

Fleeces run the gamut from casual to breathable performance pieces for serious adventures. These polyester jackets have been providing cozy warmth for years from campsites and ski resorts to the streets and restaurants of mountain towns. Though pricey, this jacket is undeniably a worthy investment.With a wide variety of insulated jackets on the market, the classic fleece still is the most comfortable and affordable. There was no shrinkage or wrinkling after a machine washes, but it did take six hours to air dry, as it’s fairly thick. There was no annoying rustling or flapping about when the wind picked up, either. High-res neon accents make it for safe road running (though more would be welcome) and we liked the long sleeves and close-fitting hood. It’s easy to take off and on on the run thanks to a strong zip that glides up and down without catching. It has adjustable toggles, but it came up true to size, so we didn't need these. It fit perfectly, offering non-clingy breathability without erring on the baggy side. It kept us warm while standing around coaching, as well as running, and we liked the two big hand pockets. Not a drop of rain seeped through its water-resistant fabric, seams and zips, and it felt soft and comfortable against our skin. We found it hard to fault this jacket, with its magic mix of low weight and insulation. Still, it's a top-quality jacket that will be with you for the long run. The style is on the bulkier side, so we wouldn’t recommend it for speedwork sessions or nabbing a PB, and bear in mind it’s not one you can pack away easily. The stretchy material and smooth zips made for easy on/off and the hood stayed firmly in place as we picked up the pace, although some of our runners found it obstructed their view a little. Waterproofing capabilities aside, it’s brimming with handy features including myriad interior and exterior pockets (there’s one big enough to fit gloves and a hat), a cinchable hem and reflective detailing to keep you visible when running in low light. Best of all, the jacket remained light and comfortable, even when drenched.
#Columbia 1 4 zip pullover lightweight skin
The plush fleece lining felt warm and cosy against their skin and crucially, the waterproof fabric – which scored top marks in our lab tests – kept them bone dry when the weather took a dodgy turn. Made with RepelShell™ fabric, it’s designed to protect you from the elements on chilly wet runs and, according to our testers, it did a stellar job of that. Lululemon’s gear comes with high expectations, which often do live up to the hype, as our testers found with this good-looking jacket.

The best waterproof running jackets for 2023 The remaining jackets are recommendations from the Runner’s World editors, who also know a thing or two when it comes to picking the right gear for the job, after years of experience testing the latest kit on the market.

Those with the highest scores are featured below, identified by our trusty logo. The Runner's World Lab team also washed the jackets using the wash instructions printed on the label, noting any shrinkage, wrinkling or damage.įinally, we took all the information from wear testers and lab scores, interpreted the results, combined the feedback and gave each jacket an overall score. In-house, our lab team more closely tested the waterproofing claims of each jacket using a hydrostatic head machine. Finally, testers were asked whether they’d wear it again, based on its overall quality, performance and value for money. All these factors and more went into the feedback.

We asked testers to comment on the length of the arms and body, the sturdiness and smoothness of the zips, and how easy the jacket was to put on and off while running.ĭid it move well with their body? Did it flap around in the wind like a stressed-out hen? Breathability, ventilation, bells and whistles, value for money and, of course, weatherproofing. The feedbackįollowing the trial, our testers filled out a questionnaire, sharing their thoughts on everything from the support and fit of the jacket to how light and comfortable it felt to wear. Our panel also ran at night to test the effectiveness of any hi-vis detailing. After each run, they noted how water-resistant and windproof the jacket had proven to be. Each tester was briefed to take their jacket out over a number of runs in all weather conditions, from sun and light showers to wind, heavy downpours and nighttime jaunts. Every running jacket marked as Runner’s World Expert Testedhas been rigorously tested by our panel of over 40 runners.
