Updated October 18, 2026. Prices checked October 14, 2026.
Five waterproof jackets cost more than $250. The MAAP Atmos and Rapha Explore Gore-Tex come from cycling reviews. The Patagonia Storm Racer, Arc'teryx Norvan and Salomon Bonatti Pro come from our running rankings, where testers rated them as light, waterproof and breathable, and nobody tested them on a bike. The Arc'teryx Norvan scores highest, and the Rapha Explore, which comes from cycling reviews, ties with the Patagonia Storm Racer just behind it. Read the running jackets' 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 and BikeRadar for the MAAP and Rapha, and running tests for the other three, plus manufacturer specifications. Prices read on the MAAP and Rapha US stores on October 18 and on retailer pages on October 14, 2026. We do not test products in person. 15 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
Arc'teryx Norvan Jacket
Best breathability
9
8.2
2
Rapha Explore Gore-Tex Jacket
Best protection in heavy, all-day rain
9.5
8
3
Patagonia Storm Racer
Best for running with a vest or pack
9
8
4
Salomon Bonatti Pro
Lowest price here
8.5
7.9
5
MAAP Atmos Jacket
Lightest and most packable
7.5
7.4
01
Arc'teryx Norvan Jacket
Best breathability, $450
8.2/10
Waterproofing 45%
9/10
Breathability 25%
8/10
Fit and mobility 15%
7/10
Durability 15%
7/10
Pros
3-layer Gore-Tex ePE shell with a 15-denier membrane. REI lists 7.58 oz.
Packstack scored it 8 out of 10.
Cons
Reviewers report hood fit problems, and there are no pockets.
REI owners say it runs warm, and it costs the most here. We found no long-term durability testing.
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.
Standout strength. Cyclingnews calls it more or less totally impervious, with a three-layer Gore-Tex fabric rated 28,000 mm.
Waterproofing 45%
9.5/10
Breathability 25%
6/10
Fit and mobility 15%
7/10
Durability 15%
8/10
Pros
Cyclingnews says it suits long, wet days and bikepacking, with a relaxed fit that takes layers and large back vents. It crosses over to hiking and travel.
Cyclingnews praises the front hem poppers and adjustable hem and hood.
Cons
Cyclingnews says hard efforts can leave you clammy, the hood only works under a helmet and the cuffs are not adjustable. It is not a performance road jacket.
Cyclingnews calls it one of the last Gore-Tex Active jackets and says Rapha is discontinuing it, although Rapha's US site still lists it at $530. It is the only independent test we read for this jacket.
Standout strength. Cyclingnews calls it the most packable waterproof cycling jacket, and 220 Triathlon ranks it among its highest-rated for waterproofing.
Waterproofing 45%
7.5/10
Breathability 25%
8.5/10
Fit and mobility 15%
8/10
Durability 15%
4.5/10
Pros
Cyclingnews says its Pertex Shield fabric, rated 20,000 mm, keeps out heavy rain, and that it packs smaller than a jersey pocket. 220 Triathlon found no weak points in its weather protection and weighed 132 g.
It has a two-way zip and a storm flap behind a waterproof zip, with a close race fit.
Cons
Cyclingnews says the very thin fabric can press against your skin and feel wet in long, cold downpours, and that it is fragile off-road or in brush.
220 Triathlon found baggy forearms and calls the price high. MAAP's page shows only one owner review.
Each score comes from independent reviews (Cyclingnews, 220 Triathlon and BikeRadar), manufacturer specifications and the price on the brand’s US store. We do not test jackets in person. Ratings are our assessment of what the reviewers report. Where a review gives no durability finding, we use a neutral estimate.
The MAAP and Rapha Explore scores rest on cycling reviews. The other three scores rest on running tests.
What we left out
Castelli Gabba R ($390): not fully waterproof, with untaped seams.
PAS Normal Mechanism Shell: no US price found.
Rapha Gore-Tex Rain Jacket ($425) and Pro Team Gore-Tex jackets ($450): no current independent test read.
Showers Pass Elite III ($339) and Refuge ($415), Endura MT500 ($330): no independent test read.
Gorewear jackets: the brand closed its own store.
What to look for
A jacket light enough to carry every ride, or a heavier one for all-day rain
A close fit for road riding, or a relaxed one for gravel and bikepacking
A hood that fits over a helmet if you ride in storms
Questions
Which jackets come from running?
The Patagonia Storm Racer, Arc'teryx Norvan and Salomon Bonatti Pro 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 Gabba R not here?
Cyclingnews says it is about half as waterproof as a properly waterproof jacket, and its seams are not taped. We rank only jackets with real waterproofing.
Where do the prices come from?
The MAAP price comes from the MAAP US store and the Rapha price from Rapha's US site, both on October 18, 2026. Sale prices are ignored.