The 4 best Winter running jackets reviewed by Helen

With Autumn very much making its presence known (drowned rat anyone?) now is an excellent time to invest in a running jacket. A good jacket can make all the difference on these cold, dark wet mornings and evenings providing  a good layer of protection against the elements whilst remaining breathable to prevent overheating.  Which one though you may ask? Here at Bog Dog we’ve made it easy for you with and compiled a list of our favourite running jackets (available in both men’s and women’s sizes) based on functionality, fit and of course price.

So, before we look at these awesome jackets there are a few things to consider…

Dress for Mile 2

We’ve all done it at some point – it’s cold and you’ve been sat in a jumper all day so when you’ve gone to change into you running gear you’ve grabbed your warmest running leggings, a long sleeve top and a thick jacket, only to be sweltering after the first mile. Avoid this by dressing for how warm you’ll be by mile 2, this can be generally done by looking at the weather forecast and adding 10 degrees to the temperature.

Hot or cold?

Are you a hot or cold runner? If you are dripping with sweat after a mile then a light and very breathable jacket will be your friend. Run on the cold side? Then look at a heavier jacket which is windproof with more insulation as a better match. 

Purpose

Be realistic here – what type of runner are you? Are you a runner who will not miss a run regardless of torrential rain? If so you’ll need a waterproof jacket with a high hydrostatic head rating. Want a light, safe jacket for club run night? Then a jacket which is more breathable, high vis and lightly wind and water resistant would be a better match. Are you racing trails and ultras? If this is the case you want a versatile jacket that is light, breathable, windproof, waterproof and fast packable.

Materials and hoods

Purpose leads us nicely onto materials. For example the better insulated jackets have merino wool which is both warm and sweat wicking whereas lighter windproof jackets tend to be made from tight weave or light shell fabrics.  Lightly water resistant jackets on the other hand are treated with a durable water repellent which is showerproof and more breathable but will not keep you dry in a downpour. The best waterproof jackets tend to be slightly less breathable but are made from advanced shell material or Gore-tex which will keep you bone dry in the wettest of conditions. The more technical and waterproof the jacket, the higher the price.

Then there is a question of hoods. Is one needed? If so an adjustable one is best to ensure it stays in place.

 

Now that we’ve explored what kind of running jacket might suit you best, I won’t keep you in suspense any longer, may I present Bog Dog’s Top 4 Favourite Running Jackets:

 

Ronhill Core Jacket in fluorescent yellow

 

Montane featherlite jacket

 

The INOV8 Stormshell V2 is the ideal answer to running /racing in our wet British weather. Made from a pertex shield layer fabric with a fully adjustable hood and taped seams this waterproof hero can withstand over 20,000 mm rain in a 24 hour period boasting an impressive waterproof rating of 20,000 HH (hydrostatic head). This gorgeous jacket comes in 4 colours for women, 2 for men and can be completely packed up into its chest pocket for ease of carrying on the move. Our tester loved the light, close fit and didn’t feel a drop of rain seep through on a very wet training run.

Click to buy

 

Montane Phase Nano