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Racers for whom a close-fitting collar and a sporty fit are more important than a protected head when resting on the summit are more likely to find what they are looking for in road bike products. Although the hood keeps the rain out better under the helmet, the helmet's small peak or straps often interfere with the fit. Drawstrings to adjust the hood to the head are a must (1). If the hood sits too tightly over the helmet, this restricts freedom of movement and the rear of the jacket slides up. In general, the mullet principle applies to bike jackets: short at the front, long at the back. If the rear is cut too short, water will run into the trousers from above and the rain protection system will leak. Overlapping also applies to the sleeves: They should be long enough to reach over the gloves even when the arms are stretched out. Small flaps, Velcro adjustments or stretch cuffs keep the rain out. Even if the manufacturers advertise their jackets as particularly "breathable", you will be stewing in your own juices on the first climb at the latest. This is where side ventilation zips or laser cuts under the armpits can help. When buying, pay particular attention to sealed and backed zips - the Achilles heel of rain jackets. Side pockets keep your hands warm at the summit, but when fully loaded they bulge out during the ride. It's better to stow your accessories in your rucksack. But be careful: 2.5-layer laminates in particular are often only suitable for backpacking to a limited extent.
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Stefan Frey
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