Best cycling ponchos
The British weather is famously unpredictable, and if you’re cycling to work, doing the school run, or just heading out for a ride, sudden showers can quickly take the shine off your journey. That’s why finding the best cycling ponchos is a game-changer.
A cycling rain poncho is designed to slip easily over your everyday clothes, giving you instant waterproof protection without the faff of over-trousers or a bulky jacket. Unlike standard waterproofs, the best poncho for cycling drapes across your handlebars to shield your legs as you pedal, while still packing down small enough to carry in your bag.
Having a lightweight bike poncho tucked away means you’re always prepared for a downpour—helping you stay dry, warm, and comfortable whatever the weather throws at you.
On this page, we’ll explain what a poncho is, why it’s such a good choice for cycling, and share our pick of the best cycling ponchos you can buy right now.
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Quick picks: best cycling ponchos
If you’re in a rush and don’t want to read the full guide, here are our top picks for the best cycling ponchos, covering different styles and price points.
- Best budget cycling poncho: B'Twin City Bike Rain Poncho 100 (RRP £19.99)
A good budget option with sealed seams and an adjustable hood.
- Best mid-range cycling poncho: B'Twin Daytime/Night-time Visibility Rain Poncho 560 (RRP £39.99)
A more premium option from B'Twin with sleeves and top scores for visibility in the darker winter months.
Why are ponchos a good choice for cycling?
Rain ponchos or capes can offer protection from the rain but also from wind chill and most of them come with hi-viz and reflective details.
A poncho designed for cycling usually features some clever details like a longer front to cover your legs while cycling and sometimes loops for your fingers to make sure it stays in place while riding.
Waterproof ponchos for cycling can be a good value solution to keeping dry because they don’t just keep your upper body dry, but most (or all) of your legs too, without having to invest in a waterproof coat and over-trousers.
To help you decide which of the best cycling ponchos is right for you, we've rounded up our favourites below, and you'll also find some handy buying advice underneath to help you make an informed decision.
What to look for when buying a cycling poncho
Have a think about what you’re looking for in a bike poncho; are you looking for a stylish, fashionable piece of clothing that you can pop over your normal clothes or are you looking for a poncho that just does the job of keeping you dry?
Most bike ponchos come with a hood that fits under or over a helmet. Being able to see around you is very important when cycling and especially when it rains, so look out for hoods that are adjustable.
If you’re going to be cycling in the early mornings or evenings, all through winter, you may want to opt for a poncho with hi-viz details and reflective features.
You’re probably not going to be using your poncho everyday, so also think about how the poncho is stored when not in use. A stuff sack is very handy (although can easily get lost!) and an even better option is a poncho that packs up into its own pocket.
Best cycling ponchos
Below you’ll find our full roundup of the best cycling ponchos, with options to suit different riding styles, needs, and budgets.
Each cycling rain poncho on this list has been chosen for its design, practicality, and ability to keep you dry on the bike.
B'Twin City Bike Rain Poncho 100
Best for: Value for money
Price: From £19.99
Colours: Green, Black
Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL
Waterproof resistance: 2,000mm
This is B'Twin’s budget waterproof bike poncho and it comes with sealed seams and a hood that is adjustable to allow for a broad field of vision which can go either under or on your helmet if you wear one.
Out of all of the ponchos we've listed here, this one is the most budget-friendly, and even at this price point offers a decent waterproof rating, hood and elastic bands to attach it to your hands and thighs to keep your arms and legs dry.
This poncho doesn’t come with any reflective details, but is roomy enough to be worn with a rucksack underneath.
B'Twin Daytime/Night-time Visibility Rain Poncho 560
Best for: All-day/night use
Price: £39.99
Colours: Fluo Yellow Green/Black
Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL
Waterproof resistance: 5,000mm
B'Twin’s more premium cycling poncho has sleeves, which is quite unusual for a poncho but looks very useful. This poncho scores high on visibility with a hi-viz top and reflective detail all around the poncho and sleeves, which can be seen from all angles.
It has a higher waterproof rating than the cheaper 100 poncho listed above, and can be packed up into its own front pocket.
This option is great for use in the day as well as night because of the hi-viz top and reflective band all around the waist and arms.
B’Twin Night Visibility City Bike Rain Poncho 540
Best for: Matching with your style
Price: £34.99
Colour: Grey, Brown/Black, Grey/Black, Red/Black
Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL
Waterproof resistance: 5,000mm
The B'Twin 540 waterproof poncho is the same as its hi-viz sibling but in more elegant colourways.
With the addition of bright colours at the top alongside the reflective details all around the cape, it also offers 360-degree visibility.
This is by far the best-looking option from B'Twin because you can choose one of the four elegant colourways to match with your own style.
HUMP Reflective Waterproof Poncho
Best for: if you prefer to wear black
Price: £39.99
Colour: Black
Sizes: one size fits most
Waterproof resistance: not stated
HUMP is well known for their range of reflective, waterproof rucksack covers.
This cycling poncho looks understated, due to the black material, but offers. good visibility due to the hi viz integrated hood.
The "one size fits most" approach could be an issue if you're quite short or tall.
Tucano Urbano Cycling Poncho
Best for: Pairing with a rucksack
Colours: Blue, Fluro Yellow, Brown
Sizes: Small, Large, Small PLUS, Large PLUS
Waterproof resistance: 5,000mm
The Tucano Urbano waterproof bike poncho comes in four colours: two very visible ones and two in more subtle colourways. Reflective details on this poncho look especially good and there are air vents to keep you cool.
This poncho offers a lot of value for money, and is the best one for wearing with a rucksack - just make sure you order the PLUS size.
The Tucano bike poncho can be packed into a stuff sack that features a Velcro tab to attach it to your bike.
People's Poncho 3.0
Best for: Heavy rain
Price: £91.00
Colour: Navy, Camouflage, Yellow, Red, Black
Sizes: One size fits all
Waterproof resistance: 10,000mm
This poncho is lightweight at 460g, but is able to withstand a heavy downpour. It is made from a breathable technical fabric and is the only poncho listed here that has an inner waistband (to avoid the back of the poncho blowing up).
Out of all the ponchos we've listed, this one has the highest waterproof rating and therefore the best one if you think you'll be cycling in heavy rain. It's pretty price though!
Waterproof resistance ratings explained
Not every type of waterproof fabric can withstand the same amount of rain. For most waterproof products you’ll find a waterproof rating in the product description as a multiple of 1,000mm.
Waterproof fabrics are tested in a so-called Hydrostatic Head test where the fabric is put under a sealed tube of water. The rating in millimetres refers to the number of millimetres of water the fabric is able to withstand in the tube, over 24 hours, without it seeping through. The higher the rating, the better the waterproofing.
Washing a waterproof product will reduce the waterproof rating, unless a waterproofing product is used.
Sometimes the term ‘Poray’ is used to rate waterproof fabric and this rating refers to the waterproof resistance rating and breathability rating combined.
Ponchos listed in this article are made of fabrics varying in waterproof rating between 2,000mm and 10,000mm.
Any fabric within this range will offer you plenty of protection from an average rain shower on a short journey, but don’t expect the lower-rated options to keep you dry if you’re going on a day-long cycle trip.
How to choose from the best cycling ponchos
Still struggling to choose? We answer some commonly asked questions to help you narrow down your options and pick the best bike poncho for your needs.
Can you cycle in a rain poncho?
Absolutely! A poncho is loose-fitting, which means plenty of room to move your legs to pedal. Because of the loose design, a poncho also offers plenty of ventilation.
All ponchos for cycling listed here offer loops for your fingers or studs to ensure that the poncho stays in place when you put your hands on the handlebars.
Having the poncho over your hands on the handlebars will help with keeping your legs dry underneath, unless there's horizontal rain!
Is a poncho better than a waterproof jacket for cycling?
Both come with their pros and cons. Here's why you might prefer a poncho:
- easier to put on over your normal clothes
- lightweight and packs away small
- no need for waterproof overtrousers
- good ventilation
Whereas if you prefer these things, a waterproof jacket might be a better choice for you:
- invest in a more expensive all-round waterproof jacket
- pair jacket with waterproof overtrousers
- wear a waterproof jacket all the time to be prepared for all weathers
What should I wear when cycling in the rain?
For cycling in the rain, these are the key things you should consider wearing to protect yourself and your clothing from the elements.
- Poncho
- Jacket
- Over-trousers
Also consider mudguards, waterproof panniers, a rucksack cover and a helmet cover.
What are the disadvantages of a poncho?
We think ponchos are pretty great, which is why we've listed the best ponchos for cycling above.
However they're definitely not for everyone. Here are some of the reasons you might not want to use a poncho:
- ponchos are not great for heavy rain
- a poncho might flap if it's windy
- when it's cold you will probably be warmer in a coat
Other posts you might be interested in:
- Best kids packable waterproof cycling jackets
- How to start cycling to school with kids
- Best cargo bikes for families
- What to look out for in an adult's bike
- The best bike lights for kids
- Family Cycling Safety for Winter
- How to keep your child's head warm under their bike helmet
- 7 ways to make your child bright on their bike in the dark
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