The existence of discrete cladding modes in single-mode fibers is illustrated by inducing periodically repeated microbends along the fiber axis and performing spectral measurements of the loss are performed. In order to explain the results of the measurements, it is necessary to apply a microbending theory in which coupling between the guided mode and a number of discrete cladding modes is considered. Very good agreement between theory and measurement is achieved. The consequences of the existence of discrete cladding modes with regard to the proper choice of artificial microbending spectrum used for fiber characterization are also discussed