Best running jackets: 11 top choices for men and women
A run jacket that battles the elements will provide an essential surge to your off-season training. The 220 team tests 11 lightweight water-resistant run jackets
A lightweight running jacket can be a saviour when training in unpleasant conditions.
Many on test here will tackle a bit of rain, wind and even the cold, but if you’re looking for options to really fend off wet weather, check out our separate list of the best waterproof running jackets.
When picking your garment of choice, think about the conditions you’ll be using it in. Is it for mountain running, city loops or rural lanes? Night or day?
We use these jackets for anything lower than 10°C. They’re also far better at thwarting wind and rain chills than a base layer and run tee combo.
Elsewhere, the hi-vis aspects are a smart safety addition, and the pocket(s) will ensure you can comfortably carry your phone, key or gels.
While most here stretch over £100, we’ve used our own run jackets for many seasons and some will easily double as casual wear, so having something that looks good in both the trails and the tavern is an added bonus.
Best running jackets for men
Inov-8 Ultra Shell
- £130
At 97g (UK medium) this is the lightest jacket on test. It’s aimed at runners wanting to move light and fast or those needing to carry a waterproof just in case.
Its light weight means features are minimal. There are no pockets, hem toggles or hood adjustments, but the sleeves, hem and hood are elasticated.
While that works for the most part, the hood does fit a little loosely. The fabric is see-through, meaning your race number is always visible, while the hood can be stowed away with a clip.
Water protection was decent, but in sustained, heavy downpours the fabric wets out quickly on the outer, which makes it feel colder and less breathable. That said, the half- length zip opens both ways, which helps with ventilation.
Verdict: Super light, but not the best in sustained rainfall.
Score: 84%
On Running Weather
- £190
For such a slender construction, the features list for On’s Weather Jacket is long, with arm cuffs that extend to two different lengths depending on the conditions and an engineered hood that, no matter how many headwinds we face, just won’t fall down.
There’s a split design along the ribs to heighten ventilation, yet not at the expense of water intrusion, but it can look a little odd if the wind whips under it.
The jacket folds into the water-resistant chest pocket and has a neat carry handle, but it comes in twice the size of the others once stashed.
The DWR water-repellent coating is okay at preventing precipitation ingress but can’t match some of the jackets listed in our roundup of the best waterproof running jackets, something we’d hoped for given the price. We’ve had this a while so can vouch for its durability.
Verdict: The best for breathability, less so for waterproofing.
Score: 79%
Trimtex Instinct 2.0
Based on appearance, the Instinct 2.0 looks like it’ll be hot and stuffy, but that’s not the case at all.
Yes, it gives you some handy warmth, but the use of a light, perforated fabric on the back and mesh-lined pockets means it actually breathes pretty well.
Of course, as you’d expect, the rear panel isn’t waterproof, nor are there any taped seams, so this isn’t a jacket to reach for if protection from heavy downpours is the aim.
That said, the fabrics used on the front and shoulders does shed wind and light rain well. The fit is true-to-size, while the lined collar and soft elasticated cuffs ensure top-notch comfort. Meanwhile, the hem is easily adjusted with one hand via two toggles.
Admittedly it’s not the lightest on test (252g, UK medium), nor the most packable, but it didn’t feel heavy. All this adds up to a cosy jacket that’s ideal for cooler temps, windy days and light rain. It’s not bad for on the bike, either.
Verdict: Not one for rainy days, but comfy, warm and breathable.
Score: 78%
Kiprun Warm Regul Jacket
Given the cost pressures on us all, we were pleased to test a cheaper option. But did it perform? Well, while we’re sure this jacket from Decathlon has a place in the market, it wouldn’t be our pick.
It’s the heaviest on test (429g, UK size medium) and is bulky when packed down. That means you’re either stuck wearing it or carrying it, which isn’t ideal in mixed conditions.
We also found it hot due to the thick fabric, while weather protection was mediocre due to the lack of taped seams. It did the job in light rain, though.
The fit was also odd, coming up particularly tight around the waist but good elsewhere.
All that said, there’s a strong feature set with two zip pockets and two zipped vents on the front, plus a few vents on the rear, though they weren’t enough to keep us cool.
There’s a packable, adjustable hood that performs okay, plus built-in mittens with thumb loops and a hole to peek at your watch, but these teeter between helpful and annoying.
Verdict: A good option for warmth, but questionable weather protection and fit.
Score: 62%
Evadict Windproof
Decathlon’s £45 Van Rysel bike jacket scored highly versus the £100+ contenders last issue and, while it’s too much of an ask for the £25 top to compete with the £175+ gang here, the Evadict has some neat touches for the price.
The 96g shell folds into the smallest stash here, with a smart two-way zip and carry handle adding to the portability prowess.
The adjustable hood might be a touch small for some, but refuses to shift once on the bonce, although the thumb loops are too gaping to be fully effective in preventing chilly air ingress.
Decathlon tout this as windproof and it’s just about effective at that, but it’s only adequate in deflecting the lightest of rain. Yet there are certainly worse ways to spend £25 on a spring/autumn running backup.
Verdict: Not for heavier rain, but a cheap run backup
Score: 77%
Best running jackets for women
Soar Windbreaker
This long-time 220 tester is often moaning about dark-coloured winter run and bike kit from a visibility and safety point of view, so pulling open the packaging to reveal this bright orange top with reflective details made us very happy (black option also available).
First up, we need to tackle that £170 price tag, which for a running top might see some of you skim over this review.
Coming from Hackney-based run brand Soar, though, those in the know will understand the brand’s passion for textile innovation and functional design, and guess that this is more than a zingy colourway. They’d be right, too, as the quality of this shirt was second-to-none.
Getting the balance just right between substance for warmth and a lightweight feeling for unencumbered running, it felt like a keeper as soon as we pulled it on, with just the right amount of stretch and a nifty adjustable cord at the back to cinch it in and stop draughts.
A large fit this UK12 runner perfectly, though the XS-XXL sizing (so up to a UK16) will be disappointing for some.
The main function of this top is to stop wind, though (as the name suggests), so how did it fare? Well, during a sudden December cold snap with breezy conditions we found it kept the wind from cooling our body and felt like very good protection from the elements, without being sweaty once we got up some speed.
Soar doesn’t claim waterproofing, but against chills and wind this top did a great job of keeping us warm and comfy. Finally, there’s a zippy pocket on the back with taped seams, handy for gels/keys.
Verdict: Serious runners will get plenty of use out of this comfy, technical top.
Score: 82%
Proviz Classic Jacket
- £84.99
Another Proviz classic in style and visibility, this jacket is one of the comfiest on test thanks to its four-way stretch. It offers great protection from the wind and rain, which is aided by secure, elasticated cuffs and hem.
The integrated hood with elastic edging stays up, but it won’t keep the rain out of your eyes. Like the Keela, the jacket boasts two side pockets, which prove useful for stashing gloves and other valuables.
Though the Classic is the heaviest on test at 242g (UK10) and we’d question the breathability of the sweatinducing inner, it feels durable and reliable during adverse conditions.
For this reason, it’d be our pick for cold and dark runs, where visibility and warmth are the priority.
Verdict: visible and waterproof, but a bit sweaty
Score: 89%
Keela Coyote
- £74.95
The only jacket on test that also zips away to form a gilet, the Coyote is designed for the active user over a range of sports.
With reflective trim for visibility and handy side and back pockets, this coat is versatile and it’s also our cheapest on test, sitting mid-range in the weight department at 239g (UK8).
When on, the Coyote has an hourglass shape, which won’t be ideal for all body types, though the elasticated hemline can be adjusted.
Due to the in-built gilet, the back section may feel a bit tight for those with broader shoulders and we’d like to see tighter elastic at the cuffs to act as a better barrier to rain.
The Coyote doesn’t claim to be fully waterproof, but does ward off light showers well enough despite being the only jacket on test not to have an in-built hood.
Verdict: a functional jacket that’s only shower-resistant
Score: 78%
Kiprun Light Running Showerproof Jacket
By far the least expensive option here, the Kiprun from Decathlon instantly looks a more attractive option for runners on a budget, or those who only want a back-up option for short runs locally rather than in the wild – and, as we write this, it’s reduced to £29.99 online.
There are some interesting design features, too – long zips on each side can be unzipped from the top or bottom to allow side ventilation, working with gaps across the shoulders to allow airflow.
The hood is adjustable via a toggle (no wire) and removable with Velcro/ poppers. You don’t get any pockets or a stuff sack/pocket, but elasticated cuffs and a flap behind the zip feature.
Fit was good (if snug, but this was a UK10 vs UK12/14 in the others) and the Kiprun did a decent job in light rain, though it was a bit clammy on warmer days and didn’t perform as well in heavy rain.
The colour featured here is a limited option, but pink (women) and yellow or black (men) are in-stock options.
Verdict: For the money, this is a decent option for short-distance runners.
Score: 67%
Inov-8 Trailshell
- £150
Previous Inov-8 jackets have long been our trusty ally and the Trailshell, although not cheap, continues that streak.
Taped seams and a 2.5-layer fabric with a 20,000 HH (hydrostatic head) rating Pertex Shield fabric meant rain bounced off this jacket and, when we got caught in a Cornish coastal path deluge, our only problem was the water running off it soaked our run tights through!
An elasticated hem and cuffs ensure a neat fit (if a touch snug on the hips on this pear-shaped tester), while vents under the arms add breathability.
A wire edging to the hood is a neat touch, as it means you can mould it to the right shape for waterproofing and visibility. An internal zippy pocket fits keys and a card and it comes in at 140g versus 183g for Montane.
Verdict: Stripped- back design with mean waterproofing.
Score: 87%
Brooks Canopy
The Canopy from Brooks may lack taped seams, but the ‘Drylayer Seal’ fabric is extremely light and breathable, feeling more like a light top layer than a waterproof.
It performs well in light showers and doesn’t get hot or sweaty. Yet, in real downpours, we did see a bit of water ingress and rain got in through the elasticated cuffs that, although handy for pushing the sleeves up in warmer weather, don’t offer as much security against winter storms, plus it felt a bit chilly in strong winds.
You get a well-fitting hood, two spacious zipped pockets and a clever mesh bag inside with drawstrings that turns the jacket into a mini backpack. Overall, this is a clever warmer-season jacket but not one for long wintery runs.
Verdict: Great choice for spring, less so for its winter criteria.
Score: 75%
Kate Milsom
Freelance sports journalist With contributions from
