Best winter cycling jackets 2024 - Tried and tested options to make sure you stay warm on the bike

A close up of the insulation inside a blue winter cycling jacket
(Image credit: Will Jones)

If you want to keep riding when it's cold then sorting yourself out with a really good winter cycling jacket is a really solid investment. It will keep your core warm, which in turn helps keep your extremities warm. Naturally, you'll also want to bolster these with the best winter cycling gloves, and some of the best winter cycling socks too, but if you keep your torso warm everything else gets a lot easier.

All the jackets in this guide are designed to keep you warm, rather than dry. Some of them have water repellency built in, but if you intend on riding in the rain then you need to check out my guide to the best waterproof cycling jackets instead. The jackets below in many cases can fit under a waterproof shell for a truly impenetrable system, but that's a rare need indeed. 

Tested by
Will Jones
Tested by
Will Jones

It may be an unpopular opinion, but I'd take a long ride on a crisp, bright day when the temperature is around 7 degrees over a 30 degree summer scorcher any day. Winter riding is unendingly satisfying, and having spent years riding outside all year round I know what works and what doesn't. I got cold and miserable so you don't have to. Winter jackets are a big ticket item, so I want to make sure you're getting the best possible options for your money. 

Recent updates

November 13th, 2024 This guide has been totally refreshed for 2025/25 with a whole host of new products to sit alongside some established firm favourites, and the number of key product recommendations has been trimmed down to make it as useful as possible. An 'also tested' section has been added to cover those options that didn't make the cut, but are still decent options if you can pick them up at a discount.

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Will Jones
Senior Tech Writer

Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He’s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He’s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn’t ever ride indoors he’s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.