Updated October 18, 2026. Prices checked October 14, 2026.
Five waterproof jackets cost between $190 and $239. The Rapha Core Rain and Showers Pass Cloudburst come from cycling reviews. The Rab Phantom, Janji Rainrunner and Brooks High Point come from our running rankings, where testers rated them as light, packable and breathable, and nobody tested them on a bike. They score higher than the two cycling jackets because the running tests are more favorable, so read their scores as running scores.
How these scores are built. Outer layers are judged mainly on waterproofing, which counts for 45% of the score. Breathability counts 25%, and the other two criteria count 15% each. Based on: Cycling reviews by Cyclingnews, 220 Triathlon, BikeRadar and Singletracks for the Rapha and Showers Pass, and running tests for the other three, plus manufacturer specifications. Prices read on Rapha and REI on October 18 and on retailer pages on October 14, 2026. We do not test products in person. 14 source pages are linked under the 5 products so you can check each finding. How we score.
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Product
Best for
Waterproofing
Score
1
Rab Phantom
Best overall and lightest
8.5
7.8
2
Showers Pass Cloudburst
Best breathability
7.5
7.6
3
Janji Rainrunner Pack Jacket 2.0
Best ventilation
7.5
7.5
4
Brooks High Point Waterproof Jacket 2.0
Best with front and rear vents
7.5
7.2
5
Rapha Core Rain Jacket
Best-supported waterproof jacket in this range
7.5
7
01
Rab Phantom
Best overall and lightest, $225
7.8/10
Waterproofing 45%
8.5/10
Breathability 25%
8/10
Fit and mobility 15%
8/10
Durability 15%
5/10
Pros
2.5-layer Pertex Shield rated 20,000 mm and 20,000 g/m2, with fully sealed seams.
In the 220 Triathlon test, the closely related Phantom Pull-on was the top pick for light weight and ventilation.
Cons
The face fabric is only 7 denier. Expect less toughness than heavier shells.
No pockets and no thumbholes.
We scored it from running reviews and owner reports. None of them tested it on a bike, so fit and comfort when riding are untested.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
02
Showers Pass Cloudburst
Best breathability, $239.00
7.6/10
Standout strength. Singletracks says it breathes better than nearly any rain layer the reviewer has worn on a bike.
Waterproofing 45%
7.5/10
Breathability 25%
9/10
Fit and mobility 15%
6.5/10
Durability 15%
6.5/10
Pros
Singletracks tested the three-layer eliteAIR jacket, rated 10.2K for waterproofing, in alpine storms at 8 to 15 degrees C and found it kept the rider dry.
It has large hand pockets that double as vents, a lumbar pocket and reflective details. REI owners rate it 4.3 out of 5, from 6 reviews.
Cons
Singletracks says the cut is athletic and tight, so a small suits no padding or layers, and that it feels warm when you stop. It is not very packable.
Singletracks is the only independent test we read, from 2021 and last updated in 2023. It did not address durability, so that score is a neutral estimate.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
03
Janji Rainrunner Pack Jacket 2.0
Best ventilation, $218
7.5/10
Waterproofing 45%
7.5/10
Breathability 25%
8/10
Fit and mobility 15%
8/10
Durability 15%
6/10
Pros
2.5-layer shell rated 20,000 mm and 20,000 g/m2, with fully taped seams and panel venting around the core.
Owners call it very ventilated and comfortable. REI owners rate it 4.5 out of 5.
Cons
One owner reports the waterproofing is not 100 percent.
The fabric is a bit rustly, and REI reviewers say it fits slightly large.
We scored it from running reviews and owner reports. None of them tested it on a bike, so fit and comfort when riding are untested.
Best-supported waterproof jacket in this range, $190.00
7/10
Standout strength. Cyclingnews names the Core Rain its best budget waterproof jacket, and 220 Triathlon names it the best value jacket.
Waterproofing 45%
7.5/10
Breathability 25%
6.5/10
Fit and mobility 15%
7/10
Durability 15%
6.5/10
Pros
Cyclingnews says the Pertex 2.5-layer fabric and taped seams do the job, and that the newest version adds a two-way zip and a slightly better cut. BikeRadar praised the top-class waterproofing of the earlier Core Rain II.
220 Triathlon calls it very waterproof and comfortable. It has a drawstring hem and perforated armpits for venting.
Cons
Cyclingnews says its breathability is unlikely to match the best jackets in the guide, and that the tacky backing can grab damp skin. BikeRadar notes little storage.
Cyclingnews has not yet tested the current Core Rain III and tested the earlier versions. Rapha cuts small, and the fit is a race fit that Cyclingnews says some riders will find tight.
Each score comes from independent reviews (Cyclingnews, 220 Triathlon, BikeRadar and Singletracks), manufacturer specifications and the price at the retailer named under each jacket. We do not test jackets in person. Ratings are our assessment of what the reviewers report. Where a review says nothing about durability, we use a neutral estimate.
The Rapha and Showers Pass scores rest on cycling reviews, and the Rapha reviews cover earlier versions. The other three scores rest on running tests.
What we left out
Castelli Squall Shell ($140) and Perfetto RoS 3 ($320): water-resistant, not fully waterproof.
Endura FS260-Pro Race Cape II: BikeRadar lists it at $110, but we could not confirm that price on a US store page.
Gorewear jackets: the brand closed its own store.
Pearl iZUMi Quest Barrier ($145): a wind and shower layer, not a waterproof shell.
What to look for
A hem you can cinch and a high collar to keep spray out
Vents or perforated armpits, since a waterproof shell traps heat
A fit that leaves room for a thin layer underneath
Questions
Which jackets come from running?
The Rab Phantom, Janji Rainrunner and Brooks High Point were scored from running tests and owner reports. They have no cycling test, so fit and comfort on a bike are untested.
Why is the Castelli Squall not here?
road.cc rates it water-resistant and 220 Triathlon found water got in during sustained showers, so it is not a fully waterproof jacket. We rank only jackets with real waterproofing.
Where do the prices come from?
The Rapha price comes from Rapha's US site and the Showers Pass price from REI, both on October 18, 2026. Sale prices are ignored.