Should a lightweight running jacket ideally work for three seasons?ĭefinitely. This way, you don’t have to magically predict the weather before your long run or race-you can bring a lightweight jacket along in case the sky starts to open up at mile 5, and strip it off and stow it again when the clouds clear at mile 9. Some lightweight jackets can even be worn around your wrist or as a mini-backpack mid-run. Each of them can be stowed into a zipper pocket or stuffed into the tiniest corners of your gym bag or running backpack. What makes these jackets so indispensable is their ability to pack down when you no longer need them. For water-resistant jackets, look for strategic vents and perforations in the fabric that help contribute to overall airflow. If breathability is your top priority, lightweight wind jackets tend to provide the best release of sweat vapors. Weather-resistance and breathability tend to work against each other, so the search for a jacket that can resist mid-run swampiness but also protect you from wind and rain is akin to a unicorn quest. Whether the Weather With These: Best Waterproof Running Shoes If you’re looking for a jacket to keep you dry in a deluge, you might have to seek out one with taped seams and some added weather protection, like Mountain Hardwear’s Stretch Ozonic, which is made from elastane and nylon, or GoreWear’s Shakedry jacket, which uses hydrophobic polyamide over a waterproof membrane. However, it’s not fully waterproof on its own. Ripstop nylon tends to be the best fabric offering weather-resistance without adding weight, which is why you’ll find that it comprises the build of so many of our favorite jackets here. A thin, windproof layer will likely be your lightest option for cold, dry mornings however, a shell with a DWR- or other water-resistant finish will keep you drier if it starts to drizzle. When the forecast calls for changing conditions, the best move is to layer up with a lightweight jacket that can be peeled off and carried by hand once freezing rain gives way to 50-degree sunshine.
What to Look for in a Lightweight Running Jacket Weather-Resistant Fabrics I know how important the perfect lightweight running jacket is for your arsenal: Nothing is quite as useful for those runs that start chilly and end steamy. Now I spend most of my time in Ontario, Canada, where even in the dead of summer, having a lightweight jacket in your pack is an absolute must. I’ve run long miles in gloomy Belgian and Irish winters, and survived years of running on the East Coast where temperatures can flip on a dime during shoulder season.
Even in those dark days, the lightweight running jacket has always been a staple. And I’ve been running for 15 years-though the first chunk of that was as a triathlete. The Expert: I’m no stranger to gear reviews, having written for Bicycling, Runner’s World, and other outdoor publications for nearly as long as I’ve been a runner. Here are the best lightweight running jackets you can buy now that combine fit, breathability, and resistance to wind and rain-with bonus points for style. A water-resistant and windproof shell can even be a winter basic since it can handle even below-freezing temps if you choose your layers properly.
This essential apparel can help you get through miles in the dreaded “shoulder season” where it’s too warm for a heavy jacket, but if you skip the wind protection, you end up shivering through your miles. It’s arguably the most important piece for long runs since it can be stuffed in a hydration vest or handheld pack if it warms up outside during your run, or if you need warmth for warm-ups and cooldowns, but plan to hit your intervals hard.
A lightweight running jacket is one of the more versatile staples a runner can have in their closet.
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