Gear
Winter Wear Review - Jackets and Baselayers
January 2, 2012By Gus Alexandropolous and Mihira Lakshman
-
Adidas
adiZero Women's Feather Lite Fill Running Jacket - $129
The stylish, form-fitting and insulated Feather Lite Fill running jacket may not be the number-one choice for workouts, but it's a nice option for post-training refuelling. Insulated with Primaloft synthetic fill, this jacket keeps you warm after your run, while the stretchy and highly-breathable fabric panels under the arms and along the side ensure easy movement.
-
New Balance
Black Prism Jacket - $90
This lightweight and highly breathable shell may be all the protection most runners need in mild conditions. Built multiple carefully positioned mesh panels, Black Prism jacket offers excellent b breathability, and thanks to its wind-shedding fabric on the torso and arms, provides just enough weather protection on cold days.
-
Nike
Denier Differential Pullover - $75
This attractive and form-fitting jersey is a great choice for layering under a shell. Nike's Dri-Fit fabric pulls sweat away from the skin, while highly breathable panels under the arms help vent extra heat. A half-length zipper, reflective accents and small pocket round out this functional top.
-
Saucony
Drylete Sportop - $90
This fast-wicking, long-sleeve top does an excellent job of puling moisture away from the skin, keeping you warm. Reflective accents and USB rechargeable LED clip-on light provide extra safety when running in low light conditions, while the thumb-loop wrist cuffs prevent unwanted drafts.
-
Nike
Element Half-Zip - $70
Runners wanting the feel of cotton and the performance of a synthetic will appreciate the Element Half-Zip. The comfortable fitting top offers an almost flannel-like softness but thanks to the Dri-Fit fabric, it also helps keep runners dry and comfortable in cold weather.
-
Nike
Element Shield Max Jacket - $200
With its highly breathable and waterproof fabric, the Element Shield Max Jacket delivers maximum protection from cold, rain and snow. The jacket's hood provides additional protection in truly miserable conditions, and the innovative removable neck gaiter shields the face from stinging wind. Multiple reflective highlights, a small rear pocket and silicon grippers along the waist complete this cold-weather jacket.
-
Saucony
Ethereal Jacket - $120
With its soft and tightly knit polyester fabric, the Ethereal Jacket does a great job of blocking chilling winds while still allowing perspiration to escape during long challenging runs. For added safety during evening training sessions, Saucony includes multiple highly visible reflective panels as well as a USB-rechargeable LED clip-on light.
-
Asics
Reflector Jacket - $119
With the Reflector Jacket, Asics addresses the two main concerns for most winter runners: warmth (wind protection) and visibility. While the jacket's light and tightly knit fabric does an excellent job of keeping runners warm, it's the built-in blinking shoulder strip that attracts the attention of most runners (and drivers). Powered by a small watch style battery, the blinking light strip increases visibility during low light conditions. The jacket's other reflective highlights and the small tuck-away hood makes this a good choice for winter running.
-
Icebreaker
Run LS Rush Zip - $110
This soft, ultra-fine merino wool jersey offers runners a warm and fast-wicking alternative to synthetic-fabric tops. Unlike some synthetic materials, the wool in Icebreaker's top won't hold onto nasty odours. For extra ventilation, Icebreaker adds a long front zip while the thumb-loop wrists minimize unwanted drafts. A small zippered rear pocket provides space for small essentials.
-
The North Face
Stormy Trail Jacket- $170
Runners training in cold and wet conditions will appreciate the Stormy Trail jacket. Built with The North Face's HyVent Alpha fabric, this jacket is waterproof and breathable. Simple elastic cuffs keep weight and bulk to a minimum while effectively blocking heat-robbing drafts. For added weather protection and versatility, the Stormy Trail jacket also features an easily removable hood.
-
The North Face
Torpedo Jacket (M) - $100
The Torpedo Jacket offers just enough weather protection for training during mild winter days. Built with a tightly-knit silky polyester fabric, this jacket blocks cold winds while allowing perspiration to escape. Reflective piping provides increased visibility while the four pockets offers storage for energy gels, ID or a hat.
-
Salomon
Softshell Jacket - $200
Salomon uses Gore-Tex's wind-shedding Windstopper soft shell fabric in the front, outer arms, hood and lower back, while a stretchy and more breathable fabric covers the back and sides. The result is a garment capable of keeping runners warm and comfortable during hard runs in cold and blustery conditions.
-
Aeshmei
Ultimate Softshell Jacket - $290
With a windproof, water-resistant and breathable softshell fabric in the torso and arms, the Ultimate Softshell Jacket protects a runner's core from bitter-cold winds, drizzle and snow. Aeshmei adds stretch-merino wool panels on the back, sides and under the arms for excellent breathability, warmth while minimizing odour. The offset front zipper for reduces chafing, and the multiple pockets and the thumb loop wrist cuffs are great features. Although the jacket's price may turn off some runners, its cold weather performance is definitely worth the money.
