Recommendations needed for a Running Jacket

[LittleNell83]

As the weather turns wet and dark, I am wondering if someone can help with a good budget running jacket. I have around £50 to spend.

My current one is lightweight but not breathable at all and I overheat. Ideally I would like something visible so reflective or high vis as I find I feel vulnerable not hearing properly so like being obvious

Thanks in advance, Nell

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Last year I bought the Nike Shield Women's Running Jacket which I only wore a few times. It was certainly light and loose which I wanted. I think it's technically breathable, but it still gets warm! Its not high viz , and I don't know if they have brighter colours, but you could get armbands and/or body straps to wear over I guess

[Lordi Marathon]

I bought a Helly Hanson cheapo one with large under arm zippers (Loke Jacket) hellyhansen.com/en_us/loke-... in mountain rescue lime yellow! It says 100$ on their website but I got it for about €50. If you are running any distance you will get wet from the inside (sweat) so it won't keep you "dry" only keep out the cold rain (hypothermia). They need to be lightly washed/rinsed after each run so will lose their water resistance on repeated washes, so it's a fine balance between cheapness and effectiveness imho (I wouldn't buy a super expensive hightech jacket for running)

[Decker Ultramarathon]

I bought a North Face jacket last year and really love it. Think it was around $80 CAD. I also have a North Face winter coat which is equally great. Not sure if they are available where you are (I’m in Canada) but they are well worth the money IMO.

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon]

I'd either buy a really cheap one from decathlon etc and put up with the compromises or spend more on a goretex one if you really want it to be genuinely breathable.

That said, I ran 3 times a week from Oct - Feb and got damp possibly once and never got soaked, and I never wore a coat. I simply looked out the window and at the weather and if it was raining I waited a bit.

[LittleNell83 in reply to pinkaardvark]

I just got soaked now recovering with a hot chocolate... 12km in persistent drizzle. Yuck

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon in reply to LittleNell83]

Yeah I'm waiting until tomorrow 😜

[LittleNell83 in reply to pinkaardvark]

Forecast is worse for tomorrow here :/

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon in reply to LittleNell83]

Always look on the bright side of life it'll be fine

[LittleNell83 in reply to pinkaardvark]

Ah, well I went out and did 12km.. The rain acted as an incentive to not hang around and it will be better weather on Monday. And it gave me an excuse to have hot chocolate

[Tasha99 Marathon]

amazon.co.uk/Ronhill-Mens-M...

I just bought this. Running club told me I needed high viz as my previous one was black. I wanted to stick with Ron hill. This has reflective patterns on it. I got a men’s as I’m tall and like longer send and I like my bum covered 😂 They do female versions too. It’s very lightweight. Ignore the review: it had great reviews everywhere else.

[ju-ju- Marathon]

I like Howies and Salamon lightweight. I often buy them cheap on EBay as people often buy running stuff then never use it. Also cycling jackets are great as they also cover your bum!!

[LittleNell83 in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks I had a mooch in the shops today and bought a coat from mountain warehouse in their sale which is fully reflective, has a hood and some ventilation. Hope it helps after the soaking yesterday x

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to LittleNell83]

Perfect sounds the business..

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

To throw a curveball into the mix, I haven't yet felt the need to go for a waterproof jacket. I use one of these guys if I'm running in low light, though I've similar ones in non-dayglo as well.

lulufanatics.com/item/17112...

They dry out super quickly (for both directions, sweat and rain/hail/snow) and have nice long cuffins to fold over your fingers to keep them from getting cold if there's an icy breeze. I imagine when I move up to marathon distances I might need to go truly waterproof as I'll be less able to pick my running times, but just now these jackets have done perfectly for all seasons.