“Be bold, start cold” is a useful outdoor adage—to a point. When temperatures are nearing freezing, wind is howling or rain is starting to fall, you’re going to want a running jacket on hand. My top pick among the very best running jackets, Patagonia’s Houdini Jacket, is a trifecta of packability, comfort and excellent breathability. The best reflective rain jacket, the Brooks Run Visible Jacket 2.0, will help maintain visibility even on the most blustery of runs. And even the Columbia Endless Trail Wind Shell, my budget pick, has a lot to offer at less than $100.
Throw on one of the best running jackets to keep cool and dry as the miles add up.
Whether you’re running in the early morning chill, late evening cold or a midday storm, you’ll want one of the best running rain jackets that are breathable, durable and designed to keep dropping temperatures and errant moisture at bay. Below, you’ll find a collection of the best-in-class options for any runner.
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Best Running Jacket Overall: Patagonia Houdini
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Best Budget Running Jacket : Columbia Endless Trail
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Best Running Jacket For Rain : Salomon Bonatti Waterproof
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Best Breathable Running Jacket : Asics Fujitrail
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Most Durable Running Jacket : Outdoor Research Helium
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Best Reflective Running Jacket: Brooks Run Visible 2.0
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Best Running Jacket For Cold Weather: Smartwool Smartloft Hybrid
Patagonia
Patagonia Houdini
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Unlike its namesake, the Houdini Jacket doesn’t rely on magic for its thrills — rather, it places its bets on being the best overall rain jacket our editors can find. What’s behind this bold claim? First, Patagonia is a widely accessible and available brand, and its pricepoints are reasonable—meaning most consumers can find and buy one of its jackets with no issue. Second, the Houdini relies on ethically sourced and environmentally-friendly materials to get its job done, including 100% recycled nylon, coated with a PFC-free DWR finish.
Other feathers in the Houdini’s cap include its superior comfort, softness and stretch, as well as its packability. The Houdini does not offer a lot in the way of reflective details or visibility-minded features, but if you’re running trails or slow roads, this isn’t much of an issue.
Overall, the Patagonia Houdini strikes a balance between performance and comfort—making it a compelling pick for just about any level of runner.
Amazon
Columbia Endless Trail
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You’d like to run in the rain, but you’d also like to stick to your budget—without sacrificing performance. If this sounds like you, then Columbia’s Endless Trail running jacket is right up your alley.
Because it’s over $100 cheaper than some of its competitors, the Endless Trail isn’t going to come with the most robust feature set on the market; but, if you’re basically looking for a wind shell that can protect against chill on cold runs, this is a no-brainer.
Built with a blend of nylon and elastane, the Endless Trail running jacket is also imbued with Columbia’s proprietary water-repellant technology, Omnishield, which repels moisture and resists stains. This jacket is vented, features reflective details, and is designed specifically for trail running. It’s lightweight, protective and complete with a slim fit to reduce unwanted fabric.
REI
Salomon Bonatti Waterproof
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Salomon makes some of the best technical apparel and footwear available today, and the Bonatti is no exception. Designed for the wettest environments (besides total submersion) the Bonatti is fully waterproof, and features thoughtful design details that will have you putting it on even whilst walking.
The Bonatti features mechanical stretch and ripstop capabilities in the body fabric, making it ideal for tougher runs. The fixed, minimalist hood won’t slip off your head when you need it to stay put, and the venting in the jacket can be deployed without having to mess around with the waterproof zippers. One zippered chest pocket keeps essentials nearby and dry, while reflective details keep you safe on roads or trails.
Most importantly, the Bonatti features Advanced/Dry Skin 10k/10k, a proprietary development that allows the moisture vapor your body generates inside the jacket to escape, while protecting against rain, snow and wind. If you’re in need of a truly waterproof jacket that won’t let you down, this is it.
Breathability is an important feature in any running jacket, and there aren’t many that do it better than the Asics Fujitrail Waterproof Jacket. Recently updated, the jacket features designs co-created by the brand’s roster of athletes, and was tested in technical mountain conditions to ensure its efficacy. This jacket is made of Pertex Shield, a material designed in Japan that is fully waterproof, as well as breathable and lightweight. The drop-shoulder construction increases mobility and freedom of movement, and the adjustable hood offers ideal visibility.
One of the lighter jackets on this list, the Fujitrail Waterproof Jacket weighs in at just 4.1 ounces—and although its waterproofing ability isn’t the highest on this list, its breathability certainly is.
Amazon
Outdoor Research Helium
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My runner-up for best overall running jacket, the Helium Rain Jacket takes the cake for most durable, thanks to a few design considerations. These include its bluesign-approved Pertex Shield face fabric, fully seam-taped construction, YKK Aquaguard zippers, and elastic cuffs to seal out any unappealing weather.
If you get too hot on your run, no problem: The Helium stuffs down into its own chest pocket, which doubles as a stuff sack. There’s an included carabiner loop and key clip, should you need it, and the logo on the left chest and overlay on the forearm are reflective, so you’ll be easy to spot. The elastic drawcord hem allows for the fit to be customized and to keep cool air out. The hood is also adjustable.
Thanks to its thoughtful design details and premium fabrics, this is one of the most durable running jackets around.
REI
Brooks Run Visible 2.0
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If reflectivity is the goal, there’s no better option than the Run Visible Jacket 2.0—the name says it all. Featuring eight reflective rectangles on the front of the jacket alone, this Brooks number was designed with visibility as its main goal.
The Run Visible 2.0 is wind-resistant, water-repellant and, like we mentioned, highly visible. A total of 14 reflective details on the body and arms of the jacket capture and reflect light with ease, but that’s not all. The body fabric is made from Fluoro-Flash, the brand’s proprietary, custom-dyed fluorescent material designed to maximize its ability to reflect a large amount of light. High-contrast colors also work to highlight your precense in low-light conditions.
The stowable hood, smooth zippers and easy-access pockets bring a level of usefulness to this already hard-working jacket.
Smartwool
Smartwool Smartloft Hybrid
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Running jackets are typically little more than over-engineered windbreakers—but sometimes, a little insulation is necessary to keep runs safe and fun. Enter Smartwool’s Smartloft Hybrid Jacket, which features 50 grams of recycled wool insulation designed to offer lightweight, packable warmth on any run.
The Smartloft Hybrid Jacket features a wind-resistant nylon coated with a DWR finish to repel water, as well as a stretchy and soft merino wool-blend fleece on the interior lining. Two zippered hand pockets and one chest pocket offer just enough storage capability, while stretchy merino wool panels offer freedom of movement.
This jacket is not the most waterproof or windproof on the list, but it is the warmest—and dare we say, the coziest.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve published many expertly researched gear buying guides. These include dozens of personal care roundups for personal health, wellbeing and fitness.
- This story was written by Forbes Vetted contributing editor Hayley Helms. She contributes to a number of publications, including Field Mag, Ski Mag and Gear Patrol, and she publishes her own weekly Substack.
- This story was edited and overseen by Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta. He has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to fitness, outdoor and personal care products and has overseen the majority of Forbes Vetted gear guides. He holds a degree in kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts, and in addition to his professional background, he’s also a dedicated runner who trains races of varying lengths, from 5Ks to 50Ks.
- We refresh this list regularly to ensure you’re up-to-date on product availability and sales. This article was first published in October 2024.
How We Chose The Best Running Jackets
To determine the best running jacket for every type of condition and runner, we reviewed the most popular designs, leaning on expert testimonials, editors’ firsthand reviews and top-reviewed products. We researched optimal features, materials and design details to help determine the best running jackets.
- Our outdoor and fitness editorial team narrowed their focus to top-rated models from trusted running, outdoor and fitness apparel brands and top-reviewed products.
- We analyzed features including materials, waterproofing, weight and comfort to assess overall value and help readers pinpoint the best running jackets for their workout routine.
- We made sure to look at a large selection of running jackets that meet a variety of lifestyle needs including comfort, budget and personal style.
What To Look For In The Best Running Jackets
When shopping for a running jacket, there are a few key factors to consider, including materials, waterproofing, weight and price. Each of these will determine which running jacket is best for you.
Materials
Running jackets need to be three things: comfortable, breathable and weather-resistant. To achieve each of these goals, running jackets are designed with specific materials: these include nylon, the most popular material for running jackets, followed by other synthetics like polyester and polyamide. Elastane is often a featured material in running jackets, lending stretch to synthetic fabrics. Merino wool will occasionally be used for liners, and very rarely as the main body fabric, but most running jackets lean on synthetic materials to do the job.
Waterproofing
Almost all running jackets are imbued with some level of protection against water. After all, if you’re wearing a jacket to run, it’s usually the case that weather is unpredictable—and cold. Gore-Tex and DWR are two of the most popular waterproofing membranes on the market, and these days are often available in PFC-free versions.
Weight
One of the hallmarks of running jackets is a minimal, lightweight design ethos. Most running jackets will range from four to ten ounces, with outliers on either end of the spectrum. Running jackets are designed with lightweight, packable materials that help to keep overall weight low.
Price
Considering the innovative materials, engineering and design needed to craft the best running jackets, the price tag is going to reflect a higher number than other types of outdoor apparel or accessories. The price range of most running jackets lies between $80 and $300 dollars. My most expensive pick on this list is north of $200, but comes with the most functionality and features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why Are Running Jackets So Expensive?
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Why Are Running Jackets So Expensive?
Thanks to their high-quality materials, innovative fabrics and designs and boundary-pushing capabilities, running jackets are much more expensive than the average cotton sweater. While it’s true that you get what you pay for, there are plenty of decent, reasonably-priced running jackets for sale—but while they may keep water and wind at bay, they may not come with the thoughtful features and design that truly make a running jacket great.
