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Recommendations for running jacket

runningcat76
runningcat76 Posts: 82
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Hi , I want to get a decent running jacket for those cold, wet and windy runs.
Does anyone have any recommendations? I suffer with the cold so something that keeps me warm would be great.
I have a lightweight jacket but its just not warm enough if the weather is really wet and windy!
Thanks in advance

Replies

  • jennalink807
    jennalink807 Posts: 226 Member
    Layers could be your best friend! Just make sure none of them are cotton. Start with a tight base layer (compression top or technical-long-sleeve shirt) cover with a tight-ish long sleeve technical jacket, then put the wind/rain jacket on top of that. I like layers with zippers so I can open the top ones up when I heat up. I haven't found a jacket that works well in running for both warmth and wind-breaking yet.
  • smiffy645
    smiffy645 Posts: 167 Member
    Have a look at the Gore ones, they are petty good.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    This kind of depends on what you are willing to invest. I live in Memphis, so I actually don't need very warm things, I can manage by layering. The Pearl Izumi Infinity jacket is one I have been eyeing for a while. It is about $80-100, depending on where you get it at.

    And the Brook's Utopia's are really nice, and cost about $150. I have the vest version, and the vest keeps my core nice and warm when I layer, and it would work as a decent water blocker during rain. A lot of the girls in my running group have the jacket version and wear it all the time as their outer layer....and we have been having 10-20 degree runs as of late.
  • redredy9
    redredy9 Posts: 706 Member
    its been so cold here lately i have been doing my short runs in my snowboarding jacket! :noway:


    Its actually been working out better than I thought. It has all sorts of clever vents I an open when I get to hot but its not thin at all. For long runs I just ordered soft shell jacket. Brooks, Nike Flight Series, Pearl, northface, athletica and even Lululemon all make good ones. Last year I used a puffy from old navy this year I am upgrading. :laugh:
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    I use a Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier convertible jacket. It's designed for cycling, so it has superior wind blockage. In cold and windy weather, I wear a tech layer, fleece, then this jacket over it. The sleeves unzip in one piece and can be wadded up in the palm of your hand, leaving a very well ventilated back. My only complaint is the size of the zipper "fobs" being a bit small for gloves, but I added keyrings to them and all is good.

    pearl-izumi-elite-barrier-convertible-cycling-jacket-for-men-in-true-blue-black~p~6343w_04~460.2.jpg

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00914QTE2/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  • scott091501
    scott091501 Posts: 1,260 Member
    I'm a huge Pearl Izumi fan too. I have and love this jacket

    http://www.pearlizumi.com/content/pearlizumi/united-states/en/home/products/men/run/apparel/outwear/outwear-12131103.html
  • timeasterday
    timeasterday Posts: 1,368 Member
    I also have the Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier jacket and love it as a protective layer. I just add more layers underneath if it's really cold out. The Nike Element jackets are pretty good - I have two of them. They are thin & light but warm.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    Since a lot of times running in the cold also means running in the dark, you might also want to consider the reflective details on the jacket. The reflective vest I used to wear was always getting in the way, so I bought a jacket with LED lights (Saucony Vizi Pro) and lots of reflective edging and I love it. It's only a wind breaker, so I wear it as a top layer, but I'm sure there are other warmer jackets that also have reflective edging. Just wanted to point that out as something to consider when making your purchase.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    I use a Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier convertible jacket. It's designed for cycling, so it has superior wind blockage. In cold and windy weather, I wear a tech layer, fleece, then this jacket over it. The sleeves unzip in one piece and can be wadded up in the palm of your hand, leaving a very well ventilated back. My only complaint is the size of the zipper "fobs" being a bit small for gloves, but I added keyrings to them and all is good.

    pearl-izumi-elite-barrier-convertible-cycling-jacket-for-men-in-true-blue-black~p~6343w_04~460.2.jpg

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00914QTE2/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    :love:

    I now know what to ask my hubby to get me for my B-day next month!
  • DavidMartinez2
    DavidMartinez2 Posts: 840 Member
    How cold are we talking? I had the Nike Element that was great <30 degrees but warmer than that I ended up being overdressed even with a light shirt.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Jackets never breathe well enough for me... when it's cold, Polartec Fleece is the only way to go, IMO. I'll throw a light rain shell over it if I need to be really waterproof.

    Marmot Power Stretch Zip (I've got 2 of these and love them)
    http://www.amazon.com/Marmot-Mens-Power-Stretch-Pullover/dp/B0085MBFJ0
    41pcrx5NmBL.jpg



    If you have your heart set on a jacket, I have one of these that I've been pretty happy with. It's more of a cycling jacket, but the tail isn't so long that it would be awkward running in:

    Craft Active Bike Jacket
    http://www.sierratradingpost.com/craft-sportswear-active-bike-rain-jacket-for-men~p~4379u/

    craft-sportswear-active-bike-rain-jacket-for-men-in-bright-red-black~p~4379u_01~460.3.jpg
  • SillyC2
    SillyC2 Posts: 275 Member
    Whatever they have for a bargain at Marshalls and TJMaxx.

    I live in the frozen north and I get by with layering. My "very cold" weather items aren't even running items. They are too-big fleeces that I've gotten for Christmas over the years. I have a nice brooks windbreaker for when it's windy but not all that cold.
  • dixiech1ck
    dixiech1ck Posts: 769 Member
    I have a Columbia trail jacket which is actually two jackets in one. They separate out - the outer shell is waterproof and the inner layer is super warm. Both have hoods with the outer layers being detachable. I got it at the outlet for $75 (orig. $299). I love it and it's super easy in the washer.

    It's very similar to this:

    http://www.sunnysports.com/Image/Product/XLarge/COLVPJWSMWH.jpg
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Layers, layers, layers........

    for extreme cold I have merino wool base layer (tank & half zip) and several different weight polartec fleece top (for anything from bone numbing -40°C to just below freezing) and i top it all off with a no-name polyester running shell for wind protection. As different people have their own level of cold tolerance it can take some trial and error (and you should feel a little chilly at the start of the run)
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    As different people have their own level of cold tolerance it can take some trial and error (and you should feel a little chilly at the start of the run)

    This is a good point. It doesn't matter what other people wear at 20°, it matters what you need at 20°.

    I also agree with the idea that you should be a little chilly at the start... that way you'll be comfortably warm once you're settled into your run and have a little sweat going.
  • trail_rnr
    trail_rnr Posts: 337 Member
    If you want something truly _waterproof_ but still breathable and have the budget for it, you can't get much better than the Gore running wear jackets. I have two, in different weights. I saved my pennies for them and got them on Amazon a little cheaper than full price. Worth every penny.
  • SillyC2
    SillyC2 Posts: 275 Member
    As different people have their own level of cold tolerance it can take some trial and error (and you should feel a little chilly at the start of the run)

    This is a good point. It doesn't matter what other people wear at 20°, it matters what you need at 20°.

    I also agree with the idea that you should be a little chilly at the start... that way you'll be comfortably warm once you're settled into your run and have a little sweat going.

    To each his or her own! My preference is to NOT be chilly and to stop at a half a mile in to strip a layer and tie it around my waist. I prefer this because then I HAVE the layer with me if, for some reason, I decide to stop.
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    I got this recently: http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=9296350220003&cid=1003173&locale=en_US
    *I got it on sale for $60.
    Anyway I love it. For super cold days I wear a long sleeve tech with a fleece under it and plenty warm.
    Today for a rainy 40 degree run I wore this with a long sleeve tech and felt fine. I did open the vents at one point and it was perfect.
  • mlogantra76
    mlogantra76 Posts: 334 Member
    Since running, I've learned the trick of layering up. On the coldest days, I wear an underarmour cold gear long sleeve shirt, a short sleeve tech shirt over it, and then a fleece vest over that(its a similar brand to North Face).

    I just got a Nike thermal Half Zip Running hoodie.. It has the reflective strips and a pocket for my phone as well as the sleeve where you can tuck your hands in. I'm gonna try that out today as its supposed to be cold but not the coldest this year...

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