There is no excuse not to keep up the fitness regime during the winter months – come wind, rain, frost, snow or shine, there will be a running jacket to suit your needs and the conditions around you.
Broadly speaking, running jackets suited to this time of year fit into three categories: thermal, waterproof or resistant, and windproof, depending upon which type of running you plan on doing, and where you plan on doing it.
So, to avoid any justification for staying indoors, here are this season's best running jackets.
1. Puma Running Women’s Packable Jacket: £42, Puma
Sometimes British winters can be sporadic affairs, and if half way through a run, the sun decides to make an impromptu visit, this jacket smartly folds away into its own back-pocket. The lightweight material is windproof and water-repellent and the design includes a ventilated hood, something often missing from autumn/winter running jackets. There are three pockets, which come in handy if you need to take more than your keys on the run. For urban joggers, there are reflective strips on the front and back for improved safety. The jacket also comes in a red, blue and black patterned colour way.
2. Asics Liteshow Winter Women’s Jacket: £75, John Lewis
This wind- and water-repellent running jacket comes in three colourways – purple, pink and black. Soft inner lining and sturdy outer fabric makes it feel cosier than other jackets, but panels at the side and back gently wick moisture away and prevents you from overheating. Thumb loops also provide extra coverage for your hands. Plus there’s stealth reflectivity on the sleeves and back. Three pockets are secured with zips, and there’s even a media port for your headphones.
3. Ashmei Ultimate Softshell Jacket: £199.99, Runners Need
This is the ultimate all-rounder jacket that will keep you safe from the elements. The front and sleeve panels are wind- and water-resistant, while the fast-wicking merino wool rear and sleeve panels help regulate your body temperature, meaning that you will stay cool and dry when on the move. There are also two zips underneath the armpits that you can open should you need extra ventilation. The merino wool is also antibacterial so you won’t need to wash it as often as your base layers. And there are rear and chest reflective white stripes to keep you visible. For listening to music on the run there is an inner pocket for your phone with an in-built earphone cable tidy.
4. Odlo Primaloft Endurance Vest: £115, Odlo
Featuring short sleeves, an adjustable hood and windproof fabric, this jacket is ideal for wearing over a number of base layers on cold days. In fact, the quality of insulated fabric was so effective that we ended up wearing it directly over a bra top on warmer autumn runs. We enjoyed the freedom of having our arms free, as we tend to roll up our sleeves for extra ventilation anyway. The metallic gold, silver and pink colourways keep you visible and there is a small zip pocket for your valuables. It can also be used it as a mat on wet ground at the end of a session as the fabric is wipe clean.
5. Gymshark Air Zip Running Jacket: £35, Gymshark
This ultra-lightweight running jacket is a great piece for those who are just getting started with running. It keeps the wind from your body, while allowing the torso to breathe with its mesh back and armpit detail. There are also two zip pockets and reflective detailing.
6. Montane Featherlite Trail Jacket: £75, Montane
This is an ideal jacket for layering on longer winter trail runs or to use as an outer layer on autumn runs. The jacket is incredibly light and fast drying, which is good for those who tend to travel farther afield on their runs. It’s designed to be windproof, but out on a run we did get caught in a downpour which it weathered well. The stretchable fabric was ideal for the dynamic movements required by a strenuous run. In terms of comfort, the jacket features thumb loops for hand coverage, under arm vents for breathability and microfleece next to the chin to avoid chaffing.
7. Odlo Zeroweight Logic Jacket: £95, Odlo
Despite feeling thicker than most soft-shell jackets, the slim-fitting jacket – which comes in pink as well as black – wasn’t a challenge to run in. The hardy fabric held up against wind and rain and the double collar and cuff design made a secure seal against cold drafts. The breathable and stretchy fabric allowed for a range of upper body movement and sweat-wicking panels kept us dry on our run. The jacket also features a 360 degree reflective trim and a zippered side pocket.
8. Sweaty Betty Fast Track Run Jacket: £110, Sweaty Betty
We were unsure at first over this Sweaty Betty jacket – how were we supposed to run in something that looked this fashion forward? However, the Fast Track Run Jacket was a great addition to our lunchtime running outfit. We didn’t feel so embarrassed walking back into the office wearing discreet black running jacket with a longer back hem to cover our legging-clad bum. It was also light enough to pack into our work bag. The double-layered fabric provided a light outer layer for mild winter days. It also features a hidden back pocket for extra storage and discreet reflective patches. However, the hood isn’t waterproof or windproof, which is a downside.
9. Saucony Sonic Reflex Jacket: £95, Saucony
Visibility is the name of the game with this jacket. During the day the bright, electric orange and white colourways stand out from the crowd and in the dark the reflective stripes – barely visible in the daytime – provide all-over visibility. The jacket is also water- and wind-resistant, with two front zippered hand pockets and mesh panels for added breathability.
10. Nike Shield Running Jacket: £125, Nike
For rainy day runs, the Nike Shield Women's Running Jacket is made to keep you dry and comfortable. Nike Shield fabric on the front, sleeves and removable hood has a durable, water-repellent coating, while a lightweight nylon back protects from water and wind, and elasticated seams help keep moisture out. You pay for those water tight features with a lack of breathability – but this is the case with all waterproof and resistant fabrics, so make sure to wear sweat wicking base layers. It features one side zip pocket and cord port to keep your audio devices dry. There are small reflective features to keep you visible in low light.
11. Salomon S-lab Light Jacket: £129.99, Wiggle
Gone are the days where you’ll tie your jacket around your waist, as this jacket feels and acts like a second layer of skin. Too cold? Its windproof fabric will insulate your body’s natural heat. Too hot? Its shell has holes for ventilation as well as a magnetic collar to allow you to unzip the jacket for immediate airflow. It comes in either purple or white colourways.
12. New Balance Newbury Jacket: £60, New Balance
For gym bunnies the Newbury incorporates thick-ribbed fabric which wicks away sweat and will keep you feeling dry. This definitely comes into play during your warm-up but its main purpose is as an extra layer during colder periods and not for main exercise. However, it’s so stylish with its extra-large neck and ribbed exterior that it functions as a beautiful jacket pre- and post-exercise as you travel to and from the gym.
The Verdict: Women’s running jackets
For a simple but effective, entry-level running jacket go for the Gymshark Air Zip Running Jacket. For a solid winter jacket for those who take their running more seriously, we would recommend the Puma packable jacket – it is lightweight and versatile with an adjustable hood for rainy days. If you want to spend a bit more money for something that will protect you from the elements the Asics jacket will keep you warm and dry.
IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing
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