I love running in the rain! The air is so incredibly fresh and the colors of the leaves intensify. But you’ve got to be comfortable, right? There’s nothing worse than feeling like a dishrag in your 5th mile, so I’m hunting down the perfect jacket for running in wet weather this season.
Depending upon your geographic location and needs, here are a couple of things to look for in a rain jacket for running:
• Lightweight
• Low noise (yeah – some these fabrics will drive you crazy with the noise they make)
• Seam sealed
• Hood (hoods drive me crazy ‘cause I’ve never found one that didn’t impede my vision – but you may have a different opinion)
• Ventilation
Image: Asics Storm Shelter
You are typically going to pay more, the more rain-proof the jacket gets. Expect higher prices on seam-sealed pieces, garments made from high-tech fabrics and extra pockets and venting.
Here’s a few that I found that are a great fit for women's running:
Under Armour
Women’s Quickstep Jacket
Manufacturer’s Description:
UA's newest running full zip jacket design is super lightweight and comfortable to wear. Lightweight, breathable, woven AllSeasonGear® delivers wind and water resistance keeping you safe from the elements.
Specs:
100% 2.4 oz PolyArmour™
Ultra-quiet fabric
360 degrees of reflectivity
Two side zippered pockets and a back zippered pocket for storage
Fully taped seams
Windproof
No hood
Fitted shape
$85
Mizuno
Atlantis Waterproof Jacket
Manufacturer’s Description:
The Mizuno Atlantis Waterproof Jacket resists the elements and keeps you comfortable with its wind- and waterproof, breathable, stretch ZAMZA™ shell. Designed to give greater freedom of motion.
Specs
100% polyester (microfiber stretch)
Under arm and back ventilation
2 side pockets (zip)
Drawstring elastic waist
Reflective logo and accents
No hood
Boxier shape
$110
Asics
Storm Shelter
Manufacturer’s Description:
Storm Shelter™ is a quiet fabric, made to keep out the rain without making a lot of racket as you move. This great jacket also has fully-sealed seams, hand and chest pockets, a draw cord waist, and stretch cuff gaiters for added protection.
Specs
100% Polyester with 10/10 laminate
Hand, chest and media pockets
Reflective piping, front and back seams
Seam sealed
Front and back vents
No hood
Fitted shape
$100
Nike
Convertible Women’s Running Jacket
Manufacturer’s Description:
A lightweight, versatile jacket with removable sleeves and other athlete-inspired innovations.
Specs
Body: Clima-FIT 100% polyester taffeta, (water resistant microfiber). Mesh: Dri-FIT 100% polyester circular knit mesh.
Removable sleeves pack into secure zip pockets
Back vent
Front and back reflectivity
Media-player storage and cord management
No hood
Semi-fitted shape
$100
CW-X
Elementx Jacket
Manufacturer’s Description:
The CW-X Elementx Jacket is a performance Outer Layer featuring anatomically engineered design and CW-TeX wind-proof, water-resistant fabric to provide protection from the elements in concert with CW-X base layer garments.
Specs:
CW-Tex woven polyester (microfiber)
Water resistant
Zippered side pockets
Reflective Piping
Mesh venting panels on the upper back and sides
Long tail
Boxier fit
$88.00
Let it rain!
