If you like to do outdoor activities then one of the things that you must surely own is an outdoor jacket. Not all jackets are the same though, and it is important that you choose the correct jacket for what you want to do. Hiking jacket for example wouldn’t be ideal for cycling in, just as a cycling jacket wouldn’t be ideal for hiking in. I’m not saying that you couldn’t wear a jacket not intended for the sport, but buying a jacket specific to your sport will greatly enhance you enjoyment of it.
Buying a jacket that has features relevant to your sport will make it last longer and the jacket be more comfortable. A hiking jacket would have reinforced shoulders to bear the weight of a heavy rucksack and would generally be made out of tough resistant material. A cycling jacket however would be made out of a lighter material with no reinforced areas simply because it doesn’t need any.
If you were cycling in a hiking jacket, it’s likely that you’d get hot very quickly or your lower back would end up getting exposed because it would ride up your back as you cycled. Cycling jackets have longer backs, longer arms and a generally made out of a lighter material that is inherently more breathable. The cut of a cycling jacket is very specific to the sport and as such will provide a comfortable experience on the bike.
In conclusion make sure that the jacket you are buying is suitable for what you want to use it for.