Not all rainstorms are created equal. Thankfully, neither are all rain jackets. That lightweight shell you’d wear on a drizzly day won’t stand up to howling wind and driving rain. And you’d quickly overheat in a sturdier jacket on a warm, misty day. To test which of the newest jackets work best in what type of storm–a spring shower or a downpour–we recruited 50 runners in notoriously rainy Portland, Oregon, to test a range of running jackets available now. The following jackets were their favorites; they combine lightweight, breathable materials, and runner-friendly designs that stand out when it’s needed most.
Chic in the Showers
Ladies loved the Moving Comfort Commitment Jacket ($70), featuring a slim fit tailored to a woman’s body shape. Looks aside, how did it perform? “This jacket did not disappoint. It was functional and kept both the wind and rain out,” said one tester. The jacket features a mesh vent on the back, a lightweight liner to keep fabric off your skin, and elastic at the wrists for extra protection. movingcomfort.com
