There is no need to resign yourself to the tape when the weather changes. If you have the right kit for the weather, running outside in the wind and rain can be nice, even refreshing. A good running jacket is an important part of anyone’s kit. If you get one that you like, then it can be even easy and likable to go out and run without caring for the bad weather. That’s why we are going to review the top 14 best women’s winter running jackets today.
Table of Contents
What To Look For In A Winter Running Jacket?
Ideally, avoid wind and rain, without getting too hot and bothering inside the jacket. Water-resistant jackets will be breathable but will keep you a little drizzle at bay. While a fully waterproof jacket will be less breathable but will keep you dry in a downpour.
In buying a new running jacket one thing you must do is pay more for the latest technical fabrics that will keep you dry and help you avoid overheating. High-end jackets will include flat and taped seams, breathable panels, waterproof zippers, etc.
A hood can be useful, it will keep wind and rain better than a hat, but if your normal routes cross many roads, be careful, because hoods can reduce your peripheral vision.
Best Women’s Winter Running Jacket
best women’s winter running jacket
1. Brooks LSD Women’s Jacket
This is a surprisingly cozy and light jacket. It is warm and wind-resistant. It won’t be enough for really cold climates, although it’s a great option for mild winters.
It also packs very small, so it’s convenient to pack it in a backpack or tie it around your waist when you’re not using it.
Ideal for warm days when you want a warm coat to protect yourself from the chills, but it won’t run in the rain or snow.
best women’s winter running jacket
2. Nike Flash Reflective Shield Women’s Jacket
This winter jacket is the complete package. With a hood, gloves, great reflectivity, heat, and water resistance, what don’t you like about this jacket?
The Nike Shield Flash is easily one of the best winter jackets for women, with enough warmth and other features to keep you warm during the cold months.
best women’s winter running jacket
3. Pearl Izumi Ultra Wind Blocking Jacket For Women
Pearl Izumi is a good combination of breathability and water-resistance while being a soft shell too.
It’s comfortable to wear, designed with movement in mind, and insulated enough to keep you warm in moderately cold climates.
This is a good jacket for temperatures above freezing as it provides an additional layer of insulation and wind resistance.
best women’s winter running jacket
4. Columbia Outdry EX Caldorado Jacket For Women
If you live in a place where rain is an almost daily guarantee in the winter, this is the jacket you will want.
It is completely sealed and made of 100% Ripstop nylon with a waterproof hood. This is the best running jacket for women to run during the rainy season.
best women’s winter running jacket
5. Nike Essential Women’s Running Jacket
This fully insulated, water-resistant jacket ensures it will keep you comfortable and warm on the coldest runs.
It is not waterproof but is ideal as an all-in-one outercoat and mid-layer for running in cold, dry climates.
A great option if you’re looking for a cozy running sports jacket for sub-zero temperatures.
best women’s winter running jacket
6. Inov8 Women’s Half-Zip Softshell Jacket
This hooded softshell jacket is made up of 3 layers for zonal climate protection, designed to protect the runner from cold winds on exposed tracks.
It is snug, warm, and slim for a comfortable but unrestricted fit. This jacket is perfect to wear in windy and exposed locations because the design is carried out while keeping cold and wind in mind.
best women’s winter running jacket
7. Lululemon Down For a Run Women’s Jacket
There are so many features on this jacket that I don’t have room to list them all. But it seems that Lululemon has thought of everything, which hopefully justifies the high price.
If you’re going to run in freezing temperatures, it’s safe to say that this jacket will keep you warm and dry. Easily the best women’s jackets for running in cold weather if you can afford the high price.
best women’s winter running jacket
8. NEW BALANCE Q SPEED WINTER WATCH JACKET
This lightweight running jacket and helps you carry out a great run in the cold. This jacket fits perfectly, with a long neck and sleeves for maximum protection from the elements. It stretches to allow a free range of motion.
The Q Speed Jacket is designed to give wind and water-resistant fabric and comfort during running in different conditions. New Balance’s Heat Loft quilted fleece lined the front center of the jacket plus the bottom flap at the back. Its material will keep you warm without adding weight and bulk of traditional fleece fabric.
An adjustable vent at the back will help prevent overheating. Zippered hand pockets provide a good place to store items.
The last good thing about this jacket is its stylish look. The Q Speed Jacket looks just as good for a casual night out as running on the roads on cold winter mornings.
best women’s winter running jacket
9. SMARTLOFT 60 FEMALE HOODIE
These two Smartwool jackets combine warm merino wool with an insulated wind protector for warmth and versatility. Smart loft jackets have merino lining that will keep you warm while allowing you to run freely. Insulating panels on both sides add an extra layer of cold, wind, and water resistance to the jacket.
The best part about merino wool is that it resists odor. You can use it year after year and it won’t develop any stinky “runner” odor. Merino wool is also super soft, but it keeps you warm even when wet.
The Smartloft 60 Women’s Hoodie has less insulation but comes with a stretch merino wool hood. Otherwise, they are the same.
For colder days, you can even use these jackets as a mid-layer under another shell. Therefore, you can get merino wool heat with central protection and a shell on top to avoid wind and snow.
best women’s winter running jacket
10. ASICS LITE-SHOW 2 WINTER JACKET FOR WOMEN
This jacket combines the warmth of a winter running jacket with reflective details that make it perfect for an early morning or evening run.
The Lite-Show jacket is made with a soft outer shell that is thick enough to keep out the cold. But it still allows good movement. It will absorb moisture quickly while you sweat. Thumbholes on the sleeves add additional warmth.
This jacket has reflective elements on the front and back, as well as both sleeves. They will easily see you when you run in the dark.
The Lite-Show jacket has two front pockets for storing items and a smaller internal pocket for storing a phone or other more valuable items.
best women’s winter running jacket
11. SALOMON AGILE SOFTSHELL JACKET
If you are looking for a versatile and ideal jacket for both casual wears and running, the Salomon Agile Softshell is a perfect choice for you.
This super-light jacket has wind protection at the front to keep you warm. But a breathable mesh back prevents overheating. While this jacket is marketed as a cross-country ski jacket, its versatility makes it perfect for running in cold weather.
It comes with many features for water resistance and moisture absorption. Reflective detailing helps you be seen at night or during morning runs.
best women’s winter running jacket
12. SUGOI FIREWALL 180 WOMEN’S JACKET
The SUGOi Firewall jacket features wind-resistant fabric and an adjustable hood for maximum wind protection. It is a comfortable garment that uses a warm and wind/rain resistant design.
You’ll stay warm as you run without feeling overwhelmed. S-Tek Lite insert is used for extra moisture drying power. And it’s outer shell is lightweight that will allow you to run freely.
This jacket also has two hand pockets and a smaller internal pocket. A high collar offers added protection from the elements.
best women’s winter running jacket
13. CRAFT INTENSITY WOMEN’S JACKET
This Nordic ski jacket also works as a great jacket for running in cold weather. It has an ideal outer shell for windy, cold, or rainy weather. Neither of these conditions should stop you from running, and with this jacket, they won’t.
The Intensity jacket combined both windproof and breathable features perfectly. The front is windproof while the back is breathable. A soft inner collar keeps the neck warm. And two zippered side pockets offer a place to keep personal items safe. Finally, reflective detailing offers additional visibility in low light conditions.
best women’s winter running jacket
14. ARC’TERYX TRINO JACKET FOR WOMEN
The Arc’teryx Trino jacket features GORE Windstopper technology for a windproof design that will keep you warm in wet, windy weather.
Gore Windstopper fabric is on the chest and arms for more protection. Arc’teryx Atreus fabric is used on the rest of the jacket. This material keeps you warm while providing a good level of breathability and moisture-wicking features with a flexible design.
While the jacket lacks side pockets, it does have a back pocket to store some gear. The internal pocket is safe to store your phone or any electronic device. It has a hole for a headphone cable if you want to listen to music while running.
For a custom fit, the Trino jacket is adjustable above the waist to secure the jacket and prevent wind.
best women’s winter running jacket
Buyer’s Guide
The 4 main things to consider in a good winter jacket are:
- Good balance of wind resistance
- Water resistance
- Breathability
- Freedom of movement.
Insulation And Wind Resistance
They say you should dress like you’re going out in weather that’s 20 ° F warmer than it is if you’re going to run, as the heat you generate from running will make up the difference.
Sounds simple enough. But making it practical is tricky.
After all, running means that you are indeed generating quite a bit of wind as you move through the air, and the thermal sensation always makes you colder than just being in the cold air.
This means that wind resistance will play a bigger role in keeping you warm than insulation in a running jacket.
If you are running in really very cold temperatures, like well below freezing, then yes insulation will be your friend.
There are some amazing down or synthetic jackets on the market for this. But for most of the winter conditions, a good windproof jacket with a base layer is more than enough once you warm up.
A couple running outside in winter
best women’s winter running jacket
Waterproof
Water resistance can be very useful when going through winter weather.
Please note that I am not saying “waterproof” here.
Waterproof jackets (unless you plan to run through a horizontal sleet storm and rain with freezing temperatures below freezing) are not ideal for running as they often do not have enough breathability to counteract sweat that inevitably will produce.
Even the best of technology will not be able to handle your sweat running in a downpour.
There will be people who will disagree with me on this, but I have tried several high-quality Gore-tex jackets and have failed to stay dry on any.
I find that getting a little wet when you run is a part of the deal, and it’s often easier to make peace with getting wet and focus more on using good basecoats (like Merino) that will still keep you warm when wet, along with a good windproof outer cover.
But, back to water resistance.
Water resistance can be achieved while maintaining decent breathability and can help you stay warm and dry when it rains or snows lightly when you’re not running fast enough to generate enough heat.
best women’s winter running jacket
Breathability
If you know you sweat a lot, zippered underarm vents can be a huge plus.
Breathability is crucial, as explained above, there is little point in worrying about external sources of water if your jacket will catch all of your sweat and soak you from the inside out.
Most running jackets are designed to be breathable, but still this is something you should always check specifically for.
Freedom Of Movement
best women’s winter running jacket
Not being restricted by your running outfit is a big problem for us runners.
After all, isn’t it the freedom to use your body the way it was designed to be one of the great attractions of running?
You will want to make sure that your jacket is designed to allow your arms to swing freely and your body to spin without feeling restricted.
best women’s winter running jacket
Other Things To Consider
How much insulation do you want?
Some jackets are designed for very low and freezing temperatures. Those jackets most likely overheat the temperature is close to the 10 ° C / 10 ° F mark.
Choosing the right amount of insulation may sound obvious, but it could be the difference between having to take off your jacket mid-career or finish the race with blue lips.
Reflective details on his jacket can make running in the dark safer, making cars more likely to see him.
Pockets pockets pockets! A zippered chest pocket can be a useful place to store keys or your phone while running (as long as the jacket is tight enough so they don’t bounce too much).
A squeeze hood can fit snugly around your face and keeping cold air from channeling down your neck can help keep you warm in cold temperatures.
Finally, this is a personal choice, but I like thumb holes while running. Keep wrists and upper hands warm and prevent drafts from rising
So that sums up this guide to the best winter jackets on the market this season.
I hope you have found something you like, the look that meets your criteria, and will keep you the right amount of heat and dry for your winter location.
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