The 10 Best Mountain Bike Jackets of 2023
By: Colin Edwards: Bike Buyer | June 27, 2023
Sure, you can wear any old jacket to mountain bike in. But a purpose built bike jacket makes a huge difference. That’s because mountain bikers have very specific needs. A mountain bike jacket will have longer arms and a drop seat to keep you covered even when you’re in an aggressive riding position. And the pocket layout will be optimized for accessibility on your bike. Often, even the hood will have been tweaked to work better with bike helmets. So if you often find yourself heading out to ride when the weather is bad, consider investing in a good bike jacket. It will make a huge difference on the trail.
New This Year:
But, there is no one “best mountain bike jacket” for everyone. Instead, how and where we each mountain bike affects what we need from a jacket. That’s why there are a bunch of jackets on this list, not just one. The best mountain bike jacket for you might not be the best for everyone, so we’ve included a variety of jackets to cover the spectrum. Every jacket on here is weather resistant, and comes with bike specific features, but some are lighter and more packable, others have a multitude of features, and others are burly and durable. So read on to find what you should wear mountain biking and the best mountain bike jacket for you, your trails, and your riding style.
Endura Hummvee Waterproof Hooded
Ok, it's raining. So what? You've got the Endura Hummvee Waterproof Hooded Jacket. Zip it up and you'll be protected from flying mud, sideways rain, and spray from the mashing buddy in front of you.
| Waterproofing | Biking Type | Original Price |
| 10K | Mountain, Urban/Commuter | $149.99 |
GORE Wear Paclite
Mother Nature doesn't care about your training schedule, and when its raining on your big ride day, there's nothing for it but to don your GORE Wear Paclite Jacket and soldier on. This lightweight shell is made with GORE-TEX Paclite Plus, a super thin and breathable 2.5 layer fabric. Stay dry through the downpour, and stow it away in a hip belt or seat bag once you've pedaled through to the sunshine.
| Waterproofing | Biking Type | Original Price |
| 28K | Road, Gravel/Adventure | $200.00 |
ION Logo Wind
A wind jacket is only good if it truly blocks the wind. Unlike a lot of other jackets on the market, the ION Logo Wind Jacket is made with elastic hems to keep it cinched and free from air when you're bombing down big descents. Stuff it in a pocket and throw it on when a headwind starts -you'll be amazed at how much warmth the lightweight fabric will provide.
| Waterproofing | Biking Type | Original Price |
| Water resistant | Mountain | $99.99 |
Castelli Transition 2
Transition to the offseason by staying on your bike and staying in shape with the Castelli Transition 2 Jacket. This versatile GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® jacket adds a ton of heat without making you sweat like dog, and combined with an equally warm big tight or knickers, makes fall and winter riding a pleasure.
| Waterproofing | Biking Type | Original Price |
| Water resistant | Road, Gravel/Adventure | $209.99 |
Castelli Unlimited Puffy
Early morning and cold weather rides call for a lightweight, packable jacket that doesn't skimp on warmth. The Castelli Unlimited Puffy Jacket features warm Polartec® Alpha® insulation and stretchy Nano Flex fabric with a windproof microfiber shell for ultimate comfort in cool conditions.
| Waterproofing | Biking Type | Original Price |
| DWR Treatment | Mountain, Road, Gravel/Adventure | $329.99 |
GORE Wear Lupra - Women's
The GORE Wear Lupra Jacket is designed for versatility and performance, on and off the bike. The GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® fabric is stretchy and breathable on the climb but effectively blocks the elements on the descent. The helmet-compatible hood and longer back hem add additional coverage if the weather gets rowdy and look stylish enough to wear around town on windy days.
| Waterproofing | Biking Type | Original Price |
| Water-resistant | Mountain | $200.00 |
Fox Ranger Windbloc Fire
Get tech in a Fox Ranger Windbloc Fire Jacket. This form-fitting insulation layer actually has enough protection in its shell to wear as an outer layer on its own, with a high collar and droptail for maximum riding coverage. The insulation is zonal, blocking the wind, and the sleeves and lower back have extra oomph for sub-freezing rides.
| Waterproofing | Biking Type | Original Price |
| Water resistant | Mountain, Gravel/Adventure | $249.95 |
GORE Wear Lupra
Prioritizing versatility, form, and function, the GORE Wear Lupra Jacket seamlessly takes you through urban landscapes and onto the trails without skipping a beat. The lightweight and element-resistant stretch fabrics have your back on rigorous climbs, and the over-the-helmet hood adds protection for when you turn a corner and head right into some rain. It's all about you in the GORE Wear Lupra Jacket. Show us the way!
| Waterproofing | Biking Type | Original Price |
| Water-resistant | Mountain, Gravel/Adventure | $200.95 |
NF Mid-Weight
From lung busting XC trails to puckering DH descents, the NF Mid-Weight Jacket has you covered. This soft, highly breathable jacket features weather-resistant fabric, NF's excellent 3D Contour Fit™, and enough stretch to keep you comfortable and fully focused on the trail.
| Waterproofing | Biking Type | Original Price |
| DWR Finish | Mountain | $195.00 |
Pearl Izumi Pro Insulated
With a trim, athletic fit, a wind-blocking breathable membrane, and a dose of PolarTec insulation, the Pearl Izumi Pro Insulated Jacket is the ideal layer for cold weather bike rides. It provides enough warmth to block off a chill on the coldest mornings, and when it starts to heat up, you can open the front pockets for ventilation or easily stash the compact jacket in its own back pocket.
| Waterproofing | Biking Type | Original Price |
| PI Dry® Water-shedding Technology | Road, Gravel/Adventure | $225.00 |
Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose
- Mountain Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Mountain Bikes - How to Get Started Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Wheel Size
- Mountain Bikes - Suspension Basics
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Mountian Bike Dropper Post
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Handlebars
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Clean
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
- Mountain Bikes - How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
- Mountain Bikes - How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed a RockShox Reverb Seatpost
- Mountain Bikes - How to Service Fox and RockShox Fork Lowers
- Mountain Biking - What to Bring Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - What to Wear Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - How to Choose Knee Pads
- Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Gravel Bikes - How To Get Started Gravel Biking
- eBikes - Classes, Features & More
- eBikes - Where to Ride eBikes
- Bike Accessories - Helmet Size & Fit Guide
- Bike Accessories - How to Choose Bike Shoes
- Bikes - How to Choose Bike Tires
- Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Bikes - How to Repair & Replace a Bike Chain
- Bikes - How to Choose Accessories
- Bikes - Urban Riding Tips
- Travel & Destination Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
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The Selection Process:
Our bike buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things bike stemming from years of experience in the bike industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the dirt, gravel, and tarmac. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Colin Edwards
Meet Colin Edwards, evo's in-house Bike Buyer and mountain biking aficionado. With 15+ years of e-commerce buying experience under his belt, Colin is the go-to guy for all things related to "Riding Dirt." He's worked across various categories, including bike, snowboard, travel, climbing, and surfing, giving him the know-how to recognize and select top-notch mountain biking products for evo's customers.
Colin's been shredding trails since he was a kid, starting on his trusty hardtail Trek 800 Sport. Born and raised in Utah, he recently made the move to Bellingham, WA with his partner, Kenz. Colin's real-world biking experience, combined with his background in product trends, relationship building, and sales analysis, makes him an invaluable asset to the evo team.
When he's not busy handpicking the raddest gear, you'll find Colin ripping through PNW trails or hunting for the world's best dirt. And when the snow falls, he's all about snowboarding. Colin also loves trail running and exploring the PNW's stunning landscape with his two dogs and Kenz.
With Colin's expertise and passion fueling evo's mountain biking selection, you can trust that his recommendations are spot-on and tailored to the evo community's adventurous spirit.