Ready to hit the pavement? Whether you’re a track sprinter, marathon runner, or just in it for the occasional (reluctant) jog, investing in one of the best running jackets is a crucial for chilly mornings and wet weather. Seriously, no one wants to be caught in a downpour looking like a soggy mess, so a running jacket should be selected with the same levels of care as a durable pair of running trainers and a supportive sports bra.
We all know the great British weather is wildly unpredictable (even in the middle of summer) and it can be difficult to get yourself out of bed and get outdoors, so a running jacket that withstands the elements is likely the difference between a night on the wine and a fun, mood-boosting jog. Particularly when it’s drizzling.
But don’t worry, we’re not talking about some run-of-the-mill, generic jacket that makes you look a little bit like a lost hiker. Oh no, we’re talking about running jackets that are as chic as they are functional, with all the bells and whistles you need for your running game.
Luckily, there are hundreds of choices out there for every style, budget and weather condition. The only difficult bit? Whittling it down to the best. With that in mind, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve found the best in breathable running jackets, packable running jackets, water-resistant jackets and more – so you can get to the fun bit faster.
The best running jackets for women in 2023, at a glance:
- Best overall: Lululemon Define Jacket Luon, £98, Lululemon
- Best new season: Adidas Fast Running Iteration Jacket, £90, adidas
- Best lightweight: Sweaty Betty Fast Lane Running Jacket, £84, Sweaty Betty
- Best packable: New Balance Impact Run Packable Jacket, £75, New Balance
- Best for trail runners: Nike Repel Women’s Trail-Running Jacket, £99.95, Nike
How we tested
Over the past five years we’ve been putting new running gear – designed for the new-to-Parkrun runner, the everyday runner, the trail runner, the upcoming athlete and beyond – to the test. We’ve tested running shoes over every kind of terrain, high impact sports bras, running leggings with pockets, and more.
We tested each of these rain jackets over a period of a couple of months, during gentle plods along the river, on freezing early morning tempo runs, low light evening speed sessions at the track and during torrential downpours. To curate a round up of our all-time favourites, jackets were scored on versatility (did they keep us warm during cold weather winter running but remain breathable when the sun came out?), the efficacy of the waterproof fabric (did it withstand light showers and heavy rain?) and features like elasticated cuffs, zipped pockets, chest pockets, side pockets and reflective elements.