However, it's heavy for summer and itu2019s not cheap. WEIGHT: 75G The Fast Wing is incredibly light, especially when you consider it has a full-zip, hood and zipped pocket that doubles as a stuff sack. Do you want something that fits a bit tighter, or to size up for a little more room to move or to put the jacket on over a running vest? The jackets we chose for this guide represent the best of those over several hundred hours of total testing in every condition you can imagine. The customisable colour scheme is a nice touch too. Counterintuitively, a lighter jacket is likely to cost more than a moderate-weight jacket. The Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Wind Shirt isnt the slickest, but is very protective. It has a handy zipped pocket on the arm, which worked surprisingly well and keeps rucksack areas free. Wind jackets are not designed for high-moisture environments, like when its raining or theres high humidity. That wont really change the protection factor, but it does make noise and can be bothersome. Wind jackets offer some incredible bang for your buck in terms of being a protective garment with a very low weight. Just like any other piece of clothing, fit is the most important part, and its subjective from person to person. This is one of the heavier jackets to make our list, but it makes sense considering it has a double-layer hood, four pockets, as well as merino wool panels in the arms, upper back, and lining the hood itself. Shop the Women's Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Wind ShirtShop the Men's Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Wind Shirt. Well, only if it's raining. Leave a comment to share about yours and well consider it for the next round of testing! Sleek, nylon ripstop fabric feels barely there u2013 until you need it, when it provides an excellent windproof and water-resistant layer. (Although were just as likely to just shove a wind jacket in a pack or tie it around our waists regardless of a stuff pocket or sack.) Actual weight: 2.9 oz. Brands will generally give specific measurements (including chest, waist, and hip size, and sometimes even sleeve length and shoulder width) to ensure that you get the best size for what you need. You can also learn more about ourresearch and testing methodology. The jacket stuffs down into that kangaroo pocket, and the sizing is unisex and not at all form-fitting. What size should I buy to layer clothing underneath? There's so many variables to consider: hood or hoodless; minimal size or more sturdy; loose fit or slimline, etc. For a wind jacket this light, it has an array of features, including a full-length zipper, two zippered hand pockets, a hidden inner pocket with a Velcro closure, a bit of elastic at the waist, tiny underarm vents, and a drawstring hood with front pull tabs for adjustment. And if you only think youll need one shirt underneath it, size normally. Because Cotopaxi uses fabric scraps for this jacket, its colorways continuously change. VERDICT A good-looking, lightweight, comfortable hooded windproof. Another element that adds to the weight of a jacket is the material: 40-denier nylon is thicker, heavier, and likely more durable than 7-denier nylon. Packability often goes hand in hand with weight usually the lighter the coat, the more packable it is. Some people prefer that their wind jacket actually covers their backside and opt for a longer product, but that is a personal preference. Wide versus narrow shoulders, and a straight cut versus a waist taper and larger hips are only a couple of the differences between jackets made for different body types. Should I prioritize lighter weight or increased protection? The Distance Wind Shells features include a full-length zipper, a zippered chest pocket into which the jacket packs for storage, elastic wrists with a little microfiber for comfort, as well as a generous and adjustable hood via a drawstring at the nape of the neck. It doesnu2019t have pockets, but does have a hood that fastens away. This glorious piece of apparel weighs nearly nothing, disappears into almost any corner of your hydration pack, and yet keeps you comfortable in the wind and cold. The Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell is a bit pricier than other items in this guide, but with a combination of quiet fabric, generous sizing, some solid water resistance, and a good look, we chose this jacket as our runner-up. What is your favorite wind jacket and why? The lighter your clothing and gear, the easier it is to run. iRunFars women who tested this jacket loved it so much that we named the Janji Zephyr Runner Jacket the best jacket for women. Your wind jacket should ward off a bit of rain or snow, but should never be used as a rain jacket. Fabric: 37 grams-per-square-meter (GSM) ripstop polyester. It has a draw cord hem and a zipped side pocket that it packs into. You see, waterproof jackets are great when the heavens open but their more rigid construction and taped seams aren't particularly breathable, so even on cool days you'll end up with a damper inside than outside. From Sweden, Crafts items tend to run on the more expensive side some of their shoes cost over $250 so it was a pleasant surprise to see this jacket priced at a similar price point to other wind jackets we tested. While a DWR coating on a wind jacket will help protect you in light flurries or a very light sprinkle and is a nice bonus, you should never substitute a wind jacket for a rain jacket. That's where we come in: Jen & Sim Benson, top TR gear testers and running couple extraordinaires, have put in the hard yards trialling the best on the market, so you can make a more informed decision. So, when you consider adding a wind jacket to your running kit, consider how you might wear it in tandem with your other clothing and size your wind jacket properly. To bring you this wind jacket buyers guide, the iRunFar team tested an array of jackets on the market in all four seasons to find out what works and what doesnt. A potential downside of sizing up a wind jacket specifically is to consider is that the more extra material there is, the more there is to blow and flap in the wind. If the mens jacket is repatterned in the future to a fit appropriate for more body types, well retest it. The elasticated hem, thumb loops, dropped tail and snug hood are great for keeping the elements out, yet itu2019s breathable enough so you donu2019t overheat. Itu2019s a little heavy and expensive to get top marks, but great to run in, and very well thought through. Perfect for spring and autumn running when you only really need to protection from a cold wind's bite. It has: a vented back for great breathability, a mesh back panel that means it feels comfortable even when youu2019re sweaty, two zipped pockets, a draw cord hood and hem, and lots of reflective detail. Because this jacket is made of 40-denier nylon, it is the thickest and warmest of the bunch here. Time is fleeting. Even more, this is often a one-and-done purchase: buy a quality wind jacket that suits your specific needs and enjoy it for a lifetime of running. Equally great for running in warm or cold weather, Saucony have designed this with dedicated runners in mind. Itu2019s incredibly minimalist, yet very comfy, in rustle-free u2018PointZerou2019 nylon ripstop fabric. However, if you want improved protection, look for a jacket that has an adjustable hood, fitted cuffs, a waist cinch, and maybe thumb holes. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them. Not everyone needs an ultralight and ultra-expensive jacket, so if you want something simple and affordable, this one is for you. Of course, if you find a jacket traditionally made for a different gender and it feels the best for you, go with that one! The sleeves would be improved with Velcro cuff adjusters. Soft lining on the collar, cuffs and thumb loops make it a pleasure to wear. BEST VALUE In 'Windblockers', Issue 32 JUN/JUL16. Alternately, you can try shoving the hood down the back of the jacket, but that might not work in the windiest of conditions. Bryon Powell of iRunFar putting the Montbell Windblast Parka to good use. Female Menstrual Cycle and Ultra Performance, Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons, Where the Road Ends: A Guide to Trail Running, Features galore despite a very low weight, Thinner, so maybe not appropriate for very cold winds, 7-denier nylon fabric may be less durable than thicker but heavier jackets, Generously sized to fit over a small pack or extra layers, Fabric repels water longer than the other wind jackets in this guide, Super ultralight while still having a protective hood, Runs a bit larger than normal sizing so can fit over a running pack or extra layers, Wonderful feature set, including thumb holes, a chest snap, reflective details, a zippered pocket, and an earphone cord hole, Good weight and price for features offered, Louder material while running in high wind than some jackets in this guide, Great feature set, including a double-layered hood, merino wool panels, and four total pockets, Merino-lined hood is a luxury weve never seen in a wind jacket, One of the heaviest jackets in this guide, Has some nice features despite being in the budget category, Back vents not very effective while adding weight, Generous sizing allows you to wear it over a pack or layers, Styling is appropriate for a variety of non-running scenarios. It fits well, although it's slightly more rustly than a windproof. It seems like both mens and womens Janji jackets may be made for people with smaller torsos, shoulders, and chests and the mens more significantly so. To learn more about wind jackets, jump down to our recommendations for how to chooseas well as ourfrequently asked questions. In addition, the Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Wind Shirt comes in the widest variety of sizes of all the jackets we tested. Like the Janji Zephyr Runner Jacket for men, we didnt like the womens version of the Craft Pro Hypervent Jacket, as stylistic changes specific to the womens jacket detracted too much from its performance. Because of the front pockets very large sizes, the only things you can put in there without them bouncing are very light items like gloves or a headband. WEIGHT: 80G Berghaus' Hyper Jacket is actually fully waterproof. Whats the difference? Technology is advanced, so even the thinnest wind jacket material can be pretty darn wind resistant. VERDICT A good performer but would benefit from more athletic styling. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Each time we venture outside, we try to wear and carry layers that, when worn together, keep us cozy in the worst weather we find on that outing, and when we strip down to our last layer, cool us in the best weather. VERDICT Stylish and ethically-produced, with a price tag to match. Take note, wind jackets are designed for performance in windy environments. Sometimes you dont want a wind jacket just for running, but one that you can still wear pre- or post-run at the trailhead, coffee shop, or bar. Shop the Women's Montbell Wind Blast ParkaShop the Men's Montbell Wind Blast Parka. VERDICT Light, practical, comfortable and durable. You can click on any of the links below to jump straight to a certain wind jacket. An upside, however, is that its a quiet fabric you dont hearswishing or flapping noises in the wind and while running. Double layers on the front for extra protection! The length of the jacket bottom is the same all the way around. The waist and hood arent adjustable, but their fitted construction works well enough to make that unnecessary. Weve gotten a lot of compliments on this jacket, and while its not the best for high-altitude adventures, its great for a regular run in some wind and even a little drizzle. While Black Diamond states this wind jacket has a slim fit, we found it to be generously sized in all aspects, allowing it to easily fit over a small running pack or several layers. However, most wind jackets are made of nylon or polyester, which naturally repel a little water. The good news is that with modern wind jackets, you can have both at the same time! The Montbell Tachyon Parka is a wind jacket, but provides good coverage from an incoming sprinkle too. The converted road runner finished her first trail ultramarathon in 2006 and loves using running to visit the world's wildest places. Were used to runs where it may be quiet and calm at lower altitudes, but as soon as we crest the ridgeline, we get blasted by huge gusts of wind. The Kiprun from Decathlon packs into its pocket and is light and protective, with perforated sections for breathability. While iRunFar wouldnt necessarily recommend this jacket for a long run, we found it worked well for up to a couple of hours in nasty weather.