Review: MEC Nitro Thermal run jacket

MEC Nitro Thermal Run Jacket – $85

The Nitro Thermal run jacket is MEC’s new cold-weather spandex and fleece running jacket, but the jacket is a great choice for when the temperature is still not too chilly. It also sports two reflective arm strips for running at night. This full-zip looks sleek and doubles as a fine fall coat when you’re just out and around town.

The jacket fits close to the body and has one single breast pocket large enough for most electronics. The hood fits tight to the head which is good for colder weather but unfortunately can make be uncomfortable to have up covering your head if the weather isn’t as much of a factor.

The coat is warm but, because made of a polyester fleece, is still breathable. It keeps your body heat inside and wicks sweat away from your body thanks to the composite fabric. That said, because it’s such a warm jacket, it’s a great choice for sub-zero temperatures when paired with a long sleeve shirt underneath and still performs great on cooler fall evenings. On warmer fall days, it also makes a great race day or workout warm up but you’ll get hot if the weather is mild.

As for how the Nitro Thermal holds up against the elements, it did better than you would expect from a largely fleece jacket. Fleece is not known for it’s rain-deflecting qualities but, after getting caught in a moderate rain with the coat for about 20 minutes, I was still dry underneath it and the material itself seemed to not have absorbed too much water; it was mostly dry. The other materials in the jacket make it still great in light rain and snow. I wouldn’t trust it to keep you dry during heavy rains, but getting caught outside for a few minutes is not a big deal. The shoulders and hood are covered by a nylon layer which helps water bead off.

Overall, the Nitro Thermal holds up to it’s name; it’s warm. It’s not so warm as to make it only useful in very cold weather, but it has a spot in many situations when the temperature drops below 10 C. It won’t keep you dry during a downpour — though you shouldn’t have expected it to — but it holds up just fine during light rain. It’s a useful piece of gear in your late-fall and early-winter running wardrobe.