The best MTB rain gear for 2026: 13 must-haves for mountain bikers

By the time you’ve thundered through the first puddle at full pelt, you won’t care whether it’s raining cats and dogs. I promise! Once you’ve overcome your inner reluctance, riding in the rain can become an absolute highlight. Wet roots. Slippery bends. Slippery rocks. And no idea just how deep that puddle up ahead really is. Cycling in the rain challenges all your senses. Cycling in the rain hones your skills. Cycling in the rain can be mystical. Wispy clouds drift through the forest. The atmosphere is gloomy, sometimes almost menacing. So you pedal as if the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow himself were chasing you. Once you’ve actually made it home, you’re soaking wet despite your rain gear, exhausted to the bone and – simply happy. Guaranteed!

Endura MT500 Waterproof Cycling Shorts

Batten down the hatches

Rain, drizzle, smirr, haar, dreich, downpour – the Scots have many words for rain. What do they all have in common? Everything they describe gets cyclists wet. If you want to stay dry even in Scottish weather, slip into Endura’s waterproof dungarees. With a 20,000 water column rating, they can withstand even a downpour – that is, heavy, sudden showers. The dungarees also keep water off your back and feature a DropSeat function for when you need to take a wee. Price: 230 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.

Rapid Racer Products Pro Guard Front/Rear

Belgian weapons

Belgium isn’t just famous for its delicious waffles and chips; the country is also mad about cycling. When the North Sea sends its usual rain, the Belgians simply pull out the new Pro Guards from RRP. These matt black protectors, made from impact-resistant polypropylene, can be quickly fitted using cable ties and are available in three lengths at the front and two at the rear. This way, they protect not only the rider but also the suspension and joints from mud splashes. Price from 34.99 euros.

Scott Trail Storm WP

Groin guard

The Trail Storm is Scott’s classic rain jacket. It’s made from an exceptionally robust three-layer fabric and works just as well on trail rides as it does on rainy days at the bike park. The highlight: thanks to its high stretch content, the trousers move with you every step of the way on the trail. So there’s no need to worry about water running down your trousers when you’re sprinting through puddles. Ventilation zips prevent you from feeling like you’re in a tropical jungle when climbing. Price: 169.95 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.

Fox Ranger Water Gloves

Finger hairdryer

Wet fingers get cold quickly – and cold fingers don’t like to brake. What helps? The Fox Ranger Water, for example. The waterproof back of the glove keeps the rain at bay just like the high school beauty turns down your date request. The inside is waterproof too, yet thanks to AX Suede, it still offers a great grip even on damp handlebars. The long cuff seals the connection to your rain jacket completely. Conductive threads allow you to use your smartphone – who knows, maybe someone will still turn up for that trail date in the rain after all? Price: 54.99 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.

Riesel Design Drop:Guard

Gutter

The cyclist is protected by their rain gear. The fork and shock are protected by mudguards. Only the seals on the dropper post have to put up with mud, even in the worst conditions. ‘Enough of that,’ thought the developers at Riesel Design, and so they designed the Drop:Guard. The dimensionally stable mudguard is simply clamped between the seat post and the seat tube and moves up and down with the seat post. Available in seven designs and suitable for telescopic seat posts with up to 250 millimetres of travel. Price: 19.95 euros.

Evoc Allride 3D WP 16

Dry bag

The new Allride is a standout in several respects: it is the Munich-based brand’s first rucksack to feature back pads produced using additive 3D printing, which is designed to provide unrivalled ventilation. Even more exciting, however, is that you can now leave that annoying rain cover at home. Waterproof zips and taped seams reliably keep water out, even if you find yourself wading through puddles. Like every Evoc, the Allride is a master of organisation, featuring a tool pocket and clever compartmentalisation. With a 16-litre capacity, it’s ideal for trail rides. Price: 300 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.

Maxxis WetScream

Open relationship

For spectators, it’s a real treat every time the downhill pros hurtle down the World Cup course in Leogang on rainy days. Because the tyres become caked in mud, much like during a mud bath treatment, there’s no stopping them on the hellishly steep forest sections. Rain tyres such as the WetScream offer less grip on the mud thanks to wide lug spacing, whilst the tall side lugs anchor themselves even in deep soil. They work best in combination with a high-grip rubber compound. Price from 64.90 euros >> available here.

Leatt Mono Suit MTB HydraDri 3.0

Diving suit

All you need now are a pair of diving goggles and an oxygen tank, and you could dive down on your bike to go on a treasure hunt with galleon explorer Mel Fisher. Or you could still be shredding through the bike park even when everyone else has long since retreated to the warmth of their living rooms. 20,000 water column, a helmet-compatible hood, an ergonomic fit – you can’t get much better protection from the rain on a bike than this. Price: 399 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.

Shimano GF800 GTX

Rubber wellies

After a long ride in the rain, we’ve all probably stepped out of our cycling shoes at some point with pale, shrivelled feet. It doesn’t have to be that way, though, as Shimano has a pair of rain shoes with a Gore-Tex membrane in its range, which, thanks to their high gaiters, bridge the gap to your rain trousers. The Ultread rubber sole grips perfectly onto the pedal pins, even when wet. A Boa dial fastening ensures a secure fit. Price: 209.95 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.

Poc Cularis Pure MTB

Umbrella

The Swedes are inventive – everyone knows that. POC has fitted the Cularis Pure with a clever interchangeable visor that offers either greater protection from the elements or better ventilation, depending on your needs. When the heavens open, simply clip on the closed version to keep your head better protected. A practical bonus: in the event of a fall, the visor detaches, helping to reduce the impact forces. Price: 180 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.

CHPO Henrik Clear

Easy to see through

Clear lenses are best for rainy days – visibility is already poor enough as it is. For days when mud is flying everywhere, as it does during a hillclimb, we recommend an affordable model such as the Henrik from CHPO. After all, one wipe of a dirty lens with your glove and the coating looks as though it’s been attacked by a tiger. A real plus: the oversized frame also provides optimum protection for your eyes. Price: 45 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.

GripGrab Pacr Waterproof Lightweight Jacket

Friesennerz

What’s the point of the best rain jacket if, when you need it, it’s hanging on a coat hook at home? Instead of overloading the jacket with unnecessary features, GripGrab has stripped the Pacr down to the absolute essentials: a 15,000 water column rating and high breathability, combined with minimal weight and pack size. Clever: the extended sleeves reach right over your gloves. If you’re caught in a sudden shower, you can simply pull the fist-sized bundle out of your rucksack, jersey pocket or frame compartment. Price: 180 euros >> Available at a reduced price here.

Endura MT500 Dirt Bag

scumbag

Coming back from the trail absolutely filthy and then heading straight into your best mate’s car – well, he’ll be ever so grateful. But of course the Scots have a solution for this too: the Dirt Bag is a changing mat and laundry bag in one. Thanks to the drawstring, your dirty kit disappears just like the innards of a haggis into the belly of a sheep – yet another Scottish speciality. Price: 50 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.