Is a rain jacket or poncho better for cycling?

A rain jacket is far safer because a poncho can flap up and block your view, especially with crosswinds on open cycle paths. A poncho breathes better and is cheaper, so for short rides under 10 minutes it can do the job. For daily commutes a good rain jacket with 10,000+ mm hydrostatic head is the better choice.

What does EN 20471 mean on a cycling jacket?

EN 20471 is the European standard for high-visibility clothing and sets minimum requirements for fluorescent material and reflectivity. A jacket with this rating is visible to drivers from at least 150 metres away. It is mandatory for road workers and strongly recommended for commuters in the dark months.

How long does a cycling rain jacket last?

A quality rain jacket with Gore-Tex or similar membrane lasts around 5 to 7 years with daily use. Cheaper PU-coated jackets lose their waterproofing after just 1 or 2 winters. Wash your jacket twice a year with a specialist detergent (such as Nikwax Tech Wash) to preserve the breathability.

What is the difference between waterproof and breathable?

Waterproof keeps rain out, breathable lets water vapour (sweat) escape from the inside. A good cycling jacket combines both via a membrane like Gore-Tex or eVent. An ordinary plastic rain suit is waterproof but not at all breathable, leaving you soaked in sweat from the inside instead.

Which gloves do I need in winter?

For temperatures between 0 and 10 degrees, windproof gloves around 30 euros such as the Shimano Windbreak are enough. Below freezing you need true winter gloves with insulation (Primaloft or Thinsulate) costing 40 to 60 euros. Summer gloves are ventilated and mainly serve to prevent blisters.

Cycling Clothing

Waterproof and reflective cycling clothing.

5 products

The Netherlands averages more than 200 rainy days per year, and anyone commuting to work or school by bike in autumn and winter quickly discovers that ordinary clothing simply is not enough. A soaked pair of jeans will not dry at the office, and cold hands at 2 degrees turn a 20-minute ride into a misery. In that light, proper cycling clothing is not a luxury but an investment in comfort and safety, especially in the dark months from October to March.

The main categories are rain jackets, windbreakers, cycling gilets, gloves and overshoes. For a rain jacket, watch the hydrostatic head (at least 10,000 mm for Dutch downpours) and breathability (at least 10,000 g/m2/24h) so you are not drenched in your own sweat by the time you arrive. Premium membranes like Gore-Tex and eVent score highly on both counts but quickly cost 150 to 300 euros. For visibility in twilight the EN 20471 certification matters, guaranteeing enough fluorescent material and reflective strips to be seen at 150 metres.

Prices range from about 30 euros for a simple rain cape to 150 euros for a full-featured breathable rain jacket with EN 20471. Gloves cost 15 to 60 euros depending on temperature range (0 to 10 degrees versus full winter), and good overshoes start around 25 euros.

Filter by brand

AGU Essential Prime Rain Jacket

AGU · Regenjas · 10.000 mm waterkolom

€80

GripGrab Windster 2 Handschoenen

GripGrab · Winterhandschoenen · Winddicht tot -5°C

€35

Sealskinz Waterproof Cycling Gloves

Sealskinz · Winterhandschoenen · 10.000 mm waterkolom

€45

Shimano S-Phyre Overschoenen

Shimano · Overschoenen · Waterkolom 15.000 mm

€55

Vaude Luminum Vest

Vaude · Reflectievest · EN 20471 klasse 2

€60

Buying tips

Watch the hydrostatic head: 10,000 mm is the minimum for Dutch downpours, while anything under 5,000 mm will soak through within 20 minutes.
Breathability of at least 10,000 g/m2/24h prevents cycling in your own sweat; premium membranes like Gore-Tex Active reach 20,000 or more.
For cycling in twilight or the dark, an EN 20471-certified jacket (such as the AGU Commuter) is almost essential, guaranteeing visibility at 150 metres.
Pick a rain jacket or gilet that folds compactly into its own pocket so you can always carry it in your pannier or cargo bike without hassle.
Do not buy cycling clothing too loose: an oversized jacket flaps and lets cold in through the sleeves and collar, so stick to your normal size.

What does the ART certification mean and which level do you need for your bike or e-bike? Compare ART-1 through ART-5 and the requirements of Univé, ENRA, Centraal Beheer and Unigarant.

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Frequently asked questions

Best cycling clothing per bike type

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