Best rain jacket for a runner?

look at golite. they have two light jackets. i just got the old version of their kings canyon jacket and i really like it. it packs up really small, and it kept me warm when i was riding my bike through the rain two days ago (it has a DWR treatment).

Stick with windshirts. The most breathable rain jacket in the world will still be miserable for running (at least in my experience). I have both Patagonia Houdini and 9 Trails windshirts. The 9 Trails is totally tops even though it does not have a hood (overall better fit for running). If it is super cold and raining just wear a thin fleece under it. You will get wet but as long as you are moving you will be warm.

Will get wet in the Houdini for sure.

But that's probably not a big deal if you're on the move.

A super-thin baselayer and a paclite jacket are too much for me into the hi-40s/50s or so. Have to unzip all, shove up the sleeves, still warm. Still wet from sweat. Other downside is your overall higher body temp, less evaporative heat loss.

I'd concur w/a windbreaker for this kind of stuff. Yup, you'll get wet. But you won't overheat as much, and the windproofness will stop convective heat loss, reduce evaporative heat loss. Probably a good balance.

If you're playing ultimate in rain in the 30s to mid 40s or so, light rain gear probably best. I'd look for something in eVent, but that Essence might work.

I have 0 experience with this, but it seems like to would work if you wanted actual rain gear. Its made of eVent, but has permanent venting in all the appropriate places (stretch panels) Price is good, as its on sale

http://www.rei.com/product/786903

I'm curious to know if the stretch panels will let in a large amount of rain or not…maybe you could be the guinea pig?

Donning on any kind of rain gear (hood and all) to play frisbee in the rain just seems awkward to me.

And if you play for more than just a short moment, you're going to get wet anyway — both externally from your very wide range of motion and internally from your own sweat — I'd say forget the rain jacket and just plan on getting wet. Just make sure you can get dry somehow after you're done.

I'm going to play around with the REI eVent running jacket as my rain shell here in Virginia. I've taken it out for a few weekend trips but have yet to be really rained on. If it doesn't work, I'll return. It's definitely light and breathable, though.

awesome Evan…i've been looking at those for a while, but just don't know what to think of it. Please let me know in a reply or PM about the side panels when you get a chance to really test it out in the rain. Thanks

Can you please comment on the fit of this jacket , especially pit to pit, shoulder to arm length and shoulder to hem? The sizing chart is generic and no one commented on the sizing except to say that the arms are long. Thanks, John

Ok, so let me qualify some of my statements.

I'm gonna want a rain jacket that breathes well so I can throw something on when i'm on the sidelines at the game or when it starts to pour hard. A HOOD would be ideal as well since I could use this jacket if I goto an outdoor concert. I'm looking for multipurpose here as well.

Qualities I look for
1) Solid breath ability
2) Good water-"resistance" not necessarily proof.
3) Hood (preferably one that tucks in)
4) Light, under 10oz.
5) Packable would be nice
6) slimmer fit would be optionally nice as well.

Overall it looks like the North face jacket fits my taste from the description. It says it's meant for running. Has anyone tried it?

If the North Face uses Goretex or its own proprietary WP/B laminate or coating — look elsewhere!!

If you want truly high breathability, there are currently just two options:

1. eVent wp/b — different brands use this
2. Breeze Dry Tec — Montbell's proprietary technology

Ignore Goretex, TNF, Marmot, etc. marketing hype. None is even in the same league as the two options above. Why? The two are the only ones that can maintain true rainproofness without the use of a polyurethane layer — which significantly inhibits breathability. It's called direct venting. All others require that extra layer of PU to maintain rainproofness.

i have a marmot mica, which is the same material as the essence. i have only run in it once and that was when it was snowing. i have run in the rain in a cap2 and was quite comfy. i would suggest a windshirt or even lighter a windvest. i have a salomon wind vest that is very nice a for cold weather and quite breathable. you will most likely overheat in a rain jacket of any kind when running.

"I'm gonna want a rain jacket that breathes well so I can throw something on when i'm on the sidelines at the game or when it starts to pour hard."

For that, another perfectly good option is to don on a 4oz. Houdini wind jacket for the highest breathability — and an umbrella.

just received an email about this. Looks like its a marmot essence, but without the hood, and instead of pit vents, it has true pit zips. Heavier than the essence though. Uses the same marmot membrane strata fabric, but a different weight of it. Look's like they also interweaved stretch panels into it (based on the description, I cant see any paces where it would stretch) which probably better explains the weight increase

http://marmot.com/products/paceline_jacket#buy

FWIW I like the fit on the REI jacket. It's what I would call a true athletic cut: the shoulders are fairly broad relative to the waist, and the arms are on the long side. The stretch panels help it to move well with your torso, and they breathe almost as if they are pit zips.

I thought it was very comfy in the store, and almost picked one up to use while cycling. I decided not to simply because I thought the stretch panels went too far into the back, so would lead to my back getting wet when I'm in the drops. I think they'd be fine for running or hiking.

I own a Trajectory Hybrid jacket and think it is great! Altough Hyvent isn't the most breathable material out there it does a great job. The real strenght of the jacket are the breathable back and side panels. You get wind and waterproof protection in the front and venting in the back and side panels.The protection from the elements is great, i would only use a full-on hardshell in a cold wheater storm with hard rain.For that kind of wheater TNF is coming out this fall with a hoodles Hyvent jacket called the stormy trails jacket. Wich is suposed to be the best breathable Hyvent jacket they ever made!

Hi,

I have tried several lightweigt rain jackets, including the north face triumph pullover, the Montane H2o jacket, … but by far my favourite peace of kit is the haglofs oz pullover.

OK, is not that breathable when you go hard, but it is such a protection against bad weather and feels just fantastic (when going hard, my shirt is wet, not the oz pullover).

The Northface Diad Stretch has pit zip for ventilation, is very light. The stretch side panels are great for vigorous activity.

For full-on rain protection the marmot Essence looks like a winner. Light weight, roll-away hood ( ideal in a running hardshell, so when not in use it will not hoover like a baloon behind your head)and pit-vents.