The Best Men’s Running Jackets

Aside from shoes and a running watch, a running jacket is one of the most expensive pieces of running gear you are likely to buy. It’s also one of the most important, especially for winter running or running in the rain if you don’t have a treadmill to jump on when conditions are bad.

While there are good cheap running jackets, quality does usually align with price, and the most expensive tend to offer the most protection while being the most breathable so you don’t overheat. Some runners will find that running in any jacket is too hot, and while I’d wager part of that is because they don’t take their easy runs easy enough, there is value in looking at a running gilet or top instead if that’s the case – these will also be better for fast runs when a full jacket can feel bulky.

How We Test Running Jackets

I am a keen runner who normally logs around 70-110km a week and since I live in London, I am rarely short of opportunities to test jackets in the wind and rain. Occasional forays up to Edinburgh’s Pentland Hills to see family also allow me to test jackets on longer, usually wetter trail runs. Along with breathability and protection from the cold, wind and rain, I always focus on a jacket’s storage options.

Should You Get A Waterproof Or Water-Resistant Jacket?

I’ve split up my best running jacket picks based on whether or not they are waterproof, because that’s the key question when buying one. If you opt for full waterproofing the jacket will generally be less breathable and more expensive than one that’s only windproof and water-resistant. At the same time, you won’t care much about breathability if you’re caught in a proper storm in a jacket that offers only token resistance to the rain.

My advice for most road runners would be to opt for a water-resistant jacket first, since they are more comfortable and will keep you dry enough on the vast majority of runs. If you’re a frequent user of remote trails then a fully waterproof jacket is essential, and it’s also worth getting one if you’re a committed runner living somewhere with a rainy climate. 

The Best Men’s Running Jackets That Aren’t Waterproof

The On jacket comes at a hefty price, but it’s ultra-light and breathable, and I’ve found it to be one of the most comfortable jackets to wear even when pushing the pace in inclement weather. The water-resistant jacket can be packed down into its chest pocket and its hood is more adjustable than most, so you can set it up to fend off the rain without obscuring your vision. While it’s not fully waterproof, this jacket has kept me dry on hour-long rainy runs, and it’s one of the more stylish options to wear when not running too.

Those looking for a cheap and cheerful extra layer will find it in the Kalenji Run Wind, which doesn’t offer any water resistance but will keep the wind out and breathes well so you won’t overheat. The thin material left me slightly cold on easy runs when it was very chilly, but the Run Wind is a good pick for in-between days when you could overheat with a thicker jacket.

Thanks to the soft material used, the Stealth jacket lives up to its name by not rustling at all as you run, something I do find annoying at times with other jackets. It’s windproof and has a water-resistant coating, but don’t expect too much protection from rain. Instead the Stealth works best in providing just enough warmth to help get you out of the door on chilly, windy days, and when I found it too hot during runs it was easy to pack it into its pocket while on the move.

The Tracksmith NDO Jacket is breathable yet still warm, windproof and highly water-resistant. The loose fit meant I could pack in other layers beneath it when it was really cold, and its variety of useful pockets include an internal chest pouch ideal for a phone. 

A handy feature is that the zip works from both top and bottom, so when I was feeling warm I could open the jacket in both directions to cool off, and there’s a large reflective sash on the back to increase visibility.

The stylish design also sets the NDO Jacket apart, since you can wear it outside of runs as well as during them to help make you feel a little better about the high cost. I basically used it as my only jacket for runs and general use for a couple of weeks, so it's lucky it resists odours like a champ.

Just the ticket for runners who want an extra layer on hand, this jacket can pack into its own chest pocket to be worn as a belt, or slipped into a rucksack. It doesn’t offer much in the way of water resistance, but it’s kept me pretty warm in all conditions – much more so than you’d expect given the lightweight fabric.

This jacket has a good balance of breathability and water resistance, using a water-repellent fabric to keep showers at bay. Its side pockets are handy whether you’re running or not, while it also has large reflective strips to increase visibility and a hood you can tighten so it doesn’t flap around your head.

I did find the jacket quite baggy in my normal size, and even if sizing down you can expect some loose fabric that catches the wind during runs. It packs down easily into its back pocket, which has a long strap so you can wear the jacket as a shoulder or waist bag. When packed it’s quite large compared with other options, but the strap does make it easy to carry.

This is another featherlight jacket that offers a good level of protection from wind and rain to see you through chilly runs without the risk of overheating. The Brooks Canopy has a pouch inside the hood that you can pack it into, enabling you to transport it easily in a rucksack or even a spacious pocket, and you can also roll up and tie the hood in place on runs when you’re not concerned about rain. There are two zip pockets on the sides and one on the chest, with the latter the best option to use on the run because I found that anything stored in the side pockets tended to bounce around.

This jazzy jacket isn’t fully waterproof, but it’s so water-resistant that it shrugged off rain throughout even hour-long runs, and I also found it warmer than expected given how thin it is. If you can avoid truly torrential downpours, it should be waterproof enough, and it’s a lot cheaper than most fully waterproof jackets. The reflective design helps keep you visible at night, and you can pack the jacket into its own pocket.

Proviz’s reflective cycling jacket is a common sight on cyclists in winter, but runners can benefit just as much from wearing a top made from the same fabric to ensure other road and pavement users spot them at night. The front of this jacket is made entirely from reflective fabric, which also covers the arms and some of the back for 360° visibility. The rest of the back and arms is made of a breathable mesh to help you avoid overheating, but I still found it was warmer than most other water-resistant jackets, so a Proviz top or gilet might work better for milder night runs.

If reflectivity is what you’re after, this jacket offers it in spades and it does so at a great price (ignore the RRP because Higher State’s range is invariably reduced on Sports Shoes). The jacket offers all-over reflectivity, and it’s windproof and highly water-resistant – in fact it’s essentially waterproof in my experience. The drawback of this is that it gets pretty hot and I only found it comfortable to use for very easy runs, along with warm-ups and warm-downs.

The Force Reflective jacket is a lightweight and breathable option for runs when you just need a little extra protection from the elements. It’s also great for increasing your visibility, with reflective piping, and the yellow version helps you to stand out in the daytime as well. It’s usually reduced from its UK RRP, putting it firmly in the budget category.

It didn’t keep me dry in serious rain, but the jacket can handle a light shower and will keep the wind off your torso effectively. It also has a long back that makes it suitable for cycling as well as running, and the reflective elements are handy for night-time rides. 

This smock-style jacket is ideal for your coldest runs – it has kept me warm on sub-zero outings with just a base layer underneath. You can also wear the anorak by itself since the fabric used is comfortable to wear next to the skin, and while it’s not technically waterproof since it doesn’t have a liner, the double application of a water-repellent finish means it has proven practically waterproof in my testing. The anorak has a high neck and hood to help you cover up when it’s really coming down, and pockets on the chest and back to store essentials.

The Best Men’s Waterproof Running Jackets

This jacket has a high waterproof rating of 10,000 and taped seams, which means it hits the standards required on mandatory kit lists for most trail ultramarathons. That’s rare to find on a jacket that costs well under £100, and it’s even more unusual to find it in a jacket that doesn’t become uncomfortably hot as a result. It breathes well and I found it wasn’t too warm to wear on milder days, though I recommend wearing a long-sleeved top underneath because it can stick to the skin as you start to work up a sweat on your run.

During testing I found the Saysky Element jacket a good option for wet days whether I was running or not, the close cut and simple design meaning it’s stylish enough to wear at any time. The back of the jacket is ventilated to stop you overheating, and there are two pockets on the sides, though I found putting anything too heavy in these would lead to bouncing.

The Ciele Elite waterproof jacket is as breathable as they come and has several useful features, such as a carabiner to clip it to a running backpack or belt when it's packed into the chest pocket. All the pockets on the jacket are internal to help keep your stuff dry, and there’s a snap button on the chest I found handy since I could unzip to cool down while keeping the jacket in place.

The North Face’s Futurelight fabric is the real deal, in that it’s among the most breathable waterproof materials I’ve come across in a running jacket. As a result, the Lightriser is a fantastic lightweight option, providing reliable and long-lasting protection from precipitation without creating an uncomfortable amount of perspiration. On dry days in low double-digit temperatures it also proved effective at keeping the wind off without causing me to overheat, and even when the temperature dropped to just above zero the jacket was still warm enough with just a base layer underneath.

Although it scores highly on the running jacket’s key feature – keeping you dry and warm without being too hot or sweaty – it could improve its storage options. The only pocket is an internal one at the small of your back, and it’s mainly useful for packing the jacket into rather than carrying anything – a chest pocket for a phone would be a great addition.

A good option for runners who cycle, or indeed cyclists who run, the Keela Saxon has a high neck and an adjustable peaked hood that will fit over helmets, and a curved rear hem that’s longer at the back to keep your rear end dry. While breathable, I found it a fairly warm option for running – it might get a bit sweaty in mild and wet conditions, but it’s great for winter.

The Phase Nano jacket is astonishingly breathable given that it has a Gore-Tex liner and is fully waterproof. I’ve been able to use it on fairly mild and dry days without finding that it made me uncomfortably sweaty, even throwing it on after a hard track session for a long warm down without it being too hot. The side pockets are useful but only for lighter items, since heavier ones will bounce around on the run, and I did long for a chest pocket for my phone, but otherwise the Phase Nano is as good as waterproof jackets get, which you’d expect given the high price.

What To Look For In A Running Jacket

For a deep dive into running jackets and the magical materials used to make them waterproof while still being breathable, we spoke to Matt Kemp, design manager at British outdoor brand Montane.

More Winter Running Gear

• Winter Running: Gear And Tips For Runners Who Don’t Get On With The Treadmill
• Shine Like A Beacon With This Reflective Running Gear
• The Best Running Gloves