On a bike you generate more heat than you do while walking. While you will need one or two layers underneath a jacket, the jacket itself doesn’t have to offer insulation. It only has to function as a barrier, keeping out the rain and wind. It’s actually more common to get too hot than too cold while cycling in a winter jacket.

Make sure that any jacket you buy is described as waterproof, not merely showerproof or rain resistant. Look for fabric that will withstand a hydrostatic head of at least 5,000mm, which is enough for riding in light rain. This is often written as ‘waterproof to 5k’. A higher figure, such as 10k or 20k, describes fabric that will withstand higher water pressures – and thus heavier, more intense rain.

Breathability is also rated in thousands. It’s a measurement of how much water vapour can pass through one square metre of fabric in 24 hours. As with waterproofing, a bigger number is better, with 20k breathability being noticeably better than 5k. As it’s always possible to sweat faster than the vapour can pass through the fabric, vents and full-length zips are important features.

The size and cut of the jacket needs to work with the clothing you’ll wear beneath it. For commuting, a regular or casual fit is better. Only choose a race or aero fit if you’ll be riding fast in full cycling gear. You can fine tune fit with sizing choice, going up or down a jacket size to suit.

Cycling jackets are longer in the arms and back than high street fashions to prevent exposed skin. They usually have elasticated or adjustable cuffs, neck and hem to prevent flapping and to keep out cold winds. A high neck with a soft lining makes a big difference to on-bike comfort when it’s really cold.

Look for brighter colours and/or reflectivity to make you more visible on your ride to work, plus pockets for whatever you want easy access to – such as gloves or a phone. When trying on jackets for size, take any such items with you. You can machine wash most cycling jackets (check the label) but don’t use fabric softener as it blocks the pores in breathable fabrics.

Hump Reflective Waterproof Poncho £39.99

A poncho (or cape) rather than a jacket, this is nevertheless effective winter wear. It sits over the top of you, more like an umbrella or tent than clothing, and keeps you dry from the knees up. As air can circulate underneath, you don’t get too hot. While wind will buffet it, loops for the handlebar to stop it flying up in your face. Reflective details help it stand out at night. One size.

On-One Waterproof MTB Jacket £69.99

Mountain bike clothing is often better for commuting than roadie gear due to its looser cut and more casual styling. This jacket is meant for trails but is fine on tarmac. It’s rated 20k/20k for waterproofing and breathability, which is excellent at this price, and it’s equipped with underarm vents, a rear vent and three pockets. The hood is helmet compatible and there’s a little reflectivity – mostly near the cuffs. Blue or olive, sizes: XS-XXL.

Btwin Women's Waterproof City Bike Trench with Hood £79.99

If you ride a bike with a relatively upright riding position, a long coat like this has advantages over a jacket that stops at the waist. Rain won’t run off it onto your lap as that’s also covered by the coat. It looks less ‘bikey’, if that matters to you. It’s not particularly breathable but is waterproof to 15k. It has a hood big enough to go over a helmet, reflective details, two pockets and a cycling cut. Sepia brown or asphalt blue, sizes XS-XL (6-18).

Endura Men’s Hummvee Waterproof Jacket £79.99

Designed for both trail and city cyclists, Endura’s Hummvee is a versatile jacket. It’s rated 10k/10k for waterproofing and breathability, and it has zipped underarm vents. There are two pockets: a small one on the chest and a larger rear pocket. A high collar keeps things cosy. There’s some reflective detailing on the rear. If you want to stand out more in headlights, check out Endura’s Urban Luminite Jacket II. Black, blueberry or yellow, sizes S-XXXXL. Women’s version is hooded and more expensive.

Madison Stellar Ultra Reflective Women’s Waterproof Jacket £79.99

Fully 50% of this jacket is made up of reflective fabric, making it highly visible in headlights approaching from any angle. Waterproofing and breathability are good, too, at 10k/10k respectively. There’s a chest pocket for a phone, wallet or keys. Although the jacket has a cycling cut, with longer arms and back, the relaxed fit and stretch fabric mean that it fits comfortably over normal clothes. Magenta pink or yellow, sizes 8-16. Men’s version S-XXL.

Oxford Venture Jacket £99.99

The panels on the shoulders, arms and lower back of this jacket look dark grey in daylight but are reflective at night, balancing a less loud everyday appearance with good conspicuity in the dark. Stretch panels provide an unrestrictive but slightly more tailored fit, while a high, fleece-lined collar boosts cold-weather comfort. There’s one pocket, in the chest, and a removable hood. It’s rated 10k/10k for waterproofing and breathability. Cool grey or fierce red, sizes S-XXL.

Altura Nightvision Storm Women’s Waterproof Cycling Jacket £100

Altura’s Nightvision commuter jackets have long been a go-to among transport cyclists. The mid-range Storm lives up the Nightvision name with abundant reflective print over the arms, sides and collar. It’s well supplied with pockets: two hand pockets, a small one on the chest and a large one at the rear. Underarm and back vents help prevent overheating, while a high, fleece-lined collar keeps the cold out. It’s rated 10k/10k, like most jackets at this price. Dark green or yellow, sizes 8-18. Men’s version S-XXXL.

Pinnacle Fully Reflective Cycling Jacket Ladies £129.99

Pinnacle’s jacket reflects (ahem) its description: it’s reflective all over when a light is shined on it, although it looks grey with a fine pattern of dots by day. It’s waterproof and breathable to 10k/10k, and there are vents for extra heat dispersal. It has two hand pockets, which are more useful off the bike than on, and an adjustable hood. At the time of writing it was reduced to just £39, making it an absolute bargain. Sizes: XS-XL (8-16). There’s also a unisex version in sizes XXS-XXL.

Gorewear Swiftride Gore-Tex Jacket Men’s £209.99

Gore pioneered breathable, waterproof materials in 1969, sandwiching a microporous membrane between other layers to create Gore-Tex. High-end clothing is still made from improved Gore-Tex fabrics today. The Swiftride is a lightweight, regular-fit jacket with two hand pockets and a pre-shaped fit. There are no numbers for waterproofing and breathability. Instead, the Swiftride is ‘guaranteed to keep you dry’, ‘totally windproof’ and ‘reliably breathable’. Lab red, neon yellow, lab graphite or black, sizes S-XXL. Women’s sizes XS (4-6) to XL (20-22).

Vulpine Men’s Regent Mac £260

This mac will keep more of you drier than jacket as it reaches to mid-thigh. It’s not obviously bike wear, looking equally at home while walking around town. Yet it has 20k/15k waterproofing and breathability, and some subtle cycling features. There are displayable reflectives at collar and cuffs, and to prevent overheating there’s a vented yoke across the shoulders, metal underarm eyelets, and a two-way zip-and-button closure. The two front and one rear pockets have magnetic closure, while the small inner chest pocket has a zip. It’s expensive but was reduced to £156 at time of writing. Charcoal or navy, sizes S-XXL. Women’s version XS-XL.