Top 10 Waterproof Cycling Apparel Manufacturers In The Uk

Britain's wet weather has pushed local brands to create some of the best waterproof cycling gear on the planet. You're looking for high-performance gear that keeps riders dry? Here's who leads the market.

This guide breaks down the top 10 waterproof cycling apparel manufacturers in the UK . You get the details that matter: MOQs, fabric tech, pricing, and what makes each one different. Retailers looking for solid suppliers will find what they need here. Brands exploring OEM partnerships can compare specs across Gore-Tex membranes and seam-sealed designs. Procurement managers get clear data to work with.

We've skipped the marketing talk. You'll find real information on Endura's lab-tested breathability ratings and new brands changing how moisture-wicking base layers work.

By the end, you'll know which manufacturer fits your quality needs, budget, and production schedule. Plus, you get insider views on where British cycling wear is headed next.

1. Endura (Scotland) - Technical Innovation Leader

Endura's Livingston facility does what most brands outsource. They handle full in-house production. This covers CAD fabric cutting, digital sublimation printing, and heat-transfer finishing. Roland sublimation printers run custom work. You get your order in days, not weeks.

What Sets Them Apart

The Silicone Surface Topography (SST) tech shows how they work. Most brands use structural seams for aerodynamics. Endura took a different path. They built surface texture patterns that cut drag. Alex Dowsett wore their 53rd iteration Encapsulator suit to break the UCI Hour Record in May 2015. Yes—53 iterations. They used 2-day prototyping cycles to get there. Each version got tested in wind tunnels until the data proved it worked.

Their Drag2Zero program brings this same approach to sponsored teams like Movistar and Trek Factory Racing DH. Take athlete Bridie O'Donnell. They worked with her through Skype sessions. Lap speeds and watt data got analyzed. The fit got nailed down.

Technical Specs That Matter

The MT500 Series uses D3O protective inserts . These materials absorb shock on impact. The science is simple: non-Newtonian compounds. These #AthertonApproved protectors give MTB riders lab-tested protection. No bulk added.

Road cyclists get the Pro SL Series . SST silicone printing creates gripper bands and aero patterns. This isn't just marketing talk. Severin Zotter won the 2015 Race Across America in 8 days. He wore their gear.

Production Capabilities

MOQ : Flexible for team orders. They've made one-off pieces for pro teams.
Lead time : Prototypes ship in 2 days. Full custom kits stay in-house for speed.
Customization : Full OEM/ODM with fast iteration based on performance data.

Endura offers new tech to sponsored athletes first. They don't wait for requests. That "renegade progress" approach earned them MTBnews User Awards and HSBC recognition. You're getting a cycling apparel's manufacturer that tests ideas until records break.

2. Rapha (London) - Premium Urban Cycling Brand

Rapha sells a lifestyle wrapped in merino wool. Their London headquarters ships £96 million worth of premium cycling gear each year (2024 figures). That's down 13% from the year before. The numbers tell a story: eight straight years of losses. Brand value dropped from £169M to £67M in 2024—a brutal 60% cut. Yet their Rapha Cycling Club (RCC) still has 18,000 members worldwide. People pay for the badge.

What You're Buying

The product lineup focuses on breathable cycling jackets and windproof cycling jerseys . Italian fabrics meet Japanese precision. Their Core Rain Jacket uses Gore-Tex Shakedry—a membrane tech that sheds water on contact. No face fabric needed. No saturation. No weight gain. You're looking at £250-300 per piece retail. Wholesale pricing runs around £125-150 for bulk orders.

Their eCommerce engine pulled $98.4M in 2024 . That's 10-20% growth year-over-year, even as stores struggled. Desktop traffic makes up 90%. The average order sits between $250-275 . Conversion rates hit 2-2.5%—standard for premium apparel. They've cut warehouses from three regional hubs down to one UK facility. Smart cost-cutting. Product quality stays untouched.

The Manufacturing Reality

MOQ : High. Rapha works with established retailers and cycling clubs. Expect minimum orders starting at £5,000-10,000 for co-branded pieces.
Lead time : 8-12 weeks for custom work, faster for stock designs.
Customization : Limited OEM. They prefer licensing their designs. Full white-label production isn't their thing.

Their "Ready to Race" strategy (launched 2025) trims the product lineup. Fewer SKUs. More focus on technical cycling fabrics that perform. They've stopped post-COVID discounting. Full stop. Risky move with revenue already sliding. But it protects brand equity. You won't find Rapha jackets in clearance bins.

The US and Canada markets drive 31% of total revenue (£34M in 2023). Asia Pacific follows at £26.4M. Europe adds £30.6M. These aren't small operations. Rapha makes gear at scale. Profit remains out of reach. The £10M annual charge from their 2017 Walmart RZC Investments buyout sticks around for another decade.

Working with Rapha gives you access to their distribution network and club setup. But you're paying for status, not just fabric. Their target customer spends on image as much as performance.

3. Le Col (London) - Pro Peloton Tested Performance Wear

Bradley Wiggins wore Le Col kit for his Tour de France win. Jai Hindley crossed the Giro finish line in their Pro Collection. This isn't just sponsored athlete talk. This is wind tunnel data tested in real race conditions. Le Col owns their Italian factory outright. No middleman. WorldTour riders give feedback. Product updates happen in weeks, not seasons.

Race-Proven Technical Specs

The Pro Lightweight Jersey uses micromesh fabric. It breathes better than standard weaves. You get longer sleeves and a high neckline. Made for summer heat and hard threshold intervals. The Mechanism Pro Bibs deliver four-way stretch with zoned compression. They're less tight than the regular Mechanism line. Built for speed without choking you.

Their Pro Lightweight Jacket skips PFAS chemicals completely. The waterproof treatment is PFC-free but still beads water. Mesh panels run across the back and underarms. Air flows where you sweat most. It stuffs into a jersey pocket once your body temp rises mid-climb. The large zipped rear pocket came from rider requests. They listened.

Production Details

MOQ : Team orders start around £3,000-5,000 . They work with clubs and retailers on co-branded kits.
Lead time : 6-10 weeks. Their Italian factory of cycling apparel handles custom work fast.
Customization : Full OEM capability. Polartec partnership supports fabric development.

The price sits in the expensive zone. You pay for all-weather cycling apparel tested over thousands of pro peloton miles. Tom Pidcock proved it with Team Wiggins Le Col. The data supports the cost.

4. Altura (Lancashire) - Affordable High-Performance Option

Altura built their Lancashire operation on one simple idea: good performance doesn't need to cost a fortune. Their Icon range balances technical cycling fabrics with fair pricing. You get seam-sealed cycling gear without paying premium brand prices.

Budget-Smart Waterproof Tech

The Nightvision collection shows what they can do. Reflective cycling clothing strips cover the shoulders and sleeves. Cars spot you two blocks away in November rain. The waterproof rating reaches 10,000mm on their Storm Shield jackets. That's solid rain-resistant bike clothing for UK commutes and weekend rides. Price tags sit around £80-120 —half what premium brands charge for the same specs.

Their Podium Elite line uses moisture-wicking cycling wear panels. Three layers keep rain out. Sweat escapes easily. The fabric isn't Gore-Tex. They use their own Shield membrane. Does it match Gore's breathability? No. Does it work for most riders? Yes.

Production Access

MOQ : Team orders start at £1,500-2,000 . Local cycling clubs order from them regularly.
Lead time : 4-6 weeks for standard production.
Customization : Screen printing and embroidery available. Fabric choices are limited compared to premium makers.

Altura focuses on working cyclists. Riders who commute all year. Sunday club regulars. Their all-weather cycling apparel performs well without breaking your budget. You give up brand prestige. Your wallet stays healthy.

5. Albion Cycling - Pertex Shield Specialist

Albion chose Pertex Shield because Gore-Tex pricing was too high for British road cycling. Their All Road Rain Jacket shows PFC-free membranes can match the big brands. The three-layer build gives you 20,000mm waterproof rating . It also delivers 20,000g/m²/24h breathability . That's Gore-Tex ePE level performance without PFAS chemicals.

Why Pertex Shield Works

The membrane uses C0 DWR treatment. Zero added PFAS. The jacket weighs 184g in size M . It stuffs into your jersey pocket once the rain stops. Taped seams keep water out everywhere except the rear hem base. This design choice cuts weight without hurting protection.

The Triple Zip system sets them apart from standard rain shells. Main zip. Parallel vent zip. Chest pocket access. You control airflow during interval work or tempo rides. Velcro cuffs and silicone waist hem seal out wind. The slim cut works for road and gravel riders who hate flapping fabric.

Pricing and Availability

Price : £210 / $370 USD / €310
Sizes : XS-XXL (chest measurement M: 93-99cm)
Colors : Black, Orange
MOQ : Not disclosed publicly—contact them for team orders
Lead time : Standard stock ships fast; custom work timing varies

Heavy rain tests proved the waterproofing holds up. The jacket breathes well for UK's mild-wet conditions without overheating. You get performance cycling wear that skips the environmental damage old membranes cause. The £210 price sits between budget options and premium Gore-Tex shells. Fair middle ground for clean tech that works.

6. Velobici - Urban Commuting Style Focus

Velobici skipped the race circuit. They targeted London commuters pedaling to Canary Wharf in business casual. The Alfred Jacket sells for £250 . It looks like something you'd grab from a Shoreditch boutique, not a cycling shop. No taped seams. This is on purpose. They use pressure-bonded seams instead. You get lighter weight, cleaner lines, and less bulk under your work shirt.

The Trade-Off You're Making

Pressure-bonded construction keeps the jacket slim. It handles light drizzle well. The DWR coating manages around 5,000mm hydrostatic head equivalent. Eighty percent effective in light rain. But heavy downpours? Water gets through those un-taped bonds after a while. This isn't gear for all-day storm riding. It's built for 13-mile urban commutes . You duck under awnings and hit coffee shops.

The nano-proof membrane delivers 20,000g/m²/24hrs MVTR breathability . Pit zips boost airflow during hard pushes through traffic. Mesh panels sit where your bag straps rest. Smart placement for backpack-bike commuters.

Who Buys This

Urban professionals aged 25-44 . Cities show 1.0% bike commute rates versus the 0.6% national average . These riders care more about looking sharp at the office than shaving watts. The jacket moves from handlebars to conference rooms. It doesn't scream "cyclist." Velobici nailed this gap between performance gear and street clothes.

Production Details

MOQ : 50 units minimum order
Volume pricing : 15% discount at 100+ pieces
Lead time : 6-8 weeks for bulk orders
Customization : Logo embroidery runs £15 per unit . Five color variants available. Custom work needs 20-piece minimum .

You're paying for lifestyle branding. The tech sits 10-20% below race-spec aero performance. Your target customer doesn't care about that. They want breathable cycling jackets that don't make them look like they're training for the Tour. Velobici delivers that.

7. Berghaus (Tyne and Wear) - Outdoor Brand Crossover

Berghaus made the first Gore-Tex jacket available in Europe back in the 1970s. That's before most cycling brands existed. Their Sunderland HQ still builds performance cycling wear for mountain bikers. These riders want the same protection climbers get on rock faces. Berghaus knows extreme weather. They've been solving it for 59 years.

Mountain Biking Gets Mountaineering Tech

The Ator collection (launched 2007) brought their climbing skills to bikes. High-performance Gore-Tex cycling apparel built for riders hitting technical trails at high speeds. The same seam-sealed cycling gear keeps alpinists dry. It works just as well flying downhill through Scottish mist. Their Extrem Light range cuts weight. Waterproofing stays intact. Jackets pack small. Protection stays serious.

The BioFlex rucksack system won innovation awards in 2005. That tech moved into cycling packs. Smart load distribution helps you carry tools and water over rough terrain.

Production Scale

Revenue : £80M turnover (2023); dropped to $29.4M estimated (2025)
Reach : 45 countries through Pentland Group distribution
Team : 119-155 employees depending on seasonal production
Sustainability : 74% of AW25 collection meets MADEKIND standards

MOQ : Contact for team orders—they work with outdoor retailers often
Customization : Limited; they focus on stock designs proven in mountains

You're getting technical cycling fabrics tested in harsh conditions. Harsher than any bike ride. Berghaus brings outdoor industry standards to cycling. The gear works because it has to.

8. Mountain Equipment (Manchester) - Feature-Rich Technical Gear

Mountain Equipment's Manchester factory sits twenty miles from the Peak District. They know what British rain does to riders. Their cycling line comes from five decades of building gear for alpine climbers. The same Gore-Tex cycling apparel that keeps mountaineers dry at 8,000 meters now protects cyclists through Pennine headwinds.

Built for Movement, Not Just Protection

The Fitzroy Jacket uses 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro . This isn't standard waterproof fabric. It's the same shell climbers trust on technical routes. 28,000mm waterproof rating . 25,000g/m²/24h breathability . The numbers matter for long rides. The elbows are cut to let you drop into aero position. No fabric pulls. YKK Aquaguard zippers run full length. Water doesn't sneak through cheap hardware.

Their Viper Pants are built for cyclists. Knee panels are reinforced. They handle repeated pedal strokes. Ankle zips open wide over cycling shoes. The seat panel uses moisture-wicking cycling wear construction. You stay dry in the saddle. Hem adjusters seal out wheel spray. Your calves can move freely.

Manchester Knows Rain

MOQ : £4,000-6,000 for team orders
Lead time : 8-10 weeks standard production
Customization : Embroidered logos, color blocking on stock designs
Price range : £180-300 retail per piece

Mountain Equipment builds windproof cycling jerseys and jackets. They test them in conditions worse than any bike ride. Their technical cycling fabrics come from suppliers who work with expedition teams. You're buying proven mountain tech adapted for two wheels.

9. Seal Skinz (Birmingham) - Waterproof Accessories Specialist

Seal Skinz doesn't make jackets or jerseys. They make the accessories everyone forgets until their fingers go numb at mile 40. 93 waterproof items fill their lineup: gloves, socks, hats, oversocks. They're based in Birmingham. They focus on accessories only. They solve the cold extremity problem other brands ignore.

What Works

The Upwell Heated Cycle Glove runs 6 hours on battery power. It has PrimaLoft Gold insulation and leather palms. The Aquasealz™ membrane keeps water out. Your hands stay warm and dry through February training rides. Price: $100 . The Kelling Waterproof All Weather Insulated Glove drops to $77 . You get the same waterproofing. No heating element though.

Their Fusion Control tech (used in the Lyng glove line) balances grip and protection. Worstead Waterproof Cold Weather Knee Length Socks sell for $69 . The Wretham ankle-length version costs $45 . Both use the same Aquasealz membrane. Both work with cleated shoes.

Bundle Strategy for Retailers

Total catalog : 156 products across four weather categories
Price range : $35-100 (hats $35-62.50, gloves $62.50-100, socks $45-69)
Current promos : 15% off $30+ orders ; clearance items at 10-15% discounts

Seal Skinz pairs with any cycling apparel brand. Stock runs low—often 1-4 units per SKU. Retailers can bundle these accessories with main clothing lines. Customers need moisture-wicking cycling wear AND waterproof gloves. You provide both. Simple math.

10. Gore Wear - Material Technology Leader

Gore invented the fabric everyone else licenses. Their expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane goes into jackets from a hundred different brands. 70% air by volume . The rest is tiny nodes and fibers stretched 800% at speeds over 10% per second . Temperature stays between 35°C and PTFE's melt point . This precise work created the waterproof-breathable category fifty years ago.

The Patent Empire That Built an Industry

US Patent 3,953,566 (1976-1993) covered the core production method. US Patent 4,187,390 (1980-1997) protected the ePTFE structures. US Patent 4,194,041 (1979) locked down the flexible layered laminate design. These three patents gave Gore a seventeen-year monopoly. The ePTFE fabric patents expired in 1997 . Competitors rushed in after that.

Gore's total portfolio now exceeds 5,000 patents worldwide . Over 2,000 granted across polymer processing, electronics, medical devices, and apparel. The original ePTFE invention gets cited more than GPS technology or inkjet printing patents. That's how basic and important it became.

Patents Expire, Lawsuits Start

Gore v. Garlock (1983) upheld their patent after appeal. The trade secret claim failed. Gore v. IMPRA (1990) went worse. The court threw out their main product patent. Prior art existed. Gore held back best mode details. In 2015, they paid Bard $1 billion in damages . Patent enforcement cuts both ways.

What You Buy From Gore

Gore doesn't make clothing. They provide ePTFE membrane sheets to premium brands. Sport companies. Fashion houses. Luxury outdoor labels. You license their fabric. You build the jacket. Their GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ line gives you extreme breathability without full waterproofing. The ePE membrane (launched 2021) skips PFC chemicals. Lower carbon footprint. Same protection standards.

MOQ : Gore works with established manufacturers only—direct fabric sales need volume commitments in the tens of thousands of square meters
Lead time : 12-16 weeks for initial fabric orders; faster restocks for approved partners
Partnership model : Technical work together, not just material sales; your brand gets tested and certified

Gore's technical cycling fabrics set the standard everyone else chases. Fifty years of R&D work since the 1960s. New platforms like ePE take years to develop. You're not buying yesterday's tech. You're licensing tomorrow's membrane backed by proven science.

Berunclothes-OEM & ODM Manufacturer

BeRun's 10,000-square-meter facility in China runs three production lines at once. Small batch. Medium orders. Large volume. Their 115 workers produce 100,000+ custom sportswear pieces monthly .

This setup solves a real problem. Most UK retailers can't work with domestic manufacturers of cycling apparel. Those factories demand 1,500-piece minimums. BeRun drops that barrier to 100-200 pieces for ODM work . You can test market demand. No need to bet your entire budget on untested designs.

MOQ Reality Check

Standard OEM starts at 500-1,000 pieces per design . An 800-piece order at $18 per unit costs $14,400 upfront . Taiwan's Pou Chen Group benchmarks sit at $12,000-$20,000 for similar volume.

BeRun's ODM route cuts entry costs to $3,000 (200 pieces × $15/unit). The trade-off is simple. You pick from their catalog. No custom patterns at this level.

Hit $500K revenue and semi-custom ODM opens up. Exclusive colorways. Minor fit tweaks. Custom branding on proven designs.

Full OEM capability unlocks at $2M+ revenue . You get pattern development access. Access to 15+ specialized mills. IP protection frameworks. Start small. Scale smart.

Timeline That Works

ODM orders take 4 weeks for 100-300 pieces . Larger runs (2,000+ units) need 8 weeks .

OEM timelines run longer. Sampling and design approval take weeks 1-4. Production runs weeks 5-8. Small OEM batches (200-500 pieces) finish in 3 weeks once approved.

BeRun holds a 94% on-time delivery rate . Their domestic production takes 21 days from approved samples to warehouse-ready stock.

First-pass yield hits 96.2% . Industry average struggles to break 92%. Fewer than 4 garments per 100 need rework.

Their technical cycling fabrics perform well. Moisture-wicking polyester blends. Compression knits. Reflective materials. These show zero pilling or seam failure in wash tests.

Cost Drops at Volume

Pricing breaks down in clear steps. At 1,000 pieces, per-unit costs drop 30% . Hit 5,000 units and you see 50% total cost reduction . Orders over 10,000 units reach pure material-plus-labor pricing.

No hidden premiums for low-volume work. Wholesale rates kick in at 500 units. Competitors charge 15-30% extra for orders under 1,000 pieces. BeRun doesn't.

Ethical Production Adds Costs (But Not Much)

Fair Trade certification means sewers earn $3.20 above South Carolina minimum wage . Recycled metal zippers add $1.80 per garment . Plant-based dyes cost $0.95 per piece . These dyes survive 60+ wash cycles without fading.

These aren't token gestures. The fabric choices and wage structures are documented. You're buying rain-resistant bike clothing and breathable cycling jackets . Made by people paid well. The margin hit stays manageable.

Conclusion

The UK's waterproof cycling apparel manufacturing scene has options for every business need. Endura brings cutting-edge technical innovations. Altura offers affordable performance gear. You're sourcing Gore-Tex cycling apparel for a premium retail line? These ten cycling apparel's manufacturers deliver top British cycling expertise. Need versatile all-weather cycling apparel for mass-market appeal? They've got you covered.

Here's your action plan: B2B buyers of cycling apparel should contact 3-4 manufacturers first. Match their price points and MOQs to your business model. Request fabric samples and production timelines upfront. This shows who's serious about partnerships. Launching a brand? Consider hybrid sourcing. Get premium breathable cycling jackets from established names like Rapha or Le Col. Pair them with accessories from specialists like SealSkinz.

The smartest move? Don't just chase the biggest names. Mid-tier manufacturers of cycling apparel often deliver better customization. Plus, they offer faster turnarounds. Test small batches before committing to major orders. The right manufacturing partner isn't just about price. It's about shared values on quality, sustainability, and customer service. Your perfect match is in this list. Now go find them.