Best cycling ponchos

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We all know how unpredictable the weather is in Britain. So whether you're already doing the school run by bike, or you're curious to give cycling a try, the inevitable downpours can make it a daunting task. That's where the best cycling ponchos can help.

A poncho, or rain cape, can be really handy because you can wear it over your normal clothes. It packs down nice and small, so you can tuck it away in a bag or pocket when you don’t need it. Ponchos also great for cycling because, unlike waterproof cycling jackets, they drape across your handlebars, so they keep your legs dry as you pedal. Rather than investing in a jacket and over-trousers, a poncho can kill two birds with one stone.

Cycling in the rain is not a problem, but keeping dry is nice, especially when it’s cold. A cycling poncho is one of those handy things to have in your bag to be prepared for cycling in all weathers, all year round.

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. They also work very well to keep you dry when carrying your children on one of the best cargo bikes for families.

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.

Once you've chosen your poncho, why not take a look at our guide to the best kids waterproof cycling jackets?

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.

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.

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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.

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B’Twin Night Visibility City Bike Rain Poncho 540

Best for: Matching with your style
Price: £34.95
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.

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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.

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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!

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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.