Showcase: Waterproof textile jackets

Eight waterproof textile jackets

It's cold and it's wet but with a waterproof textile jacket you'll be able to keep plugging on through the damn winter weather. To give you an idea of what is available we've pooled together a selection of seven jackets that are on the market, from the budget to the range toppers.

When buying the right jacket there is much to consider, and that's after you've decided whether the colour will match your bike and lid. Some of the numerous questions to ask when looking for the ideal waterproof jacket include: Is there CE-approved armour to the elbows and shoulders, and preferably the back? Is there a removable thermal liner? Do the adjustable cuffs fit comfortably under gloves? Does it have a full-length or rear zip and is it compatible with your textile trousers? Is there a velcro collar strap and storm collar? And does it have plenty of pockets?

These are just some of the essential details to consider when looking at buying an all-seasons jacket.

However, as expected, there are a host of nice-to-haves; Gore-Tex or an equivalent lining, more colour options - winter offerings are inherently black only, extra adjustable straps to the in arms, back and waist for a tailored fit and hi-viz sections.

It's cold and it's wet but with a waterproof textile jacket you'll be able to keep plugging on through the winter weather.

To give you an idea of what is available we've pooled together a selection of eight jackets that are on the market, from the budget to the range toppers.

When buying the right jacket there is much to consider, and that's after you've decided whether the colour will match your bike and lid. Some of the numerous questions to ask when looking for the ideal waterproof jacket include: Is there CE-approved armour to the elbows and shoulders, and preferably the back? Is there a removable thermal liner? Do the adjustable cuffs fit comfortably under gloves? Does it have a full-length or rear zip and is it compatible with your textile trousers? Is there a velcro collar strap and storm collar? And does it have plenty of pockets?

However, as expected, there are a host of nice-to-haves; Gore-Tex or an equivalent lining, more colour options - winter offerings are inherently black only, extra adjustable straps to the arms, back and waist for a tailored fit and hi-viz panels.

What gear do you wear? Review it in our Kit Review section

Stein STJ505 Touring

Stein STJ505 Touring

Stein STJ505 Touring

Stein's latest textile range includes this, the new STJ505 jacket. The budget waterproof touring jacket features a removable thermal lining and is armoured with CE protectors in the elbows and shoulders, with a compartment available for a back protector.

The STJ505 is fully adjustable at the arms, waist, neck and at the bottom of the jacket to allow for a tailored and comfortable fit. Priced at £109.99 it is available in five colours and has seven pockets, three internal (including one for a mobile phone) and four external.

Price: £109.99
Sizes: S - XXL
Colours: Black, Black/Grey, Black/Blue, Black/Red, Black/Yellow

Spada Dakar

Spada

Spada Dakar

Spada's Dakar jacket boasts features and a quality befitting gear six-times its price.

For £129.95 the Dakar comes with a waterproof and breathable membrane and a fully quilted and removable thermal lining. Armour comes in the form of CE approved protection at the elbows and shoulders, with removable hard padding at the back.

To ensure the wearer is in comfort whilst riding the Dakar has elasticated panels, adjustable straps and ventilation panels. The jacket is only available in grey but features reflective panels.

Price: £129.95
Sizes: S - XXL
Colours: Black/Grey

Weise Nevada

Weise Nevada

This offering from Weise takes a mix of high-class protection and marries it to competent waterproof features but keeps it within an affordable price bracket. Named after America’s desert state where temperatures vary dramatically, the inspired jacket has been designed to cope with different weather conditions year round. In colder seasons, the Nevada has a waterproof and breathable liner and a 120g removable thermal liner and when the weather improves there is a host of zipped vented sectipns across the chest, back and lower arms. The coat is protected with abrasion resistant coating and CE-approved armour fitted to the shoulders, elbows and back. The Nevada is reasonably priced at £159.99 and has seven pockets, including two external and is available with grey, red, blue or orange highlights.

Price: £159.99
Sizes: XS – XXXXXL
Colours: black/gun/gun, black/gun/red, black/gun/blue, black/gun/orange

Weise Nevada

This offering from Weise takes a mix of high-class protection and marries it to competent waterproof features, but keeps it within an affordable price bracket.

Named after America’s desert state where temperatures vary dramatically, the inspired jacket has a waterproof and breathable liner and a 120g removable thermal liner. For when the weather improves there is a host of zipped vented sections across the chest, back and lower arms.

The coat is protected with abrasion resistant coating and has CE-approved armour fitted to the shoulders, elbows and back. The Nevada is reasonably priced at £159.99 and has seven pockets, including two external and is available with grey, red, blue or orange highlights.

Price: £159.99
Sizes: XS – XXXXXL
Colours: Black, Black/Red, Black/Blue, Black/Orange

REV'IT! Sand

Bering Orbit

REV'IT! Sand

The REV’IT! Sand is a jacket targeted at all-weather riding and aims to cope with the conditions of the four seasons. For the wet and cold months the Sand features a removable waterproof membrane, a detachable thermal lining and a coating to prevent absorption. Once removed the Sand is transformed into a lightweight jacket and has multiple ventilation zips around.

REV’IT! has armoured the Sand with CE protection to the shoulders and elbows, and there is a compartment for a back protector. The jacket has a lengthened touring fit and is adjustable with straps at the arms and waist and a hip drawcord.

Price: £279.99
Sizes:  S - XXXXL
Colours: Black/Silver, Silver/Red, Safari/Black, Silver/Black

Bering Orbit

REV'IT! Sand

The REV’IT! Sand is a jacket targeted at all-weather riding and aims to cope with the conditions of the four seasons. For the wet and cold months the Sand features a removable waterproof membrane, a detachable thermal lining and a coating to prevent absorbtion. Once removed the Sand is transformed into a lightweight jacket and with multiple ventilation zips around. REV’IT! has armoured the Sand with CE protection to the shoulders and elbows, and there is a compartment for a back protector. The jacket has a lengthened touring fit and is adjustable with straps at the arms and waist and a hip drawcord.

Price: £249.99
Sizes:
Colours:

Bering Orbit

The Orbit is one of the waterproof textile offerings from French firm Bering. The jacket features a Gore-Tex waterproof and breathable membrane. Knox have provided the protection for the Orbit with CE approved armour to the shoulders, elbows and back.

Internally, the Orbit has a removable thermal lining which features two pockets, with one for a mobile phone, and a compartment to insert a heat pack. The outer of the jacket has four waterproof pockets and is closed with dual full-length zips, with the additional zip acting as a rain tunnel, ending with a magnetic collar strap.

Price: £365
?Sizes:? S - XXXXL
Colours: Black

Clover Crossover

Clover Crossover

Clover Crossover

The standard for the majority of waterproof jackets is the inclusion of a waterproof membrane, an attribute the Clover Crossover can tick of the list of features.

Made from a mixture of Cordura and abrasion resistant fibres - which have received water-repellent treatment - the Crossover has CE protection at the elbow and shoulders. For riding comfort, the Crossover has stretch panels at the elbows and a cuff dimension that will easily fit into gloves.

Other noteworthy elements of the jacket include a snap slider collar adjuster, multiple pockets inside and out, a removable thermal lining and a further removable waterproof and breathable membrane - should the weather improve.

Price: £549.99
Sizes: S - XXXXL
Colours: Black, Grey

Alpinestars Tech Road Gore-Tex

Alpinestars Tech Road Gore-Tex

The Tech Road is Alpinestars' range leading Gore-Tex touring jacket. The outer shell is constructed entirely of Gore-Tex for maximum water and windproofing, but also allows the Tech Road jacket to remain lightweight doing away with the standard method of bonding a Gore-Tex membrane to the outer material. To protect the wear Alpinestars have ‘strategically placed’ abrasion resistant panels to key impact areas and CE-certifiied elbow and shoulder armour – the jacket also features protective padding to the chest and back with compartments for harder armour. The Tech Road Gore-Tex features a zip and Velcro closure ending at a removable windbreaker collar up-front with inner elements including fleeced liner and five internal waterproof pockets. The jacket is fully adjustable at the waist, bicep and forearms with Velcro straps.

Price: £649.99
Sizes:

Colours:

Alpinestars Tech Road Gore-Tex

The Tech Road is Alpinestars' range leading Gore-Tex touring jacket. The outer shell is constructed entirely of Gore-Tex for maximum water and windproofing, but also allows the Tech Road jacket to remain lightweight.

To protect the wearer Alpinestars have ‘strategically placed’ abrasion resistant panels to key impact areas and has CE-certifiied elbow and shoulder armour – the jacket also features protective padding to the chest and back with compartments for harder armour.

The Tech Road Gore-Tex features a zip and Velcro closure ending at a removable windbreaker collar up-front. Inner elements include a fleeced liner and five internal waterproof pockets. The jacket is fully adjustable at the waist, bicep and forearms with Velcro straps.

Price: £649.99
Sizes:

Colours:
Black

Rukka Granite

Rukka Granite

Rukka Granite

There is a reason why Rukka gear is well regarded as the brand uses top quality materials for comfort combined with rugged armour. Take the Granite for example, starting with its construction the jacket is a combination of abrasion-resitant Cordura, with a breathable, wind and waterproof Gore-Tex Performance Shell membrane and a Gore Lockout closure at the front. The jacket has a removable thermal and insulated liner and CE approved RVP Air body armour  to the vulnerable areas.

With comfort in mind, the Rukka Granite has width adjustments at the sleeves, an adjustable waist closure and a neoprene storm collar. The jacket also has four external pockets and two waterproof internal pockets, including an integrated phone holder.

Price: £699.99
Sizes: 46-62
Colours: Grey