Over the last few seasons, our team of testers have been trying out countless running jackets in an effort to find the best options out there. What you’ll see here in this list is our selection of the best running jackets that are currently on the market. And it’s a diverse collection: we’ve picked up our favourite windproof options, the best for running in the rain, super lightweight options and something for any budget too.
There were two stages to our process here. First of all, we drew up an initial long list after trawling through sports trade shows, speaking to product designers and simply analysing what runners are wearing – whether that’s on the local parkrun or at the startline for UTMB. After that, we carried out our tests. Over the last two years, we’ve been wearing jackets in our long list while out and about on daily runs, we’ve taken them on trail races, ultra marathons and one of them was even worn on a three-week run across the Welsh mountains where a fastest known time was set. Those items that impressed us made this list.
Our Team’s Favourite Running Jackets
How do you choose a jacket for running? The key consideration first of all should be whether you want to have waterproof protection or not. Waterproof running jackets are great for those very wet and miserable days, but they can be a little hot and clammy in milder temperatures and/or when you’re working hard. That’s why some runners will tend to prefer a water resistant jacket instead of a waterproof one. These will provide protection from wind and light rain while still allowing plenty of airflow.
Related: Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes
We’ve gone into more detail on waterproof versus non-waterproof at the bottom of this article. You’ll also find our run through on the other factors to consider when choosing a running jacket down there too. Looking for something for running in the dark? Our round up of the best running head torches will help you there. We’ve also compiled guides to the best running socks and best running shorts.
Following our tests, we consider the following to be the best running jackets.
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Patagonia Houdini – Best Overall Running Jacket
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Harrier Exmoor – Best Value Running Jacket
- Rab Kinetic Ultra – Best Waterproof Running Jacket
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On Weather Jacket – Best Breathable Running Jacket
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Rab Phantom Pull On – Best Packable Waterproof Running Jacket
1. Patagonia Houdini
Best running jacket overall following our tests. This one’s for the daily training runs.
Patagonia Houdini
★★★★★
Price: £70
Weight: 100g
Type: Windproof
Attributes: Lightweight, packable, 100% recycled
Best for: short to medium training runs, hiking
Our choice as best running jacket overall, this option from Patagonia is tried and tested, it’s versatile and there are some good eco-credentials.
We first reviewed Patagonia’s Houdini windproof jacket back in 2016 and it proved itself to be a dependable option for trail running and other fast-moving mountain use. Nearly a decade on, it remains largely unchanged, apart from an update to 100 per cent recycled nylon, which says a lot about how right Patagonia got it the first time around.
Former OM editor Jon Doran was impressed by the balance it struck. “Not super lightweight, but light enough and the pay-off is good wind protection, a hood that works and a more durable feel,” he said.
At a genuine 100g, the Houdini is light, though it still has some useful details that ultra minimal jackets leave out, including an adjustable hood and hem and handy carabiner clip for attaching the jacket to a pack or harness when it’s stowed away into its chest pocket.
From our experience, it’s not going to keep you dry in a deluge, but it will see off light drizzle. It’s kind of an ideal halfway between a clammy waterproof jacket and, well, just running in only a t-shirt – making it really useful for runs on those more brisk, windy days.
Fit? If you want an agile, streamlined fit, stick with your usual. Size up if you want a jacket you can wear over some insulation.
Read our full Patagonia Houdini review.
2. Rab Kinetic Ultra
Best waterproof running jacket in our tests. Our choice if you need something for cold and wet conditions.
Rab Kinetic Ultra
★★★★★
Price: £185
Weight: 277g
Type: Waterproof
Attributes: Protective, technical details, stretchy and dynamic
Best for: Ultra running, long-distance running, mountain marathons
This waterproof and lightweight jacket has become a mainstay in the Rab range. And after years of testing by our team, it has proven itself a very dependable and well-specced option for running.
The main thing to know about the Kinetic Ultra is that its Proflex material has, as the name suggests, got an impressive amount of stretch to it. In fact, the jacket feels more like a softshell than a waterproof. Fortunately, it’s still totally waterproof enough to protect you from the elements, as we’ve found during our tests – most notably during a very wet trip to Glencoe, Scotland.
OM editor Will has been testing it out for the last couple of years and is a fan. “It has a very dynamic feel to it – and you don’t get that annoying swishiness that you can often get with waterproof shells,” he said. “I’ve found it to be protective against the elements, as breathable as you’d expect a membrane jacket to be, and there are some useful details, including a little built-in cap on the hood and clever venting options. I tried it in a medium, my usual size, and I found it to be quite close-fitting, with the hem riding up sometimes when worn with a backpack . I think I’d go a size up if I were given the option again.
The only drawback? It’s on the heavier and bulkier side for a running jacket, so it’s not a great option if you want something you can stash in the pocket of your shorts or that you can scrunch up into your hand.
Read our full Rab Kinetic Ultra review.
3. Harrier Exmoor
Our pick as the best value running jacket.
Harrier Exmoor
★★★★
Price: £95
Weight: 320g
Type: Waterproof
Attributes: Lots of ventilation, clever design details, stretchy fabric
Best for: Winter training, mountain runs and ultra distances
Whilst this gets our pick for the best for value, it’s just a touch on the heavy side and, for that reason, it didn’t quite claim our top prize.
Things we liked about it during our assessment period include the stretchiness of the fabric, which creates a really dynamic feel, the excellent venting options throughout it, and the little details, including its thumb loops, reflective tabs, glove-friendly zip pulls and grippy shoulder reinforcements to keep your pack straps from slipping or rubbing away at the fabric. We liked the zip design too; it means you can through your jacket on over your running pack and still have full access to all the kit you’re carrying on the straps and harness.
This is a jacket that, for us, seems fine-tuned for mountain running in very rough conditions; those days where you’re going to want to be wearing a waterproof layer all day long.
4. Rab Phantom Pull On
Best packable waterproof running jacket – and a useful option for trail races.
Rab Phantom Pull On
★★★½
Price: £155
Weight: 90g
Type: Waterproof
Attributes: Lightweight, packable
Best for: Ultra running, long-distance running, mountain marathons
This is almost identical to the Montane Podium Pull On only it has the added benefit of giving you a pocket to keep your phone in. It’s also fractionally lighter too. In fact, at 90g this is one of the lightest waterproof jackets you’ll find.
We reckon this will appeal to two types of outdoor enthusiasts. First of all, it’ll suit mountain runners; any people who are after kit that could give them a competitive edge while still meeting the waterproof jacket criteria for a race.
It’ll also suit just casual trail runners who want something that’s light and compact enough to stick in their running vest or even the pocket of their shorts just in case the weather suddenly turns on them. “The ultimate stash and forget waterproof”, Rab call it.
Chosen for our Outdoor 100. Read our full Rab Phantom Pull On review.
5. On Weather Jacket
Best for breathability.
On Weather Jacket
★★★★
Price: £220
Weight: 255g
Type: Windproof with water resistant panels
Attributes: Lightweight, packable, very breathable
Best for: Short to medium distance runs
This is an incredibly well-made jacket with excellent fabrics and an innovative design. The key thing we like about it is the fact it has loads of clever little hidden vents that keep wind and rain out while still allowing hot, moist air to escape. And you also got a good degree of wet weather protection from this thanks to its clever water resistant panels located across the shoulders.
It’s by no means a waterproof jacket, but you could wear this for a 20-minute run in light rain and still feel adequately protected.
Features include a little zipped pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, semi-elasticated cuffs, reflective details and then a protective hood with a neat little peak.
Lightweight, stretchy, windproof and water resistant and very breathable. There’s a lot to like here.
Chosen for our Outdoor 100. Read our full On Weather Jacket review.
6. Montane Minimus Lite
Montane Minimus Lite
★★★★★
Price: £125
Weight: 237g
Type: Waterproof
Attributes: Lightweight, packable, protective good, reflective details
Best for: Ultra running, mountain running
As the name suggests, this is a minimalist running jacket for those looking for something they can travel fast and light in. It’s made from 2.5-layer Pertex Shield, a fabric that we’ve experienced in numerous jackets and that we rate. It’s thin and light, making the jacket very packable, but it’s still reasonably durable – tough enough to withstand repeated abrasion from the straps of a heavily loaded running pack.
“I’ve been using this for my run training through a wet winter in the UK,” said OM editor Will Renwick. “I’ve liked the level of protection it provides – with the fabric, waterproof zips and well-designed hood all combining to make for a reliable shell. I’ve earmarked this for my next ultra race as it ticks all the right boxes as a lightweight jacket that meets usual mandatory race requirements. I particularly like that it packs down to about the size of a fist, making it very easy to stuff into the side mesh of a running pack.”
While it has useful reflective details, an adjustable waist and a phone-sized chest pocket, there are some details that some might be disappointed to find it short of. There’s no cuff adjustment, for instance, and no handwarmer pockets or ventilation points.
And the fit? OM editor Will recommends sizing up if you’re often in-between sizes. “I’m 5 foot 10 and I’m a bit between a Medium and Large these days. I tried this in a Large and it fits me perfectly – with a bit of space for layers and a nice length that stays below a pack hipbelt.”
7. Decathlon Kiprun 900
Decathlon Kiprun 900
★★★½
Price: £80
Weight: 210g
Type: Waterproof
Attributes: Good value for money, light and packable
Best for: All types of running
This jacket offers excellent value for money. We were highly impressed by it and found it had the performance to match jackets at much higher price points. During our tests, we found it was light and packable, making it ideal as an option to keep stowed in a running vest. It also protected us from the elements well. We liked the size of the hand pockets, which were actually big enough to fit a DJI Neo drone inside on one of our test runs. We also liked the reflective strips on the front and back which provide night time safety – particularly on roads.
Downsides? The hood is quite basic; it holds well in light to moderate winds but in very strong gusts the lack of any toggled adjustment was noticeable. Most running jackets lack proper breathability and will always feel clammy and this is no exception. There is a vent, but it is located on the back and it therefore gets closed up when you’re wearing a running vest. All in all, £60 is a very decent price for a jacket that we’d happily carry with us on ultra running challenges.
8. Haglöfs L.I.M Series
Haglöfs L.I.M Series
Price: £161
Weight: 230g
Type: Waterproof
Attributes: Lightweight, breathable, protective
Best for: Mountain running, long distances
While this might not be primarily designed for running, we put it to the test over the course of a 500-mile self-supported run over the mountains of Wales and it passed with flying colours. Lightweight, very protective and with good breathability, it has all the right attributes for long-distance running in challenging conditions.
We see it as being perfect as a running jacket for runs that you know will be wet from start to finish. It’s also excellent for trips to the mountains when you’ll need something very protective but still light and packable.
Related: Best Trail Running Caps
True to its name L.I.M (less is more), this has a simple design, the idea being that it’ll keep you protected and comfortable but without weighing you down. There’s a small zipped chest pocket, a toggled hem, elastic cuffs and a protective hood and that’s just about all there is to say in regards to its feature set.
Long term update: this had held up well after 4 years of regular use, though it does wet out quite quickly now.
Chosen for our Outdoor 100. Read our full Haglöfs L.I.M review.
9. Montane Featherlite
Montane Featherlite
★★★½
Price: £42
Weight: 110g
Type: Windbreaker
Attributes: Lightweight, packable, stretchy, breathable
Best for: Short to medium distances
This jacket is so light and packable, you could tuck it away in a pocket in your shorts and barely notice it’s there. It’s perfect if you just want something that’ll keep the wind off you and provide a touch of warmth when you start out on your run. The water resistance is adequate enough to keep light rain off and it dries quickly too.
The features, as you might expect from such a light jacket, are very light and basic. You get a zipped chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, toggled hem adjustment and a ⅓ length two-way zip for ventilation.
The fabric it’s made from is Pertex Quantum and this has a four-way stretch built into it, meaning the jacket will stretch and adapt to your movements.
Chosen for our Outdoor 100. Read our full Montane Featherlite review.
10. Arc’teryx Squamish Windproof Hoodie
Arc’teryx Squamish Windproof Hoodie
★★★★
Price: £127
Weight: 140g
Type: Windbreaker
Attributes: Lightweight, versatile, packable
Best for: Medium to long distances in varied weather
One of the lightest windbreakers on this list, yet also surprisingly durable. The Squamish Hoody is an all arounder for runs in unpredictable or shifting conditions. The minimalist construction may not be for everyone, but we found that the Squamish has just enough features to satisfy most runners, with dual hem adjustments and an adjustable storm hood to ensure a comfortable, secure fit. Once that’s achieved, you’ve got yourself a convenient bit of slip-on weather protection that packs down neatly into its own chest pocket.
While not fully waterproof, the Squamish Hoodie performs impressively against a range of weather conditions. The water-resistant build does very well in light rain, and the Tyono 30 nylon proves itself as an extremely effective wind-resistant material, especially for its thinness. Breathable in the heat but a decent insulator in colder climates, this is one of the most versatile running jackets we’ve seen.
How To Choose A Running Jacket
The key things to look for? Go for something that’s lighter than 200g, that’s breathable and that will keep the wind out at the very least. It also helps to have at least one pocket to hold a phone and make sure to check that it’s big enough for the model you have.
Hooded or hoodless, waterproof or just water resistant, that stuff’s all down to personal preference and the conditions you plan to venture out in.
Waterproof Running Jackets Versus Non-Waterproof Running Jackets
When choosing a running jacket and working out what type is best for you, the key thing to think about is the kind of situations and conditions you’ll mainly be using it in. If you tend to only run for a short session before returning home and jumping in the shower, do you really need to have waterproof protection? OK you might want it on cold winter days, but in the warmer and milder months, you’re probably going to end up sweaty and clammy in a waterproof and you’d be better off wearing something that’s just water resistant and windproof.
For long-distance running where you’re venturing far away from the warmth of your home or car and running with a running pack, it’s wise to run with a waterproof running jacket. That’s unless you’re absolutely sure there’s not going to be any rain. And if you’re keen to take part in organised trail running marathons or ultra marathons, bear in mind that a waterproof jacket will normally be an essential race requirement.
Other Things To Look For
Pockets are always handy, but too many and the jacket might be on the heavy or flimsy side. In many cases, it’ll be unnecessary to have more than one pocket. Most will have a chest pocket, either on the inside or the outside of the jacket. Those located on the inside will tend to be a safer, drier place to store your phone but the tradeoff is that they can be harder to reach when you’re on the go.
If there’s a hood, check whether it’ll hold and whether there’s a toggle so you can adjust the fit. Some will simply have an elasticated rim, which isn’t often ideal if you’re likely to be using the jacket in very windy conditions. Likewise, check how the cuffs hold as well. Most jackets will simply have elasticated ones but there are options out there with more reliable, albeit heavier, Velcro tabs too.
Ventilation is important too. Some jackets will have zipped vents under the arms and these can be incredibly efficient at creating airflow, but they can also be on the heavier side. You’ll also see jackets with cleverly integrated vents – often up on the shoulders or on the chest.
Then there’s packability. Some jackets come with little stuff sacks or they can be scrunched up into the chest or handwarmer pockets. That makes them useful for storage, for keeping nicely packed away in a backpack or for clipping onto your shorts, climbing harness or pack straps.
That’s all then. Hopefully you found that helpful and have found a jacket for you. If you’re after more information however, it’s worth checking our our waterproof jacket buyer’s guide. That’ll give you some more expert tips if you’re after a running jacket for bad weather and for long distance trail races. Happy running!
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