When I test waterproof jackets – and I’ve tried 40 or 50 at this point to distill the market in my guide to the best waterproof cycling jackets – they are all tested in parallel initially, and then I can tighten them individually. After testing and reviewing, most tend to live in a box labeled “for reference” unless they perform very poorly.
Some are good enough to warrant constant use because they work so well as performance gear, like the Map Atmos and the Rapha Pro Team Gore-Texand some remain in constant use because they transcend the cycling jacket part of the Venn diagram and into general use. The POC Motion is very much in this second camp.
I’ve been using it when needed for over a year now and I think it’s the best option for those of you looking for a commuter jacket. There are many more options in my sister guide to the best commuting cycling jackets if this doesn’t suit you, but I’m going to try to convince you that it probably does.
To be clear, if you’re traveling on a road bike, this isn’t for you. Buy a racing jacket, but make sure it is sturdy. The Endura Pro SL waterproof shell is a great option for those looking for a road fit, but for those who don’t bomb working in the drops, the Motion is my choice.
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It would be hard to tell that this was a cycling jacket from the looks of it. (Image credit: Will Jones)
The rear doesn’t have a huge drop, so not suitable for tough positions.(Image credit: Will Jones)
Design and aesthetics
Of all the jackets I have reviewed in recent years, the POC Motion is the one that is the most ‘normal’. At first glance you’d be hard-pressed to pick it out as a cycling jacket in a range of more common waterproof garments. The tail is only marginally lowered, and apart from a few small reflective spots at the rear, this is a stock model. Well executed for sure, but not a funny thing.
If I compare it to something like the Albion Zoa rain coveranother jacket that I often reach for when I have to go to Lidl in the rain to buy milk, it is very different. No voluminous hood, no highly ventilated pockets, no adjustable cuffs. Just a small hood that fits under a helmet, two medium-sized side pockets and a chest pocket for valuables.
Look under the arms and you’ll see perforated dimples, just like you get on the arms Albion ultralight insulated jacket I recently reviewed. A double zipper also helps when it gets warm, and for me is a prerequisite for any outer layer these days. The cuffs are shaped in such a way that they cover a larger part of the back of the hand. The arms are a little shorter than some jackets I’ve tried, but for riding more upright bikes this isn’t a bad thing. I also have very gangly arms, so it’s not the fairest test.
The hood has no peak, but the brim is elastic, meaning it fits close to the face when in use and does not act as a windsock when not deployed. Normally I’m a fan of a hood that goes over the helmet, but in this case I think it makes more sense.
Under the hood you get a very durable feeling outer fabric, protected by a PFC-free DWR treatment, and itself protects a 20,000 mm waterproof membrane. This is enough for even heavy rain, and while on paper it’s nowhere near that of the Rapha Pro Team Gore-Tex, it’s certainly more than adequate for non-performance riding.
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The cuffs are a bit short for riding in a long position, but for flat bars they are perfect. (Image credit: Will Jones)
The hood is certainly suitable for under a helmet, but the elastic around the edge ensures that it does not become a wind sock when not in use. (Image credit: Will Jones)
The small hanging tag is a bit fragile, the only thing about the jacket that is not durable. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Performance
On paper, the Motion is a bit of a strange jacket to give the nod to the best overall for a category. No significant adjustment, no mega ventilation and a relatively standard cut. Why do I think this is the best?
First, there is sustainability. It is a very sturdy jacket, and the lack of tabs, buttons, extra zippers and Velcro is actually an advantage in a commuter jacket. I might be getting a little cheesy about this, but I think commuting is harder on waterproof jackets than any other type of riding. Most people will rock bicycle backpack of a kind that wears out the back and shoulders, they are stuffed into bags with reckless abandon and left wet on the backs of office chairs – I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve looked down to discover that I’ve drove over my jacket with my office chair – roasted in dryers, and collapsed more regularly. Zippers and toggles almost always give out at some point, so it’s helpful to do without them.
The Motion’s outer fabric is particularly sturdy, and while it’s not the most breathable jacket, it’s fine for shorter or less intense commutes and will withstand all normal wear and tear. The hood is also great. No windsock effect when it’s down, and while I like my hood going over my helmet, for short trips like commuting you’ll probably decide at the door whether you need it up or down and it’ll be great for the entire journey. The sleeves are really a bit short for road riding, but for any bike with flat handlebars (fixie kids, I’m looking at you here) they’re perfect, and not too tight and not too loose, so there’s room for large gloves underneath.
The other reason is that most commuter jackets generally look a bit boring. If you’re not on a bike, they immediately mark you as a cyclist, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, I don’t want to look like I’m halfway through my commute during after-work drinks, or when I’m putting it on. to wander through the city. The Motion works very well on the bike, and I’d even say it has a place as an MTB crossover jacket too. It’s protective, and while it doesn’t have a waterproof zipper for some crazy reason, the internal storm flap does its job, and is even stitched to itself to prevent snagging. Off the bike it just looks like a really nice shell jacket, and I think that’s why I reach for it so often.
I admit that black may not be the best option for visibility, but I like it because it matches my other clothes. The other color options with mineral names (dioptase blue and calcite blue) are also very nice in a muted Scandi way. If you want visibility, you need to focus on getting it best bicycle lighting Worry about your layers first, because no amount of bright yellow will help if you’re leaving a tealight on to be seen.
Breathability is often the downfall of commuter jackets. They tend to be cheaper than their road or gravel-oriented siblings, and that often comes with less breathable membranes. Again, the movement doesn’t match jackets designed for road riding, but unless you’re absolutely hammering your ride to work, it’s pretty good. I often find the well perforations nice but not that useful, but the zipper at the bottom means you can dissipate heat quite effectively, which is much better than unzipping the jacket from the top if you wear a sternum strap on your pack.
The looser fit allows for plenty of airflow, but also offers room for layering. If you are commuting in the cold (bear in mind that POC is a Swedish brand so you know what the right winter is) a mini down jacket can easily be placed underneath, keeping it usable all year round.
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The small chest pocket is ideal for keys, wallet and other small items. It can interfere with a chest strap, but you have to take it as it comes. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Oddly enough, the zipper isn’t waterproof, but the storm flap inside seems to work. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Value
As with the Albion Zoa, the value proposition here is greatly enhanced by its off-bike credentials. If you can find it on sale – at the time of writing I’ve spotted the Dioptase Blue model for £154 – it’s an absolute bargain.
Commuter jackets tend to be pretty cheap, especially since people seem to hate spending a lot of money on something “just” for driving to and from work. The POC Motion is more expensive than many commuter jackets on the market, but I’d bet it’s also a ton more useful, and as such I think it represents a pretty great value.
Pronunciation
The POC Motion is a winner on the bike, as long as your commute isn’t too intense or on a bike with a very aggressive fit. It’s durable enough to withstand everyday abuse, carrying a backpack and filling bags, but it’s its versatility off the bike that sets it apart from the crowd. Commuting doesn’t have to be a choice between fashion disaster and performance, and for a little more money you can have a jacket that you can use around town whether you’re on your bike or not.
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Test scorecard and notes
Features
Comments
Judgement
Fit
For non-performance riding it is very well tailored. Room to maneuver, room for layering and never restrictive. I think the back hem could be a little lower, and the arms a little longer, but that’s it.
8/10
Protection
Protective enough for driving to work, but also protective against the extra wear and tear of commuting. However, it doesn’t match an old-fashioned Gore-Tex option.
8/10
Features
It’s a little light on this front, but that’s what makes it great in a way: fewer things to break. The fact that the zipper is not waterproof is not ideal, but the storm flap does work.
8/10
Breathability
It will never be as breathable as a street-oriented jacket where breathability is a bigger priority, but it is enough.
7/10
Value
On sale it’s a bargain, and while at full price it’s more expensive than most, I think the fact you can use it daily when you’re not driving adds to the value proposition
It would be hard to tell that this was a cycling jacket from the looks of it. (Image credit: Will Jones)
The rear doesn’t have a huge drop, so not suitable for tough positions.(Image credit: Will Jones) 
The cuffs are a bit short for riding in a long position, but for flat bars they are perfect. (Image credit: Will Jones)
The hood is certainly suitable for under a helmet, but the elastic around the edge ensures that it does not become a wind sock when not in use. (Image credit: Will Jones) 
The small hanging tag is a bit fragile, the only thing about the jacket that is not durable. (Image credit: Will Jones) 
The small chest pocket is ideal for keys, wallet and other small items. It can interfere with a chest strap, but you have to take it as it comes. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Oddly enough, the zipper isn’t waterproof, but the storm flap inside seems to work. (Image credit: Will Jones)
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