Asics Core Jacket review

The Core Jacket from Asics takes athleisure to the max but still ticks the required lightweight running jacket boxes.

In contrast to the Inov-8 and Soar on test, the Core Jacket’s features list is short, although that’s unsurprising given the £54 price tag. 

A simple design

The duo of pockets on the front are sizeable and, once located, the zips are easy to undo. A loop on the zipper head would make them easier to locate, however, especially when wearing gloves. 

The Asics logo on the chest and, to a lesser extent, the outer shell both offer reflectivity for running in low-light conditions.

The smartly crafted zipper garage prevents any potential irritation from the zipper rubbing your chin, but I’d prefer a full-length zipper guard to add another barrier to chilly winds sneaking inside. 

The elasticated arm cuffs aren’t flashy, although they sit neatly around a sports watch. My wrists are especially skinny and I’d prefer a little more elasticity on the cuffs to block any chance of breezes venturing inside. But those with thicker wrists shouldn’t have any issues. 

The adjustable toggle around the bottom of the waist does a good job of stopping air entering upwards, though.

The outer shell offers a reasonable attempt at thwarting chilly breezes, but you’ll need more wind-stopping powers for genuinely cold conditions or mountain running. 

Not for wet runs

The Japanese running giants only bill the Core Jacket as water resistant, and the outer shell is the weakest on test at preventing water from breaking through the fabric. 

After initially beading on the surface, both heavier showers and prolonged light rain seeped through the polyester outer. 

Again, this is perhaps unsurprising given the price tag. 

Breathability from that 100% polyester build is impressive, nonetheless.

Lightweight and portable

At 153g, the Core Jacket feels ultra-light on the body and (cliché alert!) you’ll easily forget that you’re wearing it. 

The fit, for me, sat neatly over both a running tee or long-sleeved base layer. It compresses down neatly into either of the pockets if you want to stash it in a backpack when the mercury rises. 

In an eco boost, the Core Jacket is made from 100% recycled materials. 

Three colours including the stylish French Blue seen here are available, the others being a Performance Black and a Celadon (pale blue green) option.

Sizing for men ranges from XS to 2XL. Women runners, meanwhile, get a Performance Black and a Blue Expanse to pick from, with fives sizes running from XS to XL. 

Asics Core Jacket bottom line

Overall, this is a well-priced option for autumn and springtime running, and is a jacket that I’ve also used for commuting, hiking and, yes, those ’90s throwback nights down at the local pub.

Asics Core Jacket specs

Price:	£54
Weather protection:	Water resistant
Weight:	153g
Materials:	100% recycled polyester
Features:	Two pockets, elasticated cuffs