Jackets
Used road cycling jackets on Cranxs come from private sellers across the UK, new and second-hand. A good jacket is what cuts the wind on a chilly morning ride and keeps you dry when the weather turns unpredictable, without restricting how you move on the bike. There are options for all seasons here, from waterproofs to lightweight windbreakers.
What should I check buying a used jacket?
Check the taped seams inside the jacket for lifting or peeling, as that is where a waterproof usually fails first and it cannot be repaired neatly. Work the main zip and any pit or pocket zips, look at the cuffs and hem gripper for perished elastic, and hold the fabric up to the light to spot thin patches. It is also worth asking how often the jacket was worn, since road clothing that has done three winters is a different proposition from a jacket bought for one wet sportive.
Waterproof or windproof?
A waterproof is the answer when the forecast says rain and you will be out for hours; it is heavier, warmer and less breathable, and that is the trade you accept. A lightweight windbreaker is for cutting through wind on a chilly morning, packs down small enough to live in a jersey pocket, and sheds a shower rather than a downpour. Many riders end up owning one of each.
How should a jacket fit over layers?
Buy it to layer without feeling restricted: it should close comfortably over a long-sleeve jersey, with room to reach forward to the bars and no pulling across the shoulders. Too loose and it flaps and drags at speed, so check the arm length in a riding position rather than standing up straight.
Can a used waterproof be revived?
Often, yes. Water beading up and soaking in rather than running off is usually the outer finish wearing off rather than the membrane failing, and a wash-in or spray-on reproofer restores it. That makes a well-cared-for used jacket a genuinely good deal, provided the seams and zips are sound.
Does packability matter?
For anything you might take off mid-ride, it matters a great deal. Ask whether the jacket rolls into a rear pocket, because a shell you cannot stow is a shell you leave at home, and the point of an all-season wardrobe is being able to take on the elements with confidence.