed on the inside. It replaces a thermal jersey and a jacket in cold, dry weather.
• The insulated jacket: synthetic or fleece padding, for winter outings at a moderate pace and breaks. The sleeveless vest reflects this idea by keeping the arms free.

Breathability: climbing without soaking the jacket

On an uphill trail, the effort is long and the air moves little: a jacket that retains sweat will soak you from the inside just as surely as a shower. Breathable membranes limit this phenomenon, especially if the jacket opens easily. Look for a front zip that can be operated with one hand, vents or a pleat in the back, and an elastic fabric that doesn’t cling to the body when you rise in a climbing position.

VAUDE illustrates this search with its Kuro Pro, designed for gravel and road biking: its Ceplex Pro membrane resists a water column of at least 20,000 mm, a back vent dissipates heat, and the jacket stays compact enough to travel in a bag.

Gravel jacket for winter: layering up

In cold weather, a single heavy jacket rarely works for the trails: it becomes too warm as soon as the first climb. It’s better to layer a technical base layer that wicks sweat, a thermal jersey, then a windproof jacket or a softshell depending on the temperature. Keep a lightweight insulating layer for breaks, when the body cools down quickly, and protect your extremities with long gloves and a headband under the helmet. The sleeveless vest serves as a regulator: it keeps the torso warm during descents and can be removed without coming to a long stop.

Fit, pockets and useful details on the trails

A gravel jacket should fit slightly looser than an aero road jacket to accommodate a thicker jersey and allow air circulation, but it shouldn't flap in the wind. A longer back covers the lower back and deflects some splashes of mud. Check access to the pockets with a hydration pack on your back or a frame bag, and prefer a zipped pocket for your keys. If the jacket has a hood, it should fit under the helmet without hindering head movement. Finally, a bright colour or reflective details will make you visible on road sections between trails.

Road, MTB jackets and the rest of your gravel gear

For rides mostly on tarmac, road cycling jackets favour a tighter fit. MTB jackets target muddy paths, using thicker fabrics and often a hood. Under the jacket, complete with gravel jerseys, gravel shorts and gravel gloves, all available among the gravel gear.

Which gravel jacket brands to choose?

Craft, a Swedish sportswear brand based in Borås, offers an ADV Gravel line; the ADV Gravel SubZ Knit women’s jacket combines a windproof and water-repellent shell with three layers and a fleece lining, for autumn and winter gravel rides.

Gonso includes in its gravel range the sleeveless Adventure Vest Fleece, a soft fleece that keeps the torso warm, featuring a chest pocket and a zipped back pocket.

VAUDE, a German family-owned outdoor equipment company founded in 1974, designed the Kuro Pro for gravel and road cyclists: pre-shaped fit for the seated position, fitted cuffs, silicone band at the hem and a small zipped pocket at the back, available for both men and women.

Altura lists its Esker line in its gravel collection; the Esker Dune insulated jacket for women serves as a warm layer for winter rides and breaks.

Where to find a gravel jacket on sale?

When a colour or collection changes, cycling jackets move to clearance sales. Recently listed jackets first appear in the new arrivals. Take advantage of winter sales to complete a cold weather outfit, or the Black Friday before the rainy season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Windproof or waterproof jacket: which one to take?

The windproof jacket blocks the air and withstands a passing drizzle, offering minimal weight and volume. The waterproof jacket stops real rain thanks to its membrane or coating and sealed seams, at the cost of a bit more weight. In gravel biking, many cyclists keep the windproof on them and store the waterproof jacket in their bag.

What gravel jacket for winter?

A windproof softshell or an insulated jacket, worn over a technical base layer and a thermal jersey. Then adjust with a sleeveless vest rather than picking the warmest jacket: on the trails, the effort while climbing warms you up quickly.

Does a waterproof jacket breathe enough on the climb?

It allows some steam to escape, but no membrane can keep up with prolonged intense effort. Open the zip before you start sweating, use the vents and take off the jacket as soon as the rain stops. A jacket that is too warm in the rain is still better than a soaked jersey in the following descent.

Where to store your jacket during a gravel ride?

A rolled-up windproof jacket fits in a jersey pocket; a waterproof jacket is better stored in a saddle bag, frame bag or handlebar bag. Some jackets pack into their own pocket, which helps prevent creasing at the bottom of a bag. Keep it accessible without dismounting if the sky looks threatening.

Jacket or sleeveless vest?

The vest protects the torso from the wind while letting the arms breathe, for cool mornings and descents after exertion. The jacket also covers the arms when the cold or rain sets in. Both complement each other well: the vest in the pocket, the jacket in the bag.