TRIPLE2 Guide - Cycling Jackets & Cycling Vests

Bike jackets are available on the market in large quantities and in various designs. From heavy softshell jackets for sub-zero temperatures to ultra-light windbreakers with packing dimensions the size of a golf ball, everything is available. This raises the question: What do I actually need? Good question: Because the choice of bike jacket primarily depends on the area of use. 

When I'm out on the racing bike, I need a long back and long sleeves due to the stretched seating position. At the same time, the cut should ensure a close-fitting fit. An elastic material also provides optimal freedom of movement. Minimal weight and small pack size are key here, as most racing cyclists do not carry a backpack for storage. Usually, a windproof cycling jacket with water-repellent equipment is sufficient. In continuous rain, a rain jacket is necessary. 

However, if you often ride your mountain bike in bad weather, or simply need an emergency jacket, a rather robust yet lightweight hard shell cycling jacket is a good choice. It doesn't have to be as fitted as a road cycling jacket. Other features are more important here: spacious pockets, high breathability, and ideally a hood can be more useful in the mountains. 

When temperatures drop, an insulation layer is also sensible. The material of our choice for insulation is a lightweight wool filling in the cycling jacket, as it works even when wet, is easy to wash, and has a minimal pack size. 

"Maybe you are more active in the summer and only need a light wind protection in the evening? Then perhaps a wind vest, which is extremely lightweight, will suffice for you, as its windproof material particularly protects your chest from cold winds during descents or in the evening."  

Small pack size, big effect. The perfect cycling wind jacket?

A good cycling jacket against wind is part of the standard equipment for cyclists. It should of course be windproof, have an extremely small pack size, ideally be made of elastic material, or at least have elastic inserts, and fit optimally to the riding position on the bike. 

We would like to dispel a misconception: A membrane like the well-known GORE WINDSTOPPER membrane is not necessary for a top windproof premium cycling jacket for men. There are now much lighter, more elastic, and water-repellent materials that function without a membrane and the associated bonding, as well as all other negative environmental properties. The key is high-density and elastically woven structures that do not let any wind through, which is why they are used in our KLEEN cycling jacket and KAMSOOL cycling vest. 

A cycling jacket or windbreaker must have additional features to be suitable for cyclists. Pay attention to a high, snug collar that prevents wind from getting in. Fitted, elastic cuffs also keep any breeze from coming through at the arms. Ventilation openings under the arms provide extra airflow, and large reflective areas protect you in the dark.  

Softshell Rad Jacket - Are there alternatives to the softshell?

What is a cycling jacket made of softshell material? There are softshell jackets in countless variations. The essential difference is that there are cycling jackets with a membrane and cycling jackets without a membrane. Softshell jackets with a membrane are usually relatively waterproof, in any case windproof and elastic. Softshell jackets without a membrane, on the other hand, are mostly windproof, rarely waterproof, but elastic and provide good warmth. Elastic cycling jackets made of softshell material are particularly interesting for road cyclists because they optimally follow the extreme posture of the sitting position and adapt to the body shape without flapping. Cycling jackets with merino wool on the inside are ideal, as they regulate temperature extremely well. At the same time, the outer side should be made of a robust nylon that is abrasion-resistant and strongly water-repellent due to a waterproof treatment. 

If it gets very cold or you need a minimal pack size, lightweight down jackets are the perfect choice. However, with one limitation: the filling should not be down! Why, you ask? Quite simply: down has the crucial disadvantage that it clumps together when wet, which causes the insulation effect to be lost. TRIPLE2 does it better: we use a wool filling for our insulated cycling jacket that works even when wet. Wool can absorb 30% of its own weight in moisture without losing its thermal performance. Additionally, the material does not clump and can therefore be easily washed in the washing machine. On top: Our wool filling for the cycling jacket DUUN is traceable. This way, you can trace the journey of the wool from the sheep to your jacket at any time.

Bicycle Rain Jacket – Moisture Protection for Mountain Bike and Road Bike.

"When it rains cats and dogs outside, you need a rain protection on your bike. Ideally, this is a cycling jacket, called a hardshell or rain jacket. So a waterproof rain jacket, whose material consists of at least one outer layer made of robust material (nylon or polyester) and a connected membrane. The outer fabric ensures that the rain jacket has a robust surface, and it also carries the ultra-thin membrane, which is responsible for two things:" 

1. It stops moisture and water from penetrating from the outside to the inside. 

2. It allows moisture to be transported from the inside to the outside. 

The better this works, the higher the breathability. For cycling jackets, breathability should be very high, as even small movements can cause a significant transfer of heat from the inside to the outside. The better the material of the cycling jacket allows heat and moisture to escape, the more comfortable one feels in a hardshell. Of course, a cycling jacket designed to be waterproof must also have taped seams to prevent moisture from penetrating through the seams. Additionally, a cycling jacket should have large pockets. Cycling jackets for mountain bikers who enjoy being in the mountains, or whose hardshell is also intended for other occasions (hiking, traveling), will also appreciate a large hood that fits over the helmet. This not only protects against rain in case of emergency but also against cold wind in the mountains. 

The cycling vest - Minimal gear for changing weather

Cycling vests should primarily be one thing: windproof and compact. Because usually, you don't wear your cycling vest from the first minute on the bike, but you have it with you – for cool moments during descents, frosty evenings, or unexpected drizzles. Cycling vests, whether ultra-thin or insulated, should be cut as close to the body as possible to prevent drafts from getting in. A critical point is the longer cut back section, which must fit optimally against the back. For premium cycling vests, elastic bands with silicone are often used at the lower back. Also critical: the armholes, which should also fit snugly and elastically. Since cycling vests need to provide wind protection primarily in the chest area and at the shoulders, the back area along the spine can be used as a ventilation zone. Depending on the model, we use a breathable mesh fabric or insulating merino wool for this purpose. The advantage is that even with multi-day use, no sweat odor develops.