A Gore-Tex jacket may cost more initially, but it’s the only one guaranteed to keep you dry, and it’s hard to put a price on that. Our guide to five of the best Gore-Tex jackets will help you find your next wet-weather riding companion. Premium brands Rukka and Klim dominate these rankings, which shows the strength of customer feedback on their products.
Klim Carlsbad Gore-Tex CE Textile Jacket
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Named after California’s late, lamented motocross circuit, the Carlsbad mixes off-road flexibility with road practicality. Its two-layer Gore-Tex membrane is laminated to the outer, giving optimum waterproofing performance and direct-to-body venting without delivering the bulk that comes with a three-layer Gore jacket. There’s a full set of D3O CE Level 2 armour, including a back insert, and customers are very happy with the top-notch standard. Those with longer arms especially like the fit, which also draws its inspiration from off-road riding - so consider going down a size from your usual if you like a snug fit.
Klim Kodiak Textile Jacket
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The Klim Kodiak Gore-Tex jacket is a high-end option, with a pricetag that reflects its status as a complete all-weather solution. The outer is a top-line three-layer Gore-Tex Pro laminate for optimum waterproofing, and there's a cosy down under-jacket supplied to give it winter capability. Owner feedback on the Kodiak is exceptional, with a perfect run of five-star reviews from the first 12 riders to leave a rating. They praise the weather protection, crash resistance and the included down jacket for its use a standalone layer when off the bike. Owners suggest taking care with sizing and there's a strong feeling that the Kodiak sizes smaller than other Klim jackets.
Rukka Nivala 2.0 Gore-Tex Textile Jacket
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Rukka’s second-generation Nivala jacket is one step from the top of their range and has one of the highest specs of any bike jacket. It has a three-layer Gore-Tex membrane laminated to a high-stretch outer shell for top-grade waterproofing and comfort, a full set of top-line armour that includes back and chest protection and a down warmth liner that can be worn separately. Riders who spend top money for bike kit are very demanding, but an average rating of 4.86 from 43 reviews, including 39 five-star ratings, shows they are very impressed with the performance of the Nivala 2.0 jacket.
Rev'it Vertical GTX Textile Jacket
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An average rating of 4.8 from the first 27 owner reviews is enough to give this two-layer Gore-Tex laminated jacket a place in the top five. It also impressed in our detailed review, which you can read here. The Rev'it Vertical is the cheapest jacket to make our top five, with a sub-£600 pricetag as we write this. Customers praise the weather protection, which includes a lightweight removable thermal liner, and the ventilation capability (though a lack of arm vents is noted). A snug fit is also mentioned, with some riders needing to go up a size from their usual to accommodate the thermal lining.
Rukka Kalix 3.0 Gore-Tex Jacket
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First things first… if there are still Rukka Kalix 2.0 jackets in stock in your size then that clearance deal is well worth jumping on. The third generation of Kalix makes it into this list on the strength of its predecessor's customer feedback, which claimed an average rating of 4.9 from 58 reviews. Still, the updated Kalix 3.0 is an objectively superior jacket, with tougher fabric at the shoulders and elbows, a CE protection rating of AA and the facility to zip a one-piece Rukka chest protector inside it. It's Rukka's entry-level Gore-Tex jacket and has a Gore two-layer laminated outer for rain protection and Rukka's D3O shoulder and elbow armour, which meets the higher Level 2 of the impact protection standard and covers more of the body than any other standard armour on the market. There's no warmth liner included, which saves outlay if you're happy to wear your own choice of insulating layer underneath.